Cocolia's agreement was within Otto's expectations. After all, this proposal held no downsides for her.
The only thing Cocolia had to be wary of was Otto not playing by the rules and revealing their transaction directly to the Anti-Entropy Conservatives. That would place her in a precarious position.
However, Otto wouldn't go that far. He had no direct conflict with her, whereas Tesla and her group would love nothing more than to skin him alive.
Moreover, if it came to that, she could simply deny it.
Even if Tesla and the others harbored suspicions, for the sake of Anti-Entropy's stability, they would have to accept Cocolia's rebuttal.
As for Otto, he actually had zero interest in the data of the Moonlight Throne. What did he need that thing for? Schicksal already had it, sealed away by Otto himself, though no one else knew about it.
Although the Moonlight Throne appeared incredibly powerful, it was utterly useless for human civilization at its current stage.
If civilization is strong, the Honkai becomes strong. Consuming vast amounts of resources to mass-produce such a device would only escalate the intensity of the Honkai.
It would instantly spike the difficulty from "Easy Mode" straight to a "Hell Mode" where even a Herrscher like Wendy could be one-shotted.
Otto's true objective was merely the "bonus" attached to the deal—using it to destroy Cocolia's status in Bronya's heart.
Cocolia actually did have affection for the children of the orphanage.
Although Cocolia promised to hand the orphanage children over to him, Otto was certain that very few of them would be the original residents. Some might even be spies groomed by Cocolia.
People with Honkai adaptability were rare, but with Cocolia's capabilities, rounding up a batch of random replacements was a very simple task.
If Otto were in her shoes, he would do the same.
But Bronya didn't know that.
Otto was playing on the information asymmetry.
Although Bronya was intelligent, she couldn't view the situation from the perspective of high-ranking players like Otto and Cocolia. Her position limited her vision.
She didn't possess a heart as pitch-black as Otto's or Cocolia's.
If Otto and Cocolia were unscrupulous merchants padding their wares with water to increase the weight, then Bronya was an honest soul who would never cut corners.
The only fact in Bronya's eyes was that Cocolia had treated the orphanage children as bargaining chips and casually traded them away.
How truly cruel.
As for whether Cocolia would burn bridges after becoming the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, Otto cared even less.
Did anyone actually think Cocolia and Theresa could accomplish anything significant?
No way, right? Surely not?
As long as Welt Yang was still alive, Cocolia's position as Sovereign would never be secure. To Anti-Entropy, the name "Welt" held extraordinary significance.
Cocolia, who had joined Anti-Entropy halfway through, didn't understand the sheer weight of gold contained in that name.
However, this transaction was a win-win for both parties.
Cocolia gained ambition, Otto gained the Silver Wolf, and the only one who got hurt was Bronya.
After the communication closed, Otto leaned down. His finger hooked around Bronya's collar, forcing the stubborn Silver Wolf to lift her head and look at him.
For some reason, Otto felt that Bronya's beautiful face, expressionless as always, revealed a trace of poignant tragedy.
She was disappointed in Cocolia.
The selling of the orphanage children had happened right before her eyes.
Bronya slightly regretted not speaking up earlier. If Cocolia had known she was right there, would she have rejected the deal directly?
The young Bronya finally understood that the human heart cannot withstand testing.
"Many things are beyond one's control."
"Bronya, you heard it too. Cocolia has handed you all over to me. You belong to me now."
Otto said with a smile. He rose from his chair, crouched down in front of Bronya, and then gently lifted the girl—whose legs were disabled—into a princess carry.
The girl's slender body felt as if it would snap with a single fold.
She's so light. Has Bronya been eating properly?
"But rest assured. Since you are mine now, I will help you bring Seele out of the Sea of Quanta."
"I have no interest in the orphanage children other than you few. As long as you are loyal to me, I will treat them well."
"They will eat well, drink well, and have a warm new home."
"If they want to leave when they grow up, or if they have dreams they wish to pursue, Schicksal will assist them."
This was the truth. Otto had no vulgar, low-level hobbies; he had absolutely no intention of torturing these little cuties.
Raising them, occasionally seeing them happy and joyful—it could bring a little healing to his own tightly wound heart.
Just imagining a group of little cuties calling him "Brother Otto"... it was getting him high just thinking about it.
Perhaps when they grew up, they would even remember his kindness.
Bronya allowed Otto to hold her, the collar around her neck feeling cold. Staring at the ceiling, she never expected that while she thought she was running smoothly as a "spare tire," the car itself would suddenly explode.
Everyone at the orphanage...
If they knew about this, they would be so heartbroken.
Bronya looked at Otto. Her current predicament was entirely caused by this blonde man.
But Cocolia had sold her and everyone else to him. If she wanted to save Seele, she could now only rely on him.
Moreover, Bronya felt that this man was more reliable in getting things done than Cocolia.
"How... should I address you?"
"You can call me Bishop Otto, or Lord Bishop."
If she could call me "Lord Bishop" while panting breathlessly, that would be even better.
"Lord Bishop."
Bronya spoke in her clear, sweet voice. Otto's eyes narrowed slightly; this was a completely different experience from the System's pirated voice pack.
His brain trembled again.
"I want to ask you for a favor," Bronya continued.
"When you take the other children away... could you please not tell them that Cocolia sold them?"
Her tone carried a hint of pleading.
Bronya was the oldest child in Cocolia's orphanage.
Although Seele was the most important person in her heart, the other children in the orphanage also held significant weight.
She was their Big Sister Bronya.
"I will tell them that Cocolia sent them to a warmer place."
Otto said, his tone gentle. If his hands weren't full, he really would have liked to rub the duck's head.
"Thank you."
Bronya thanked him, then tilted her head to the side, speaking no more.
Otto carried her out of the room and handed her over to the maid who had been standing at the door with a constant smile.
"Lord Bishop," Rita said respectfully.
Last night, Rita and Durandal had received Otto's orders and led the Immortal Blades to Nagazora City overnight.
The smiling maid looked at Bronya in her arms, her brows and eyes revealing a charming, teasing glint.
"Take good care of her. Help her manufacture a new leg exoskeleton armor, and then replace the bio-chip in her brain."
Otto continued to issue instructions to avoid any accidents.
He didn't want to leave a hidden danger within Schicksal Headquarters.
Bronya had a bio-chip in her brain that Cocolia could control. Cocolia could manipulate Bronya remotely.
Right now, Cocolia likely didn't know that Bronya had already fallen into his hands. Before she could react, he needed to sever the connection between Bronya and Cocolia.
"Yes."
Rita left with Bronya, though she was slightly curious in her heart. This super-cute little girl seemed to make the Lord Bishop rather attentive.
Is the Lord Bishop plotting something?
Forget it, that's not something I should consider.
I only need to obey the Lord Bishop's orders.
However, this little girl is truly cute. I really want to pinch her cheeks. That expressionless, cool look... it has a bit of the flavor of when I first met Lord Durandal.
But her clothes are a bit dirty, like she's been rolling around on the ground.
Rita's eyes suddenly lit up. Lord Durandal grew up too fast; she outgrew the beautiful clothes I prepared for her before she could even wear them.
But... this little girl seems like she could fit into them.
Heh heh.
The maid was in a delightful mood.
Otto watched Rita leave with Bronya, then took out his communication terminal. With Bronya present earlier, he couldn't easily convey this order.
"Locate Cocolia's orphanage, and then extract all the children inside."
Otto intended to secure Cocolia's goods before she could "pad the wares."
When the time came, Cocolia would only be able to rage impotently.
Because the children would already be in Otto's hands.
Even if she tore up the contract with Otto, it would be of no use.
After doing all this, Otto realized he should go back to see Raiden Mei. He had been away for a long time.
However, it was fine.
Because he had already prepared a gift for Raiden Mei long ago.
And that gift...
She would definitely like it.