Smack! A figure quickly slammed the table and shot to his feet.
This time, it was not the hot-tempered Dr. Tesla, nor the bewildered Welt, but the rationally renowned Dr. Einstein.
For once, Einstein displayed visible agitation. "I object to this proposal!"
"I object as well." Otto raised his hand without the slightest hesitation, narrowing his eyes slightly as though anticipating Planck's next move.
"Old hag, your plan is a complete mess. It's not even as good as my Savior Mecha Project."
"What exactly are you all objecting to?" Vill-V, who had just switched from Magician back to Expert, still looked somewhat dazed. Expert had been dormant in consciousness moments ago before being abruptly awakened. That idiot Magician must have called the wrong person again.
"Well, since everyone's against it, I'll vote no too. One more vote won't make a difference anyway."
Everyone present voiced their opposition to the proposal. Even the usually taciturn Schrödinger spoke up on Welt's behalf, which moved him deeply.
But...
"If it's for this world, I'm willing to sacrifice myself!" Welt stood up, solemnly pointing at himself. His gaze was resolute. For the sake of those who cared about him, what did it matter if one insignificant Welt were sacrificed?
"No need to rush, young man~" Planck smiled gently at Welt when he declared his stance. She then turned to glance at the others. "Well then, I believe you all understand which plan is truly the best, don't you?"
Otto grasped Planck's true intention and followed her lead. "I see. In the end, Planck, the plan you favor is still the first one. The latter two proposals were merely groundwork for it."
If Planck had not mentioned the latter two plans, Einstein might never have accepted the first one under any circumstances.
Even now, Einstein still could not accept it. After all, it meant placing the fate of the entire world upon the two people closest to her.
If possible, Einstein would have taken their place in carrying out the plan herself. Unfortunately, she lacked the qualification. She was not a Herrscher.
"Congratulations, my pen pal. It seems you've found friends who truly care about you." Watching the harmonious scene of everyone thinking of Welt's well-being, Otto once again marveled at that peculiar charisma of his. So many individuals with their own agendas had gathered at his side. He truly had not misjudged Welt's qualities as a leader.
A pity Welt had declined his offer of succession. But that hardly mattered now. After all, this world was about to be reset.
Welt looked doubtfully at his own hands. "But... can I really live up to everyone's expectations?"
"My dear friend, there is no need for such self-deprecation. If Planck can do it, then you certainly can as well. You may have to pay a greater price, but since you are not even afraid of death, I assume such costs will hardly trouble you."
Otto gazed at Welt with a warmth that bordered on unsettling enthusiasm and encouraged him, "Within two years, you must obtain the power to create a world. I believe you can meet our expectations, my pen pal. And if you succeed, I shall grant you a special reward for your efforts~"
The Valkyries nearby, observing Otto's unusual attitude toward Welt, began whispering among themselves.
"The Archbishop's relationship with that boy seems... unusual..."
"His Grace certainly plays boldly in private."
"I just heard from Aisty that the Archbishop no longer seeks Lady Reanna's body, which is why Lady Reanna resigned..."
"Seriously? Does that mean His Grace has lost interest in women? Oh dear, this is troubling. I'd better look up some advice on same-sex dating sites."
"Wake up! You're a Valkyrie, not a man! If you want advice, you should buy Archbishop Otto's book Five Years of Honkai, Three Years of Scheming. It's full of his preferences regarding Valkyries..."
"Wait, wasn't that book called Five Years of Honkai, Three Years of Simulation? And isn't it about Valkyrie training..."
Faced with everyone's fervent expectations—and the meaningful looks from certain Valkyries—Welt scratched his head in distress. "I... I'm just afraid I won't be able to do it. If I fail, the world will be destroyed."
Even in his dreams, that seemed impossible... As he was now, merely creating a few guns and cannons drained his Honkai energy. How could he compare to Professor Planck, who maintained the world while shaping black holes with her bare hands?
Otto appeared as though he had anticipated this. "It doesn't matter. Because here with me... there is another First Herrscher."
The room fell into astonishment. Having two Herrschers of Reason was already absurd. How could there possibly be a third? Herrschers were not cabbages growing in a field.
Reanna frowned. She had remained within Schicksal for over a century and had never heard of another First Herrscher. "Your Grace, are you suggesting that you yourself are the First Herrscher?"
At her doubt, Otto gently raised his gloved hand. A golden cube shimmered into existence within the drifting light, arousing everyone's curiosity about what treasure this might be.
"Heh. Ladies and gentlemen, behold—the divine weapon of the Previous Era, the First Divine Key—Key of Revelation—Void Archives. Born from the corpse of the Previous Era's Herrscher of Reason, it likewise possesses the authority of Reason."
Only then did Reanna realize that Otto's ability to create objects from thin air originated from the First Divine Key.
All this time, Otto had never revealed the source of that special power to her. Even after her body had been modified by Void Archives, she had not known it was the First Divine Key.
He had guarded all information regarding Void Archives with extreme secrecy, never disclosing it to anyone.
However...
Reanna glanced at Planck beside her, her expression turning peculiar. "The corpse of the Previous Era's Herrscher of Reason?"
"Come now, Void Archives... haven't you always wished to meet... Miss Vill-V of the Previous Era?"
As Otto's words fell, the golden cube spun wildly. Suddenly, the form of a child appeared at his side—bearing Otto's appearance from childhood.
At first glance, one might have mistaken him for the Archbishop's illegitimate son. In truth, this was the soulium body Otto had prepared for Void Archives.
In reality, Void Archives had always wanted to remain hidden, seeking a suitable opportunity to converse with Vill-V. It had been nagging incessantly inside Otto's mind, yet during this meeting it had not dared to make a sound, fearing Otto would call upon it.
And yet now, in this very setting, Otto had forcibly dragged it out. Otto truly was despicable!
Thus, true to form, Void Archives wasted no time in dropping a bombshell the moment it appeared:
"Greetings, Fifth Flame-Chaser of MOTH, founder of Helixcraft. My dearest mother—Miss Vill-V. Your youngest son pays his respects. Fifty thousand years have passed. Seeing you still so vibrant and beautiful fills me with immeasurable joy."