Recaps

Zhao Bai tried to teach Black Seele about the bonds between people and demonstrate Taixu Sword Qi to inspire her to study. Black Seele admired his display but lost interest as soon as he asked her to learn.

• Xuanyuan Sword was frightened by Black Seele’s sharp claws, so Zhao Bai comforted her and scolded Black Seele for frightening her niece.
• Black Seele dismissed family ties as pointless, and Zhao Bai called her a chuunibyou who thought of herself as a lone wolf.
• Zhao Bai demonstrated Taixu Sword Qi by having Xuanyuan Sword transform into a blade and sending an invisible sword strike into the lake.
• Black Seele admired the sword technique, but she lost interest when Zhao Bai offered to teach it to her if she studied.

Zhao Bai continued teaching Seele Taixu Sword Qi before accepting a dangerous mission to investigate a monster at the Mariana Trench. Meanwhile, Otto prepared to confront a long-standing problem despite Amber's concerns.

• Zhao Bai encouraged Black Seele to study the Taixu cultivation method and helped Seele begin practicing Taixu Sword Qi.
• Zhao Bai received a high-priority solo mission reporting that a monster had emerged near the Mariana Trench, and he set out to investigate.
• Otto told Amber at an Eastern European testing ground that he intended to end his long confrontation with Him.
• Amber questioned Otto's decision, but he maintained that the problem would not disappear if left unresolved.

Zhao Bai confronted Otto at the Mariana Trench, where Otto revealed that he had activated upload mode and was about to tell Zhao Bai something about himself. Meanwhile, Seele finished training with the Xuanyuan Sword and returned to the Hyperion for her commissions.

• Otto used his authority as Archbishop to send Zhao Bai to the Mariana Trench and went there himself.
• Zhao Bai found Otto instead of the rumored giant monster and challenged him about the false intelligence.
• Otto said he had activated upload mode and was going to tell Zhao Bai something about himself.
• Seele finished training with the Xuanyuan Sword and waved goodbye as the sword flew off to find the principal.
• Seele returned to the Hyperion to collect her assignments.

Seele noticed the Hyperion was on high alert while Bronya asked about Zhao Bai, who had gone to meet Otto. Otto explained that Zhao Bai originated as a consciousness taken from a parallel world by Void Archive and was later born after Otto sealed it and removed its memories.

• Seele saw the Hyperion preparing for war and worried about Bronya and Zhao Bai.
• Bronya asked Seele where Zhao Bai was, and Seele said he had left on a mission that morning.
• Otto told Zhao Bai that his parallel-world research had revealed the existence of other worlds through the Herrscher of the Void's power.
• Otto explained that Void Archive had taken a consciousness from a parallel world and left it with an order to kill Otto and a perfect mimicry ability.
• Otto said he sealed the consciousness after seventy-three bodies collapsed, cut away its memories, and Zhao Bai was born.

Otto revealed that he had arranged for Zhao Bai to attend St. Freya Academy so Zhao Bai would grow attached to the world before his shackles were removed. Zhao Bai faced a difficult choice, and Otto offered him Schicksal’s authority while isolating himself from all information about Zhao Bai.

• Otto explained that removing Zhao Bai’s shackles would restore him as a killing machine, after which his soul would return to its proper world.
• Zhao Bai realized Otto had sent him to St. Freya Academy to make him emotionally attached to this world and potentially spare Otto when they fought.
• Otto told Zhao Bai to seek Gray Serpent in Sky City to learn more about how terrifying Zhao Bai had been while unconscious.
• Otto explained that psychological shackles and ideological imprints caused Zhao Bai’s attacks to affect only ingredients.
• Otto offered Zhao Bai the Archbishop’s authority and promised to shut down discussions about him and lock himself in a black box until Zhao Bai came to find him.

Otto ended the standoff and gave Zhao Bai Leader-rank clearance, warning him to use fewer weapons from the arsenal. After the defenses stood down, Zhao Bai returned to the Hyperion and began cooking with different utensils, having decided not to rely on his inherited weapons.

• Otto told Zhao Bai that their cooperation would last only while Void Archive remained a threat and advised him to use fewer arsenal weapons.
• Otto left, and Zhao Bai discovered that his clearance had changed from A-rank to Leader rank.
• Schicksal's orbital cannons and the Hyperion's defenses stood down, and Durandal disarmed.
• Durandal lamented losing her savings in a collapsed bank vault and wondered how she would play games with Yue Xia.
• Seele and Bronya remained tense until Zhao Bai returned to the Hyperion.
• Zhao Bai began cooking without using his inherited cooking utensils.

Zhao Bai told Bronya that he had gained the authority of the Overseer of Schicksal and learned his life was fake, then found comfort with her. The two took a year of leave to travel, surprising Teacher Himeko when they did not return to work.

• Zhao Bai served dishes with the divine spatula Bronya had given him and cooked happily until nightfall.
• Zhao Bai told Bronya he had gained the authority of the Overseer of Schicksal and discovered he was a tool created to eliminate someone.
• Bronya asked whether Zhao Bai considered the revelation good or bad, and he chose to focus on their planned trip to Antarctica.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya thanked each other and embraced beneath the moonlight.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya used their phones to approve a year of leave for themselves, leaving Teacher Himeko stunned when they did not return to work.

Zhao Bai took Bronya and his family on a journey, while Otto sealed himself inside an isolated tomb and left Amber to find Zhao Bai. In Saint Fontaine, Amber declared that Zhao Bai would be Schicksal’s emperor and began overseeing his itinerary.

• Zhao Bai took Bronya’s hand and led his family away on a journey.
• Otto sealed himself inside an information-isolated tomb, leaving Zhao Bai’s palm print, iris, and voiceprint as the keys to unlock it.
• Amber learned that Otto had named Zhao Bai as his successor and left headquarters to find him.
• Zhao Bai and his companions arrived in Saint Fontaine aboard a private jet, where Amber and the North Africa Branch were waiting.
• Amber told Zhao Bai that he was now Schicksal’s emperor, and Zhao Bai asked whether Otto had written her words into a script.

Zhao Bai and Bronya explored Saint Fontaine during their honeymoon, but Schicksal’s precautions left the city deserted and frightened its residents. After Amber restored normal life, Zhao Bai took Bronya to see The Nutcracker at the theater.

• Amber told Zhao Bai that Otto had encouraged him to enjoy himself while he was away.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya declined an escort and walked through an empty Saint Fontaine, where children watched them fearfully from their windows.
• Zhao Bai summoned Amber and ordered her to lift the restrictions keeping citizens indoors.
• The residents returned to the streets, but their fearful looks made Bronya want to leave the city.
• Amber told Zhao Bai about Otto’s private choir and ballet company, prompting Zhao Bai to arrange a performance of The Nutcracker for Bronya.

Zhao Bai realized Durandal’s casual request for food money had restored the warmth of everyday life he had been missing. Durandal explained why she was broke, while Zhao Bai reflected on his influence over Schicksal and the people around him.

• Amber summoned the Lord Bishop's private ballet troupe from Sydney to perform for Zhao Bai in North Africa.
• Zhao Bai savored the ballet and red wine until Durandal entered and asked to borrow money for food.
• Durandal asked why Zhao Bai looked exactly like Lord Bishop while crossing his legs and watching ballet.
• Zhao Bai felt comforted by Durandal’s familiar request, and Bronya was glad that he seemed happier.
• Durandal explained she had spent her money on precious metals, lost it when the investment bank was robbed, and had planned to eat Rita after sending her to Antarctica.

After the ballet, Zhao Bai offered to cover Durandal’s expenses using Schicksal’s funds. Durandal accepted the money, then wondered what she would do if it ran out.

• Zhao Bai and Bronya watched the ballet without interrupting the performance.
• After the show, Zhao Bai asked Durandal what she wanted to eat and learned she was out of money.
• Zhao Bai summoned Amber and told her to give Durandal money from Schicksal’s funds.
• Amber thought Zhao Bai was more wasteful than Lord Otto for spending the Bishop’s money so freely.
• Durandal remembered she had smashed sixteen PS4 Pros and accepted Zhao Bai’s financial help.
• Durandal asked what would happen if she ran out of money in the future.

Zhao Bai agreed to fund Durandal and joined her and Bronya in planning to clear monsters from the Saint Fontaine subway hub. Amber tried to dissuade him, but he threatened to fire her, leaving her stunned and blaming him for putting her job at risk.

• Zhao Bai told Durandal to charge her expenses to Schicksal and ask Otto about the money later.
• Durandal invited Zhao Bai and Bronya to help clear monsters from the Saint Fontaine subway hub and watch her fight.
• Bronya agreed to observe Durandal, while Amber overheard them discussing the mission and Schicksal's finances.
• Amber tried to act cute and persuade Zhao Bai not to risk himself, but he told her to put on her mask or be fired.
• Amber reflected that her life had revolved around serving Otto and blamed Zhao Bai for endangering her job.

Zhao Bai took Durandal and Bronya to a Michelin restaurant in Saint Fontaine, while Amber watched from a distance. He ignored the restaurant’s refined cuisine and ordered pizza, Diet Coke, and egg tarts.

• Amber retreated two hundred meters from Zhao Bai, put on her golden mask, and stayed nearby under Otto's instructions.
• Durandal shuddered at the sight of Amber and recalled her traumatic memories of smashing PS4 Pros.
• Zhao Bai learned that Durandal was hungry and suggested they go to a restaurant.
• Amber reminded Zhao Bai from a distance that he could order the chef to make pizza.
• At Kanda, Zhao Bai closed the menu and ordered three seafood pizzas with double cheese, iced Diet Coke, and egg tarts.

Zhao Bai indulged his new authority by making a Michelin head chef fetch fast food for him and his companions. After they ate, Durandal led the group to the entrance of the subway hub to search for a route inside.

• Zhao Bai asked the Michelin head chef to buy Pizza Hut, Walmart, and KFC food, leaving the chef stunned.
• Durandal requested beef brisket baked rice and a sour lemon kumquat drink, while Bronya changed her pizza order, and Amber relayed their requests to the head chef.
• Zhao Bai explained that he had made the demands because he could, and he wanted to try using his newly acquired authority.
• Zhao Bai praised the head chef as an outstanding deliveryman while Bronya finished the last piece of bacon pizza.
• Zhao Bai, Bronya, Durandal, and Amber went to search for the subway hub entrance, which Durandal identified.

Zhao Bai, Durandal, and Bronya entered Saint Fontaine’s vast subway hub to investigate a monster, and Zhao Bai stepped on fragments of high-purity Honkai crystal. Durandal warned that they were close to the enemy.

• Zhao Bai had Amber shut down the city’s subway system and cleared the station.
• Zhao Bai set out with Durandal and Bronya to deal with the monster in the subway hub.
• Durandal explained that Schicksal Heavy Industries had built the enormous underground structure.
• Zhao Bai stepped on fragments of dark crimson, high-purity Honkai crystal.
• Durandal raised her spear and warned Zhao Bai and Bronya that the enemy was nearby.

Zhao Bai, Durandal, and Bronya advanced through a cave filled with Honkai crystals, with Durandal leading the charge toward a sleeping creature that seemed to be a dragon. Durandal broke through the crystal formations as they approached it.

• Zhao Bai transformed the gold-plated spatula Otto had given him into an energy sword, while Durandal and Bronya readied their weapons.
• The group detected high concentrations of Honkai crystals and continued through the cave, making enough noise that they could no longer hide their approach.
• Durandal led the group through the crystal formations as a sulfurous wind and a deep snoring sound came from the darkness.
• Zhao Bai glimpsed a pale shell marked with black and crimson as sparks briefly lit the cave.
• Durandal charged ahead and shattered the beautiful crystal formations with her knight's lance.

Zhao Bai, Durandal, and Bronya encountered a mutated Lava Emperor in a cave, where it transformed into a crystal-covered giant lizard. Durandal overcame her fear of the creature and advanced to fight it, while Zhao Bai realized he could simply watch.

• The awakened creature revealed itself as a Lava Emperor, and Zhao Bai named it.
• The Lava Emperor merged with the nearby crystals and transformed into a giant lizard resembling a Gem Crystal Dragon.
• Durandal grew afraid of the crystal-covered creature because it reminded her of difficult battles in a game.
• Bronya encouraged Durandal to treat the encounter as a chance to get revenge.
• Durandal rallied herself and strode toward the Lava Emperor with her lance, while Zhao Bai watched.

Durandal destroyed the Crystalline Dragon with a single powerful shot, leaving Zhao Bai and Bronya to inspect the wreckage. Zhao Bai reassured her that the damage could be explained in the report, and Durandal accepted the excuse before heading back down.

• Durandal leaped into the air and fired at the Crystalline Dragon while Bronya shielded Zhao Bai's eyes.
• Durandal celebrated one-shotting the enemy and lamented that she was not as successful at games.
• Bronya lowered her hand, and Zhao Bai saw that Durandal's attack had scattered burning armor fragments throughout the area.
• Durandal worried about the damage, but Zhao Bai suggested reporting that she had stopped a dangerous enemy after a grueling battle.
• Durandal convinced herself the explanation was reasonable, adjusted her appearance, and headed down to the ground.

Zhao Bai gave Amber orders to clear the subway tracks and prepare for repairs, while Durandal planned to head home and use her borrowed wages to buy a PS4 Pro. When Durandal asked about his plans, Zhao Bai said he might visit Paris.

• Zhao Bai ordered Amber to keep the subway closed, send a protected cleanup team to collect crystals, and prepare the construction crew.
• Amber accepted the task with relief and led the cleanup team and construction crew into the subway.
• Durandal looked forward to buying a PS4 Pro and defeating the Gem Crystal Dragon with a one-shot attack.
• Durandal asked Zhao Bai what he planned to do, and he said he might visit Paris.

Zhao Bai and Bronya chose Paris as their next destination after Durandal warned them about the protests and dangers there. They boarded a Gulfstream jet, leaving Amber to arrange the trip, and began their journey with a film playing overhead.

• Durandal warned Zhao Bai that Paris was unsettled by Yellow Vest protests, but Zhao Bai and Bronya decided to go anyway.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya watched Durandal fly away, then agreed that she was too tall and too dumb.
• Amber returned from the subway with a construction crew, and Zhao Bai told her to arrange a trip to Paris.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya flew toward Paris on a Gulfstream jet, drinking juice and watching Joker.

Zhao Bai and Bronya arrived in France after Zhao Bai lost interest in a film and browsed magazines during the flight. They found the airport deserted and disorderly, with an inflammatory banner hanging above the boarding gate.

• Zhao Bai called the film a bunch of lunatics but decided not to have it banned.
• Zhao Bai found a magazine full of afternoon tea desserts, then switched to one about French cuisine.
• Zhao Bai noticed Bronya reading about the manufacturing process of the Maxim machine gun.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya landed in France and found the airport deserted, with scattered beer bottles and chairs pushed against the walls.
• Bronya read the banner above the boarding gate: "Sow the seeds of misery, and all you harvest is anger."

Zhao Bai, Bronya, and Amber walked through a divided Paris amid a protest over pension cuts. As rain began to fall and tensions rose between protesters and police, Amber advised Zhao Bai to take a detour.

• Zhao Bai observed that Paris's protest had left some districts in chaos while wealthy entertainment districts continued as usual.
• Zhao Bai asked whether rain was coming, and Bronya estimated a 70% chance of rain, possibly with thunderstorms.
• Amber hurried over and gave Zhao Bai a large, sharply pointed umbrella.
• Amber advised Zhao Bai to detour for his safety as protesters and police faced each other across barricades.
• Rain began falling, and Zhao Bai opened the umbrella and looked at Amber with pity.

Zhao Bai had Amber brighten the rain-soaked road while he walked with Bronya under an umbrella. Schicksal’s satellite illuminated the clouds, and Zhao Bai watched the silver-lit rain with a brief spark of delight.

• Zhao Bai pulled Bronya under his umbrella and dismissed Amber’s suggestion.
• Zhao Bai told Amber to make the dark road brighter, and she began issuing orders despite the district-wide power outage.
• Bronya asked whether Zhao Bai’s demand was inappropriate, and he said he wanted to vent while he still had the chance.
• Schicksal’s satellite cast light over the district, making the clouds and rain glow silver as Zhao Bai looked on.

Zhao Bai and Bronya crossed between protesters and police officers as Zhao Bai demonstrated his Still Water technique by freezing the falling rain. The chapter ended with an author’s note explaining the poetic lines and the purpose of the display.

• Zhao Bai and Bronya walked beneath a shared black umbrella through the standoff between the protesters and police officers.
• Zhao Bai asked Bronya what she knew about the Still Water Realm of the Taixu Divine Sword.
• Zhao Bai recited a few lines of poetry, then froze the falling rain into solid, star-like drops.
• The author explained that the display was meant to show off Zhao Bai’s cultivation of the Taixu Divine Sword.

Zhao Bai demonstrated his new control over Honkai energy through the Taixu Divine Sword, but his concentration broke when Bronya praised him. He and Bronya then arrived at a bar filled with young members of Schicksal’s three great families, where a blond man in a white suit approached them.

• Zhao Bai gathered rain into a shining silver spearhead using the Taixu Divine Sword’s Internal Force while Bronya watched.
• Zhao Bai took Bronya’s hand and hurried forward, but his control slipped and the water spear crashed down.
• Zhao Bai and Bronya crossed into the power supply area, where the reflective satellites stopped and their brief truce ended.
• Zhao Bai entered an old bar filled with European-looking young people he identified as members of Schicksal’s three great families.
• A blond young man in a white suit approached Zhao Bai.