Otto's Decision

Schicksal Headquarters

"Your Lord Bishop, the Honkai Energy sensing radar you placed near the Shenzhou sea area has detected strange fluctuations."

"This is a report on these matters."

The speaker was a Valkyrie with pure white hair. She handed the detailed report to the blond man, bowed slightly, and stood still.

Otto's gaze remained fixed on the data in the report; he paid no attention to the people around him, focusing solely on the documents before him.

Amber was the person he trusted most in the world, which was why Otto didn't specifically send her out.

After taking a quick look around, the man closed his eyes and leaned back in the soft sofa. His usually unreadable features now seemed to be tinged with some inexplicable emotion.

Is it a ruin that suddenly emits fluctuations of Honkai Energy in the waters of Shenzhou?

Otto Apocalypse glanced at the wine glass on the mahogany table. The brilliant red liquid was as still as stagnant water, and the glass and the semi-transparent wine reflected the man's indistinct face.

It was like a distorted and bewildering illusion, making it impossible to discern the true nature of what lay within.

After a long while, Otto seemed to snap out of his daze at the sudden news. He stared at the documents on the table and murmured softly to himself:

"In Shenzhou..."

Just as the man was planning to wait and see how things would unfold between the two, this ancient ruin appeared as if by chance.

At this moment, both Su Qing'an and Fu Hua are in Shenzhou, and the result of many coincidences is almost singular.

This can basically be described as a fixed trajectory, which we usually call fate in mythology.

The most crucial reason is that, based on extensive research by experts in the history of the Honkai, it is highly likely that genuine natural Stigmata exist within this site.

If we have data on the new natural Stigmata, Schicksal might be able to find secrets within them and discover entirely new technologies.

Whether it's the degree of control over Honkai Energy, its adaptability, or even the most crucial resistance, the original functions of these Artificial Stigmata have the potential to bring about a completely new revolution.

By then, the new generation of Artificial Stigmata will be safer and more harmless, and future Valkyrie may not resemble a war machine that is used and then discarded.

Even the Valkyrie have undergone Artificial Stigmata transplants and are now in critical condition may have their lifespans extended by optimizing the Artificial Stigmata within their bodies.

These are all idealized scenarios; the actual situation is naturally far more complex.

The technical difficulties are countless, even with just one more frame of reference. It's important to understand that their current technology and Artificial Stigmata are essentially built upon the remains of Previous Civilization. It is by relying on these legacies that they have been able to develop core technologies so quickly.

The so-called Stigmata are not something that can be done casually or simply. Even for the Previous Civilization first developed Stigmata, achieving the aforementioned perfect conditions was not an easy task.

The kind of technology that is used for popularization often requires overcoming more and greater difficulties, and it is undoubtedly a pipe dream to achieve breakthrough progress in a short period of time.

But this is hope.

No one would choose to give up a glimmer of light in the darkness, just as when you are walking alone in an ancient forest where there will never be sunlight, you are trekking through eternal darkness, not knowing where the way out is.

So at this time, if given the chance, you would never choose to give up that glimmer of light.

Su Qing'an is a case in point.

Even if he had no other desires, he would absolutely go for Murata Himeko.

Otto calmed down completely in no time; he was not one to be swayed by such things. But this seemingly fateful coincidence brought back some unpleasant memories.

The man gently swirled the wine glass in his hand, his eyes lowered to the rim of the glass where the calm liquid was broken; the ripples that spread out were the beautiful sight he was witnessing.

But perhaps just as he recklessly shattered the original tranquility of this cup of wine, an even higher being was also looking down upon this human world for which all things struggled. They reached out and moved each chess piece, giving arrogant attention to the ripples that arose as a result.

A god? Assuming a god truly exists, as long as He can be one of the factors that men use to resurrect the Saintess, Otto wouldn't mind letting the god descend to earth.

The man murmured softly, as if reciting a short poem from a preface:

"Hope, what a beautiful and sweet fruit."

Otto gazed at the bright sunshine outside the window and muttered to himself:

"Your fates are in your own hands; the choices you make are entirely up to you."

"My old friend, and Su Qing'an, what decision will you ultimately make?"

That being said, for some reason I've stopped expecting that most likely outcome.

"Perhaps it's because it's just too boring. The unpredictable future, while frightening, also inspires anticipation."

"But to make me seem less like a good person—well, that sounds a bit odd, but let's just say it's to give me some sense of involvement. My old friend, let me give you a scenario where you have to make a choice."

"I'm curious, compared to that boy, to all the little things you've clung to for millennia..."

"Who it is, is more important."

Otto sent the message to the Far East Branch, and St. Freya Academy, upon receiving the message, would undoubtedly send the candidate he expected.

Murata Himeko —that's the reason Su Qing'an would definitely come.

Kiana, also known as K423.

She will definitely grow from this incident, regardless of the outcome.

The dangers that may arise within ruins containing natural Stigmata are almost uncontrollable.

She will inevitably encounter hardships and battles alongside her companions. Whether she successfully overcomes numerous dangers and difficulties, or is defeated and witnesses her companions fall in the underground ruins of the deep sea, either ending will be a good one.

The joy, confidence, and glory brought by these victories, and the pain, frustration, and sorrow brought by defeats, are precisely the nutrients that growth must be nurtured.

The smile on the man's face gradually faded amidst his turbulent thoughts. His expression at that moment resembled that of a melancholy poet, or a scholar perplexed by a question. He took a sip of the red wine in his glass and said:

"Yes, choices. Humans are all about making choices, and it is the choices we make that determine the future."

"And I must make all the correct choices to understand the nature of life and death, and the existence of the soul, before I can guarantee that I can truly resurrect Kallen."