Otto had lied. He had always possessed a way to contact Azure Empyrea. In fact, Azure Empyrea herself was just beyond the restaurant wall.
After Fu Hua had met with Welt and the others, Otto had found an excuse to draw her away from them and recalled her to Schicksal Headquarters, lest this compassionate immortal of Shenzhou help them withstand Schicksal's attack.
Even Honkai Fission Missiles would likely be within the means of this Shenzhou immortal to stop. That would not do.
Fu Hua was also one of the contingencies Otto had stationed next door—meant to restrain Vill-V at a critical moment. He simply had not expected Vill-V to act so decisively, resolving to flee the instant he posed his question.
And Fu Hua had not stopped her in time. With this old friend's abilities, she should have been able to do so.
Otto seemed amused. His previously serious and solemn expression shifted into a faint smile.
"Don't tease me, old friend. Of course I would not force you to hand over your 'Hua.' I was referring to 'Vill-V.'"
Fu Hua closed her eyes in thought, yet could not recall anything specific about Vill-V. Her experiences as one of the Flame-Chasers had long ago been burned away as fuel for Fenghuang Down during her era as Azure Empyrea. Now, only faint, indistinct impressions remained.
If Fu Hua still remembered Vill-V clearly, she would naturally never reveal such intelligence to Otto. But now, with only a vague sense of familiarity, she also required Otto's help to recover that portion of her memory.
She did not conceal anything. A thoughtful expression crossed her face.
"Now that you mention it... it does seem as though I have seen her somewhere before. She feels somewhat familiar. But where was it...?"
Otto's gaze flickered as he studied her candid expression.
"Oh? You have an impression? Surely not from that 'chance encounter' in North America?"
Otto knew full well that if it had truly been the North American meeting, Fu Hua would not describe it as merely "an impression." He asked only to draw out more information from her.
Besides, he himself had gone to North America alongside Fu Hua that day. He could confirm he had never seen such a flamboyant and unconventional girl.
Fu Hua pondered for a moment before replying uncertainly, "No. I believe it was much, much earlier... perhaps even before my time in Shenzhou."
"Heh, what a romantic way to put it." Otto bent down to retrieve an intact bottle of wine from the floor. With his right hand, he condensed a wineglass and poured her a drink. "Time does not merely erase a person. All that is lost will return in another form."
Fifty years from now, Otto might have tempted her: "Old friend, would you like to try the [Memory Deep Dive Device]?"
And once Fu Hua displayed those memories to him, he would bury them again...
But in this era, the [Memory Deep Dive Device] capable of helping Fu Hua retrace her memories had yet to be developed. And Fenghuang Down was entirely useless when it came to memories that had already been forgotten.
Thus, her blurred recollections could only be recovered by her own efforts.
Fu Hua accepted the wine, though confusion lingered in her eyes. Wine made one forget. How could it possibly restore memory? She did not understand Otto's intent.
Meanwhile, Otto sank once more into contemplation.
Earlier than ancient Shenzhou... then it could only be the Previous Era.
I see. Then everything... makes sense.
He gazed at the imitation Fenghuang Down simulated by Void Archives, drifting before him.
Compared to Fu Hua's original Fenghuang Down, the imitation version served entirely different purposes. Replicating Vill-V's memories was naturally feasible.
He had attempted to use Fenghuang Down to duplicate Vill-V's memories. Yet the only response he received was a single word—"fuck"—followed by a vast stretch of blank memory.
Interesting. She neither blocked Fenghuang Down nor seized control of it. Instead, she responded with a fabricated void?
Does that mean she can even edit her own memories... fabricate her own personality?
Otto had drawn a little closer to the truth regarding the dramatic shifts in Vill-V's temperament. A flicker of interest stirred within him—only to fade just as quickly.
Vill-V, in the end, was still an individual who thought as a human. Though she had played him for a fool, she had not transcended his understanding.
Humans... ultimately had limits.
Otto was an arrogant human. He felt sorrow for humanity—and sorrow for his own helplessness.
A nearly imperceptible trace of melancholy slid through his emerald eyes. He turned and addressed Fu Hua.
"Old friend, will you accompany me?"
Fu Hua frowned and declined.
"No. I have other matters to attend to."
She knew Otto was about to formally declare war on Anti-Entropy.
Fu Hua had no desire to involve herself in struggles for power. Her agreement with Otto had never been to help Schicksal dominate the world, but rather cooperation based on the shared goal of eliminating the Honkai.
Though she nominally bore the title of a Schicksal Valkyrie, she still retained the right to refuse assignments.
"Mm. You're right. These mundane affairs do not require my old friend's intervention."
Otto accepted her refusal without resistance. He had never intended to bring her along anyway. Given Fu Hua's temperament, she would not be able to bring herself to harm Welt and the others.
Inviting her had merely been Otto's own one-sided wish—to have her witness the event.
But Azure Empyrea was not Su Shang.
"Lord Otto, urgent intelligence from the North American branch—oh! And this is...?"
Reanna Brigantia arrived belatedly. Upon stepping inside, she took in the mess strewn across the floor—and then noticed Azure Empyrea. She halted abruptly.
Could it be that Lord Otto and Miss Vill-V have fallen out... and that Miss Vill-V has been detained?
Seeing the complex expression on his capable subordinate's face, Otto spread his hands.
"No need for concern, Reanna. I am well. Vill-V is also well. She has simply left this place."
Hearing that Vill-V was safe, Reanna exhaled in relief. At least she had not broken her promise to Tesla and the others.
Observing her subtle inclination to take the outsider's side, Otto narrowed his eyes and spoke again.
"Reanna, have you located information regarding Planck?"
Reanna instantly resumed the demeanor of a stern Valkyrie.
"Yes, Lord Bishop. Planck's whereabouts have been confirmed."
"Oh? So quickly?"
"Yes. Because... Katerina has already engaged Dr. Planck in combat..."
"...And the result?"
"All twenty-six signal responses from Schicksal's advance Valkyrie unit have vanished. Katerina has likewise lost contact..."
Silence settled into the air.
When Valkyries lost contact, there was usually only one possibility—they had been defeated or captured.
An S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal from the Kaslana family, wielding Oath of Judah, had been defeated by an ordinary university professor without even managing to send a report...