Honkai, Traversing Otto, Path to Godhood

However, Otto didn't step into the torrent of Titans. He merely leaned against the Oath of Judah, occasionally using the Mimicry Skyfire Rune behind him to help them deal with the attacks. His expression was as relaxed as if he were... watching a play?

"What is he still doing? Thinking? Waiting?"

"Go!"

Welt finally lost his patience and urgently initiated an attack with his mecha domain, preparing for his next move.

As the man raised his hand, Titan mechs immediately surged forward, kicking up a sky full of dust!

Lances and scythes danced together, piercing and slashing rapidly. With Durandal and Rita's skilled techniques and telepathic coordination, cracks appeared on the mechs' bodies. These cracks would cause the surface of the mechs to break open quickly, rendering them immobile.

However, under Welt's precise control, the mechs would undergo near "regenerative" reconstruction due to a slight loss of Honkai Energy circulation, making their attacks almost futile.

Honkai Energy cracks spread across the Titans' mechs, like ancient warriors awakened by an evil summoning spell, launching a full-scale assault on those who dared to tread upon this restless land, an unending battle!

"Hah!"

Durandal panted slightly, swatting away an iron fist for Rita. Her eyes flickered with excitement, but also a hint of imperceptible worry.

Is this what fighting a Herrscher is like?

It seems that even though I just passed the S-rank Valkyrie exam, I'm still not strong enough.

I need to keep working hard; the road ahead is long... This kind of Titan torrent attack really tests one's adaptability. I should tell the Bishop later to increase the highest difficulty setting for Titans in the simulation room.

But no matter what, annihilating all the Titans before me is the most important issue... But how?

If Ms. Cecilia were here, how would she solve this? Would she just fight head-on like me?

She could probably break through, right?

If the Bishop were here... No, isn't Otto here? What is he doing?

"Very good," the voice of the blond man echoed across the battlefield. "Data collection complete. Welt II, your precision in controlling Herrscher abilities has truly exceeded my expectations—it's even given me a bit of inspiration for using Void Archives."

"However, exceeding my expectations is easy, but surpassing my plan—that's a bit difficult."

"First Divine Key, Seventh Plural Mimicry—Void Archives, Rain of Myriad Flowers."

The Mimicry Skyfire Rune, extending from the black hole, once again unleashed the power it displayed by the River Thames. A large-scale Skyfire attack reappeared. Compared to Honkai Beasts, mechs were clearly more susceptible to the intense flames. In an instant, the Skyfire cleansed the battlefield, and the Titans exploded one after another, turning into black and red dust!

Welt frowned and raised his hand. This time, he didn't continue constructing mechs. Instead, he made countless weapons appear out of thin air, forming a defense around himself.

He had already simulated the power of space. As long as these weapons could hold on for a little longer, Welt could leave St. Freya unharmed. Then, with Einstein and the others providing backup, he could return to Anti-Entropy...

Just a little bit... just a little bit more time...

"Hmph, Welt Yang—did I permit you to leave?"

PS: To clarify, the current date is January 2, 2014. Durandal had just passed her S-rank exam (mentioned earlier, which is also a clue for this arc), while Rita is still A-rank. In the game's storyline, both became S-rank in 2015.

This is why Old Yang temporarily appears to be holding his own. Look how brave Lu Bu is, but those generals could at least take a few hits.

Furthermore, defeating these three heroes fighting Old Yang is only a matter of time, but capturing or killing him is still difficult, after all, he's Welt Yang who can do sit-ups.

Of course, Old Yang can't escape. The Bishop is here to hold the fort, and this matter has been in the making for a long time.

Chapter 60: Supreme! Void! Sword! God! (4k)

The weapons that were about to be constructed shattered instantly. The so-called defense crumbled like a rotten building. Golden feathers drifted before his eyes, causing Welt's mind to falter—

Although he quickly recovered from the interference of Mimicry Feather of Dust, his escape rhythm clearly slowed down. Fu Hua seized the opportunity, leaping into the air with dragon-like strides, and punched the body surrounded by divine weapons!

His seemingly ordinary physique unleashed a mountain-shattering power. Welt couldn't help but let out a muffled groan of pain. Durandal seized this opportunity, spinning "Eternal Silence" and thrusting it fiercely towards Welt's heart!

Welt raised his hand to construct a shield, barely blocking Durandal's attack. Then, enduring the shock, he took a step to the right. Blood flowed from his back—it was Rita who took advantage of this opportunity, carrying "Skadi of the Eternal Frost" upside down. Silver-white and pitch black intertwined, unleashing a heart-rending whirlwind on the battlefield!

"Your declaration of war against me is quite formidable, Welt II," Otto chuckled lowly, his mockery undisguised.

"Hmph, Otto Apocalypse," Welt retreated a few steps, pressing a hand to his chest, his voice hoarse yet powerful. "Just a clone, three Valkyries, do you... underestimate me too much?!"

As Welt responded, Otto felt everything before his eyes begin to stir. The surrounding temperature gradually rose, and lightning elements leaped in the air, making crackling sounds.

Simultaneously, a cannon-shaped object in black and red appeared in Welt's right hand. Star of Eden unleashed power beyond its limits, and a gravity field spread from the black-haired man's body. Everyone's movements suddenly froze, their bodies as if being crushed by towering mountains!

"This is the true Divine Key, the true Herrscher..."

Welt's pupils deepened to crimson, one hand gripping Gravity, the other holding Lightning.

Yes, this was the true terror of the Herrscher of Reason. Although not in the truest sense, like the Herrscher of Thunder who commanded the world's electromagnetic force, or like the Herrscher of Earth who could freely manipulate gravity; the Herrscher of Reason was born to learn and mimic. If he willed it, he was the master of lightning, a god who governed the world!

"Tyrant of the heavens—"

Welt Yang looked at Otto Apocalypse and uttered word by word what Welt Joyce had said to the blond man fifty years ago.

"Witness the shattering of stars!"

With this roar, the power of Star of Eden was fully unleashed!

Even without incantations, the Herrscher of Reason could summon Divine Keys at will, easily crushing all normal combatants.

It was like a mortal who had gained even a sliver of a god's power was enough to contend with the world's martial emperors!

The Soul Steel-forged Star of Eden transformed into an unfathomably deep black sphere, with countless lightning splendors filling the area around it. Welt Yang seemed to merely lift his arm, drawing the four into his gravity field!

The ground seemed to give birth to a colossal gravitational force, frantically forcing them to prostrate. Their heads, arms, legs, backs, and chests—each part experienced the same degree of force, uniformly pulling downwards, pressing their bodies to the ground as much as possible!

Moreover, this gravitational force continued to intensify, tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold... If they couldn't break free, even the strongest bodies would be crushed to powder, bleeding from all seven orifices and dying!

The agitated air grew hotter, as if the entire atmosphere was about to submit to the overwhelming might of a deity.

Quasi-S-rank Valkyrie Rita and barely-S-rank Durandal steadied themselves with their weapons, just enough to keep from falling—after all, neither had donned fourth-generation Valkyrie armor yet, nor could they unleash the power of a World Bubble. This battle was truly beyond their capabilities.

Otto also felt his breathing become somewhat difficult, the air he inhaled carried a scorching heat, and the lightning element throughout the space began to become chaotic, as if it would erupt at any moment.

"Is that so? Me? A tyrant?"

But he still maintained a composed expression, lifting his head with calm.

"Ignorant Herrscher—"

The ancient monarch let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with golden arrogance and self-importance, "Witness Schicksal's destined death!"

A strong wind whistled past, blowing his white clothes like a battle flag. The feeling of being suppressed by the mountains receded like a tide. Fu Hua, Durandal, and Rita regained their freedom, quickly evading the lightning, and attacked Welt from three directions once more!

A scarlet disc suddenly dominated the entire forest. A vast Skyfire radiated from a sun-like sphere, burning from the very center to the surrounding weeds, encircling their position into an independent space!

Brilliant purple lightning exploded within the flames. Even a thousandfold gravity couldn't suppress the sweep of the Skyfire. Welt, in a sorry state, fell from the sky to the ground. Just as he was constructing a shield to block, the scarlet sun suddenly vanished—

Then, a spear fell, a scythe swung, and a precise punch. The three Valkyries launched a continuous, rain-like assault once again!

Though the four had never coordinated before, their excellent combat prowess allowed them to maintain great tacit understanding:

Otto launched Honkai Skyfire from a distance, interrupting Welt's sneak attacks time and again; Fu Hua and Durandal controlled the front lines, breaking through the defenses he hastily constructed; and from the shadows and darkness, an icy blue scythe appeared and disappeared. The most inconspicuous girl watched for his weaknesses, each strike inflicting wounds that couldn't be healed in a short time!

Purple and dark red intertwined and burned, as if tearing the space apart. Illusory spirits and mechs clashed, seemingly letting out roars. Black Abyss White Flower and Mimicry Divine Weapons surged, creating the most brilliant colors in the world, as if annihilating everything around them in the endless void!

The three and one Herrscher engaged in hundreds of exchanges in an instant. Red and black crystals exploded, and the immense sound echoed through the forest. All life vanished; this land had become a desolate wasteland of ancient myth!

Dust and dazzling lightning obscured Otto's vision of what was happening inside. Relying on his senses of the three Valkyries, he helped them intercept hidden attacks.

He could hear the constant sounds of breaking tree trunks, the impact of fists and feet, the gasps of those struck, and the cracking of bones, allowing him to infer how brutal the scene must be.

The golden-haired man's attacks at this moment were not as fierce as before. The Skyfire, purely defensive, had its color greatly dulled. It was as if the previous outburst was merely a fleeting moment, and this five-hundred-year-old man could only be this intense.

—Was it truly just a fleeting moment?

"Bianca!"

He suddenly shouted, short and powerful. Golden light flowed through his pupils, and Void Archives activated again, creating an opening in front of Durandal that led directly to Welt's chest!

Durandal immediately understood Otto's intention. She tacitly reversed her Lance, Oath of Judah, and then hurled it with an unstoppable momentum, like the ebb and flow of the ocean, stirring up a majestic, world-destroying surge of rage!

"Cough, cough, cough...!"

The armor Welt instantly constructed on his chest was shattered. The shockwave stirred by the lance forced him to take a step back, but it wasn't a fatal injury.

After all, Durandal had only just passed her S-rank exam, and she had already been depleted by the Titans, gravity, and lightning. She didn't possess the outrageously powerful strength she would have in the future...

—But just as he thought the attack had landed and he could switch tactics during the gap in their confrontation, an extremely familiar lance surprisingly appeared before him again. Otto raised the Divine Key, Black Abyss White Flower, high and plunged it into his chest!

Was combat a duel of one move after another?

No, it was inherently a relentless slaughter, wave after wave!

And Otto, after Durandal's not-so-strong but imposing move, soared forward, forcibly activating Black Abyss White Flower with his Soul Steel body, and then, with unparalleled might, he struck with his lance, successfully heavily wounding Welt!

"Ughhh!!!"

Welt was sent flying backward, crashing into the base of a tree. He finally struggled to extend a hand, narrowly dodging an ambush from Rita, who was hidden in the shadows, and then, under Fu Hua's perfectly timed punch, he painfully used the force to fly into the sky. He finally stumbled away, narrowly dodging the combined assault of the four.

He was covered in blood, his clenched fists trembling. His eyes looked down at the four on the ground, lightning crackling around him, his bones grinding, Honkai Energy repairing his body.

Otto, meanwhile, had also plunged Black Abyss White Flower into the ground. He raised his head, meeting the Herrscher's gaze, his pupils shining brightly—it was... anticipation!

An invisible aura clashed in the space, causing hearts to pound.

Welt didn't move first, and Otto seemed to have given up on pressing his advantage. Both seemed to be waiting for an opportunity, a decisive moment.

"What's happening over there?!"

"It looks like the Lord Bishop... ah, and three Valkyries!"

"Huh? Isn't that our Teacher Yang? What's he doing here?"

"Why is he opposing the Lord Bishop?"

"Everyone, quickly go and get Principal Theresa!"

Noisy voices could be heard from afar. Welt frowned, and his gathered fighting intent involuntarily leaked out a little.

He was distracted.

Having taught at St. Freya for many years, Welt naturally didn't want the dirty dealings from the higher-ups to affect his students.

—Even though, from this point forward, they would certainly no longer be his students.

Moreover, the more people there were, the more disadvantageous it would be for him.

Then...

"Are you planning to leave again, Welt II?"

Otto suddenly spoke, piercing through his thoughts with a single sentence.

Welt did not deny it but replied seriously:

"Don't force my hand, Otto Apocalypse. I don't want to harm the students here, and if I were to try and force my way out, your team would at most only manage to heavily wound me again."

"Hahaha," Otto sounded as if he'd heard a joke. "Heavily wounded again?"

"A Soul Steel body, three Valkyries,"

Welt heard the mockery in Otto's tone, but he still looked around as he answered, "I still don't think that's a suitable lineup to deal with a Herrscher."

"Yes, Welt II," Otto nodded with mock seriousness. "I think so too."

"After all, you are the Herrscher of Reason, the one among Herrschers most adept at dying and coming back to life."

"Our team can defeat and heavily wound a wounded you, but capturing or killing you... even I think the chances are slim."

"But... my old friend, haven't you noticed something is wrong?"

"After successfully heavily wounding you, I should have pursued without giving you any chance to speak; yet now, I'm tolerating your self-recovery and you scouting for escape routes."

"You're even thinking that I'm being overly talkative at this moment, aren't you?"

"Wasting an opportunity by talking too much. I believe you're mocking me like this, hahaha."

Welt hovered in the air, looking at the man who made no move with confusion. He didn't understand his meaning, but a growing unease settled in his heart.

"Actually, I never intended to deal with you with just these people, but Welt II..."

Otto raised his hand, and Void Archives, mimicking the Herrscher of the Void's ability, teleported the three Valkyries dozens of meters away.

"You don't seriously think," the man placed his hand on Oath of Judah, his eyes arrogant, "that I'd give you any chance to live when I declared your death?"

"Eleventh Divine Key, activate!"

A vast field of constraint spread out, completely sealing Welt's path to drawing Honkai Energy from external sources. He frowned, wanting to break free quickly, but suddenly held his breath—

At the same moment, Otto's cold laugh echoed in the man's ear. A glowing scepter pressed against his back, and for a moment, he found himself unable to mobilize the Herrscher of Reason's power!!!