"I'm right here."
Otto's voice sounded from behind her.
"I've just been watching the show, Miss Clio. Or should I say… Jackal."
Jackal spun around.
Otto stood behind her, smiling freely.
"So that's it. You were toying with us…"
She muttered darkly.
"No wonder so many people showed up. I almost thought Raven's persuasion skills were that impressive."
"Pfft!"
Cecilia couldn't help but laugh.
Jackal shot her an angry glare. Cecilia didn't back down in the slightest, glaring right back.
"Just a clone of a dead woman—"
Before Jackal could finish, Otto raised his hand.
A flash of golden light tore through the air. Had she not dodged in time, her chest would have been pierced clean through.
"A warning," Otto said flatly, his expression unchanged, voice cold. "Don't mistake tolerance for weakness."
This was the first time Cecilia had seen him truly angry since her awakening.
That faint sharpness in his eyes—
Instead of frightening her, it filled her with a strange sweetness.
Who wouldn't like such unrestrained favoritism?
Jackal panted heavily.
For the first time in years, she had felt death brush past her skin.
Careless… She had actually come in person.
Damn it. If Gray Serpent had shared more technical support, she wouldn't have needed to risk her real body. If World Serpent's resources weren't so limited, she'd have already built a Soulium body—at least, that's what she told herself.
But…
Why had she been able to dodge?
Why had she survived Otto's sudden strike?
Just a fraction faster and she would have—
Hmph. So much for the mighty Overseer of Schicksal.
"And yet you still came, Otto," Jackal forced herself upright, adopting a victor's pose despite the dust on her clothes. "I knew you wouldn't ignore information about the Previous Era."
"Heh." Otto did not deny it.
"This is your failure, Otto!" Jackal's confidence swelled as she spoke, conveniently forgetting her earlier panic. "I used your curiosity against you and trapped you here. Soon enough, you'll fall at my feet!"
"If your phrasing hadn't been inappropriate a few seconds ago," Otto sighed lightly, "I might have humored you. I might even have played along."
He shook his head.
"Unfortunately… you overstepped."
His gaze settled on her.
Jackal's heart skipped involuntarily.
"Clio. World Serpent scientist and senior executive. Codename: Jackal," Otto continued calmly. "Specializes in structural research on Honkai Beasts and Dead Walkers. Responsible for producing a large number of synthetic Honkai Beasts."
Jackal's pupils shrank.
Impossible.
How could he know that much?
How?!
"You're wondering how I know?"
Otto answered her unspoken thought for her.
"Is it difficult for Otto Apocalypse to learn something he wishes to know?"
Of course, that wasn't the real reason.
But he didn't mind cultivating the image of an omniscient Overseer in his enemy's mind.
After all—
In some sense, he truly was "all-knowing" in this world.
"Otto…" Jackal forced the words out. "I acknowledge your glory as Overseer of Schicksal—"
"Self-important clown," Otto cut her off smoothly. "You are not qualified to acknowledge my glory."
Cecilia covered her mouth, laughing softly at his sarcasm.
Jackal froze.
This time, the fear in her eyes vanished—replaced by pure fury.
"Self-important?" she shot back sharply. "And you aren't? Otto Apocalypse, do you not think too highly of yourself?"
"Too highly of myself?" Otto laughed softly. "That sounds like a clown demanding of passersby—'Why won't you watch my performance? Are you too arrogant?'"
He tilted his head, feigning contemplation.
"Oh dear. I seem to have voiced my honest evaluation of you. How careless of me."
He smiled.
"Judgment requires substance. And you… have any?"
The relentless barrage left Jackal trembling. Her teeth ground audibly; her mask quivered as if it might fall off.
"You— I— you—"
"Tsk tsk." Otto sighed theatrically. "A World Serpent executive with this level of composure? This temperament? A few sentences and you're in a rage? Surely World Serpent isn't filled with emotionally unstable cadres like you?"
He glanced toward the Thames as though recalling something.
"By the way, are you certain your preparations are complete? If you'd like to double-check, I don't mind giving you more time. I rather enjoy watching the show."
He scratched his head lightly.
"Speaking of which—where did that little boy go? Quite eloquent, that one. With a bit of cultivation, he'd surpass you easily."
"Otto… you…!"
Jackal's eyes burned crimson.
When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
"Are we tearing off the mask completely now?" Otto asked casually. "You won't get a second chance. You can curse me a thousand times—but if I decide to deal with you seriously, I only need once."
Jackal stood there, chest rising and falling, forcing herself into silence.
Then—
She began to laugh.
Low. Hoarse. Brimming with rage.
"You're right."
Her grin widened unnaturally.
"Why should I bother explaining anything to you now? Hahaha!"
Her laughter echoed along the riverbank—shrill and grotesque.
"Yes, yes," Otto's clear voice cut through it. "You think there's no need to explain to a dead man."
"You preach to me. You plaster propaganda across the city. All of this… was for today, wasn't it?"
He paused, then chuckled.
"Still, I must say—I'm quite pleased. Not everyone volunteers to be a clown and invite me to a live-action murder mystery."
"I truly am pleased someone extended such an invitation. After all, I'm not getting any younger. One must indulge in youthful games now and then to prove one hasn't grown old."
He raised his hand.
A black-and-white lance materialized.
"So—"
He placed it into Cecilia's hands.
"Jackal. Or Clio."
A golden membrane began forming around them.
Heavy firearms assembled one after another in midair.
Armor deployed, locking into place over Otto and Cecilia.
"Since you believe your preparations sufficient…"
"Since you claim your trump cards are ready…"
Otto looked at her, smiling brightly—yet emerald light flickered in his eyes.
"Then let me see…"
"What exactly gave you the courage…"
"To perform your suicide… before me?"
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