Honkai, Transcending Otto, Path to Godhood

Otto: "...The silly girl is babbling incoherently."

He could clearly see that when Durandal said she would appear before Cecilia as little as possible, the two upturned strands of hair at her forehead drooped, and her whole demeanor became listless.

Otto had seen enough of Durandal's expressive face and turned his gaze to Cecilia—

Oh my goodness, our Saintess's eyes are so gentle they could almost drip water.

Cecilia saw the Bishop's sideways glance and returned a apologetic yet motherly smile. Then, she met Durandal's gaze, her heart filled with surging emotions.

Me too, Duran...dal.

The woman said softly in her heart.

I also want to hold you in my arms and quietly listen to your breathing.

I feel an inexplicable closeness to you, as if we've weathered storms together.

Please don't apologize for forgetting; I'm willing to exchange our names.

Actually, I'm also suffering from amnesia right now, but that doesn't stop me from being happy when I see you.

You don't need to distance yourself from my world, because...

I really, really, really want to see you.

Cecilia's expression was one of extreme sadness, yet she didn't seem on the verge of tears. Instead, there was a deep and magnificent emotion within her.

They gazed at each other in silence, but it seemed as if all words were being articulated in their eyes.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Otto broke the silence. "It seems there's quite a difference between true family and certain relationships one makes."

*Wasn't there some father who didn't recognize his own daughter?*¹

So, the child born from one's flesh is closer than any other relationship.

"So, do we really have any blood relation?" Durandal, more perceptive than anyone at this moment, directly grasped the key point.

For a moment, Otto really wanted to tease her and tell Durandal that she was actually Otto and Cecilia's illegitimate daughter, a product of Cecilia's desire for a child (quotation marks should be here), otherwise why would she have blonde hair and why would he treat her so well.

After all, it's his future self he's tricking; what's he afraid of now?

"Who knows?" In the end, he decided to spare his future self and replied with a mysterious smile.

It wasn't that Otto was being petty, but now... it wasn't the time for mother and daughter to reunite.

At least... reuniting now wouldn't maximize his benefits.

"Let me summarize the situation based on the current circumstances," Otto said before Durandal could get angry at his vagueness. "Miss Durandal, you came to me about something—a rather significant matter, wouldn't you say? Then you saw this Valkyrie, felt an intense sense of familiarity, yet were hesitant to acknowledge her, so you followed her, unsure of how to speak. Am I correct?"

"That's exactly it," Durandal nodded. "So, can you tell me what her relationship is to me?"

Cecilia also turned her head, looking at him curiously.

Otto: ...

Innocent and naive yet cunning; the ancients truly did not deceive me.

With things having reached this point, she still wants to circle back to the original objective.

In that case... should he lie?

Better not.

Being exposed would easily lead to a beating.

"This question, when the time is right, I will tell you," Otto finally shook his head and replied.

"Hmm... alright then, let's not discuss this for now." Durandal's Schariac bloodline finally came into play, obeying his command. "Also, I wanted to ask, can I invite her—oh, right, Bishop, may I ask, what is this lady's name?"

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Chapter 14: A Crown of Freedom Awaits You

"Cecilia Schariac." This was something he could tell the "goose."

"Alright, can I invite Ms. Cecilia Schariac to join me and Rita's Immortal—What???!!!"

Durandal finally realized which Valkyrie this name belonged to: "Cecilia Schariac? The Schicksal S-rank Valkyrie who sacrificed herself during the Second Honkai Outbreak? Is it a case of mistaken identity? Or a succession or remembrance by a descendant?"

"Of course," Otto replied with a smile. "Of course, it's her, the one and only Cecilia Schariac, currently Schicksal's last Saintess, genuine and true—you know, Durandal, I never joke about such matters."

"Then what is recorded in history—"

"Shh—keep your voice down," Otto said, holding up his index finger in a "hush" gesture. "Our Schicksal Saintess is currently suffering from some amnesia. When she tries to recall past events, her head aches. If I were to announce it directly, I fear that her original network of relationships might cause further damage to her head."

Otto paused and sighed. "After all, the people currently connected to her are an immature old man, a fugitive of Schicksal, and a poor soul who has lost her memory. In short, besides me, everyone in her network is someone who needs her."

"I am not pitiful," Durandal frowned.

???

How come my goose isn't acting dumb anymore? She figured it out so quickly...

Tell me! Where did you hide my silly goose?!

"I am truly amazed by your perceptiveness, Durandal," Otto said, feigning astonishment.

"I'm just a bit straightforward, not stupid," the "goose" replied, sensing the blatant malice in Otto's admiring gaze.

"Hmm, that makes sense, I can barely understand."

"After all, when Raiden Mei isn't around, the little bug can even travel from Europe to the Far East."

"The Kaslana family doesn't inherit stupidity; they inherit the amazing ability to 'format the useless thing on their neck when they have an external brain'."

"Like Kevin, like Kallen, like the little bug and Kiana."

Otto wanted to clap, but remembered he was holding Cecilia's hand with one of his, so he switched to nodding.

"Very good, very good. I'm glad you have wisdom within your innocence; then you should also know how cruel and dismissive it is to desperately stuff past memories into a lost and bewildered soul."

"She doesn't know what happened, nor does she understand what the past was like. Her entire life has become a blank slate, only to be arbitrarily scribbled on by others in the name of love, molded into the shape they desire, and treated as a matter of course—haha, truly deeply moving."

"Hmm, although Otto is the best at doing this, it doesn't stop him from standing on the moral high ground and pointing fingers."

He looked at Cecilia, his palm gently squeezing hers to transfer power: "You've finished that beautiful war, you've walked the path you were meant to walk, and you've successfully guarded the faith you were meant to protect. In Schicksal, a crown of freedom will always be preserved for you."

"You can live on like this, without memories, forgetting everything from before and embracing a new future."

He felt Cecilia also tighten her grip on his hand. Their fingers intertwined.

"Therefore," Otto decided to stop while he was ahead and looked at Durandal—the young girl was now staring at their clasped hands in shock, her face a mixture of emotions—"I've decided to keep her by my side for a period of recuperation. If she recovers her memories, we will openly and honorably announce the return of the Schicksal Saintess to the world;"

"If she never remembers anything from before, I won't let anyone make her live in the shadow of Cecilia Schariac. She can have the name Cecilia, but no one can shape her present based on her past."

"This is my promise, as Otto Apocalypse, the Bishop of Schicksal."

These words were for Durandal to hear, and also an explanation to Cecilia.

It wasn't entirely empty talk to gain favor; a lie that is nine parts true and one part false is a good lie. If he didn't know when Cecilia would recover her memories, he would genuinely let his Saintess live a peaceful and happy life like this.

In fact, a memory-wiped version of her would be even easier to manage.

What he needed was Cecilia's connections and her complete trust.

Combat memories could be trained, and besides, Cecilia's most precious asset wasn't her combat power.

Of course, the true intention behind his words went beyond the surface. By making "Durandal" understand his actions towards Cecilia, he was also subtly preparing her for her own memory recovery in the future.

The "Heavenly Dragon Knight" was the strongest human power in the current civilization besides the Herrschers, and Otto naturally wouldn't give up on controlling it. By laying the groundwork in advance, there would be fewer mistakes when she eventually questioned him.

"The Bishop is right," Durandal nodded. "Cecilia-senpai should be allowed to recover her memories on her own."

However, her peripheral vision couldn't help but glance at their clasped hands, and a feeling arose in her heart that was neither bitter nor joyful. It was like what Rita had once told her... sour?

Is the Bishop doing this... because Cecilia-sama has amnesia and lacks security, so she's holding his hand to stabilize her emotions?

Then I could also... Well, it's better to let the Bishop handle comforting people.

Building a good relationship with Cecilia-senpai... there's always time for that.

She thought for a moment and then asked, "Then, after Cecilia-senpai recovers her memories—or, when she becomes a Valkyrie again... Bishop, may I invite her to join my Immortal Blade?"

"You are currently an A-rank Valkyrie," Otto reminded her, "while Cecilia... is S-rank."

The young girl wouldn't become S-rank and obtain the Black Abyss White Flower until 2014.

"I'll participate in the S-rank Valkyrie selection tomorrow!" Durandal said anxiously. "As long as you open it up—oh, right, if she's willing to come, I can give up my position as captain of the Immortal Blade!"

Otto glanced at Cecilia and saw that she also had a look of longing on her face. If it weren't for her innate dependence and obedience towards him, she would have probably already exclaimed, "I do!"

"After she recovers her memories, you can invite her then," Otto didn't rush to refuse on Cecilia's behalf. "Of course, I have a better suggestion—why don't you join her squad?"

"If she forms one, I'll definitely sign up," Durandal said without hesitation.

Tsk tsk tsk... They haven't even officially met yet, and she already trusts her this much...

"We'll discuss this topic after she recovers," Otto neither confirmed nor denied. "So now—Durandal, can you tell me the reason for your visit?"

"My reason? —Oh, right," Durandal was momentarily dazed, then realized, "I think... I do have a reason for coming."

Otto: ...

I really shouldn't have expected Kaslana's brains.

"Near London, England, I encountered a bit of trouble,"

Getting down to business, Durandal finally entered a serious state.

"I encountered some Honkai Beasts that showed signs of artificial modification."

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Chapter 15: A Thousand Miles I Worry for Kiana

"Artificially modified Honkai Beasts?"

"Were they cat-shaped?"

Otto raised an eyebrow, showing considerable interest.

Durandal's future pet, Stan, was an artificially modified cat-type Honkai Beast.

"Kitty?!"

Kiana's immediate reaction was even more excited than his, but she quickly became dejected. "No, Bishop."

"And were there any people near the Honkai Beasts?"

"Mm... yes, there was."

Durandal nodded in response.

"While pursuing, I saw a woman in black, but just as I was about to give chase, she escaped."

She thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, right. I remember she had a purple sniper rifle in her hand—it made me feel a certain level of threat."

"Oh, a sniper... a sniper rifle?" Otto's expression faltered slightly.

"Yes, and the gun seemed to emit a purple glow."

"...Bianca Durandal Atagina." The man stared intently at the girl, his tone solemn.

"What is it, Bishop?"

Someone wore the expression of someone looking at a troublesome child. "Every time you're lucky, it's like you're pulling yourself back from the brink of death."

"Why do you say that???"

"How about I announce to the world that you're my last student?" Otto didn't answer her question but asked with utter sincerity, "That way, when you go off on your own, other organizations might be a little more hesitant."

Durandal: ???

Otto looked up at the bright moon and let out a long sigh.