Honkai, Traversing Otto, Path to Godhood

"Mmm..."

Cecilia whimpered, as if trying to scatter all her pent-up emotions into the air.

She wanted to cry too, but for some reason, no tears came.

At that moment, the hand around her waist tightened, and the man supporting her moved her head to his shoulder, whispering, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'll always be here from now on."

He gently patted the girl's back, allowing her tense, delicate body to relax.

Cecilia's breathing gradually slowed as she listened to the man's voice, her anxious heart calming down.

"Where is this..." She finally found her voice, which was slightly hoarse.

"This is Schicksal, where you used to live. Welcome back, Cecilia Schariac."

What is Schicksal?

My name... is Cecilia Schariac?

"Perhaps you can't remember these things clearly now," the man said softly, "but it's okay. I'll help you adapt to this new world."

"You are...?"

Cecilia's beautiful eyes held gratitude and confusion as she softly inquired.

She really wanted to recall the man's name herself, but clearly, she couldn't.

However, her subconscious made her treat him with respect, even using polite language in her address.

"My name is Otto Apocalypse, and I'm your friend," the man smiled. "Well, given your current condition, let's not search your memories for me for now."

Cecilia nodded slightly. She had indeed been trying to recall their interactions.

"Just call me Brother—that's what you used to call me. Don't rush about recovering your memories; I'll help you slowly."

PS: Please collect and vote!

Chapter 9: Void Archives Thinks You Are Young

"Do you remember this? Hmm, this is the bathtub. Hot water on the left, cold water on the right..."

After Amber brought Cecilia some clothes, Otto took her to one of his nearby homes.

Naturally, the first thing was to let her clean herself—while the nutrient solution was changed frequently, bathing always brought physical and mental relaxation, making it easier to feel happy.

It also made it easier to open up in their private moments.

"This is laundry detergent... Hmm... I'll prepare new clothes for you..."

Seeing Cecilia nod blankly, Otto consciously stepped back, preparing to leave. However, Cecilia quickly grabbed his sleeve, her expression flustered.

"Brother..." Are you leaving?

"I..."

Seeing Cecilia's beautiful eyes filled with longing, her every move showing dependence on him, Otto's long-held pretense almost broke.

How could he not understand her meaning, but...

This contrast of a mature figure acting like a young girl... it was completely unfair!

Who could refuse a beautiful woman with eyes only for you, inviting you to bathe together?

Perhaps that could work.

Otto's gaze quickly returned to its usual calm.

Once Cecilia regained her memories, it would be difficult to explain this.

She might understand, or she might still obey, but she could also shyly avoid it—Otto was somewhat adept at manipulating people now, but he didn't want to guess a person's thought process in this regard.

"A woman cannot bathe with a man," he said, stroking Cecilia's silver-white hair, "unless they are sufficiently intimate."

Cecilia's head drooped, and she slowly let go of Otto's sleeve, looking a bit dejected.

"I've taught you the general steps for bathing. Don't worry, I'll be in the living room and won't leave."

Otto, like coaxing a child, led Cecilia back to the bathtub and then, under her reluctant gaze, turned and left, closing the door.

Cecilia pursed her lips, picked up the towel by the tub, and recalled Otto's words.

"Sufficiently intimate?"

"I knew you'd be here."

Otto walked back into the living room and, as expected, saw Void Archives in Cecilia's likeness.

She leaned against the sofa, a smug expression on her face:

"It was teens to early twenties before, right?"

Without waiting for Otto's reply, she continued her analysis, "Boys of this age have the melancholy of leaving home, the helplessness of starting their own families, nascent love, and a nostalgia for their original home. Naturally, they have a special interest in girls who can evoke a sense of belonging."

"And Cecilia Schariac, with the irresistible gentleness and maternal instinct of her age, coupled with a sacred aura that sparks a man's desire to conquer, which is why she'd be summoned to your side first, even as a clone, right?"

Ah, yes, yes, yes.

Otto's expression remained blank, his heart finally settling a bit.

So the Book of Origin is truly powerful.

It said only he and Amber knew, and it truly managed to fool even the Void Archives.

"But it's also my fault—who told me to use Cecilia in the end? Haha, kid, you're so cute."

Thanks, you're also cute for imagining and setting things up for me.

Feeling like it was time to respond, Otto looked up, putting on an expression that tried to mask his irritation with coldness. "You've said your piece, so leave. I still need her."

"Need her? Need a Cecilia-version of Amber, and then have her replace Amber as your secretary?"

The Void Archives laughed.

"If you ask me, I might as well kill that Amber, disguise myself as her, and deceive everyone with you—"

"I refuse," Otto interrupted without hesitation. "I like saying NO to self-important people like you the most."

If he could control the Void Archives, perhaps he would have found a way to put Amber into hibernation, have her play Amber, and deceive the world with him.

But he couldn't.

So for now, he didn't want to bet everything on her.

Besides, the moment he thought about her bringing in alien creatures to drive away the Honkai sealed on the moon in the Honkai Impact 3rd story, Otto felt it was better for him to rely on himself.

"Heh," the Void Archives sneered coldly. "As I thought, you still don't trust me."

Why does that sound a bit sour...

"You're overthinking it," Otto denied flatly. How could I say that out loud? "Our interests are the same, so how could I not trust you? Our alliance is eternal."

"Then you'd rather have a clone protect you than accept my suggestion?"

"Your suggestion is too crude, and... too cruel."

"For 'cruel' to come from Otto's mouth is truly a novel experience for me," the Void Archives grinned.

"He is him, and I am me." Otto put on a determined expression.

"Wow, so not only are you lustful, but you're also a fool who thinks you're valuable."

The Void Archives said this softly, deliberately letting Otto hear it, but not too clearly.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, I said you're simple and cute," the Void Archives curled its lips, its tone laced with disdain. "So, what are your plans?"

"Why should I tell you?!" Otto's voice was a bit sharp, as if angered by her evasion.

The Void Archives looked at him with even more contempt. It glanced at the bath, narrowed its eyes, and soon, it laughed.

"I get it... I get it..."

She stood up and approached Otto.

"Clone Cecilia Schariac, Siegfried Kaslana, Theresa Apocalypse, right?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Otto took a step back, answering calmly.

"It's a good plan," the Void Archives stopped approaching and began pacing the living room. "What do they call this in Shenzhou? Ah, yes—holding the emperor hostage to command the lords. Even if they feel something is wrong, they'll protect you out of consideration for Cecilia."

"And with these two S-rank warriors, plus the extremely destructive Fehu Rune, in Schicksal, which currently only has one S-rank, you can indeed come and go as you please."

She stopped pacing and marveled, "To come up with such a self-protection method in such a short time, buddy, you've got quite a bit of Otto's style."

"I didn't think that way."

Otto, "pale-faced," was still "quibbling."

"Whatever you say, whatever you think, buddy," the Void Archives shook its head. "It's a pity you missed one point, and that is—we're allies."

"My dear boy of fifteen or twenty, are you being a little too exclusive?"

She gave Otto a sly smile and vanished from the spot.

"Tch."

Otto's expression changed rapidly. He rolled his eyes and sat down by the sofa, not panicked by the Void Archives' mysterious act.

Just want to spoil my mood, huh?

Go ahead and show off more while I'm developing, Void Archives.

So far, the story has progressed smoothly, and the plot has unfolded as desired.

And every move you make... Hahaha.

Otto picked up the pocket watch on the table and slowly clasped it in his palm.

PS1: Ugh! Done! I've signed it!

PS2: QQ Group 252825911

Chapter Ten: A Beauty Bathes, The Bishop Combs Her Hair

The bathhouse door opened, and amidst the white steam that billowed out, a woman stood half-concealed by her towel. Her graceful body was faintly visible, her slender, well-proportioned legs pressed lightly together. The outline of her chest could be discerned, and her snow-white, tender skin quivered with her shallow breaths, adding a touch of alluring haziness compared to before.

Otto couldn't help but lower his gaze, letting his eyes drift downward.

—And then he saw a pair of delicate, dainty feet. The pale, tender skin faintly revealed bulging, light blue veins. Her small, cute toes were tightly curled, then wriggled back and forth with nervousness. Her translucent toenails had consequently turned a tempting apricot color, reflecting the bright sunlight.

The thought of this makes me want to eat an extra bowl of rice... Bah, bah, bah, I'm really not Yu Dafu...

Still, she was quite beautiful. The allure of her half-concealed form, combined with the purity and clarity of her post-bath appearance, would ignite boundless desire in any normal man.

He was no exception.

But more than carnal desire, Otto's eyes held greediness and calculation.

Naturally beautiful, powerful in her own right, with important bloodlines, and connected to countless key figures—from any perspective, he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

A significant portion of his vision for the future... was based on her.

Of course, he could choose someone else, but who could be more loyal and capable than Schariac?

The man licked his lips, closed his eyes for a second, then opened them again. Looking at Cecilia, his expression had returned to normal, his pupils betraying no hint of his inner thoughts.

With a blade hanging over his head, he still had to maintain his act, requiring a sufficient degree of rationality.