Honkai, Traversing Otto, Path to Godhood

Otto snorted, "What is this... A game against the Honkai back then, that was truly exciting. A mere Fehu Rune, what is it..."

—He didn't say that he seemed to have been playing as a toy during that game.

"Lord Durandal was about to charge out," Rita smiled charmingly, "Fortunately, Senior Fu Hua stopped her."

That's because of her mother, isn't it...

Otto glanced at Durandal, only to see the girl looking at him, her eyes full of worry.

"Bishop," Durandal spoke, "Is your consciousness alright?"

Yo? The cub has grown up?

"I'm alright," Otto raised his eyebrows, a little surprised, "Exchanging a Divine Key for a burn, I don't think it's a loss."

"Otto."

The gray-haired woman beside him suddenly spoke. Fu Hua, who had already put on her armor, walked in front of him.

"Is there a problem, my old friend?"

Otto sized up the woman he had used for five hundred years, his gaze finally resting on a certain spot, and he shook his head with regret.

What a shame.

Fu Hua tilted her head, she felt a sense of malice in the man's gaze.

But she didn't know where this thought came from, so she continued, "Your plan... is too insane."

"Have I ever not been insane for the past five hundred years, my old friend?"

Otto laughed wantonly, "Don't worry, I've made all the preparations— do you still have some sympathy for him?"

"I know that ill-timed pity will only lead to more terrible consequences," Fu Hua frowned.

"That's good, Chiyuan Immortal."

He replied leisurely, then took a step forward, and in an instant, space twisted, and he arrived at the edge of the forest.

"Hi, old friend," he patted the man's shoulder in front of him, smiling, "Long time no see."

Since crossing over, his smile had always carried mystery and hidden intentions; but now, no disguise could conceal the ambition and arrogance at the corners of his lips.

Even his eyes, which were somewhat unfocused from just enduring the world's most painful searing heat, were etched with terrifying greed and desire, as if a monstrous sin was hidden within them, unforgivable and irredeemable.

"My target... has always been you, Welt Yang."

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fighting Welt Yang (4k)

"Deputy Captain of the Immortal Blade squad, Rita Rossweisse, reporting for duty."

The brown-haired maid moved with cat-like steps, her crimson eyes seeming to smile as she elegantly and gracefully bowed behind Welt.

"Newly promoted S-rank Valkyrie, Bianca Durandal Atagina, ordered to intercept."

The blue-eyed girl flicked her golden wavy hair behind her, crossing her Lance, Eternal Silence, blocking Welt's right side.

"Fu Hua, seeking guidance here."

To his left was the Shenzhou Immortal, dressed in a moon-white shirt. She clasped her fists seriously, her long sleeves fluttering, exuding an elegant demeanor.

"Finally— Schicksal Bishop Otto Apocalypse,"

The blonde man raised his hand, the cross on his wrist slowly extending, nailing itself in front of him, "Here, I bid farewell to Anti-Entropy Leader Welt Yang."

Schicksal's strongest forces stood at Welt's four cardinal directions, forming a pincer attack.

"So," the brown-haired man adjusted his glasses, taking a barely perceptible half-step back, "You came to St. Freya Academy this time— actually to attack me?"

Otherwise?

Otto sneered inwardly, Does Siegfried even deserve me using a Fehu Rune to lure him?

"Are you surprised?"

The blonde man's tone was casual, carrying a sense of ease that sent a chill down Welt's spine, "My old friend, do you still think that we had some unspoken agreement, a tacit understanding that we both ignored?"

He couldn't help but laugh: "Haha, yes, of course I know, the me before wouldn't mind an existence opposing Schicksal— but Welt II, people change, you know."

Otto grinned, his smile still as arrogant as ever:

"That you are at St. Freya, I knew, and I didn't know, because when I don't want to know, I won't know, and when I want to know, I will know."

"Ultimately, whether it was you or Anti-Entropy, you didn't get beaten for resisting Schicksal, it's because I was in a good mood and didn't want to beat you."

The man drew out his words, a hint of dominance in his tone:

"And now, I find you an eyesore."

The original Otto didn't place much importance on Welt Yang, and at the same time, he was wary of the power emanating from the Divine Keys in the Herrscher's hands (a joke, in early settings Otto was afraid of the Star of Eden); even though the other party had been hiding in St. Freya for many years, he couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

After all, it wouldn't affect his plans.

But the Otto of today cared more about himself—and more about Schicksal—than before.

The actors on stage, with their melodious and chattering performances, were certainly a sight to behold. But what if there was an element that couldn't be controlled and could potentially disrupt the established narrative?

—In that case, I'm afraid not. Disobedient actors are bound to leave the stage, no matter the method.

Otto Apocalypse was never a kind-hearted individual.

Anti-Entropy was merely the North American branch, but the Herrscher of Reason was truly a threat to his life, and someone he couldn't win over.

Otto could indeed force the other party to submit through various means. A simple "You wouldn't want Anti-Entropy to perish, would you?" would be enough to make him obediently work for him.

But the question was—what qualifications did Welt have to warrant him spending so much effort? Was it just for the Herrscher core?

Foolish. If I kill you, the core will be mine anyway!

Even Kevin, the Savior who ventured into the Sea of Quantum, Otto selfishly wanted to weaken him—even though he was a trump card sent from the Previous Civilization to counter Finality.

Not to mention the leader of Anti-Entropy who opposed him, the Herrscher of Reason, Welt Yang.

Siegfried Kaslana's surprise attack was merely an unexpected move from a casual game, helping Otto extinguish Cecilia's hope and bringing him the Divine Key Fehu Rune. The true purpose of the blond man's arrival at St. Freya was actually to subdue this Herrscher of Reason.

The Bishop of Schicksal looked at the leader of Anti-Entropy, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes.

Although the plan had changed slightly, making this surprise attack lack the S-rank Valkyrie Cecilia; it was actually enough.

—As long as he was here, it was enough.

"So, just now, you acted as if you were going to kill Siegfried," Welt feigned calmness, his gaze gradually intensifying, "was to deplete my strength?"

If he hadn't sent Siegfried away just now, the leader of Anti-Entropy could have attempted to simulate the Herrscher of the Void's abilities and quickly retreat.

But the severe injuries from the Second Honkai Outbreak made it difficult for him to complete the simulation of the Herrscher of the Void again anytime soon.

(These injuries, which didn't fully heal even after Buggy entered St. Freya, meant that in the manga's Anti-Entropy Invasion arc, he would become weak even when killing a clone that Buggy had already defeated.)

(Although that plot was his own fault for trying to show off, choosing to fight with ten thousand times gravity when a single strike would have sufficed.)

Although the Herrscher of Reason's abilities were close to those of an omniscient and omnipotent god, his output determined that this power was ultimately not omnipotent.

Even Welt Joyce, the first Herrscher of Reason, had to sacrifice himself to save the city when faced with a Honkai Energy fission bomb.

Let alone him, the second generation, whose mentality and abilities were inferior to the former.

Therefore, the help he offered just now was truly like a clay Buddha crossing the river, unable to save himself yet still trying to help Siegfried Kaslana, and now, he couldn't teleport himself.

Of course, a person like him would not regret saving someone who opposed Otto.

They were friends, after all.

Yes, although their Anti-Entropy's rescue efforts were insufficient, causing Kiana to fall from ten thousand meters in the sky; although their Anti-Entropy let Siegfried take Buggy himself to avoid trouble in their territory; although it was their Anti-Entropy who persuaded Siegfried to give the name Kiana to Buggy, he, Welt Yang, still felt that he and Siegfried were friends.

"Heh—what is Siegfried, anyway?"

Otto tilted his head, not denying Welt's thoughts.

"Was he worth me being burned for so long? Worth me being killed by Cecilia?"

"Yes," Welt sighed and nodded, "I should have realized something was wrong long ago, from the moment you brandished Fehu Rune at Siegfried in front of Cecilia."

"Seeing you kill someone close to her, Cecilia would definitely have reservations—even if it was a clone. I should have realized that unless it benefited the plan, someone like you, who feigns benevolence, would not take actions that shake the minds of those around you."

"So... so, you were just depleting my strength."

—From his perspective, he thought Cecilia would develop a rift with Otto because Otto killed Siegfried.

"What 'loved one'? Not necessarily anymore,"

The blond man narrowed his eyes.

"How dare he attack me? In a few days, he won't be. I will personally help Cecilia break the contract, with all the Kaslanas and Schariacs as witnesses."

"What I bestowed upon him, he does not appreciate, so I can also take it back."

For some reason, Durandal's body swayed, and her eyes became momentarily dazed.

"Also, my old friend Welt II, what you should be thinking about now is not that troublesome matter of Siegfried Kaslana, but rather..."

The blond man raised his hand, and the three major forces of Schicksal simultaneously adopted a lunging stance.

"But how to survive under the siege of myself and the Schicksal Valkyries!"

Fu Hua responded by throwing a punch, the gauntlet Anuda of the Broken Light crackling with purple electricity, and instantly striking Welt with a short, powerful force!

"Haa!"

Durandal shouted, thrusting her Lance Eternal Silence forward fiercely!

Rita also moved quickly, silently positioning herself behind Welt. Twisting her waist and wrists, the long scythe Skadi of the Eternal Frost activated its freezing abilities, its sharp blade aimed directly at the man's back!

"Ganging up on one... Otto, Otto, you're as despicable as you were ten years ago."

Welt gave a helpless wry smile, then raised his hand, dark red Honkai Energy spreading out!

With several heavy clangs, Fu Hua's powerful fist struck a purple metal block, and the lance and scythe were guided to collide with exquisite control.

With just a raise of his hand, he had neutralized the attacks of the three major Valkyries of Schicksal!

"It is your honor, Welt II,"

The blond man replied. Behind him, a golden-edged portal opened, and countless gun-shaped Fehu Runes lit up.

"Schicksal has deployed all its trump cards, save for the Saintess, all for... the sole purpose of killing you!"

Before his words even finished, the golden mimicry firearms unleashed Skyfire, and Honkai Energy surged towards Welt!

At this moment, the three Valkyries had also adjusted their states. Commands were chanted from their lips, armor covered their bodies, and Honkai Energy flickered and jumped around them. Their spiritrons whispered and circled around them. They raised their weapons, summoning the great power around them, and glared at the First Herrscher before them!

"Hmph! Otto Apocalypse, don't get too carried away!"

Welt was finally provoked into a bit of anger by the blond man. He crossed his arms, metal covering his joints, protecting vital areas. He then took a few steps back, and Titan mechs quietly gathered along the Valkyries' attack path, like a vast torrent!

"On behalf of Anti-Entropy, in a way that even mortals can wield—I declare war on you, and on Schicksal!!!"

Countless mechs were silently born within the domain, like specters stepping into this world from another. Their empty eyes shot out a crimson, malevolent light, as if an evil flame burned within them.

They raised their giant cannons high. Even though they were just preparing to fire, their aura was already overwhelming!

During the Second Honkai Outbreak, Welt Yang had once used this to confront Sirin, the Herrscher of the Void, using human weapons to shake the authority of a god.

Although he couldn't replicate the glory of countless divine soldiers from back then due to his unhealed severe injuries, the accumulation of sixty years, especially the breakthrough during battle when confronting Murata Ryusuke with a Divine Key (manga "Otherworlder" chapter), had given him a deeper understanding of the Herrscher of Reason's authority.

Perhaps he was far inferior to the naturally born Herrscher, Welt Joyce, and his power was not as great as during the Second Honkai Outbreak, but his mastery of this ability was undoubtedly unparalleled in its precision.

Just like now, he could construct this torrent of mechs that could trap the three great Valkyries at the minimum cost, efficiently cycling and replenishing them in time after they shattered the Titans, while simultaneously condensing the abilities he learned from the Herrscher of the Void to repel everyone at the fastest speed and return to a safe zone!

—As long as...

Welt glanced at the man who hadn't moved, his gaze solemn.

Within the Titan torrent, Rita and Durandal stood back-to-back, while Fu Hua adopted a traditional martial arts ready stance, standing alone.