Leaving the Schicksal independent prison, Otto reboarded his battleship. His visit really had just been a momentary spur-of-the-moment decision while passing by.
After all, he couldn't exactly bring himself to call Siegfried "father-in-law," but calling Ryoma Raiden "father-in-law" rolled off his tongue effortlessly.
The battleship continued its journey toward the floating islands of Schicksal HQ. This time, Otto didn't stand on the deck to enjoy the breeze; instead, he headed straight for Kiana's room.
After all, if you stand in the wind too long, you need to get into bed to warm up.
Shedding his cumbersome Overseer's coat, Otto looked at the deeply sleeping Kiana. He smiled softly before slipping under the covers.
Wrapping his arms around Kiana's soft, delicate body, her radiating body heat slowly seeped into Otto's icy frame.
His cold body desperately needed the fiery warmth of a Valkyrie.
I just wonder... will one Kiana be enough to keep me warm?
Curling his body slightly, Otto buried his face into Kiana's chest, letting his cheek feel her warmth and the steady, rhythmic beating of the heart within her chest.
It really is warm.
Otto narrowed his eyes. This posture—like an unborn child curled up in a mother's womb—filled him with an overwhelming sense of security, soothing the immense pressure he had been carrying all this time.
Over this period, his memories from before he transmigrated were becoming increasingly blurry, replaced by a growing adaptation to his current identity and environment.
I suppose I've truly taken root in this world now.
Gently stroking Kiana's flat stomach, Otto once again began to agonize over whether or not he had reproductive isolation from everyone else.
"That tickles~"
Suddenly, a laugh as clear as a silver bell rang out right next to his ear. Otto looked up to see a pair of brilliant azure eyes staring right back at him.
Kiana was awake.
Meanwhile, inside the consciousness space, K423 was looking at Otto and Kiana sharing the same blanket. She covered her face in absolute despair. Why isn't this a nightmare?!
If that had been Mei under the covers, she would have died of happiness. But with it being Otto, it felt as if thousands of ants were crawling all over her skin.
She honestly felt like crying.
I actually became Otto's woman... when will I finally wake up from this nightmare?!
Waaaah, this lady is no longer pure!
K423: OR2.
K423 was on her hands and knees, her butt raised high in the air and her face planted firmly against the floor, completely refusing to look at the outside world anymore.
If she had to experience this up-close, first-person "boyfriend POV" any longer, K423 felt her heart would literally give out.
The Queen, floating in the air, didn't care in the slightest. She wasn't repulsed by Kiana and Otto's intimate contact; after all, she was actively absorbing the energy to strengthen herself.
Moreover, she didn't feel the same intense revulsion toward Otto as she used to, no longer shouting about wanting to kill him the moment she got out. Because the Queen had realized something was wrong with Otto—very, very wrong.
The more intimately Kiana interacted with him, the more the Queen felt that the aura Otto gave off was...
Like that of a God.
Regardless of the specifics, he definitely wasn't human. He was likely the same kind of existence as her.
And since they were peers of the same kind, the Queen's attitude toward Otto shifted entirely.
If he is willing to let this Queen sit upon his shoulders, pledge his utmost loyalty to this Queen, and serve this Queen faithfully... then rewarding him with this Queen's body wouldn't be completely out of the question.
The Herrscher of the Void truly wanted to conquer the Tyrant of Schicksal.
She was, quite frankly, dreaming.
However, as the Queen glanced down at K423's raised rear end, she really, really wanted to kick it and send K423 face-planting into the dirt.
But she didn't dare.
Because she genuinely couldn't beat K423 in a fight.
If the Queen actually dared to kick her, K423 might face-plant, but immediately afterward, a humiliated and enraged K423 would definitely pin her down by the neck and beat the living daylights out of her.
"Mmm..."
Back in the real world, Kiana gave Otto a playful glance. Lying on her stomach, she arched her back and stretched her body, looking as lazy and elegant as a female cheetah.
And right after stretching, this little cheetah pounced directly onto Otto.
Wrapping her slender arms around Otto's neck, Kiana pinned him down, hugging him tightly as they rolled across the bed several times.
"Hehehe."
Her long white hair fanned out across the sheets like a blooming lily. Looking at Otto's face hovering just inches from hers, Kiana giggled foolishly.
Then, she craned her neck and planted a soft peck on Otto's lips.
"Hehehe."
Looking at Otto, her giggling became even sillier.
"You're awake? Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Otto asked with a smile. Their noses were practically touching, their breaths clearly mingling together, yet neither felt the slightest bit of disgust.
"I can't sleep anymore," Kiana said with a bright smile.
Suddenly, Otto felt Kiana's heart rate rapidly increase.
She opened her mouth.
"DARLING."
Darling. Meaning: beloved, sweetheart, dearest love.
Kiana said the word aloud.
Otto's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Having finally said the word, Kiana looked as if a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It was as if she had just thrown open a floodgate.
"I can't sleep anymore DARLING"
Pressing her cheek against Otto's chest, she whined affectionately.
It was so overwhelmingly sweet that K423 couldn't help but cover her ears in the consciousness space.
Once the word was spoken the first time, saying it again became infinitely easier. Furthermore, Kiana had always been an incredibly proactive girl.
Originally, she had wanted to directly call him "Husband." But she and Otto weren't married yet; they were only an engaged couple. So, she chose to call him "Darling" instead.
"Mhm."
Otto hummed in response. Hearing the English word 'Darling' come out of the mouth of this Northern European heiress actually didn't feel out of place at all.
"However, in front of others, you must still call me Otto. In private, you can call me whatever you like."
Otto was preemptively administering a vaccine. If Kiana hugged him and called him 'Darling' right in front of Mei and Fu Hua, his entire backyard would instantly go up in flames!
"Why?" Kiana asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Because... Kiana, you wouldn't want people saying that you only became an S-rank Valkyrie by relying on pillow talk, would you?"
It was an incredibly logical and effective excuse. Given Kiana's prideful personality, she absolutely wouldn't be able to stand others gossiping that she had taken the "back door" to success.
Understanding Otto's meaning, Kiana immediately nodded.
"Mhm!"
Darling is looking out for me!
If she worked so hard to finally become an S-rank Valkyrie, only for people to assume she had cheated her way up, she would be devastated.
Besides, the title didn't really matter right now anyway. Since she was staying at St. Freya Academy, she wouldn't be going to Headquarters until she officially became an S-rank Valkyrie.
She wouldn't have much time to cling to Otto in the near future anyway.
And K423 was thinking the exact same thing. Once Kiana and Otto are separated, their feelings will naturally fade over time. And once Kiana matures, she'll definitely see through Otto's mask!
After thinking for a moment, Kiana poked Otto's chest.
"DARLING, can you give me a little more... security?"
This agonizing little succubus!
Otto took two deep breaths, but ultimately just reached out and ruffled Kiana's hair.
"Not right now."
Being rejected, Kiana puffed out her cheeks. Hmph! We're about to be separated for so long, and he won't even satisfy my little request!
Punch, punch, punch.
Kiana lightly hammered her small fists against Otto's chest in protest.
But Otto continued speaking.
"After all, we're almost there. We should get ready to get out of bed."
"Hmm?" Kiana tilted her head in confusion. "Almost where?"
As she asked the question, she suddenly looked around the room in bewilderment. This... didn't look like her room at the academy...
Where am I?!
"Don't worry, I already packed all your things for you."
"We are about to arrive... at Schicksal HQ."
The corners of Otto's mouth curled up, looking exactly like a scumbag who had just successfully abducted an ignorant young girl.
---o---