"Who should I use as the anchor… and which ambiguous points in time should I change…"
While analyzing the information provided by the Book of Dimensions, Otto pondered possible candidates.
Although the book didn't state it outright, the data implied there were still limitations.
At the very least, the ability to modify the past did not completely ignore the rules of the Imaginary Tree.
For now, these limitations appeared to be fourfold:
Minor trends can change; major trends are difficult to alter;
One cannot move more than one hundred meters away from the anchor;
With the book's own recovery rate, it can only be used once per month;
There exist "temporarily" unchangeable fixed points in time.
"Can't completely ignore the rules… then what if I master the rules themselves?"
Otto smacked his lips, immediately spotting a loophole.
"And modifying a timeline… is the future plot considered a timeline? If so, could I…"
Ideas flooded his mind, though unfortunately he had no time to prepare them yet.
He first needed to use the ability to secure his own survival before pursuing anything else.
At present, the most obvious function of the Book of Dimensions was bringing the dead back into the world, strengthening his faction.
So… who should he save first?
That was the question.
Otto silently mapped out possibilities in his mind.
On the surface, the safest first step would be resurrecting Kallen. That way, even if the original Otto awakened, he would have no complaints.
But Otto scoffed at the idea.
He remembered a drunken friend once telling him: a boss's ambitions are always inflated by success.
As long as a person doesn't die, their desires roll like a boulder down a mountain—the longer it rolls, the greater the impact when it lands.
And this was Otto.
Anyone named Otto couldn't be trusted.
Yes—even himself.
And more importantly… if the original Otto still existed somewhere in this world…
A glint of greed flashed in his eyes.
Everything could be used, couldn't it?
—But what if this world had only one Otto?
Then Kallen's only value would be as a fighter. And honestly, did the Saint of five hundred years ago even have S-rank Valkyrie strength?
Hard to say. In her two famous failed battles, her opponents were simply too monstrous.
Fu Hua in her Azure Empyrea state could suppress any enemy even today.
And the Previous Era Herrscher of Corruption—besieged by MANTIS warriors like Kevin and Elysia—still managed to launch nuclear strikes that shattered civilization's infrastructure.
As for how strong Kallen herself really was…
Historical records couldn't prove anything.
After all, they were written by a completely unhinged Kallen fanatic.
Oh—using her might earn him a Divine Key.
Otto narrowed his eyes.
For now, whether he wanted to play the grieving romantic to gain Valkyrie sympathy or negotiate with the original Otto's supporters, Kallen absolutely couldn't be alive.
When the time came to give the original owner closure, he could bring her back then.
So… who to choose?
Otto remained silent, sketching the plan's details in his mind.
[Anchor: ?]
[Arrival Time: Year ?]
[Duration: ? years] (Note: With the book's current capability, please do not exceed a span of twenty years)
[Participation Time: 20 days] (Temporary hard limit)
(The fast-forwarded period simulated by the book counts as Duration; the time you personally descend into is Participation.)
(During Duration, all your actions must either continue what you did during Participation or match the original history.)
(During Participation, you cannot move more than one hundred meters from the anchor.)
"…Alright, let's begin."
Otto closed his eyes and used his will to set the parameters in the book.
[Anchor: Cecilia Schariac]
[Arrival Time: 1985]
[Duration: 16 years]
[Personal Participation Time: 20 days]
He had many reasons for choosing Cecilia—not just because he liked how she looked, otherwise he could've gone after Kiana instead.
"Tuna" wasn't even up for discussion; he was a dad-fan, and thirsting after her would be illegal.
Mother and daughter were absolutely off limits. That would shatter the dimensional wall.
His real reasons were simple.
Since he took power, the Schariac family had almost never produced a Saint who betrayed him.
Even when they disagreed with Otto's methods, they still did their best to fulfill his requests.
And Cecilia herself was a major narrative core.
If she stood beside this transmigrated Otto, Kiana and the others would never turn their weapons on him.
Her loyalty alone guaranteed at least Cecilia, Durandal, Rita, Kiana, and Raiden Mei would stand with him.
—Meaning absolute command: Cecilia could direct them without resistance, with both emotional trust and seniority ensuring major decisions would always be discussed with her.
As for Siegfried… Otto wanted nothing to do with a man who'd storm Schicksal HQ with his young daughter to rob a lab. In fact, he'd need to find a way to sever their connection to prevent impulsive actions forcing Cecilia into conflict.
In summary: three S-rank Valkyries and two Herrschers. Add another round against Kevin in Sea of Quanta City… below Finality, I'd be invincible, alright?!
Besides, bringing her back would allow him to attribute any differences between himself and the past Otto to the Saint's return.
After all, she belonged to years long gone—no one truly knew what their relationship had been like, and even Amber's memories would be vague.
So as long as he secured Cecilia, every problem caused by his transmigration could be resolved instantly.
And gaining Cecilia's loyalty…
To every Schariac, the name Otto Apocalypse started at max affection.
The reason he chose to simulate from 1985 instead of jumping straight to the Second Honkai was simply to familiarize himself with Cecilia and the ability to alter the past—and to rehearse being the Overseer along the timeline.
"Begin," Otto murmured inwardly.
[Simulation begins. Red text indicates forbidden points; green text indicates ambiguous points.]
The message lingered for ten seconds before fading. New lines appeared.
[In 1985, using Cecilia as a test subject, you successfully create a highly complete Schariac Holy Blood, transforming all the blood in her body into a substance capable of instantly purifying Honkai energy.]
[To protect this vital Schicksal technology, you confine Cecilia Schariac within headquarters.]
A lot of this text was green…
After thinking for a moment, Otto said:
"Book, remain in 1985 for one day."
The text halted. A force linked to his mind.
He closed his eyes—and the next moment appeared outside a simulation training room.
Inside stood a girl of breathtaking beauty, long silver hair cascading like moonlight, radiating a charm that captivated anyone.
Clad in black armor, she lifted a massive lance with pale hands and threw it lightly toward a Honkai beast's exposed abdomen.
The simulated creature dissolved into streams of data, leaving only the Black Abyss White Flower embedded in the ground.
"Cecilia Schariac."
Otto softly called her name, sighing with feigned depth before smiling warmly.
"Amber."
"I'm here, Bishop."
The girl he feared most stood behind him, yet under the book's protection he didn't need to worry about suspicion.
"Can you use big data to determine which country and place Cecilia most wants to visit right now?"
"… "