"…Understood, Bishop."
Rita paused for a moment, then her delicate brows curved into a smile.
She liked any form of address for Lady Durandal—but what truly delighted her was the meaning behind this change in nickname.
The Bishop seemed to value Lady Durandal more now.
It wasn't the gaze of someone observing a test subject, nor the appreciation reserved for a powerful warrior. Rita could hear it clearly—there was not a trace of calculation in Otto's tone, only the kind of care an elder shows a junior.
In fact, compared to Lady Theresa, this concern now seemed even greater.
As though the Bishop had truly begun to regard Lady Durandal as his student.
Perhaps… this was the influence Lady Cecilia had brought upon him.
Rita could not help but make that guess.
She had never imagined that the Saintess of the past held such an important place in the Bishop's heart.
She recalled what Amber had once mentioned—that the Bishop used to take Lady Cecilia on annual trips.
Perhaps… he truly had once regarded Lady Cecilia as family.
And now, with the mother returned and the Bishop gradually assuming the warmth of a mentor, Lady Durandal had effectively gained two elders—
Elders powerful enough to shield her from wind and rain.
Rita felt sincere happiness for her somewhat naïve dear friend.
Little Goose… what a lovely nickname.
"Pick one with high intelligence," Otto said, sensing the joy from the woman beside him. The corners of his lips lifted slightly as his eyes narrowed. "One that knows how to please its master. Even if Little Goose treats it like a dog and plays around, it should obediently chase after a thrown collar. Oh, and it should be long-lived—at least over a decade. We can't have Little Goose worrying about its health and safety."
"As you command."
Rita's voice sounded noticeably more cheerful.
"Now then—are artificial Honkai beasts our only gain? Anything else?"
"The only fully absorbed asset so far is that, Bishop," Rita replied. "Additionally—Schicksal discovered three scepters in the World Serpent base. Our researchers are working at full capacity to analyze their function."
Oh?
Otto was mildly surprised.
World Serpent's scepters…
"The Scepter of Duat?"
"According to the intercepted World Serpent data, that is indeed its name. However, the files do not detail its specific usage."
Rita raised her hands. Upon the black lace gloves encasing her slender fingers, a golden scepter was transmitted via quantum transfer, appearing at her fingertips.
"That's quite a harvest."
Otto was genuinely taken aback.
If he remembered correctly, aside from the grand and noisy Stigma Project, the only other noteworthy development World Serpent had was this "Scepter of Duat."
According to Jackal in the original storyline, the Scepter of Duat—also known as an Imaginary Interference Device—could significantly disrupt the connection between a Herrscher core and the Imaginary Space. In a short period of time, it would distort the "channel" between the two, throwing the Honkai energy within the Herrscher into chaos.
World Serpent possessed only eight of these weapons in total.
"Kallen above… little one, it seems fate has left you no way out."
Otto murmured softly, though no one could discern the meaning behind his words.
He grasped the golden scepter. His fingertips glowed with the same hue as the First Divine Key—Void Archives—activated, rapidly analyzing its internal structure.
"Excellent."
Soon, the man withdrew his power, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Scepter of Duat—I like that name."
He stored it away and issued an order to the brown-haired woman.
"Rita, proceed to the laboratory. In my name, halt all research on it."
For the current Schicksal—who had yet to develop the Fourth-Generation Godsbane Battlesuits—this weapon was somewhat ahead of its time.
They possessed the base materials to replicate it.
But Otto had no intention of allowing anyone but himself to grasp its core method of construction.
The fewer people who knew how to sever a Herrscher's lifeline, the better.
After all, the future Schicksal would not lack Herrschers.
"If Herrschers can be sealed so easily, then we might as well use Stigma Awakened or MANTIS soldiers…"
His fingers tapped lightly on the table. His next sentence was spoken louder so the person beside him could hear:
"Very well, Rita. Once you secure the Scepter of Duat, deliver it to Amber for safekeeping—hm."
He suddenly paused and stood up.
"—No need."
A flash of golden light, and Otto vanished from the room, leaving behind a new command:
"Cancel the previous order. Prepare my immediate return."
…
Clang!
Cecilia's lance shot forward, striking a mass of black shadow.
"So you finally show yourself." The silver-haired woman stepped back, looking at the entity that had been struck by Abyss Flower, yet from which no blood emerged. "The Bishop foresaw your arrival and ordered me to wait here."
"Oh?" The shadow emitted a synthesized, sinister voice. "Is that so? To have you—who have yet to fully recover—continue fighting?"
"Sowing discord is useless," Cecilia replied calmly. "It is a Valkyrie's duty, sir."
"Ha, I know well enough how persuasive the word 'Schariac' is to Otto," the shadow's voice carried a hint of resignation. "Heh… Otto. Schariac. Schariac."
"I don't understand what you're talking about." The silver-haired woman shook her head and adjusted her lance. "But for now—you will not take anything from here."
A long sigh echoed from the shadow.
"I have no desire to clash with Schicksal at present. However… my apologies. The Scepter of Duat and the Seven Thunders of Retribution are not burdens Schicksal should bear."
"Oh? Is that so?"
A different voice broke into the standoff.
In the next instant, Otto appeared before Cecilia.
"Schicksal cannot bear the spoils of defeating World Serpent?"
"Bishop."
A flicker of joy passed through Cecilia's eyes. She stepped forward instinctively, intending to shield him—but Otto stopped her.
"He poses no threat."
Cecilia nodded, yet still remained slightly closer to her Bishop, ready to step and leap into position at a moment's notice.
Otto turned and gave her a brief smile, then looked back at the shadow. His pupils gleamed.
"The Scepter of Duat… I had just planned to use it as an idle move on the board. I didn't expect the chess piece to deliver itself to my door."
"I do not feel humiliated at being regarded as a chess piece, Mr. Otto," the shadow's mechanical voice carried a trace of solemnity. "In truth, the Serpent places upon you a level of importance second only to the Sovereign."
"Yes, importance." Otto let out a mocking chuckle. "Important enough that the moment I am spotted outside headquarters, an immediate assassination is launched? Important enough to deploy the Third Divine Key—the one that disintegrates all—in a sniper strike?"
"Importance does not equal respect," the shadow replied. "Your existence is the greatest variable in the Sovereign's end-of-days plan."
…
Why is it that you World Serpent types—and relics of the Previous Era—are all so fond of self-detonating with information?!
Otto pressed a hand to his forehead. Self-exposure was certainly a good thing—but could you at least reveal something I don't already know, like Void Archives does?!
"Well then," he sighed helplessly. "Sometimes knowing too much makes one realize that those who speak in riddles are often simply confessing outright."
"Senior World Serpent operative. Devotee of the Flame-Chasers. Mr. Grey Serpent—this may be our first meeting, but I've long heard your name."
◇ You can read 50+ chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ElaraVance1
✨ Bonus Chapter Goals ✨
10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter