"Well then, Cecilia? Have you found your answer?"
Otto watched as the white-haired woman lifted her head and asked.
Cecilia gathered her scattered thoughts, forcing her beautiful eyes into calm composure. She took a sip of milk before replying:
"Yes. I believe what you mean, Bishop, is this: the reason a religious organization can be accepted and expand is, at its core, because it satisfies the needs of the human self. As long as World Serpent remains a world-scale organization—and is not so powerful that it can function without relying on numbers—then there must be believers who are not truly devout. And thus, it can be resolved from within."
"Therefore, World Serpent's current problems will not be solved by redeeming those two hostages. In fact, they are largely unrelated. You merely induced that gentleman to entangle 'ransoming them' with 'World Serpent's future'—mixing two separate realities—to extract profit without paying a price."
"I'm very pleased you understand, Cecilia."
At last, a trace of genuine warmth entered Otto's smile.
"When a collective grows grand, purity ceases to exist. And faith becomes merely a pretext—a curtain behind which instinct operates. A piece of fabric to conceal and excuse certain impulses."
Indeed, World Serpent had figures like Grey Serpent, whose countless mechanical bodies operated in unison, and Hare, who alone upheld half of the Stigma Project's theoretical framework.
But they also had Raven—a mercenary who ultimately hedged her bets for money; Jackal—a pseudo-scientist who failed at everything except harming others; Chen Tianwu—a consummate traitor and sycophant.
If such individuals could rise to the rank of senior operative, how robust could their internal system truly be?
Unless Grey Serpent himself single-handedly ran the entire organization through mechanical avatars—
But in that case, as Otto had said, he would be delighted to see his opponent reduced to mere puppets.
Five centuries were enough for the Archbishop of Schicksal—peak intellect of the Current Era—to perfect the art of externalized consciousness.
Grey Serpent, after all, was merely a machine—suited for execution, not creation. His recruitment of Jackal alone proved that.
Thus, no matter how twisted and coiled World Serpent became, as long as Kevin remained in the Sea of Quanta and Su did not leave Sumeru, it was but a dish to be sautéed, braised, or fried at Otto Apocalypse's whim.
"In truth, if Schicksal genuinely sought to act against this organization deprived of its supreme god, the question would be how to absorb it as intact as possible."
Otto continued,
"It began as a religion—and now it is trapped within that nature."
"Fickle hearts cannot sustain such a massive serpent. When Schicksal signals conquest, we will gradually inherit a magnificent civilization."
"It begins with noble ideals. It perishes in base desire. The old Schicksal was like this. Anti-Entropy is like this. And in the future, World Serpent will be no different."
The golden-haired man spoke with faint amusement, lifting his gaze to the ceiling. His emerald eyes were calm and profound.
"To those intoxicated with science, Schicksal offers greater resources.
To those greedy for power, Schicksal grants higher authority.
To those seeking to realize their own value, Schicksal can fully incorporate World Serpent's salvation plan—and offer even more."
"Schicksal can become the superior choice for World Serpent."
"So long as we are willing to expand, we need no schemes. Most of them will, driven by their own self-interest, package and sell off that vast yet fragile organization. Returning Raven and Jackal is merely to lull Grey Serpent into believing Schicksal will refrain from military escalation."
"But in that case—why release them at all?" Cecilia still looked puzzled. "No matter what, they are important figures within World Serpent. Wouldn't weakening them further be better?"
"Do I need to use Fenghuang Down to control you?"
Otto shrugged.
"Clearly not. I trust that without Fenghuang Down, I can place wholehearted trust in Cecilia."
"World Serpent is the same. Now that we possess the Second and Third Divine Keys, along with the Scepter of Duat, they no longer pose a real threat. There is no need for me to forcibly intervene. So long as their Sovereign does not return to this world, I—and Schicksal—hold the power of life and death over this self-operating organization."
"Schicksal can delay its consumption of World Serpent and wait for the perfect moment to devour it effortlessly. That opportunity—I can grasp."
When he used her as an example, Cecilia first froze.
By the time he finished, sweetness overflowed in her eyes.
"Cecilia Schariac will not fail the Bishop's trust."
She bowed deeply from her seat.
"I believe you."
Otto nodded.
"You are the person I trust most." —Relatively speaking.
Cecilia smiled radiantly, leaning closer to him.
"So, we need not bear the reputation of striking first."
Otto rose, tossing the empty milk tea cup Rita had brought earlier into the bin.
"Schicksal can be righteous. We need not interfere with other salvation organizations—so long as they do not extend their claws into Schicksal's domain."
"The valuable parts of them will, sooner or later, enter Schicksal's embrace and become part of us. There is no need to rush."
He rolled back his sleeve, revealing the silver cross beneath.
"This is where destiny lies."
…
"Yes… where destiny lies."
A black phantom hovered beside a bed, looking down upon the sleeping man.
"What a fateful coincidence that you appeared here. It allows my plan to proceed far more smoothly."
"For all your calculations, you still overlooked one thing—we are allies."
The voice was soft, yet carried an indescribable cruelty.
"If you no longer require me to solve your problems, then our alliance ceases to exist."
"And once an oath is broken, an ally becomes the greatest enemy. I would rather avoid that."
The shadow drifted closer to the bedside, settling beside the man.
"Human history once recorded that the weak draw their blades against those weaker still—"
The figure spoke as if in self-mockery, yet showed no embarrassment.
"Heh. Once one accepts one's own weakness, one becomes invincible."
From the darkness, a hand extended, pointing lightly at the man's forehead from afar.
"Yes. I cannot heal you. But… why would that be necessary?"
The phantom lifted its head with a smile. Yet wherever its gaze fell, all lay unconscious.
—Or perhaps what it looked upon did not exist within this space.
"The war between you and me—this world is but a chessboard. Humanity merely a stage."
Light coiled around the man's mind. For a moment, even the wrinkles upon his face seemed to soften.
"The human body has its limits. But your potential… is sufficient to disrupt everything."
In the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes glimmered faintly, brimming with desire and greed.
"You belong to me, boy."
The phantom murmured, laughing softly in obsession.
"So you had better not disappoint me…"
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