Chapter Summaries

Seele finished her medical examinations unharmed but grew flustered over her feelings for Bronya. After a private talk with Himeko, Zhao Bai reflected on the need to help his team grow.

• Bronya confirmed that Seele had suffered no harm from her examinations, while Seele blushed and recalled seeing Bronya's bare feet during the CT scan.
• Seele returned to her room aboard the Hyperion, where her butterfly hair clip's blue flames flared as she slid down against the door.
• Bronya waited outside Himeko's office until Zhao Bai came out, then asked what Himeko had told him.
• Zhao Bai said Himeko had spoken to him about youth and growing up, and he considered the value of an elder's life experience.
• Zhao Bai began examining his five-person team and concluded that its members needed the chance to grow.

Zhao Bai returned to St. Freya to seek advice about caring for Seele and found Theresa feeling lonely after the others had left. He teased Theresa, but her subdued reaction left him wondering what had changed.

• Zhao Bai decided that the team needed mental training and returned to St. Freya to ask for guidance.
• Zhao Bai saw Valkyries crowding Rosaliya and Liliya's door, called Himeko, and quietly slipped away.
• Theresa walked the Xuanyuan Sword alone and felt desolate because everyone else had boarded the ship.
• Zhao Bai greeted Theresa by calling her an empty-nest principal and was surprised when she did not snap back at him.

Zhao Bai sought help from Theresa and Fu Hua so his squad members could grow, then asked Fu Hua for permission to use Taixu Sword Qi to calm Seele’s mind. Fu Hua explained that its introductory chapter was already required study for Schicksal students, though few succeeded in cultivating it.

• Zhao Bai told Theresa that he wanted help developing his squad members, and she demanded that he call her Teacher before he left with Xuanyuan Sword.
• Theresa noticed Xuanyuan Sword had vanished from the riverbank and grew angry.
• Zhao Bai went to Fu Hua at the bar, seeking authorization to use the Taixu Sword Qi manual for Seele.
• Fu Hua told Zhao Bai that Taixu Sword Qi’s introductory chapter was a required course for Schicksal students, but few managed to cultivate it successfully.

Zhao Bai invited Fu Hua to milk tea after confirming that she had no copyright concerns. Later, he brought Seele to meet the Xuanyuan Sword for a trial, and the sword sensed two different auras from Seele.

• Zhao Bai asked Fu Hua whether she had copyright concerns, and she felt relieved that he remembered her as the copyright holder.
• Fu Hua invited Zhao Bai to have milk tea, and he accepted.
• Zhao Bai told Seele that she was facing a trial and led her from the Schicksal to the lakeside.
• Seele was captivated by the Xuanyuan Sword, which recognized a familiar scent and welcomed her.
• Seele reached out to the Xuanyuan Sword, which sensed two distinct auras from her.

Zhao Bai took Seele to a lakeside to teach her a calm state of mind, but her consciousness was overtaken by malice. Black Seele emerged and eyed Xuanyuan Sword as prey.

• Xuanyuan Sword clung to Seele after learning she could be another aunt, leaving Zhao Bai frustrated.
• Zhao Bai brought Seele to the lake and told her to observe it to learn a heart as still as water.
• Seele watched the ripples and began to feel calmer, but her head suddenly hurt and she lost consciousness.
• Black Seele appeared, licked her lips while eyeing Xuanyuan Sword, and lunged like a hungry tiger.

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.