Chapter 320

His thoughts began to blur at this point. Under the influence of the Simulated Black Hole, his will also began to crumble. Time became indistinct, and the past, present, and future seemed to melt together, turning into an indescribable mass.

But Otto was not alarmed, because this scene was within his expectations, and he needed to use this method to conduct a special self-examination.

To walk headlong into the enemy's attack without resistance is obviously a very foolish act, especially when such an action comes from a smart person, which makes him seem even more foolish.

But Otto simply stood there quietly, looking ahead with a subtle expectation as Varta poured all his power into Star of Eden, trying to maximize its power.

Perhaps in the next second, or perhaps much later, he finally saw a familiar figure.

"No, what are you doing?" Ai Yue appeared before Otto, his face full of confusion. "Can your own body really get stuck?"

"It's the teacher, that's great." Otto breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ai Yue. "If Kallen had appeared then, wouldn't it have made me look like I haven't improved at all?"

In the original timeline, Otto was Simulated Black Hole and also experienced hallucinations due to the tearing of his consciousness. At this moment, his complex inner world transformed into Kallen, who denounced herself as a psychologically twisted, unrequited love psychopath.

Perhaps because this scene left a deep impression on him, Otto wanted to take this opportunity to test himself—and so far, the results seem pretty good.

After all, it's normal for Ai Yue to appear. Otto never hides his longing for Ai Yue. His ultimate goal is to get as close to Ai Yue's level as possible. As for truly matching him, that's something he wouldn't even dare to dream about.

"So you're looking in a mirror here?" Ai Yue's face immediately showed a funny expression upon hearing Otto's reply. "But is it possible that what you're seeing now isn't just a hallucination of your own mind?"

"Huh?" Otto paused for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Teacher? Is it really you?"

"Nonsense, if it were really another version of you, the opening lines would be either Macbeth or Hamlet, right?" Ai Yue's expression was somewhat amused. "Wake up and finish the work at hand."

"Knew."

Otto quickly bowed his head in agreement, but when he came to his senses again, Ai Yue had already disappeared from his sight. He gave a slightly helpless bitter smile, unsure whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Since no hallucinations have occurred, does that mean his mind is now completely resolute, free from any inner conflict or contradiction? But thinking about it carefully, his life is now filled with Ai Yue's image; has he, in a way, become a puppet in Ai Yue's hands?

The idea flashed through his mind for a moment, but Otto rejected it immediately.

Without Ai Yue, he would just be a lovesick psychopath. It was only because Ai Yue helped him avoid those unbearable tragedies that he now had the right to think about these messy things. Does it really matter if he's a puppet?

At least these things are things he wants to accomplish himself, and that's enough.

The next second, Otto tapped his waist twice, and then an invisible wave spread outwards from him. The Simulated Black Hole was about to tear everything apart collapsed and disintegrated. When everything returned to normal, Otto saw the incredulous expression on Varta's face.

Clearly, he hadn't expected that this trump card would be so easily countered by his opponent.

"You're puzzled, aren't you?" Otto smiled slightly at Varta's shock. "Then let me tell you something else— Star of Eden, I actually created it."

"But it has one drawback: it's not very sturdy."

Then, in the instant Welt split his body due to shock, Otto raised his hand and mimicked the Divine Fire Penance, shattering the Star of Eden in Varta's hand.

Not only that, he also simulated the complete Judgement of Thunder, sealing Welt and the two scientists inside.

"So, it seems the battle is already decided." Looking at Varta, who was now indistinguishable from an ordinary person, Otto's tone was full of arrogance. "Now, it's time for the execution—who shall we begin?"

Welt looked at him, then suddenly smiled, "Otto, haven't you realized you've overlooked something?"

Otto was slightly taken aback, then looked sharply to the side and found that Leanna, who had been lying on the ground, had actually stood up again.

"Leanna? When..." Otto looked at Welt again, and suddenly realized something, "You healed her with the Mimicry Abyss White Flower?"

"It took a little longer because the results weren't very good," Leanna said coldly as she stepped forward. "Otto Apocalypse, I hope you still have enough strength to face me."

The tip of the gun in her hand was pointed at her former highest-ranking boss, her face filled with indifference.

Otto stroked his chin, then gave a subtle look. "If I were to say that we should all back down now, wouldn't it be a bit too late?"

Chapter Twenty-Eight: He still has to thank us.

It's impossible for both sides to back down.

Otto was so arrogant and overbearing just now. Even if there were no grudges between them, they probably wouldn't tolerate this guy. Not to mention that he had been chasing Welt and the others for his own greed, and just now he even threatened to kill all three of them. To think that he could get forgiveness with a single, casual remark was clearly wishful thinking.

So Otto was completely defeated by Leanna.

The continuous use of the Herrscher of Reason's power had already exhausted the energy within this core. Although Otto carried other weapons, he was no match for Leanna, who wielded the Abyss White Flower.

After all, the opponent is Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie on the surface, which means that her strength is second only to Kallen. Therefore, even if the opponent is not at her peak, she can still beat Otto to a pulp.

When Otto's weapon was once again shattered by Leanna, forcing him to retreat, Leanna did not continue the pursuit.

Because she knew very well that Otto was at his wit's end, but it was precisely at times like this that she couldn't get too close to him, lest he become desperate and resort to some desperate measure that would lead to mutual destruction.

"Give up the fight, Otto." Leanna's gun was still pointed at his heart. "Still won't admit it? You have no chance of winning!"

"Really? I don't think so." Otto staggered back two steps, a smile spreading across his face. "Hey, you over there, let me ask you a question—how many Divine Keys have you seen so far?"

This sudden question startled Welt, but seeing the meaningful expression on Otto's face, he couldn't help but start thinking.

Excluding the Divine Keys that Otto always carries close to his body and never lets go of it, including the Star of Eden, he has seen about ten Divine Keys. And if we include the Divine Keys that is said to be sealed and whose true nature is unknown, then Otto is hiding another unknown Divine Keys!

"Looks like you guessed it too," Otto said with a smug smile, raising his arm to reveal a gleaming ring on his wrist. "But don't worry, this isn't a deadly Divine Keys. It just means I always have a way out."

As he spoke, a round door in black and gold opened behind Otto. He retreated, feigning regret, and said, "What a pity, Welt. Originally, killing just a few of you would have been enough, but now, the entire city will pay the price!"

Leanna instinctively wanted to chase after him, but Otto's figure had already disappeared along with the door. Before she could even feel frustrated about missing her chance, she suddenly remembered something. "Welt, can you mimic radar?"

With Otto gone, Welt was finally freed from the shackles of the simulated Judah. After a moment's recollection, he quickly retrieved the radar design blueprints from his memory. "No problem, give me some time!"

Thanks to the three years he spent as a lab rat, his brain contained a large number of technical blueprints for Schicksal. This is why Otto was unwilling to let him go easily. With the accumulation in Welt's brain, plus the financial resources of North America and the support of other scientists, this original Schicksal branch could quickly grow into an entity that could rival Schicksal.

As Welt deployed his mimicry radar, they quickly detected a rapidly approaching unidentified signal.

"What is that?" Ritsel frowned. "This test result looks dangerous."

"Is that even a question? That bastard just said he'd have the whole city wiped out with us, so of course it'll be missiles!" Tesla clenched his fist in annoyance. "Damn Otto, next time I see him I'm going to [beep--][beep--][beep--]!"

"Dr. Tesla is right. If I'm not mistaken, a missile powerful enough to destroy a city must be Schicksal's latest research achievement, the Honkai Fission Bomb." Leanna sighed, using the Abyss White Flower to heal her injuries as much as possible. "I will try to intercept it and prevent it from landing in the city, but if I fail... then it will be up to you, Welt."

Welt nodded solemnly, then looked up at the sky.

At the other end of the line of sight, a faint glimmer of light could be seen, hurtling rapidly toward them.

"Then what?"

Inside a secret research institute at Schicksal Headquarters, Kallen anxiously questioned Otto, "Otto, you didn't really launch the Honkai Fission Bomb, did you?"

"Yeah, those things aren't cheap to make." Otto nodded with a smile, then, seeing Kallen's reaction, quickly explained, "Don't worry, Honkai Fission Bomb come in different models."

Kallen blinked, calming herself slightly. "What do you mean?"

She vaguely sensed that things were probably not what she thought.

"The principle behind the Honkai Fission Bomb is to create a weapon that mimics the explosion of Honkai Energy to cause widespread destruction. Theoretically, it is enough to destroy all matter within a very large area in an instant," Otto said, then smiled. "However, by adding just one extremely precious material, its effect can be changed, and it can even be completely reversed—"

"From a terrifying weapon that destroys everything, to a wide-area medical force field that heals everything."

"Huh?" Kallen was taken aback for a moment, then subconsciously looked to her side, where Ai Yue was sitting. "Is something like this really possible?"

It wasn't that she didn't trust Otto, but the description was so outrageous that Kallen subconsciously felt it should be related to Ai Yue.

"Yes, after all, the essence of the Honkai Fission Bomb is to release a large amount of Honkai Energy, so as long as a special 'conversion mechanism' is inserted, it is possible to change the properties of the released Honkai Energy." Ai Yue nodded, not intending to say anything more mysterious, "For example, an Artificial Herrscher core with the Herrscher authority of Death."

"It's a pity that we can't make Artificial Herrscher cores with the current conditions. We can only obtain them from our teacher, so they are extremely precious materials." Otto leaned back in his chair and looked out the window. "Therefore, as long as Welt and the others have the awakening to sacrifice themselves to protect people, that missile will turn into a life-saving rain, healing everyone."

"Consider this my gift to celebrate the independence of the North American Branch."

At this point, Otto smiled and looked at Ai Yue again, "How was it, Teacher Ai Yue? I think my performance this time was pretty good, right?"

"The script is alright, but the acting is a bit lacking," Ai Yue shook his head slightly. "Putting everything else aside, that line 'each taking a step back' seems a bit too forced, doesn't it?"

"Wasn't that just reinforcing the ugly impression they had?" Otto was slightly embarrassed, but he quickly covered it up. "Looking back now, it was indeed a bit too much, but luckily they didn't notice."

As Ai Yue said, it was all just a script, a stage play that allowed the North American Branch to successfully become "Anti-Entropy". Otto was not a tyrant trying to rule the world; it was just the character's persona in the script.

In fact, if his original life hadn't ended and the crisis of Honkai hadn't been resolved, he really wanted to retire completely and find a place to live a leisurely life.

Unfortunately, he still has many things to finish, and it's far from the point where he can relax and rest.

"But if that's the case, then why launch such a missile?" Kallen asked, puzzled. "Even if they couldn't detect it before, shouldn't the effects of this missile have made them realize that you're not a tyrant?"

After saying this, Kallen suddenly felt a silence in the room—because Otto and Ai Yue were both looking at her with strange expressions.

After a moment, Ai Yue spoke up, "You actually managed to think of so much?"

"It's not a very complicated problem, is it?" Kallen suddenly realized what the two of them were thinking, and was speechless for a moment. "Besides, I haven't been completely stagnant over the years!"

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously," Ai Yue quickly changed the subject. "Otto, why don't you tell us?"

"Yes, the reason is simple: I really don't want them to see me, or Schicksal, as an enemy." Otto nodded, then explained, "After all, the threat of Honkai still exists. If we focus too much on defending against Schicksal, what will happen to ordinary people?"

"I see, so that's one of the considerations..." Kallen looked thoughtful, then asked, "What if they refuse to face the truth? After all, Otto, what you did this time was indeed a bit excessive."

Upon hearing this, Otto and Ai Yue both laughed. Then, under Kallen's puzzled gaze, Otto said confidently, "No, because everyone in North America is not only intelligent, but also a good person."

Kallen didn't speak, but her eyes still showed a hint of confusion, as if she didn't quite understand Otto's meaning.

"A smart person would understand that I was indeed acting all along. A good person wouldn't risk harming ordinary people by choosing to fight against Schicksal." Otto paused, then continued, "Besides, in this whole affair, I am the victim."

Kallen paused for a moment, then scratched her head. "That seems to make sense too?"

If Otto hadn't actively forced Welt and the others to rebel against Schicksal, it wouldn't have been easy for the North American Branch to become independent. After all, without a legitimate excuse, the only person who actually wanted to leave Schicksal was Nancy Edison, and her voice alone was clearly no match for the council that controlled the entire North America. Therefore, they had to maintain the original contract and pay Schicksal huge sums of money every year.

However, with the support of individuals with extraordinary powers like Welt and Leanna, Nancy's independence plan would have a high chance of being approved, which would mean Schicksal would lose a huge amount of financial support.

This might be insignificant to Otto, but from this perspective, it was indeed Schicksal.

"So I guess they'll call once they're settled over there." Otto leaned back in his chair, a confident smile on his face. "Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon."

"Oh, is that so?" Kallen looked at Otto with admiration in her eyes. "Otto, you're amazing!"

However, an hour passed, and the phone still didn't ring.

Kallen glanced at the phone on the table, then at Otto. Though she didn't say a word, the puzzled look on her face betrayed her inner thoughts.

Otto, how could you lie to me? The phone didn't even come through!

"No, this shouldn't be the case..." Otto hesitated. "It doesn't make sense. Even if Welt was stubborn and Tesla was headstrong, what about Edison, Einstein, and Planck?"

Otto shouldn't have been so flustered, after all, he already had double the memories and five hundred years of life, so he shouldn't have panicked over something like this. But Ai Yue was sitting right next to him!

I put on a confident and composed act in front of the teacher; if I mess this up, I'll be incredibly embarrassed!

Should I call them first? No, that would not only make me lose face, but I'd also lose face in the end—even though I was the one who was being lenient, I'd still have to take the initiative to inquire about their situation. If people saw through my deception, wouldn't I be handing over the initiative in future communications to the other side?

Just as Otto was wondering what to do, the phone on the table finally rang.

He almost instantly placed his hand on the receiver, but fortunately, Otto finally realized at the last moment that answering the phone so quickly would make him seem too eager, so he waited a moment before picking it up. "Hello? Oh, a message from the North American Branch? I understand, take it."

At the same time, Otto placed the microphone on the table and turned on the speakerphone so that Kallen and Ai Yue could also hear the sound from the microphone.

Although both of them could directly capture the subtle sounds coming from the microphone.

"Hello, is this Bishop Otto Apocalypse of Schicksal?" A slightly languid voice quickly came from the other end of the line, "I am Ritsel Albert Einstein, just call me Einstein."

"I know you, Dr. Einstein, the brilliant scientist of Schicksal, though now it seems I should add the word 'Einstein'," Otto said half-jokingly. "But why are you making this call? I thought it would be Welt on the other end."

"Welt is indeed with me, but... he doesn't really want to talk to you right now," Einstein said with a sigh. "After all, he still can't accept the truth."

"I understand. If I were in your shoes, I probably would have reacted the same way." Otto smiled and continued, "So, are you representing Welt, Planck, or... the entire North American Branch?"

"As you might expect, neither Professor Planck nor Princess Nancy can speak right now, so I have to take charge of this negotiation," Einstein said, sighing again. "To be honest, this isn't something I'm good at, so I'll be frank."

Otto smiled slightly, "Please speak."

"First, the North American Branch Schicksal will become independent and renamed 'Anti-Entropy.' North America will thus break free from Schicksal's control and achieve independence and autonomy," Einstein stated bluntly. "This is not a discussion, but a notification."

"Anti-Entropy, what a grand name." Otto, who already knew about this, feigned admiration. "I understand. When you make the announcement, Schicksal will send someone to congratulate you and acknowledge your independence."

"It really is just as I imagined," Einstein said after a moment of silence. "In that case, there's nothing else for now..."

Before she could finish speaking, a male voice came from the side. "Why?"

"Oh? Isn't this Welt?" Otto raised an eyebrow and asked with interest, "I thought you could really keep your composure. It seems your training is still lacking."

"I'm asking you why!" Welt was somewhat agitated. "You've gone to so much trouble, spent so much time and energy, only to push for the independence of the North American Branch? What exactly are you plotting?!"

Although Einstein and others had analyzed the situation clearly, and Welt himself had felt the power of life from that missile, he still couldn't believe that everything Otto had shown before was actually an act.

So what is the point of his anger? Was the tyrant he so vehemently opposed merely an illusion?

"To give young people a freer space to realize their ambitions," Otto said casually, but his tone turned serious. "However, I do owe you an apology."

Welt was taken aback, seemingly completely surprised that Otto would say such a thing.

But then he heard it—

"I'm sorry, Welt Joyce." Despite the distance, Otto tried his best to be sincere. "If it weren't for my intervention, you would probably have had a much brighter and more brilliant life. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I at least hope you won't be trapped in the shadow of the past."

"Isn't it a bit hypocritical for a perpetrator to say such a thing?" Welt said, but from his softened tone, one could sense a change in the other's emotions. "However, although I'm reluctant to admit it, I did learn a lot during my three years at Schicksal."

"I will not forgive you, but thank you anyway—that's all."