"Cecilia Schariac." That much he could reveal to the goose.
"Very well. May I invite Lady Cecilia Schariac to join my Immort—"
"WHAT??!!!"
Durandal finally registered the name.
"Cecilia Schariac? The S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal who sacrificed herself in the Second Eruption? Same name? Or a descendant who inherited it out of admiration?"
"Of course," Otto replied with a serene smile. "Of course it is her—the one and only Cecilia Schariac, Schicksal's final saint, the genuine article. You know me, Durandal—I do not jest about such matters."
"Then the historical records—"
"Shh—lower your voice," Otto pressed a finger to his lips in a gentle silencing gesture. "Our saint is presently suffering partial amnesia. Forcing recollections brings her severe headaches. To announce it outright… I fear the sudden flood of old acquaintances could inflict secondary trauma."
Otto paused, exhaling a wistful sigh.
"After all, those tied to her now are an immature elder, a fugitive from Schicksal, a soul adrift without memories… In short, aside from myself, everyone in her circle depends upon her."
"I am not pitiful." Durandal frowned.
???
When did my goose cease being so adorably clueless? That retort came far too swiftly…
Speak! Where have you hidden the true airhead goose?!
"I am genuinely impressed by your perceptiveness, Durandal," Otto remarked, feigning admiration.
"I am merely straightforward, not foolish." The goose countered, sensing the unmistakable malice lurking in Otto's admiring gaze.
Fair enough.
After all, when Raiden Mei was absent, even the bug cub could sprint from Europe to the Far East.
The Kaslanas did not inherit stupidity—they inherited the miraculous talent to "format the useless organ atop their neck when an external brain is available."
Like Kevin, like Kallen, like the bug cub and goose baby alike.
Otto yearned to applaud, yet one hand remained entwined with Cecilia's, so he settled for an approving nod.
"Excellent, excellent. I am glad your purity is tempered with wisdom. Then you must also comprehend how cruel it would be to forcibly cram past memories into one so lost and bewildered."
"She knows nothing of what transpired, grasps nothing of what once was. Her entire life reduced to a blank canvas—then others, in the name of love, scribble freely upon it, molding her into whatever they desire, deeming it perfectly natural. Haha—truly touching."
Yes, though Otto himself excelled at precisely that art, it hardly prevented him from claiming the moral summit.
He turned to Cecilia, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"You have already fought your glorious war to its conclusion. You have traversed every path you were meant to walk. You have safeguarded the faith you were destined to protect. In Schicksal, a crown of freedom awaits you eternally."
"You may live on just as you are—memories lost—embracing a wholly new future, forgetting all that came before."
He felt Cecilia's grip tighten in response. Their fingers interlaced fully.
"Therefore," Otto continued, judging the moment ripe and turning to Durandal—the girl now staring in stunned silence at their joined hands, her expression a tangled mosaic—"I have resolved to keep her at my side for quiet recuperation. Should she recover her memories, we shall proclaim it openly and with honor: the return of Schicksal's saint."
"Should she never reclaim the past, I will permit no one to compel her to live beneath the shadow named Cecilia Schariac. She may retain the name Cecilia, yet no soul shall shape her present with echoes of yesterday."
"This is the vow I, Overseer Otto Apocalypse, can offer."
The words were spoken for Durandal's ears—and as gentle explanation to Cecilia.
Not mere empty flattery to curry favor; the finest deceptions wove nine parts truth with one part falsehood.
If he truly knew not when Cecilia might recover, he would indeed grant his saint a life of peace and joy.
In truth, an amnesiac version would prove even simpler to guide.
What he required was her web of connections—and her absolute, heartfelt trust.
Combat instincts could be retrained. Besides, Cecilia's paramount value lay not in raw strength.
Of course, his words bore deeper design—easing Durandal's understanding of his actions toward Cecilia, sowing seeds for when her own memories eventually resurfaced.
After all, the rider of Abyss Flower was current-era humanity's mightiest force beyond Herrschers. Otto would never forsake control over her; laying groundwork early would avert complications when questions arose later.
"The Overseer speaks wisely," Durandal nodded. "We should allow Senior Cecilia to recover naturally."
Yet her peripheral gaze kept drifting to their clasped hands, an unfamiliar sensation rising in her chest—neither quite bitter nor wholly joyful. Like what Rita once described… sourness?
The Overseer holds her hand only because Lady Cecilia is amnesiac and insecure, steadying her emotions, correct?
Then I could do the same… No, better leave comfort to the Overseer.
Building rapport with Senior Cecilia… there will be ample time.
She pondered briefly, then inquired.
"Once Senior Cecilia recovers—or when she resumes active duty as a Valkyrie… Overseer, may I invite her to my Immortal Blades?"
"You are presently A-rank," Otto reminded. "Cecilia… is S-rank."
The girl would not ascend to S-rank and claim Black Abyss White Flower until 2014.
"I shall undertake the S-rank evaluation tomorrow!" Durandal declared with urgency. "So long as you approve—oh, and if she consents, I would even relinquish command of the Immortal Blades!"
Otto glanced at Cecilia—she wore an expression of quiet longing. Were it not for her innate dependence and obedience toward him, she might already have cried "I'm willing!"
"Invite her yourself once she recovers," Otto replied, declining to refuse on Cecilia's behalf. "Of course, I have a superior proposal—why not join her team instead?"
"If she forms one, I shall enlist without hesitation." Durandal answered instantly.
Tsk tsk tsk… such unwavering trust before even recognizing one another…
"We shall discuss it after her recovery," Otto neither confirmed nor denied.
"Now then—Durandal, what brought you here initially?"
"My purpose? —Oh, right," Durandal blanked for a moment before recollection dawned. "I… believe I did have one."
Otto: …
I truly should expect nothing from a Kaslana mind.
"While near London, England, I encountered some trouble."
Speaking with sudden gravity, Durandal shifted into focused resolve.
"I came across Honkai beasts bearing signs of artificial modification."