Chat group, if you have anything to say to my Holy Sword,

“Hehehe…” Otto let out a low, pleasant laugh, frankly admitting, “Indeed, I’ve experienced far too much.”

"The infinite possibilities that belong to humanity... or rather, driven by emotions."

During the conversation, Xiling stopped in front of a milk tea shop.

"Let's go here, you don't mind, do you?" Xiling raised her chin and pointed to the milk tea shop that seemed out of place with Otto.

Looking at the ordinary-looking milk tea shop, Otto blinked. Even he hadn't expected that the place the other party was taking him to would be such an ordinary milk tea shop.

“…If you don’t mind.” Otto quickly regained his composure, his flawless smile returning to his lips.

“I certainly don’t mind.” Xiling pushed open the door first, the bell hanging on it ringing crisply. He went straight to the order counter and said skillfully to the young clerk, “One original pearl milk tea, please.” After saying that, he turned to Otto, who was still looking at the menu with interest, “And you? What would you like to order?”

Otto looked at the menu, and it was mostly dishes he had never seen before or tasted.

He then pointed to Xiling and gave the clerk a smile that was a model of friendliness: "Excuse me, could you please give me the same one as him?"

Xiling paid the bill promptly, picked up two seemingly ordinary cups of milk tea, and sat down at a small round table by the window in the corner. Otto followed suit.

Xiling took a sip of her milk tea and calmly looked directly at the blond man opposite her: "Now, you can tell me. What did you want to see me about?"

He was genuinely curious that the other party had come directly to him.

Faced with such a direct and straightforward question, Otto didn't rush to answer. Instead, he imitated Xiling, taking a sip of his milk tea and savoring it carefully, as if analyzing some novel experimental sample. After a moment, he finally put down his cup and spoke.

“I am conducting a study.” Otto’s voice was not loud, but it carried a heavy weight. “A study that transcends all meaning for me. It is the cornerstone of my existence, my sole goal for the past five hundred years.”

"However, at the most critical moment of the research, I encountered an insurmountable barrier. I was stuck."

He gazed into Xiling's calm eyes and continued, "In order to overcome this barrier and allow my research to continue, I have abandoned my attempt to make a deal with the World Serpent."

"I chose to come to you."

“Xiling.” Otto pronounced the name clearly. “Place of birth: Unknown. Exact age: Unknown. Race: Unknown. She abruptly descended upon this world at a certain point in time. Her first clear action after arriving was to extend a helping hand to the out-of-control Herrscher of the Void, taking her under your wing and providing her with protection… and even guiding her to regain control of that power.” He spoke slowly, as if reading a carefully prepared document, every detail pointing to a core paradox.

"You're not from this world, are you?" Otto asked, but his tone was very certain.

He wasn't stupid; on the contrary, he was very clever. The other party had never hidden their special abilities; instead, they were quite blatant about it. Just like the move they used in Sky City to convert Honkai energy into other forms of energy, it was as if they were loudly announcing to everyone that the other party was extraordinary.

Xiling nodded indifferently in response to Otto's words.

"Yes, I am indeed not from this world."

"So, what's the use of knowing this?"

“Heh, it really doesn’t mean anything,” Otto spread his hands. “It’s just an instinct to verify a guess. Like when humans look up at the stars and glimpse an unidentified flying object, their first reaction is always to confirm whether it really exists, isn’t it?”

His tone shifted, and his expression became more serious than ever before: "Xiling, let's make a deal, a visitor from beyond the world."

"Okay."

Xiling's answer was crisp and decisive, like a pebble thrown into calm water, instantly interrupting Otto's long prelude.

Otto's words caught in his throat. He even wondered if he had misheard—this person, who clearly harbored distance and even disgust towards him, had agreed so easily?

He subconsciously closed his slightly open mouth, then picked up the milk tea and took a sip as a cover-up. His signature smile reappeared on his face as he tried to regain control of the conversation.

“I’m not joking with you, I’m serious. You can state your conditions.”

Otto thought Xiling was playing a trick on him. After all, according to the investigation, Xiling could greet even strangers with a smile, but she remained calm from the beginning, which meant she disliked him. So Otto thought it was reasonable for her to think that Xiling was playing a trick on him.

However, Xiling looked him straight in the eye and said clearly, "I'm serious too."

This time, it was crystal clear.

Otto's smile froze for a moment.

The hustle and bustle of the bubble tea shop seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier, leaving only a heavy silence between the two. "...So..."

He was silent for a few seconds, then his voice deepened, "What's the price?"

Xiling spoke as if stating a given fact: "Does your death count?"

The air froze instantly.

After a long silence, Otto finally let out a sigh: "...It doesn't count." His voice carried a weariness of things finally settling down and a hint of... relief.

The day his ideals are achieved will be the day he disappears from this world. This price is nothing more than a predetermined end.

A low chuckle escaped his throat. He shook his head and looked back at Xiling, his usual composure seemingly returning: "You... should loathe me. Loathe my methods, loathe my crimes. So, why?" His tone held a hint of curiosity, "Why did you agree? Why help someone you consider evil?"

Xiling's gaze fell on the swirling liquid in the glass. "Probably... because you asked me for help."

"...Even a villain like me, you are willing to offer help."

"Even if you are a villain, I will not deny your past achievements, but... the sins committed must ultimately be accounted for, and this is a reckoning that no one can escape, and..."

Xiling looked at Otto.

"She's a really good person, isn't she?"

"……yes."

Xiling said no more. He stood up and picked up the cup of milk tea. "I will not let the evildoers who commit sins go unpunished," his voice was clear and firm, "but I will not miss any possible opportunity for redemption either. That is my reason."

After saying that, he didn't look at Otto again, turned and walked towards the door. He casually raised his hand and waved it behind him: "It's settled then. I'll help you in a few days. These next few days... behave yourself and don't cause any trouble."

"Also... you still have some time, go and take care of the aftermath. Consider this... my final advice."

The bell on the door rang softly, and the glass door closed, separating the figure from the viewer.

The milk tea shop was still bustling with activity.

Otto Apocalypse sat alone in the corner, feeling a sense of... peace of mind.

When was the last time I had this feeling?

The floodgates of memory burst open, shattering all calculations and schemes in an instant. In the surging torrent of time, only one image remained frozen—sunlight shone on a silver-haired girl, her smile as radiant as the warm winter sun, seemingly capable of dispelling all the gloom in the world, as she reached out her hand to him.

"...Karen."

Chapter 135 Kiana and Durandal

The white-haired girl stared blankly out the window, seemingly searching for a vanished figure. Opposite her, the blonde knight sat with her eyes closed, the silence freezing the air and creating an uncomfortably awkward atmosphere.

Just then, a waiter pushed a food cart over, breaking the deadlock.

Dishes were placed on the table, and in the most conspicuous center position was a dish carefully decorated with heart patterns—clearly a special treat for couples.

The waiter intended to say a few witty remarks to lighten the mood, as is customary, but when his gaze swept across the table, the man who had made the reservation was nowhere to be seen. In his place stood a strange young woman, and the cold, stiff atmosphere between the two was almost palpable.

The waiter wisely kept quiet, leaving only a "Please enjoy your meal" before quickly turning and leaving.

The waiter's departure brought back the silence, but the atmosphere subtly eased—at least, attention was now focused.

Durandal's gaze fell on the striking heart pattern in the center, and she fell into a brief silence. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a real couple at the next table, feeding each other affectionately, while the waiter enthusiastically explained the meaning of the couple's meal to them.

"I see." Durandal nodded slightly, as if she understood something.

She felt she needed to say something to break the suffocating silence, so she chose a topic she thought was obvious: "I didn't expect you two to be a couple." Her voice was calm and direct, without a trace of probing.

Kiana instantly lost her composure, bristling like a cat with its fur standing on end. "What nonsense are you spouting, Durandal?!" What couple?! They're clearly enemies! How could this guy just randomly strike up a conversation with her! Although... what's with that inexplicable surge of joy in my heart?

Seeing Kiana's obviously overreaction, Durandal tilted her head in confusion, her eyes filled with bewilderment: "Isn't it? But this is a couple's meal." She first pointed to the eye-catching heart on the table, and then gestured to the couple next to her who were putting on a sweet feeding show.

“It’s a couple’s meal, no doubt,” Kiana muttered, burying her face in her arms and leaning on the table in frustration. “But we’re not a couple! It’s Xiling… Xiling ordered it because she wanted to!”

Kiana's mutterings, though soft, reached Durandal's ears clearly.

Realizing she had made a misunderstanding, the strongest Valkyrie apologized without hesitation: "Sorry, I misunderstood. It turns out you two aren't a couple."

Kiana buried her face even deeper, and just then—"Gurgle..." A clear sound came from Kiana's direction; it was her uncooperative stomach protesting.

Kiana froze instantly, her scalp tingling with embarrassment. But then—"Gurgle..." another almost simultaneous, soft rumbling sound came from the opposite side. Kiana jerked her head up, meeting Durandal's slightly flustered gaze as she instinctively clutched her stomach. Their eyes met briefly before quickly looking away.

Kiana sat up straight, cleared her throat, and broke the double awkwardness: "Um... if you don't mind... let's eat together? It's not good to waste food."

"Thank you for your hospitality." Durandal nodded politely.

The two silently picked up their utensils. Kiana ate while stealing glances at the blonde knight across from her. Durandal's dining posture was undoubtedly elegant and proper, but her chewing and swallowing speed was by no means slow, even faster than the preoccupied Kiana. Kiana chewed her food while repeatedly pondering the question stuck in her throat.

Just as Kiana hesitated, Durandal stopped what she was doing and looked at her calmly: "Ask me anything. As long as it doesn't involve Schicksal's core secrets, I can tell you anything I know."

Hearing what the other person said, Kiana took a deep breath and put down the food in her hand.

"Why......"

Why would you side with Otto?

Kiana's voice was very calm at first, but as she spoke her words, anger rose from her heart.

"Do you know the whole truth? Do you know about the experiments Schicksal conducted? Do you know about Otto's actions?"

"I've heard your story. You're clearly not a bad person, so why did you choose to stand on Otto's side? Why did you choose to help Destiny?"

By the end, the girl's voice had completely lost control, yet her loud shouts went unnoticed by others, as if her voice had been blocked.

Faced with Kiana's excited questioning, Durandal put down her cutlery, straightened her back, and looked at the girl's golden eyes, which were filled with excitement, with the same serious and frank gaze.

“I know something about the darkness of Destiny, and I’ve heard about those experiments, but I still stand on Destiny’s side.”

"Perhaps in your eyes destiny is terrible, but it is destiny that you see as terrible that handles all kinds of collapse events on this planet and has saved countless people."

"There is no absolute good or evil, right or wrong in this world, only missions, and I am fighting for my mission."

Hearing Durandal's words, Kiana's agitated emotions gradually calmed down. Although she wanted to deny it, what the other party said... was not wrong. She lowered her head, her voice filled with resentment.

"But this... is so unfair."

"......Feel sorry."

"none of your business."

Looking at Kiana, who had fallen silent and was shrouded in a low atmosphere, Durandal pondered for a moment before trying to speak, attempting to dispel the invisible cloud of gloom: "After today, Schicksal should withdraw all the warrants for your arrest." Her voice carried a hint of relief. "You can also... try to return to a normal life."

She had thought this was good news and would cheer the other person up. However, Kiana simply raised her head and weakly poked her chest with her finger: "I am the Herrscher of the Void."

She is the Herrscher of the Void, not a normal person, so how could she possibly return to a so-called normal life?

Durandal also thought of this and fell silent, but just then, a pair of chopsticks appeared between the two of them, picked up a few pieces of meat, and put them into a bowl full of white rice.

The two looked over at the same time and saw Xiling eating her meal while curiously observing them.

Seeing the two looking at her, Xiling smiled and said, "Hey, you two, are you having a good chat?"

"Xiling! Are you alright?" Kiana suppressed her resentment upon seeing Xiling return and instead showed a worried expression.

"Hmm... what could be wrong with me?" Xiling gave him a look that said, "What are you talking about, silly child?" and then looked at Durandal. "Otto is fine, he just didn't come along."

"Have you all eaten? Why is there still so much food?" Xiling looked left and right, then...

"It's only just begun, Durandal, let's continue eating," Kiana invited Durandal again.

Seeing the smile return to the white-haired girl's face, Durandal herself didn't realize that a relaxed smile had quietly crept onto her lips. She nodded politely to Xiling.

The three of them picked up their chopsticks again, and the silence was replaced by the slight clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sound of chewing. The atmosphere was strangely much more relaxed.

After a bishop sent a message, Durandal stopped and turned to Xiling and Kiana as they walked out of the restaurant after the meal, saying, "Thank you for your generous hospitality. Please be sure to treat us to a meal next time."

“Sure! It’s a deal, you treat next time!” Kiana readily agreed without any hesitation.

"Take care on your journey." Xiling waved casually.

Durandal said no more, nodded slightly to the two of them, turned and strode away in a certain direction, quickly disappearing around the street corner.

"Alright, we're full, shouldn't we go home now?" Xiling stretched and turned to leave, but found that the person behind him hadn't followed at all. He turned back in confusion and saw Kiana still standing there, her toes lightly kicking the ground.

"What's wrong? Come on, let's go home and sleep," Xiling called out again.

Kiana looked up, her eyes filled with displeasure: "Seeing Otto's face... makes me feel suffocated, I'm unhappy."

"I understand, but I guess you won't see him much more often. Okay, don't be upset, let's go." Xiling stepped forward and tried to pull Kiana away, but Kiana seemed rooted to the spot, letting Xiling drag her a few steps. Her body was limp and powerless, just like a child throwing a tantrum and refusing to walk.

Xiling glanced at her disdainfully: "Hey, Kiana, how old are you? Three and a half? So childish?"

Someone said I'm just one of those...

"Okay, okay, okay..." Xiling immediately raised her hands in surrender. "So what do we do now, little Kiana? Should I hire a sedan chair to carry you home?"

"Turn your back!" Kiana suddenly pointed at Xiling.

Xiling's lips twitched, looking speechless: "Seriously, officer? We're all grown up, and you're playing these tricks? It's so embarrassing!"

"Are you going to spin or not?!"

Xiling turned away speechlessly, but still "kindly" reminded him, "Let's make this clear first, don't cover your face later!"