The golden-haired man met the old scientist's gaze without speaking further, recalling the events associated with him.
From a purely scientific standpoint, this old man was undeniably successful. It was he who extracted the Schariac bloodline—Godsbane Blood—and enabled it to retain activity outside the human body.
The Godsbane Spear developed from that research had posed enough of a threat to the Herrscher of the Void that even during the events of Queen's Descent—when the Queen enjoyed both protagonist-level protection and PV-level protection—Otto had managed to force her retreat.
Yet at the same time, this man was a cold-blooded but otherwise ordinary scholar. He had colluded with the original Otto, conducting fusion experiments between Valkyries and the Gem of the Herrscher of Death, indifferent to sacrifice—until his own granddaughter died in such an experiment and his "conscience" awakened.
—After which he defected to Cocolia with the Herrscher core, jumping from one pit of fire into another.
Truly the "toxic taste in people" archetype.
If not for Kiana's naïve sincerity moving him to entrust her with the core—and if not for Fu Hua's invincible forcing down a Void-and-Death dual-core Queen in Singapore—another city might have fallen, earning the title of a second Nagazora.
Of course, all that belonged to a future that had yet to unfold.
And now—
It never would.
People with double standards were the easiest to control.
"Yes, Archbishop Otto," Dr. Magi nodded. "I should have come sooner—when you first announced you would reclaim the Gem of Serenity."
"Then have you brought it?"
"I require a reason," the old man said darkly. "My achievement in extracting Godsbane Blood has not yet faded into history."
"I have no intention of discarding you after crossing the river, my esteemed old friend," Otto replied leisurely. "I am delighted to have such an outstanding scientist laboring for Schicksal."
"But…" He deliberately stretched the word.
A bad premonition crept into Magi's heart. "But what?"
"Your granddaughter, Marlene—she volunteered for the related experimental program as well."
Otto smiled slyly.
"If I do not halt that project, sooner or later she will end up as a specimen on your own worktable."
The old man trembled violently. Without hesitation, he raised his hands and handed over the Honkai energy isolation container housing the Gem of Serenity.
Better to assume the worst than gamble on hope.
Dr. Magi knew his granddaughter's temperament well. If she believed there was a way to better save the world, she would join without hesitation.
And this was Otto speaking.
He understood the Archbishop's nature intimately. Even if it were a lie—even if he exposed it—Otto Apocalypse, a man without moral bottom lines, would undoubtedly maneuver events to push his granddaughter toward that experiment with its slim odds of success.
There was no point wagering on Otto's conscience.
Because it did not exist.
"Rest assured, Dr. Magi," Otto tossed the isolation container lightly in his hand, smiling meaningfully. "I am not lying."
The old man inhaled deeply, as if weighing something. After a moment, he bowed slightly, his tone tinged with humility.
"Thank you for the reminder, Archbishop. As an old man, I have already lost too much in life. I have only this one granddaughter left. I cannot imagine what would become of me if she were sacrificed for Schicksal as well."
Heh.
Otto scoffed inwardly.
In that instant, he saw through both the deference and the threat hidden in Magi's words: he would devote himself fully to Schicksal—so long as Marlene did not become an expendable sacrifice.
As though Schicksal could not function without him.
"I will keep an eye on the girl."
Otto did not expose him outright. The old man still had value to extract.
With a flick of his wrist, he added,
"Marlene's future will unfold as you wish. As for you, Dr. Magi—since I've terminated that project, perhaps you might redirect your focus to Stigmata and genetics? Conveniently, there will soon be new data on natural Stigmata. I imagine you will find it… intriguing."
"As you command, Archbishop Otto."
The old man deliberately mirrored Otto's phrasing. Bowing stiffly, he cast the golden-haired man a long look before shuffling out of the institute.
"…Absurd."
Long after he had gone, Otto continued tossing the isolation container, as if nothing weighed on him.
"I admire old Magi's nerve," Nagamitsu muttered. "With his granddaughter still in Schicksal, he dares confront you face-to-face."
"What of it?"
Otto shrugged.
"Once, someone stormed a Schicksal laboratory with his eight-year-old daughter and stole my test subject. Live long enough and you'll meet all kinds."
"Fair enough—ah?"
Before she could finish, Otto tossed something toward her. She caught it reflexively and stared in shock at the isolation container.
"This is—?!"
"The complete fabrication data for Abyss Flower has been sent to your terminal," Otto said calmly. "My primary reason for coming here was actually this. Suspend the Fourth-Generation armor project for now. Prioritize forging a new Abyss Flower."
"…What sin did I commit in a past life to end up slaving away for you?"
"Are you implying I was so unattractive in my previous life that you refused to marry me, and now must repay me with lifelong devotion?"
"Who knows…" Nagamitsu muttered.
Groaning, she flipped through her terminal.
"I'm cursed with overwork… Everything you don't want to handle gets dumped on me. Bianka's matter last year, and now you suddenly shove a Divine Key forging project into my queue…"
"I'm busy too," Otto replied lightly. "I still have an old friend to awaken later. And speaking of which—you mentioned Little Goose's world bubble issue?"
He raised a brow.
"Oh, yes. You can transfer all relevant data to me now."
"…What?" Nagamitsu paused mid-keystroke. "Our overworked Archbishop intends to personally take over Miss Bianka's world bubble problem?"
"Yes. I've made some progress recently. Or rather… my interest has been piqued. I'd like to conduct some research on world bubbles."
"…So becoming an S-rank earns one personalized service from the Archbishop?"
She fell silent for a moment, then opened a folder and sent him the files.
"Not entirely," Otto replied. "Perhaps… I simply wish to look after a well-behaved and sensible student."
"Then look after her properly."
This time, Nagamitsu did not tease.
Her tone was steady. Serious.
"I'll take on the Abyss Flower project. Provided your data is accurate, I can complete it swiftly. As for the Fourth-Generation armor—once you provide the Valkyries' parameters, I'll tailor them accordingly."
She lowered her voice at the end.
"I only hope… you truly treat her the way you claim you will."
Her final words carried the quiet weight of a sincere blessing.
◇ You can read 60+ 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