"Glug, glug!"
Inside the transparent, light blue experimental chamber, specially formulated diluted Honkai Energy buffer fluid emitted soft bubbling sounds.
Dressed in her thin white lab coat, Theresa ascended the steps one by one and stood before the experimental chamber.
Otto stopped at the bottom of the stairs, gazing at Theresa's back with a quiet sigh.
"Little Theresa, it's not too late to change your mind. No one would blame you; worst comes to worst, I'll find or create another test subject." Otto spoke somberly. Throughout their journey, he had never voiced such sentiments to Theresa, but now that she truly faced the experimental chamber, his true feelings surfaced.
To him, nothing was more important than Kallen.
But aside from his feelings for her, Otto still possessed a part inherent to being human—emotions, people he wanted to protect and not harm.
And without question, after Kallen, Theresa was the individual to whom Otto had invested the most emotional attachment in this era.
Theresa turned back, shaking her head with a smile at Otto. "Grandpa, compared to you both, I'm practically clueless when it comes to science. But I'm not foolish! I believe you would allow me to back out, and I trust that you wouldn't blame me for doing so. However, if it were truly that simple—if my role could be easily replaced—you and Zeke wouldn't have sought me out."
Otto remained silent, maintaining a composed and elegant demeanor with one hand placed near his abdomen. Behind his back, though, his other fist clenched tightly.
He found himself speechless.
With abundant emotions, unwavering faith, exceptional physical attributes, and prolonged experience using Judah, Theresa could effortlessly activate the Divine Grace Barrier—a crucial ability for a Herrscher candidate due to her affinity with the Power of Binding. In these respects, she was indeed irreplaceable.
As Otto stood quietly, Theresa faced the experimental cabin once again, reaching out to touch its cold, transparent glass surface. A nostalgic expression crossed her face as she said:
"Come to think of it, I was born from such a place myself, wasn't I? I'm incredibly grateful for being able to come into this world—though, perhaps I've never expressed my thanks before? Thank you, Grandpa, thank you for bringing me here."
"Theresa..."
Otto watched Theresa's slender figure, his fists audibly clenching. Suddenly, his shoulders slumped as if struck by a profound blow.
After a moment, he lifted his head again, wearing a warm and gentle smile: "What silly talk is this? You're my most cherished granddaughter!"
"You're also the best grandpa in the world... assuming we overlook the fact that you're simultaneously a remorseless villain."
"Ah! That stubborn yet adorable personality of yours truly hasn't changed at all!" Otto smiled, exerting considerable effort to suppress the deep anguish beneath his grin.
The corners of Theresa's mouth curved upwards with a mischievous grin, clearly delighted at teasing Otto. For a brief moment, she too set aside her usual resentment and dissatisfaction towards him.
Shortly after, Theresa's buoyant mood calmed down, and while caressing the icy experimental cabin, she said:
"I've never participated in Herrscher experiments, so I can't claim any deep understanding. However, from observing numerous Herrschers, it seems that possessing humanity is the prerequisite for becoming one while retaining a human heart. If I succeed, wouldn't it prove that even as the first doll, I truly possess a genuine human heart?"
Theresa's words were almost a whispered self-questioning. Deep down, she still harbored some reservations about her own origins. Cecilia's acceptance had alleviated much of this internal conflict, but during quiet moments at night, Theresa occasionally doubted if her sense of self might be somehow false.
Otto stepped forward and embraced Theresa tightly.
His actions preceded his thoughts; Otto held the petite girl close for a long moment before slowly saying, "Theresa, your human heart surpasses mine by far! You are more genuinely human than millions upon millions of others in this world! Theresa, you don't need any proof."
"Really? That's what you think, Grandpa?"
"Yes, that's exactly how I feel, and there are many others who share this sentiment."
"Haha! Thank you, Grandpa... We've waited long enough; let's begin."
With a carefree laugh filled with innocence and joy, Theresa gently submerged her hand into the pale blue buffer solution.
"Grandpa, it's time to let go. Each of us has our responsibilities. You've all told me about the importance of this experiment, and even if not me, someone else would undoubtedly step forward. I don't want anyone else to take my place... Let's start now."
"...Alright!"
Otto released his grip, watching as Theresa passed through the transparent shield, gradually immersing herself completely within the blue liquid.
'Sigh...'
Otto couldn't quite articulate his emotions at that moment, but reason dictated that focusing solely on controlling the experimental process, setting aside all distractions, was the most appropriate course of action—and he indeed followed suit.
Translucent floating windows projected from the floor, ceiling, and walls, their red, green, or blue hues indicating the activation status of various experimental data.
Otto approached the largest command window, gazing up at its numerous settings. After conducting one final check for reassurance, he said,
"Little Theresa, our first step is to reverse your Stigmata. Mei's research on hereditary innate Stigmata, based on deep insights into Herrschers, shares certain origins with the narrative gateways and powers of Herrschers. However, it has already taken a different path. My artificial Stigmata, created using data from the original ones, deviated even further from that trajectory. To bring you closer to becoming a Herrscher, I must erase the artificial components within your Stigmata, restoring them to their more primitive structure—it will be an excruciating process; you must endure, Little Theresa."
Otto spoke solemnly, his voice utterly composed.
Within the blue liquid, Theresa's long silver hair and white clothing gently swayed. Upon hearing Otto's words, a faint smile graced her lips—warm yet charming—and she nodded at him.
The sight of this frail girl in the laboratory, with a tender gleam in her eyes, effortlessly evoked feelings of compassion. To Otto, it felt like a dagger piercing his heart.
Lowering his gaze, Otto suppressed his complex emotions and initiated the program through the command window.
"Zzzt!"
With a burst of electrical static, Honkai Energy erupted wildly from the Stigma on Theresa's back, merging into the buffer solution and rapidly spreading to form intricate golden tree-like patterns.
From a distance, it resembled solidified golden lightning behind Theresa, giving her unique, magnificent wings.
In stark contrast to the serene, ethereal backdrop, Theresa's face turned deathly pale, and her entire body began trembling slightly. Amidst her strained expression, tears welled up in her wide blue eyes, forming transparent droplets that slowly drifted upward in the blue liquid.
"Ahhh!"
In the laboratory with its heavy sci-fi ambiance, the girl's piercing screams echoed, causing Otto to clench his fists tightly and close his eyes, unable to bear it.
Once upon a time, he had silently approved—nay, actively pushed countless innocent girls onto the experimental table. With a mocking attitude, he coldly observed similar scenes unfold, cruel yet detached. Otto knew this caused immense suffering for many involved, both during and beyond the experiments. Yet only now, when the one enduring it was Theresa, did he truly grasp the depth of that pain.
"This isn't your retribution, Little Theresa... It's mine..."