Honkai, Traversing Otto, Path to Godhood

He raised his hand, and a sphere and a staff-like object appeared in his palm.

"!!!???"

Cecilia's face first showed a hint of confusion, then shock. She stared into Otto's pupils, her face full of disbelief, mixed with a touch of awe and fear.

The blonde man seemed to have anticipated her reaction, giving a barely perceptible nod.

The white-haired woman pursed her lips, her gaze towards Otto growing even softer.

She deliberately knelt to express her gratitude, carefully cupping the items he handed her. With an extremely solemn gait, she walked before Durandal.

"Schicksal's highest-ranking S-rank Valkyrie, Mistress of the Black Abyss White Flower and the Holy Sword, she who is surrounded by stars, my most outstanding student, Bianca Durandal Atagina,"

Otto's voice boomed, clear and serious.

"I, through the Saintess, bestow upon you the Scepter, wishing you immunity from Herrschers and fearlessness of gods."

He paused, watching Durandal accept it, before continuing:

"I, through the Saintess, bestow upon you the Royal Orb, granting you supreme authority, and the world's acclaim."

"What? A Scepter and a Royal Orb? What is Lord Otto doing?!"

Maria Schariac had only shown slight surprise when Cecilia appeared, but now she exclaimed in a low voice, her fists clenching involuntarily.

"Is there a problem, Patriarch?"

Beside her, a girl with long chestnut hair turned her head, her pink rose-like eyes looking at Maria with curiosity.

"It's a very ancient ritual, Anna," Maria explained.

"In the old Schicksal, this was a ritual performed only when a Schicksal Bishop passed on their title."

"What?!" Anna's beautiful large eyes widened.

A ritual that was only performed when a Schicksal Bishop passed on their title???

"Yes, it's exactly what you think. The Scepter represents 'power' from the Schicksal Bishop, and the Orb represents 'authority' from the secular world," Maria continued.

"One contains immense power, while the other can command any Valkyrie."

"I don't know if the Scepter is merely a symbol of 'power,' or if Lord Otto has indeed prepared immense power within it; but I do know that the sphere is definitely 'authority,' to the point where seeing the Royal Orb is like seeing the Bishop."

"Then..." Anna murmured.

"Then that means,"

The Schariac Patriarch bit her lower lip.

"Even if Lord Otto passes on the position of Schicksal Bishop to Theresa, Durandal can use these two gifts to mobilize any resources within Schicksal, and at any time, sideline any Schicksal Bishop other than Lord Otto."

"Miss Durandal—we must now treat her as half a Bishop."

"Even surpassing Bishop Theresa Apocalypse, Otto's adopted granddaughter in the Far East and head of St. Freya Academy."

Maria shook her head in disbelief, sighing, "Ah, even though the Schariac family has diligently fought for the Bishop for over a hundred years, we have never received such an honor..."

"It's so great that I'm starting to suspect Miss Durandal might be Otto's daughter..."

"But Patriarch," Anna raised her slender, long hand, pointing to the person beside the Bishop, "Isn't it also an unprecedented honor for Lord Otto to bestow the newly made Black Abyss White Flower upon Madam Cecilia, and to crown Miss Bianca, with Madam Cecilia standing there?"

"Of course, it's an honor..." Maria looked at the white-haired woman on the stage, her smile both gentle and bitter. "But how could it be, someone would..."

She suddenly stopped her sigh-like words, her facial expression hardening.

"Anna Schariac,"

The patriarch's voice, no longer young, turned sharp.

"I am very pleased you noticed the details—Lord Otto is telling everyone that Cecilia Schariac has returned, and her status after her return."

"But the deeper meaning, you... never mind, Anna, for now, you just need to know two things—first, treat her as Cecilia, and don't overthink it."

"And second..."

Maria looked towards the stage, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes, quickly replaced by resolve.

"She, that noble and pure Saintess, must first be Cecilia, and then, Schariac."

PS1: Maria seems to be speaking to Anna, but in reality... she's telling herself, talking to herself.

PS2: Everyone knows the Schariac family has a "free buff," but don't forget, those who can stay by Otto's side are basically introverts. They hide their emotions, and without some emotional turmoil, they can't be pushed.

Chapter 68: I'm Just Notifying You All

"As I just said during the S-rank Valkyrie promotion ceremony," Otto said, clasping his hands, "I rescued Cecilia Schariac during the Second Honkai Outbreak and recently restored her body."

This was the conference hall beneath Schicksal's floating island. The cold lights fell on the silver-gray walls and floor, flowing with colors somewhere between solid ice and cold iron.

Portraits of Schicksal Saintesses adorned the walls—clearly, Saintess Kallen Kaslana had several, and judging by the painting styles and quality, the different Kallen paintings were created by different renowned artists.

In the center of the conference hall was an ancient, heavy, gray long table, with ten high-backed chairs on each side. The backs of the chairs glittered, outlining different emblems.

Otto presided at the head of the table, with Cecilia and Amber standing by his sides. Maria, the matriarch of the Schariac family, sat to his left. To his right sat an elder with white-streaked hair, looking about fifty years old, his eyes alight with excitement.

The remaining high-backed chairs were occupied by representatives from Schicksal's various branches, seated in order of their authority, creating a picture of perfect order.

It resembled an Elder Council—the high-level management meeting Schicksal had abolished last century—but long ago, the Elder Council had no representatives from the various continents, nor did the Kaslana and Schariac families each have only one member representing them.

Of course, they were merely representatives, not the chief executives of their respective regions. Except for a certain idler who emulated the Bishop, no executive could detach themselves from regional affairs to personally visit Schicksal.

At most, they could use holographic projection to report their work to Otto.

But this was enough to make them proud—to become a continental representative, just a few positions away from the legendary figure at the pinnacle of Schicksal, was enough to excite these ambitious—or perhaps, fearless young—individuals.

Although the arrival of these regional representatives was at Otto's casual notice, and whether these "representatives" truly represented a continent due to their own excellence or because their family's power in the region was sufficient to do so, was a matter for discussion.

The representatives from the various continents had not gathered so neatly since the beginning of this century—oh, wait, someone from a certain branch seemed to be missing.

But the largest colorless family from the Far East had sent a representative, which could barely suffice.

All conflicts were temporarily set aside. Everyone appeared calm and composed, yet sat upright, occasionally glancing at the golden-haired man at the head of the table.

"The reason I've reconvened this meeting," Otto continued, "is for all of you to announce Cecilia Schariac's return within your own families or the regions you govern."

He paused and said, "I hope you can minimize the impact of this, but also spread her deeds—the key is to prevent her personal life from being disturbed by those you can influence."

"Oh, right,"

Otto glanced to his right. The Kaslana closest to him shivered involuntarily.

"Furthermore, the two major families, please provide proof within three days—proof of the dissolution of the relationship between Cecilia Schariac and Siegfried Kaslana."

"?!"

The white-haired Kaslana elder's pupils contracted, and a thought surfaced in his mind:

What new trouble was Siegfried causing now?

It wasn't that he was prejudiced against Siegfried... well, he was. As the young family head, he had escaped Schicksal as a child, and after becoming the head of the family, he had attacked Schicksal headquarters to seize the Bishop's experimental subjects. If the Kaslana family didn't have a prejudice against this guy, they'd have seen Kallen.

"What, do the Kaslana family and the Schariac family have any differing opinions on this?"

"..."

The fifty-year-old Kaslana elder glanced at the calmly composed Schariac matriarch, Maria. Seeing that she said nothing, he could only relax his shoulders and remain silent.

If Cecilia could still maintain a connection with the Kaslana family, given Otto's current emphasis on her, it would undoubtedly secure more power for the Kaslana family.

Then, he could mobilize more people to secretly find Siegfried and retrieve the family's sacred artifact—the Fehu Rune.

But...

But he didn't have the guts to take the lead in opposing Otto at any time...

Otto looked at their silent acquiescence with satisfaction and nodded, continuing, "Very well, then next..."

"Bang!"

"Wait a minute!!!"

The door suddenly burst open, and a white-haired girl rushed in, head held high, chest puffed out, her small stature exuding fierce determination.

She slammed her cross down, creating a large hole in the floor, and then roared, "I have an objection!!!"

?!

Silence, shock.

Silence and shock filled the entire room.

All eyes darted back and forth between Otto Apocalypse and Theresa Apocalypse, quietly awaiting something.

"Grandpa!" Theresa's eyes were filled with anger. "How could you do this?!"

"Ah," a flicker of surprise crossed Otto's eyes. "Do what?"

He truly hadn't expected what he had done this time...

As he had said before, allowing Schicksal to continue raising Theresa and venerating Kallen was his minimal respect for them.

Although he had some dissatisfaction with this Kallen clone and had used her at times, this time, Otto hadn't really planned anything for Theresa yet.

If she wanted to cause trouble, it was best to do it within St. Freya, without disrupting his plans. This was Otto's highest requirement for Theresa Apocalypse.

But now... ?

Otto tapped the table silently, looking at the furious girl, awaiting her statement.

"Why, why are you letting her inherit the name [Cecilia]?!"

Theresa continued to roar, "No matter what, Cecilia already perished with the Herrscher of the Void—you shouldn't use that name to make things difficult for those of us who are connected to her!"

"Oh, really?"

The blonde man eventually regained his composure, crossing his arms and asking calmly.

People on stage not sticking to the script was a common occurrence for actors.

As long as the future led to the outcome Otto desired, he didn't mind indulging the disobedient little one a bit.

Let her have her way.

The man sneered inwardly, then his eyes flickered as he began to plot a drama more suited to the current situation.

Anyway, he didn't want Cecilia to be pushed around by just anyone—except for Buggy and Kiana, who were like daughters. Even so-called best friends like Theresa were problematic.

"Didn't I also not inherit the name Kallen Kaslana?!" Theresa continued her "extraordinary performance." "Why is she, a clone, different?! She can pursue her own life! Instead of stealing from her source!"

Cecilia's heart ached. She looked at Theresa, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow.

With Theresa's words, everyone present understood what she meant.

She was saying... Cecilia was fake?!

No, regardless of whether this was true or not—even if she was a clone, how dare she denounce Cecilia as fake in front of the patriarchs of Schicksal's three great families and representatives from every continent?! This was slapping Otto in the face!

Where did she get the courage?

Only Maria Schariac remained calm. Her experiences over the years had taught her that this little shorty was just as lawless in front of the Bishop.

If she wanted to be a magical girl, she could be powerfully packaged into the world's number one idol; if she felt lonely because she didn't know how to interact with people, a Saintess would cater to her like a maid, personally feeding her; even after attempting to betray Schicksal with Siegfried, Otto could forgive her, allow her retirement afterward, and build her a luxurious academy.

She always seemed to be able to act spoiled with Otto—and this time, it looked like it would be no exception.

After their shock, everyone's breathing suddenly quickened simultaneously, with a certain white-haired old man being the most affected.