Bronya, seeing Kiana's eager gaze, wanted to help, but she couldn't let Kiana go to her death. Although she didn't know the specific details, Ming Yu wasn't simple-minded like Kiana; he must have had his reasons for saying what he did. Therefore, Bronya didn't answer immediately and instead looked at Ming Yu.
Seeing them both look at him, Ming Yu felt a little flustered himself. If he said they shouldn't save her, he would feel unreconciled. If there was anyone to blame, it was that fellow Otto for making the data space so realistic it was almost indistinguishable from reality, completely recreating the scene from that time. With such incredible technology, wouldn't it be better to develop more weapons to fight the Honkai? In terms of genius, Otto ranked among the top throughout the entire history of Honkai. He had thoroughly practiced the philosophy of "using the Honkai to fight the Honkai." It was under his leadership that Schicksal gradually gained its current power and status. It could be said that without Otto, there would be no modern Schicksal.
In this space, truly saving Kallen would be an incredibly difficult task that required careful planning. Moreover, dying in this space meant dying for real. Ming Yu didn't dare, nor did he want, to risk the lives of all three of them.
However, seeing Kiana's persistent gaze, Ming Yu waved his hand in resignation and said, "Alright, alright, we'll save her then. It just so happens I'm not a fan of those guys either."
With that, Ming Yu quickened his pace. Kiana, following behind, asked in confusion, "Where are we going?"
Ming Yu's lips curved into a smile. "To find like-minded people, of course. You didn't think the three of us would be enough, did you? There's someone who's even more anxious to save Kallen than you are."
A long time later, standing before a luxurious mansion, Kiana said with some surprise, "The person we're looking for is here?"
Upon seeing Ming Yu, a man in a black robe at the gate immediately came forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Mr. Yu, you've finally returned. Lord Otto is already waiting for you inside. Please hurry."
Ming Yu smiled and nodded at the guard, saying, "You're too kind, Brother Rolfe. Please lead the way."
Rolfe glanced at the two behind Ming Yu, who quickly explained, "They are my companions from my travels here and key figures in the plan this time."
Rolfe nodded without a word and turned to lead the way.
This scene stunned the two girls. Kiana even sidled up to Ming Yu and whispered, "What's going on? When did you get in touch with these people?"
Indeed, although Rolfe wasn't wearing a mask, the Schicksal markings on his clothes were still visible. Unlike the other uniformed guards at the gate, Rolfe was clearly standing there specifically waiting for Ming Yu. Kiana was both surprised that Ming Yu could connect with people within Schicksal and curious about his status among them. From Rolfe's attitude, it was clear that Ming Yu held a significant position in that Otto's eyes. It had only been a day, but Kiana felt as if Ming Yu had become a bit of a stranger.
Bronya silently observed everything, but her gaze on Ming Yu and her pricked-up ears showed that she also wanted to hear his explanation.
Ming Yu smiled slightly and looked at Kiana. "Did you think I was doing nothing while you were captured?"
A day ago, after avoiding the Schicksal forces, Ming Yu contemplated his next move. The day's events had served as a wake-up call. Even though Schicksal's application of Honkai Energy in this era was rudimentary, the strength of some geniuses was still not to be underestimated, at least not by him in his current state. Therefore, every subsequent step needed to be taken with caution, avoiding direct confrontation with the powerhouses of this era to ensure his own safety.
There were two paths before him. One was to lie low and wait for Bronya's arrival, follow the plot, and wait for this drama with its predetermined ending to conclude, after which he could leave safely. However, the thought of Kallen being humiliated during the day, dragged by chains by scoundrels, filled Ming Yu's heart with an unquenchable anger. Could a predetermined ending truly not be changed? Ming Yu never believed in fate; he only believed in himself. With his foreknowledge, he was confident he could change that ending.
So, Ming Yu chose not to wait for his doom. In this space, concerning Kallen, there had always been two voices within Schicksal. One, led by the Schicksal Overseer, was determined to execute Kallen. The other was Otto, who had always been thinking of rescuing her. If he wanted to save Kallen, a confrontation with the Schicksal Overseer was inevitable, and a battle with Schicksal's powerhouses was unavoidable.
If it came to a head-on clash, ten of him wouldn't be a match for Schicksal. Even though the Overseer had sent most of the Valkyrie units on missions elsewhere to prevent Kallen's subordinates from attempting a rescue, there were still several dozen Valkyries stationed at the headquarters.
Besides the Valkyrie units, Schicksal also had a large number of knightly orders composed of ordinary people whose Honkai resistance was not high. Relying solely on martial arts, they could handle ordinary people, but it would be insufficient against Ming Yu. However, if the Overseer went mad and was determined to put Kallen to death, risking them using Honkai Energy weapons would also be a huge problem.
He had to both confront Schicksal and avoid a direct clash. There was only one way left: Otto.
To be honest, you could hate Otto, but you had to admire him.
They say there's a fine line between genius and madness, and Otto was a prime example. For Kallen, Otto went from a genius to a madman. He dabbled in human experimentation, using the lives of innocent young girls for his tests, all to be able to keep up with Kallen and help her fight the Honkai. After Kallen's death, he walked the insane path of reviving her alone for over five hundred years, his hands stained with the blood of countless people. That line, "Even if it means subverting all world lines, I will find a way for Kallen to live," was not just empty talk.
Otto was truly capable of such a thing! For Kallen, he would willingly destroy the entire world.
The universe needs an observer; a universe without an observer is meaningless. For Otto, a world without Kallen had no meaning of existence either. This obsession was even more extreme than that of Uchiha Obito from Naruto.
And so, after checking three churches and knocking out seven priests, Ming Yu finally located the residence of Otto Apocalypse.
Looking at the manor standing quietly in the dark of night, Ming Yu couldn't help but sigh. As expected of the son of a landlord, even his house was so big. And this was just Otto's private residence, yet it was a vast manor. Truly the corrupt ruling class.
After sighing for a moment, Ming Yu didn't forget his mission and stealthily slipped inside. Although the manor was heavily guarded, for someone like Ming Yu whose five senses were enhanced by Honkai Energy, it was merely a bit troublesome. It was no exaggeration to say that in this era, while Ming Yu couldn't be considered a top-tier powerhouse, he could still be called a first-rate expert. Additionally, Otto was busy with his plan to save Kallen during this time, and many of his personnel had been dispatched, which had slackened the manor's defenses considerably, providing Ming Yu with an unseen convenience.
Inside the study, Otto was writing his plan at his desk. Without looking up, he asked the black-clothed man in front of him, "Rolfe, is everything ready?"
Rolfe showed no dissatisfaction with Otto's attitude. He knew what a brilliant talent his master was. If there was one person in all of Schicksal who could lead humanity to victory against the Honkai, it could only be Lord Otto. Likewise, Rolfe knew how much effort he had spent on that traitor, Kallen. Although he felt it wasn't worth it for his master, he still faithfully carried out the tasks assigned to him. Nodding, Rolfe bent over and said, "Arrangements have been made at the dungeon, and a ship for sea travel has been secured. Everything is ready."
"Very good." After writing the last word, Otto threw down his quill, looked up in the direction of Kallen's confinement, and silently vowed in his heart, *I will save you, Kallen, no matter the cost!*
Suddenly, a knock echoed at the door. Both men in the study were startled. Rolfe looked at Otto in confusion. Had the young master arranged for someone else?
Otto was also surprised. He hadn't summoned anyone else tonight. But after silently sensing the power within him, Otto relaxed. No matter who the visitor was or what their purpose, he could handle it.
Seemingly impatient, after knocking three times, the visitor opened the door and walked in without waiting for the master of the house to speak.
Otto looked at the figure in the black cloak, his face as still as water. He said, "Who might you be, sir? To barge in without permission is hardly the act of a gentleman."
The visitor threw back his hood, revealing a young, Eastern face. It was Ming Yu. Glancing around the room, he quickly recognized Otto. With a slight bow, Ming Yu said, "Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Otto. I believe that when you know my identity, you will feel honored."
Pausing, Ming Yu switched to a deeper tone and said, word by word, "I have come from Mount Taixu in Shenzhou. The Celestial Phoenix is my master."