Honestly, in Honkai: Star Rail, Arlan really isn't considered a top-tier character.
During the three closed beta tests before the game's official launch, he was kind of a "commoner's champion"—way too strong for how accessible he was.
But that led to some hefty nerfs once the game went live. As a main DPS, his performance just doesn't cut it.
He had a brief moment in the spotlight at launch, but it wasn't long before everyone moved on and forgot about him.
But Lynelle's system doesn't judge character cards purely by in-game strength. Instead, it blends the character's actual abilities and traits with their in-game attributes, then sets upper and lower limits based on Lynelle's own physical condition—that's how the final version takes shape.
After all, in the game, Arlan follows the Path of Destruction.
But in reality, the real Arlan—once employed by the Interastral Peace Corporation and now working aboard the space station—could hardly be a force of destruction.
He's a true follower of Preservation, something you can even pick up from his voice lines.
So, in the end, the character card Lynelle drew turned out like this:
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[Character Card: Arlan (Consumable)]
[Type: Character]
[Rarity: 4-Star]
[Upon use, grants a fixed amount of character energy, sustaining a transformation state lasting one to three hours. During transformation, the user's appearance alters according to the character, and their personality is also influenced to some extent.]
[Using the Arlan character card automatically grants Path Energy: Preservation, Imaginary Internal Energy, Elemental Conversion: Lightning, and proficiency memories for greatsword-type weapons.]
[Character Trait 1: Gains enhancement when injured—the more severe the injury, the greater the boost to physical attributes and damage output.]
[Character Trait 2: The more severe the injury, the stronger the defensive properties of Preservation Path Energy. In critical condition, grants one additional instance of recovery.]
[Character Trait 3: Each use of Path Energy inflicts self-damage (can be toggled on/off).]
[This character card has a 24-hour cooldown after use. Usage count: (2/3).]
--+--
Still, facing Otto, Lynelle wasn't reckless enough to activate the trait that drains HP with skill usage.
Instead, she played along with Otto's intention to test her limits, letting the "kind-hearted" Otto help lower her health for her.
A surge of purple lightning erupted from the greatsword in Lynelle's hands, catching Otto completely off guard. It struck his Honkai-impacted steel body squarely, sending him flying backward.
"Hiding your true strength? No… it's tied to how injured you are, isn't it?"
Otto's expression grew serious. Just the ability he'd deduced from Lynelle was troublesome enough. If her current injuries could boost her physical capabilities this much… what would happen if she were on the brink of death?
Of course, Otto didn't know that Lynelle's damage boost from lowering her HP had an upper limit—and she'd already hit it. But that didn't stop him from growing more wary of her.
"It seems I'll need to get serious…"
A golden glow began to shimmer around the simulated Judgement of Shamash in Otto's hand.
"Get serious? Good."
Lynelle smiled faintly and snapped her fingers. "You're up, Welt! Use Quasi Black Hole!"
As soon as she moved, waves of dark energy began spreading throughout the area where Otto stood. Facing Otto, Welt didn't dare hold back—he led with his strongest move right away.
"Tch…"
The golden greatsword in Otto's hand instantly transformed into a small, glowing sphere. Then, a repulsive force burst from it, countering Welt's attack.
"So Void Archives is banned, huh?"
Lynelle flashed a "sunny" smile. Combined with the greatsword in her hands, it was hard not to think of a certain figure deeply associated with wine and an ancient blade.
"Then… try this one!"
Watching the lightning closing in on him once more, Otto calmly raised a hand. The crimson God-Killing Lance began to flow within his sleeve.
Though the "Blood of the Saint" was indeed precious, Otto had brought almost his entire supply this time, believing this to be his final attempt to resurrect Kallen. Now, it seemed, it would come in handy.
And yet…
To his shock, one of his arms was sent flying through the air. The crimson holy blood barrier offered no more resistance than ordinary blood against Lynelle's greatsword—or the lightning wrapped around it.
"Wait—this isn't Honkai energy?!"
"Heh heh…"
Lynelle didn't answer. Instead, she pressed forward, closing the distance.
Everything was unfolding almost exactly as she'd planned before setting out.
Lynelle knew all too well how difficult it would be to kill Otto. Without Cecilia around, his holy blood made him nearly unstoppable. And without Sirin's firepower, she and Welt stood little chance against Otto's self-repairing Soulium body.
To take Otto down, they'd have to wait for those two heavy hitters to arrive.
But just who was Otto?
Lynelle would bet Herta's little thunder-sphere on it—Otto had definitely accounted for the possibility of "fighting the whole world" while crafting his plans.
So aside from the holy blood and Void Archives, he absolutely had other trump cards up his sleeve.
Her and Welt's mission was to force those cards onto the table.
Use the Star of Eden to counter Void Archives, then have Lynelle break through the holy blood's defense. If Otto didn't pull out a few hidden tricks, he might not even survive long enough for Sirin to show up. In a situation like this, he had no choice.
The smile on Lynelle's lips grew even brighter.
Last time, Otto had outmaneuvered her with intel, and she'd been taken out without even a chance to fight back. This time, she might not be fully prepared, but at least the intel gap went both ways.
So even in the worst-case scenario, they'd only end up mutually wounded. And Lynelle… still had a few aces left to play.
--+--
Meanwhile, within the illusion constructed by the Fenghuang Down:
"You… weren't hypnotized by the Fenghuang Down?"
"Back in Schicksal, I had a good friend who was also skilled in psychic attacks. We sparred often, and I picked up a trick or two for resisting mental assaults from her."
Cecilia gave a faint, pained smile. "I just… didn't expect you to see through me."
"But the emotions I showed you in the illusion were real. I just wanted to make it up to you—"
"That's enough, Mom… no, Cecilia."
Sirin bit her lip lightly and shook her head.
"I could tell you weren't acting. In that illusion, at least, you really did see me as your daughter."
"But… once, during a casual chat, Lynelle asked me a question. Now, I'll ask you the same thing. And the answer to that question… is why I'm refusing you now."
"Cecilia, why does life slumber?"
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.