Having obtained the satisfactory result they wanted, the audience gathered below the company gradually dispersed.
Only then did Hessian return to the company, pour himself a cup of tea, drink it in one go, and put on an expression of lingering fear: "That really scared me to death. These viewers' emotions are way too intense."
Kiana and the others all said he deserved it — who told him to kill off Himeko?
Today's livestream was Durandal's turn. The content of her stream was connecting her own world bubble to the Imaginary Space. During the broadcast, the entire chat was filled with comments saying her Bishop was about to die.
While no one was paying attention, Mobius came over to Hessian's side and asked him: "What exactly are you planning?"
Hessian smiled and said: "Nothing much. I'm just giving everyone what they've been eagerly waiting for."
Mobius reminded him: "Don't go overboard. The company has finally gotten back on its feet — don't screw it up."
Hessian waved his hand: "Don't worry, it'll be fine. Oh right — help me invite that streamer named Li Suchang to the company. Tell her the new episode wants her to play a role."
"Her?" Mobius was a little curious: "Don't tell me she's another character you deliberately planted in the crowd?"
Hessian shook his head: "Of course not. It's all just a coincidence of fate. Perfect timing, actually — the new episode needs someone just like her."
"Got it."
Mobius asked no more questions.
Soon after, he finished writing the script and handed it out to everyone. The cast put aside their emotions and began preparing for filming.
Because a large portion of this episode's plot needed to be filmed by Hessian alone, the rest of the cast didn't know the full story of the script. The only thing they could be certain of was that Otto would indeed die in this episode.
And precisely because of that,
This entire week could be said to be the happiest time for Honkai Impact 3rd viewers.
Every day, people were promoting Otto's death countdown online.
Even under the currently most popular and trending video "The Flame Burns Eternal," the comments were all filled with things like "Kiana, don't be afraid — Otto's about to die soon"…
Finally.
One week passed, and the day of the Honkai Impact 3rd broadcast arrived.
To celebrate Otto's death, countless viewers across the country booked entire bars, inviting fellow fans to watch the episode together. They decided that the moment Otto died, they would raise their glasses in celebration.
Inside Fire Moth Interstellar Entertainment Company,
Kalpas was even humming a little tune while preparing a huge pile of desserts and drinks — all so that when Otto died, he could celebrate this great moment with the actors, the moment they had waited for so long.
Soon.
It was time for the drama to air.
As usual, everyone sat together to watch the television.
As the opening theme ended,
The story officially began.
"Ah, what a gloomy yet bright day."
"In five hundred years, I have never seen a day quite like this. After all, to deceive the world, you must pretend to be part of it—"
"And most people do not look for sunlight amid thick, overcast clouds."
Otto's gaze fell on Li Suchang not far away.
The two had met five hundred years ago. Li Suchang, having come to understand Otto's heart, resolved to witness the moment he achieved his goal.
Four months earlier, Otto had only just awakened her from the cultivation pod.
"So you were here, Suchang."
Li Suchang, seeing it was Otto, said: "The scenery here is really nice. Changguang told me about it… I probably wouldn't have found a place like this on my own, haha."
Otto said: "Looks like you really have blended in with everyone. Impressive — as expected of you. You always manage to do things far beyond expectations."
Li Suchang said: "Hey, the one who insisted on making this lady an S-rank Valkyrie was you, you shady merchant, wasn't it?"
"Are you trying to get me to adapt to my new identity, or are you trying to stop me…?"
Otto kept his usual tone: "Ah, I was just worrying a little too much, afraid you might have trouble adjusting to modern society."
Li Suchang said: "It's not bad. If we judge by the standards of our Free Gate — aside from things like microwaves, showerheads, and flush toilets, human life hasn't actually changed all that much."
"…It's just that in this era, many ordinary people can live freely and casually. Like the examples I just gave—"
"There are so many convenient tools now that let ordinary people live independently, so there aren't as many annoying rules and etiquette between people."
"But — just kidding — if the standard of 'freedom' is like what you did a few days ago, disappearing whenever you feel like it…"
"Hahahaha." Otto laughed: "That really is my weak spot. For Changguang and Amber's sake, since they took care of you during that time — please spare me."
Li Suchang said helplessly: "Seriously. I still wanted to meet Durandal and Rita sooner. I really want to spar with them."
Otto said: "Rita might be hard to say — but Bianka probably wouldn't refuse a sparring request."
Li Suchang said: "You mean, while you sneak away and everyone else is running around like crazy? This lady isn't so out of touch with reality, you know."
"Sigh… now that you're finally back, everyone else keeps getting sent on missions nonstop…"
"Honestly, your so-called final plan — does it really have to be this complicated?"
Otto smiled and said: "…Hahahahaha. I guess you could say I'm only good at the method that satisfies me the most."
Li Suchang grew a little anxious: "Then is it really just self-satisfaction? Didn't you say you yourself will probably die too?"
Otto nodded: "Mm, yes. But you also know — I don't really care much about my own life, do I?"
Li Suchang could only sigh helplessly in front of him: "Fine… you win. But compared to that, there is one thing that actually surprises me even more."
"—Have you really opened a passage between the past and the present? This town is full of ghosts everywhere now?"
Otto said: "Oh? Changguang even told you about that? But let me clarify beforehand — I didn't actually summon the world from five hundred years ago."
"I only projected its information here."
He followed Li Suchang's line of sight. Not far away, several will-o'-the-wisp-like objects floated, quietly recounting the events of the past.
Otto led Li Suchang to the front of the church.
"Here it's very quiet. No interference from those time dregs."
Li Suchang looked at the church: "This is — a church? Your shady merchant's temple?"
"Mm." Otto nodded: "For the past five hundred years, this has been a very quiet place."
"My father once stood here to announce that I would inherit his position as leader. But soon after, a woman murdered him."
"That woman — my sister, Lisa Schariac — later frequently used my nephew Marcel here to exercise the authority of Schicksal."
"And Kallen… it was here, even earlier, that she parted ways with me and left decisively."
Li Suchang understood: "So the will-o'-the-wisps I encountered earlier were indeed all related to your life."
Otto admitted: "Yes. Those people… they all died in Schicksal's civil war. One side was Schicksal headquarters under Lisa's control; the other was the new Schicksal that supported me as commander."
Li Suchang understood: "—So you went through a civil war before finally taking power."
"Correct."
Otto continued: "This happened in 1491 — fourteen years after Kallen's death and my solitary flight."
Li Suchang asked: "And from that time onward, you truly began to devote yourself… to bringing your childhood sweetheart back to life, right?"
Otto nodded: "You summarized it very well. When I awakened you, I also said — that moment is finally approaching."
Li Suchang was shocked: "You're not planning to just snatch her directly out of the past, are you?"
"Hahaha, if I could really do that, it would be much simpler." A trace of melancholy appeared in Otto's eyes: "History is history. From the perspective of today, we cannot change even the tiniest fraction of the past."
"Whether fragments of the world or lingering shadows of souls — these are far from being the real world or real people."
Li Suchang hurriedly asked: "Then what exactly is your method?"
"…Are you sure you want to hear it?" The old rogue thought for a few seconds, then slowly spoke a series of terms.
The girl was instantly stunned.
But not because she had heard some shocking statement—
—It was simply that what he had just said was nothing more than a collection of countless obscure and incomprehensible jargon.
[The time stored within the Imaginary Tree can be reactivated using the energy contained within time itself—]
[The Herrscher's ability to manipulate higher-dimensional space can artificially induce directional cleavage in the time dimension—]
The girl had every reason to suspect whether sentences like these truly belonged within the reasonable bounds of human language.
Perhaps the principle behind this matter was indeed extremely complex; perhaps the other party had deliberately chosen this awkward way of explaining it because he didn't want her to understand.
"…Sigh, fine — I'll take back my question, okay?"
"After all, no matter what, you've saved this lady's life more than once… Even if I've boarded the thief's ship now, I have to see it through to the end."
Otto said: "You're too kind. I can guarantee that no matter how this plan proceeds, it will not bring any personal harm to you."
Li Suchang continued: "…Then, according to your usual way of speaking — that means a lot of other people are going to be plunged into misery and suffering because of you, right?"
"Haha." Otto only smiled and did not refute.
Li Suchang went on: "So — in the future, I might not only have to repay you with gratitude, but also settle accounts with you?"
"You can settle the score with me right now if you want." Otto spread his hands wide, leaving himself completely open.
If someone struck at this moment, in theory they could end his life with a single blow.
Li Suchang immediately gave up: "Fine, you win by cheating. If I settle the new score, I won't be able to repay the old favor — and you should know that goes against the code of the martial world."
Otto teased: "I didn't know S-rank Valkyries of Schicksal also followed the code of the martial world."
"You…" Li Suchang was furious.
Otto quickly said: "Ah, don't mind me — I didn't mean to argue. And honestly… I'm actually quite afraid of dying."
"—Otherwise I wouldn't have lingered on in this world for five hundred years, right?"
He laughed even more happily.
It was hard to tell whether that expression was one of sincerity or hypocrisy.
Li Suchang was completely helpless: "You really are something else."
Otto said: "Alright, it's about time outside. There's a news video currently being broadcast worldwide — I'd like you to watch it too."
The television switched to the Anti-Entropy side.
Everyone was training and chatting as usual…
Einstein suddenly sent an urgent communication to Theresa.
Theresa immediately answered: "Hello, this is Theresa."
Einstein said: "Ms. Theresa, sorry to interrupt your work with an emergency call. This is the news video currently being broadcast worldwide by Schicksal… I believe it's necessary for you to see it immediately."
The video was projected in front of everyone through the communication.
Otto stood on the stage: "Friends all over the world, greetings. I am Otto Apocalypse, Bishop of Schicksal."
"As some of you already know — on the Earth where we live, periodic disasters known as Honkai occur."
"…Yes, for confidentiality reasons in the past, they were casually referred to in the news as 'unknown disasters.'"
"As far as Schicksal knows, Honkai is a disaster phenomenon that arises alongside civilization, grows stronger alongside civilization, and possesses the power to thoroughly crush civilization itself."
"But everyone need not panic — just a short while ago in August, Schicksal's Far East Branch cooperated with the American Anti-Entropy organization to eliminate the latest Apostle of Honkai."
"For the past two months, Honkai disasters worldwide have drastically decreased. You have surely felt this to some degree in your daily lives."
"In my view, this may mark the beginning of a new era in humanity's confrontation with Honkai—"
"An era in which humanity shifts from defense to offense, and will soon drive Honkai completely out of our world."
"Honkai is already running out of strength, while a new generation of heroes is emerging one after another. At this turning point, the world needs the truth, and Schicksal needs new blood."
"In summary — I, Otto Apocalypse — hereby resign from the position of Bishop of Schicksal, effective immediately, and will completely withdraw from the organization."
"My successor, Leader of the Far East Branch Theresa Apocalypse, will assume the position of Bishop in the near future and take full leadership of Schicksal."
"I believe that under her leadership, both the world and Schicksal will surely have a brighter future."
???
???
Theresa stared at the news video with her face full of question marks.
"Grandpa… he said he's resigning??"
Einstein said: "Judging from the literal statement, Mr. Otto has indeed resigned from the position of Bishop of Schicksal… However, this is not the only sudden development."
Welt said: "Just now, we also received a fax communication from Schicksal. Ms. Theresa, consistent with the statement in the news, they claim to welcome you to the old headquarters on the outskirts of Vienna to hold the ceremony for your succession as Bishop of Schicksal. And…"
Theresa quickly asked: "And what??"
Welt said: "And they also claim that they have already located the core of the Herrscher of Domination in the area and hope we can personally go there to complete the recovery."
—Late that same night.
At the base on the outskirts of Vienna.
Amber reported: "Bishop, the Hyperion from the Far East Branch has sent a communication. Due to time zone differences, Ms. Theresa and the main members of the Far East Branch will arrive at the old headquarters palace at 15:00 local time tomorrow afternoon."
Otto nodded: "Very good. Everything is proceeding according to plan."
"Even though they know full well this is bait I set… they still have to bite."
"After all, they cannot possibly ignore the whereabouts of the Herrscher of Domination core — and the data I provided them is sufficient to prove I am not lying."
"Next, on the stage I have prepared, they will profoundly and perfectly come to understand — exactly what kind of person Otto Apocalypse truly is, and what goes on inside his head."
"…And that very realization of theirs is, in fact, the single most crucial variable in the entire plan."
"Ahem." Amber coughed once: "Then, Bishop, shall I, Amber, be in charge of tomorrow afternoon's reception duties—"
"No!"
Otto said: "I have other tasks for you tomorrow. As for receiving the Hyperion… I have other considerations, so I will leave that to someone else."
"Yes, Bishop."
Otto waved his hand: "Alright, go rest. This coming weekend — will be quite a long forty-eight hours."
As the secretary who had served him for many years quietly withdrew, the Bishop's study returned once again to its usual absolute silence.
His low murmur became clear once more.
"The dice have been cast."
"The few remaining suspense… can only be left to the arrangement of fate."
"Otto Apocalypse hereby confirms—"
"—In this gamble more extravagant than life and death itself, he has prepared everything he can possibly prepare."