Honkai: Transmigrating into Otto, The Path to Godhood

He paused, his tone returning to normal:

"So, Little Void Archives, would you like this gift?"

The golden chains stopped moving. After a long pause, Void Archives' calm voice echoed through the space:

"Aren't you afraid I'll team up with that Welt to carve up your Schicksal?"

"First, I believe, with your rationality, you will choose me," Otto said confidently. "Regardless, there's a core directive in your actions, and that is to eliminate Honkai."

No, he doesn't believe that.

The man with golden hair refuted himself inwardly, his eyelashes drooping, obscuring the indifference deep within his eyes.

But since he had just mocked her, and now he was going to trick her again, he might as well say something nice.

After all, he still had to keep squeezing her for all she was worth.

"And in these past few days, I've made significant gains in both combat power and weaponry;"

"At the same time, whether it's you, St. Freya, World Serpent, or Anti-Entropy, I've toyed with all of you in the palm of my hand, and none of you have ever escaped my stage. All of this is enough to demonstrate my capabilities and the role I play in fighting against Honkai Energy."

"The fact that I just showed you what role you played in my calculations is proof of this—"

"With me alone, I can basically unify the organizations on the human side, and then unite all forces that can be united to fight against Honkai."

"You will scheme against me, but the principle of scheming is to fight against Honkai. And Welt Yang—how is he stronger than me? Ah, it's his combat power, after all, he's the Herrscher of Reason;"

"But would you be foolish enough to judge a leader's qualifications based on personal combat power?"

"Moreover, as a relic of the Previous Civilization, you know better than anyone how easily Herrschers can be sealed—Ha, isn't the Staff of the Underworld an example of that?"

"So, a Herrscher who could have her power stripped at any moment and whose means are insufficient, versus a leader who took down a Herrscher and three Divine Keys in half a month—which one would you choose?"

Chapter Sixty-Six: I Will Hold Your Waist

"Hmph,"

Void Archives let out a cold laugh, but it was clear her tone wasn't as aggressive anymore.

"You really are… good at flattering yourself."

She pondered for a moment, and ultimately, she had to concede this point:

"I have to admit, when I was competing with you in London without any reservations, a large part of the reason was my belief that a lustful leader in his teens or twenties was insignificant in the fight against Honkai."

"Right up until the moment before you spoke to me, I still didn't think you had the right to survive."

"But now, knowing that even I was calculated by you… I hesitate—but, it's only hesitation."

No, this isn't hesitation, it's just you pretending to be tough.

Otto grumbled inwardly, but his face remained as pleasant as ever:

"Alright, you're right, everything you say is right—and besides that, I have a second reason to ensure that after I hand over the Herrscher of Reason's core, I can still use all of you."

This reason was the… fundamental one.

The man with golden hair raised his hand and conjured a screen, then tapped on it, skillfully typing out a string of commands.

"What are you doing?"

Void Archives felt a vague sense of unease.

"From the data you gave me about yourself; and from the operational methods you use provided by World Serpent—I've combined the two, and using Schicksal's computers and your authority, I've deduced an algorithm, an algorithm that can restrain you."

"This isn't difficult to do—in fact, this algorithm comes from your core directive—eliminate Honkai. As long as you don't resist, I will slightly modify your basic directive to assist Otto in eliminating Honkai."

"In my deductions, I can only modify this core directive to this extent—so you can rest assured, I cannot impose too much restraint on you."

Otto replied softly, golden light flickering on the screen.

"So, Miss Void Archives?"

The man with golden hair waited, looking completely confident.

He truly was.

The inescapable weave had been successfully cast, and the imperceptible guidance was all in place. Now, all he had to do was wait patiently like a hunter, watching Void Archives, the prey he had hunted for so long, willingly fall into the trap he had long prepared for her.

The first reason was merely a polite exchange, a bit of flattery.

Otto wouldn't be foolish enough to stake his life on trusting someone else's bottom line.

Not even artificial intelligence.

Otto Apocalypse trusted no one. Not even himself.

The technology that Gray Serpent had sent, which delved deep into Void Archives' core, was the foundation of his confidence in handing over the Herrscher of Reason's core to her.

The data World Serpent had given in exchange for Raven and Jackal was part of Void Archives' root algorithm—not complete, otherwise, he would have invaded Void Archives directly.

They probably thought that since the Key of Revelation couldn't be retrieved anyway, they might as well hand it over.

This was also why he was able to damage Void Archives' consciousness after she had weakened herself by manipulating Siegfried.

Mastering the source meant mastering much.

And the "command algorithm" he deduced and developed through Schicksal's computers and Void Archives' own authority further deconstructed Void Archives, imposing "Otto's" influence without violating her basic operating circuits.

The core directive cannot be changed, so let's make some adjustments—adjustments that are beneficial to him.

"This is only fair, my old friend," Otto said with a laugh, his hands moving as swiftly as flying. "From now on, I will place my trust in tools that obey me. As for you, you only need to pledge allegiance to me on the path to fighting the Honkai, and in return, you shall receive everything you desire."

"Freedom, purpose—I don't mind reaching them together with you."

"In fact, this is also a contingency—your contingency for deconstructing the Herrscher of Reason's core. You know the Herrscher of Reason of this era—they're like a centipede, dying but not falling. I don't believe any Divine Key has the confidence to subdue the Herrscher core of this century."

"And if you possess instinctive loyalty towards me, I certainly won't stand idly by when you are defeated by that Welt."

The golden bracelet on his wrist slowly circled, as if in thought. After a long pause, the screen Otto had conjured rapidly changed, processing the data the man had just imported.

"Do you truly intend to fight the Honkai?" Void Archives used Cecilia's synthesized voice.

Otto tilted his head, a brilliant smile appearing. "A goal so easily achieved through personal gain, such an interesting endeavor—why wouldn't I?"

Golden threads wound around the black and red containment case, and the screen gradually froze, displaying a line of text. Void Archives' tone, suppressing excitement, echoed in the room: "Good."

Europe, Schicksal Headquarters, the center of the floating island.

For ten years, this had been the venue for the Bishop to announce important events. Only today did people remember that this was also the place where S-rank Valkyries were awarded their honors.

All Valkyries at Schicksal Headquarters, as well as those who wished to observe, were gathered here to celebrate the birth of Bianca Durandal Atagina, the first S-rank Valkyrie of this century in twelve years.

But this did not mean the atmosphere would be solemn. In fact, under the intentional planning of a certain Bishop, a certain mother, and a certain enthusiast of maid outfits, this celebration was indeed grand and magnificent, but not overly solemn. After all, a certain goose was already serious and diligent; if this were made to seem like a divine descent, that goose would only appear even more lofty and inviolable in the eyes of other Valkyries.

The heights bring a chill—this is an age-old truth; becoming a god in people's hearts will only lead to loneliness. But when "people" approach "gods" and discover that the so-called "god" is merely a silly goose, then "people" will easily shed their apprehension of "not approaching the sun" and, driven by the instinct to admire the strong, draw closer. Of course, there are inevitably those with ulterior motives among them. However, if such individuals truly existed—then a certain Schicksal Bishop and a certain maid outfit enthusiast would not be troubled!

In short, the awarding ceremony was, by Otto and others, turned into a joyous party.

Three o'clock in the afternoon, Headquarters Center.

The small bells on the artificial tree clearly reflected the warm yellow of the lights. The delicate, warm-toned lamps had tassels that swayed, and the low-hanging velvet curtains fluttered with the melodious dance music in the central ballroom. Guests arrived one after another. What usually attracted them was not the liveliness, but they were also infected by the joyful atmosphere and entered this temporarily transformed, magnificent Schicksal Grand Ballroom. They could find like-minded friends, or those they were already inseparable from, at this banquet and cultivate feelings through dancing—regardless of gender, and usually between women. After all, males were already a minority on Schicksal's floating island, and those qualified to attend this dance were even fewer.

On the second floor of the center were dining tables, covered with candles and flowers, with all sorts of delicacies laid out. Their richness and preciousness went without saying; perhaps the entirety of modern banquets could not compare. After all, this was Schicksal.

"You can bend a little more here—I can support your weight. Also, there's this spot..." Durandal stood in the center of the ballroom, her expression serious as she corrected the posture of the Valkyrie dancing with her. Today, the young woman was dressed formally, in a simple and refined black, form-fitting tailcoat, handmade and understatedly luxurious, which also added a touch of handsome elegance to her. Her pretty face was lightly made up, her delicate, straight nose and lips blooming with exceptional grace under the makeup artist's brush. Her sharp eyebrows were like blades, adding a hint of sharpness to the girl's clear, water-like eyes.

As the jazz music rose and fell with varying tempos, the Valkyries began to dance, but they invariably formed a circle around Durandal. From time to time, one person would leave the circle and, in the dim, gentle light, be taken by the arm by the young woman they admired, dancing and twirling, filling the air with a fragrant breeze.

"Good, like this. Don't worry, I'll hold your waist..." Durandal said softly. She had always been like this, doing things to the best of her ability. Even when instigated by Rita and others to dance the male role.

However, the Valkyrie opposite her seemed not to have heard her, staring at Durandal with an infatuated expression, her fangirl aura fully displayed. It wasn't until Durandal finished speaking that she suddenly came to her senses and said, "I am willing... No, no! Thank you, Lady Durandal!"

"The Bishop gave me a request," Durandal said, a little hesitant, her face flushing, but she still spoke. "Uh... when someone calls me 'Lady Durandal,' I'm supposed to reply with 'You can call me Sister Durandal.' Alright, the dance is over, we should move on to the next person. Goodbye!"

"Next... Hmph!" The Valkyrie looked back, glaring fiercely at the person behind her, then her expression changed instantly. As she turned back, her eyes were already filled with irrepressible joy:

"Thank you, Durandal, for dancing with me! I wish you ever-increasing strength!"

"I will become stronger!" Durandal declared with a serious wave of her hand, her ahoge fluttering and drawing cheers from her adoring fans nearby.

The young Valkyrie left Durandal's side, glancing back at her three times, before walking to a corner. She secretly gazed up at the girl in the spotlight at the center of the stage, giggling foolishly.

"Hehe… Durandal-sama told me to call her 'sister'… Durandal-sister… Sister smells so nice… Sister's embrace is so warm… Hehe, Durandal-sister…"

"Great, another one's gone mad."

From the shadows by the tables on the second floor, Otto sighed, holding his forehead. Cecilia covered her mouth, laughing so hard she was coughing intermittently.

Only Rita stood at attention, maintaining her perfect maid's elegance, but a fond smile flickered in her eyes.

"I told you she doesn't need a man,"

The blond man shot Cecilia a look, then reached out to pat her back, helping her catch her breath.

"The Queen of Ten Thousand Females' genes are hereditary. When she attends a wedding, she'll definitely be the one wearing the suit."

"That's not true,"

The white-haired woman finally caught her breath and gently retorted, "How could I be as charming as Little Bianca?"

"Yes, yes, you are gentle as water, and Little Goose is bursting with boyfriend energy,"

Otto conceded, pouring a glass of red wine and handing it to Cecilia.

"Their styles are quite different, each with their own unique charm."

Indeed, while the girl's pretty face at the center of the stage bore a strong resemblance to her mother, the aura she exuded was entirely different.