Silver-gray eyes stared coldly at Otto, who returned the gaze with a faint smile, looking down upon the bound Silver Wolf.
Only Otto and Bronya were in the room.
But Bronya was completely incapable of any resistance.
The leg exoskeletons that aided her movement had been removed, revealing fair legs that were pale but immobile. A specially made Schicksal collar was fastened around her neck. If Bronya made any sudden moves, the collar would release a stimulating electric current, instantly robbing her of the ability to fight back.
The controller for the collar was in Otto's hand.
My Wife
"You..." Bronya began, lying on the cold floor, unable to even stand due to her disabled legs.
"You don't play fair."
This man had told her to take her time considering his offer to switch sides, only to secretly call for backup to capture her. One face in public, another in private.
Although Bronya had immediately relocated after firing the warning shot at Otto, she was still confined to that small area. Just as she watched him leave, the roof of her building was suddenly kicked in.
Over thirty humanoid mechs descended from the sky.
Even though Bronya came from a background of assassins, her direct combat prowess was not outstanding. Even with Project Bunny, her mortal body was no match for a single veteran A-rank Valkyrie in a frontal assault, let alone over thirty of them.
Bronya was subdued in an instant.
"I didn't lay a hand on you personally. How can you say I don't play fair?" Otto said with a chuckle.
"I will let you take your time considering my offer. It's just that... you'll be doing it at my place."
"My home is quite large, you see."
Schicksal was vast, large enough to hold countless ducks. A single Bronya was a trivial matter.
Otto sat in a chair and leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his left hand. With his right, he extended his index finger and gently hooked the red collar around Bronya's neck.
"There's really no downside to you joining me."
"Not only can I help you find Seele, I can also heal your legs. And while I'm at it, I can repair your damaged emotional circuits."
Bronya
Otto said with a smile. These were all promises he could fulfill. Schicksal's medical technology was second to none!
"After treating me like this, you're not afraid that I'll never join you?"
With the collar hooked by Otto's finger, Bronya, still on the floor, was forced to crane her neck upwards, exposing her delicate throat to him. She found it a little difficult to breathe.
But she remained unmoved by his words. She was not some Paramecium who would shamelessly wag her tail for a few treats.
"A child doesn't want to go to school."
Otto began to speak slowly, his words seemingly unrelated to the question. He studied Bronya's exquisitely cute face and said softly, "Tell me, Bronya, is that a decision the child gets to make, or is it one the parents decide?"
Otto's finger released the collar. Bronya's head, which had been held high, could finally lower. She faced the floor, taking two quick breaths.
"What do you mean?" Bronya didn't understand his point.
"Cocolia... has shown you kindness."
"Cocolia gave you a place to belong, took you in as her adopted daughter, and allowed you to meet Seele in her orphanage."
"It's because of this debt of gratitude that you continue to work for her, even though you resent her for letting Seele participate in the X-10 experiment."
"But..."
Otto didn't continue. Instead, he placed his communication terminal beside him, the camera aimed at his chin. He looked at Bronya on the floor and said with a smile, "This is a conversation for the adults. Little children shouldn't interrupt."
As he spoke, Otto tapped his own neck with his finger—a clear warning to Bronya that she was still under his control.
If you don't want to become an electric ducky, you'll stay quiet.
Bronya fell silent.
Seeing her obedience, Otto nodded in satisfaction.
Suddenly, a light screen materialized in the center of the room. Otto leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.
"Connect me to... Cocolia."
Lying on the floor, a flicker of light passed through Bronya's eyes.
Otto waited for a moment. The light screen flickered, and the image changed.
A mature and bewitching woman appeared on the screen. Time seemed to have left no trace on her, instead only adding to her charming allure.
Otto stared at the woman.
This was the Honkai world's God of Infighting, the main culprit behind the tragedy of the Nagazora Eruption.
Cocolia.
Otto watched her with a calm expression. Although she possessed a seductive charm, a mature beauty that could make countless men fall at her feet, Otto felt not a single ripple in his heart.
Otto craved Kiana, craved Rita, craved Mei, craved Bronya, craved Durandal, craved Ana, craved Cecilia, craved Himeko... he craved so many. But ultimately, it was because those girls were worthy of being liked.
Cocolia, however, was different.
Even if Cocolia were to tie herself up and lie on his bed, Otto wouldn't spare her a single glance.
"Someone from Schicksal?" a deep voice sounded. The Cocolia on the screen frowned slightly, her beautiful face twisting with displeasure.
She had been in the middle of planning her next move when a subordinate informed her that a communication request had come from Schicksal. She hadn't wanted to answer. Schicksal had taken control of Nagazora, and the prize that should have been hers was now likely to fall into their hands.
Receiving a call from them now was like having your girlfriend stolen, only for the thief to call you up and say, "Thanks for raising her so well, I'm having a blast."
But after some thought, Cocolia chose to accept the call. She wanted to see what kind of trick Schicksal was trying to pull.
When the connection was established, however, all she could see was the upper torso and chin of a man in white.
Hmph, a cowardly rat, hiding its face.
"This should be our first conversation, Ms. Cocolia," Otto began. "But I must say, I've admired you from afar for a very long time."
After all, one of my three main quests is to eliminate you. I'm quite thirsty for your life.
Otto said with a pleasant smile.
"And you are?" Cocolia frowned. Among all the people in Schicksal, the only one she had any fondness for was Cecilia Schariac, who had saved her once.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Otto Apocalypse."
Cocolia's expression changed drastically. She slammed her hands on the control console, her eyes fixed on the screen, but she still couldn't see the man's full face.
This was that man, the Schicksal Overseer, Otto!?
"Words are cheap. What proof do you have?"
"Do you really think there is anyone in Schicksal who would dare to impersonate me?"
No one would dare to act under Otto's name.
Cocolia fell silent. She already knew the answer. This was indeed the Schicksal Overseer.
"Hmph. What does the great and famous Overseer of Schicksal want with me? If you're here to gloat about your recent gains, then save your breath." Cocolia was not in a good mood.
"Of course not," Otto chuckled lightly.
"Ms. Cocolia, I've simply come to discuss a transaction with you."
"A transaction?" This piqued Cocolia's interest.
"Yes, a transaction."
Otto placed his hands in front of him and said leisurely, "Cocolia."
"Do you want to sit on the Anti-Entropy Sovereign's throne?"