Schicksal HQ – Floating Island
Otto replayed the battlefield footage again and again. The recording cut off just as Rita was slammed into the ground—everything beyond that was lost, the equipment fried by the shockwave.
He leaned forward, resting his chin in thought.
"Report, Lord Bishop."
A short-haired woman in a nun's uniform stood at the door—white hair, golden goggles. Only one person had the privilege to stand at Otto's command room unannounced: his personal secretary, Amber.
Otto frowned, closed the projection, and gestured.
"Come in. Amber, what is it?"
Amber stepped forward, hands folded, voice calm.
"Lord Bishop, S-Rank Valkyrie Durandal requests an audience."
"Bianca? At this hour?"
Otto raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Let her in."
Amber bowed and exited.
Moments later, Durandal entered—dressed in a black casual suit, her expression unreadable.
"Bianca," Otto said, spinning his chair to face her. "You don't visit without reason. Speak."
Durandal hesitated, then looked up.
"I want to ask about Kiana Kaslana."
Otto blinked, but his smile remained.
"Ah, K423. She's at St. Freya Academy. Still hasn't graduated. If you're curious—"
"No, Bishop. You know who I mean."
Durandal's voice cut through his deflection.
"Am I—Bianca Durandal Atagina—truly the same person as Kiana Kaslana?"
Otto's smile faded. He sighed.
"You already know, don't you?"
"You are the biological daughter of Siegfried Kaslana and Cecilia Schariac. You were gravely injured in that incident. The blonde hair is a side effect of the treatment."
"That's the truth, Bianca."
Durandal's heart settled. She understood Otto well enough—he never offered information unless it benefited him.
"I appreciate your honesty, Bishop."
She bowed slightly.
Just then, Amber reappeared.
"Lord Bishop, the Anti-Entropy leader requests a meeting. Location is…"
"Welt?"
Otto tapped his chin.
No doubt about the Herrscher of the Sea and the Gem of Desire. This wasn't just another anomaly—it was a threat.
"Let's go."
Otto swept his cloak dramatically and strode toward the door.
"Oh, right," he said, pausing.
"I nearly forgot Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie."
His smile returned—mysterious, unreadable.
"Bianca, care to join me?"
World Serpent – Hidden Chamber
Grey Serpent's crimson eyes flickered as he ran calculations.
The emergence of this new force—this Herrscher of the Sea—wasn't in their plans. Could it disrupt the Stigmata Project?
He decided to escalate.
"Activate quantum engine. Initiate fluctuation."
A cold voice answered.
"What is it, Grey Serpent?"
"Honored Lord, I've encountered something… unusual."
Grey Serpent recounted everything—Xingyue's power, her title, her claim.
"Herrscher of the Sea?"
Kevin's brows furrowed.
The Herrscher sequence was predetermined. This one wasn't on the list. Could it destabilize their timeline?
"And she claims to be a Planetary-Level Honkai Beast."
"Honkai Beast?"
Kevin relaxed.
"Don't concern yourself with it for now. Focus on the Stigmata Project."
Grey Serpent bowed.
"Yes, Honored Lord."
Kevin dismissed her as a minor threat. Compared to Sirin, who wielded six Herrscher cores, this was nothing.
"Anything else?"
"No, Honored Lord."
Grey Serpent ended the call, then turned to the window, confidence restored.
Meanwhile, deep within her own body, Xingyue laid Wendy down gently.
She smiled wickedly.
When you wake up, you won't be yourself anymore. You'll love me—completely.
She hadn't used this level of suggestion on Durandal, but Wendy? She'd planted the seed.
Now it was time to watch it bloom.
Moments later, Wendy stirred.
She blinked, then smiled—softly, sweetly.
She wrapped her arms around Xingyue's neck, nuzzling into her body, which radiated a wild, natural fragrance.
Xingyue's attention was fully on Wendy.
She didn't notice the pale gray eyes watching from the doorway.
Bronya had seen everything.