I was transported to a broken world, yet my dreams are connected to Star Iron?

　However, Suzuma can vouch for Otto with the Black Tower's Little Ray; Otto definitely considered the possibility of "going against the world" when he was making his plans.

　Therefore, besides the Holy Blood and the Void Treasury, Otto definitely has other trump cards up his sleeve.

　Her and Walter's mission was to force out these trump cards.

　Using the Star of Eden to counter the Void Treasury, and then letting Lingmo break through the Holy Blood's defense, if Otto didn't pull out a few trump cards, he probably wouldn't survive until Sirin arrived—under such circumstances, Otto had no choice.

　Lingmo's smile became even more radiant.

　Last time, Otto took advantage of the information gap, so they didn't even have a chance to resist and were eliminated. This time, although they weren't fully prepared, at least the information gap exists for both sides.

　So, even in the worst-case scenario, it would only result in mutual destruction, and Lingmo still has a few good things left in her possession.

　……

　On the other side, within the illusion constructed by Yu Duchen.

　"You...were not hypnotized by Yu Duchen?"

　"In Destiny, I have a good friend who used to be very good at using mental power to attack. After sparring with her for a long time, I learned some ways to fight against mental power from her."

　Cecilia gave a wry smile: "But... I didn't expect you to see through me."

　"But my feelings for you in the illusion were real. I just want to make amends..."

　“No need to say anything more, Mom… no, Cecilia.”

　Celine gently bit her lip and shook her head.

　“I can tell you’re not acting. At least in the illusion, you really do treat me like your daughter.”

　"But... during a casual conversation, Suzuma asked me a question, and now I'll tell you that question too. The answer to that question is the reason I rejected you."

　"Cecilia, why does life slumber?"

　Chapter 39 I hope that next time we meet, I can still call you Cecilia Mom.

　“Why does life sleep?”

　Cecilia was stunned for a moment. After all, the scene of maternal love and filial piety (?) suddenly turned into a philosophical discussion. Anyone would be confused by this.

　"Although Lingmo told me a lot of profound truths back then, I don't remember most of them very well anymore."

　Celine gave a slightly nostalgic smile: "However, I've remembered the answer to that question."

　"Because one day, we will wake up from our dream."

　"Leave this illusion. You are the strongest S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, while I am a Herrscher who brings calamity... I can never be your daughter."

　"You want me to give up revenge, to stop seeing destiny as an enemy, but... Lingmo's fate is now unknown, and the person who killed him still hasn't paid the price."

　"After leaving the illusion, we will eventually become enemies."

　"Wait, Sirin, that's not how it is!"

　Seeing that several red feathers had appeared in Celine's hand, Cecilia quickly shouted.

　“Lingmo is safe now! After that battle, her body was retrieved by Walter, the leader of Anti-Entropy, and my husband Siegfried. She is currently receiving treatment at Anti-Entropy. And if you want revenge on the person who killed her, I can help you! Such a scoundrel does not deserve to be in Destiny!”

　"If you agree, I can personally go to the bishop and adopt you as my daughter. From now on, you will be Kiana's older sister, and I can..."

　"Okay, Cecilia, you're so kind."

　Seeing Cecilia's anxious expression, Sirin turned her head away with a touch of pity: "But that's impossible... Reality isn't as wonderful as you imagine."

　"Actually, I lied to you too. It's not that I'm completely unable to peer into your memories, it's just that I didn't do it through Yu Duchen, but through another means... And in your memories, I found clues and locked onto the person who killed Ling Mo back then."

　“And his name is… Otto Apocalypse, the very Archbishop of your Destiny.”

　"What……"

　Cecilia was stunned.

　"But why is it... and how can I have the answer in my memory..."

　"Because when Otto killed Suzuma and severely injured me, he used a blood that could erase Honkai energy, which was the key to his victory... And in your memory, the source of that blood is clearly recorded. Apart from you, only Otto in the entire Schicksal universe can use this holy blood without any side effects. I don't need to tell you that."

　Sirin gently grasped the feather, and her figure gradually disappeared into the illusion.

　"Reality is not a dream; it's impossible for so much beauty to exist. Otto is the Archbishop of Schicksal, and your family, your daughter, are right here at Schicksal headquarters. Would you betray Schicksal for my sake, disregarding Kiana's safety?"

　"Moreover, wanting to kill Otto is tantamount to declaring war on destiny, or even on the world... So, this is reality."

　"Goodbye, Mother Cecilia. I hope... I'll be able to call you that one day again."

　……

　Just as Sirin left the illusion and began to pinpoint Otto's location, the battle on Suzumo's side gradually became intense.

　It should be said that Suzumo has basically achieved half of its strategic objectives.

　The good news is that Otto was indeed forced to reveal a trump card.

　The bad news is... this trump card is pretty powerful.

　Because this is a prototype Valkyrie armor that is completely copied from the Blank Key.

　Of course, if we use a different name, it might be more familiar. The armor that Otto is wearing now can be said to be the prototype of the Crimson Armor, a transitional piece between the Blank Key and the Crimson Armor.

　As a replica of the Key of the Blank, this armor could easily be equipped with a separate Herrscher Core, or it could be powered by a high concentration of Honkai energy crystals. Although doing so would likely expose the user to excessive radiation, potentially even causing death, however…

　Otto isn't human either (shrugs).

　The body made of Soul Steel was completely immune to Honkai energy. Since Otto had already deliberately killed four pseudo-Herrschers, the pseudo-cores that Sirin used to drive them were used by Otto as the driving energy source.

　With the cores of four pseudo-Herrschers installed at once, the boost Otto received was considerable. Suzuma, who had the ability to protect and recover, fared better, but Welt, who was already in poor condition, was now almost forced to do sit-ups again.

　"Damn it... Is this Otto's trump card? It's terrifyingly strong. No, I should say it's those four pseudo-Herrscher cores that are strong. Heaven knows how much Honkai energy Sirin poured into them. Otto, that guy, it's obvious he planned this all along..."

　"The good news is that, according to Ai Yin's monitoring, Xilin should have escaped, and our mission can be considered accomplished."

　Walter coughed up a mouthful of blood and whispered beside Suzumo.

　"Is it really over...? I don't know if I'm just too biased towards Otto, but I always feel like he has another trick up his sleeve..."

　Lingmo muttered something under her breath, then said to herself, "Never mind, it's okay. He has a trump card, and so do I. Although it may not be as strong as his, my trump card is for escaping when I'm checkmated. In this game, I'm already in an invincible position."

　"Your attacks seem to be becoming more conservative. Is it because you've sensed the Second Herrscher's escape and are trying to buy time?"

　Otto smiled calmly, and after realizing that Suzumo didn't seem to be making any further moves, he seemed to have regained his previous composure.

　“That’s right, and I don’t think you can kill me or Walter quickly either. If you want to run, I suggest you do it now.”

　Although she was constantly being pressured after Otto put on his armor, Suzuma was in no way inferior in her verbal exchanges.

　"It's alright, I'll just wait here for Miss Sirin."

　Otto shook his head: "At least for us, there is no essential difference between dying once and running away in defeat."

　"Is that so? Then I'll see... how many clones you have to kill!"

　A sharp shout suddenly rang out from the space, and then several Void Spears instantly pierced through Otto's location.

　"Celine?"

　Lingmo's eyes lit up.

　"Lingmo, I'm so glad you're alright!"

　Almost instantly, Lingmo felt a soft, warm body appear in her arms, purple hair brushing against her face, carrying a slightly familiar scent.

　"However, now is not the time for reminiscing."

　After burying her head in Lingmo's soft chest and taking a deep breath of "Lingmo energy," Xilin suddenly turned her head away fiercely.

　"Wait for me, I'll deal with this guy first!"

　Chapter 40 Otto: I'm super, box!

　"Ah, Miss Sirin, how have you been?"

　Otto calmly brushed aside the Void Spears around him and looked at Sirin, saying, "Hmm, it seems you've learned your lesson from last time and arrived just in time."

　"You dare bring this up again?"

　Sirin's face darkened, and an almost ferocious Herrscher power emanated from her body.

　"Look, he's in a hurry."

　Otto shook his head helplessly: "Fine, before you make your move, could you answer one question for me?"

　"Cecilia and Siegfried... you must have pulled them into an illusion just now. Are they alright now?"

　"Don't worry, I won't kill innocent people indiscriminately. I'm only targeting you."

　Sirin sneered, "If you're hoping to wait for their reinforcements, you're in for a bad time. Although they'll break free of the illusion and get here soon, I wouldn't even want to wait a minute to kill you."

　"So, they can get here in about a minute?"

　Otto nodded with relief: "Very good, all my doubts have been answered. So, as a reward... Miss Sirin, how about experiencing the greatness of human technology?"

　Upon hearing this, Sirin glanced at Walter with a strange expression. If she remembered correctly, this guy had said something similar when they first met.

　It's pretty... cringeworthy.

　“I admit, your armor has indeed elevated you to a level where you can rival me.”

　Celine gave a soft hum and then snapped her fingers.

　Instantly, all four pseudo-Herrscher cores embedded in Otto's prototype machine burst forth with dazzling light.

　"But... isn't it a bit too far-fetched for you to use the powers and Honkai energy that I separated from me to fight me?"

　"What... um..."

　Before Otto could even show a surprised expression, Sirin's figure instantly appeared in front of him. Under Sirin's control, the four pseudo-Herrscher cores were forcibly stripped away and absorbed back into her body.

　With its energy source forcibly stripped away and the armor itself subjected to physical attacks from Sirin, Otto's body was instantly sent flying. The main body of the armor was forced to disintegrate in mid-air, turning into a pile of recyclable waste.

　"I told you, it wouldn't even take a minute to kill you."

　"Yes, cough cough..."

　However, even under these circumstances, Otto's voice remained remarkably calm.

　"However, like your important person, I can be resurrected almost an unlimited number of times. Killing one of my bodies is just an injury to me."

　“But, Miss Sirin…”

　"Are you prepared to trade your life for mine again?"

　A strange smile suddenly appeared on Otto's face.

　At the same time, a wave of Honkai energy that nearly sent Suzuma flying suddenly erupted outwards from Sirin.

　"Be careful."

　With lightning-fast reflexes, Walter caught the flying Suzumo, then his eyes narrowed.

　"Wait, how did you get so badly corrupted by Honkai energy... No, wait!"

　Walter looked sharply toward Sirin's location, and at the same time, a series of alarms and Ai's voice rang out on his communicator.

　"Joachim, what's happening over there! The Honkai energy concentration throughout Siberia is rising rapidly, and large-scale Honkai beast tides have even begun to appear within several kilometers of your location!"

　Before he could reply to Ai, Welt instantly appeared in front of Sirin. Sirin, who had been perfectly normal just moments before, was now kneeling on the ground in agony, with large amounts of Honkai energy emanating from her body. Judging from the scorching marks and lightning flashes appearing on the surrounding ground, the five Herrscher powers that Sirin possessed were also unconsciously taking effect on the surrounding area.

　"Otto, what have you done!"

　"Don't rush, Walter."

　Otto's voice remained as calm as ever: "It was just a little tampering with those pseudo-Herrscher cores."

　"After all, as you know, Sirin did not truly separate the Herrscher core. Instead, she combined a portion of its power with a large amount of Honkai energy to form something that resembled a core but was not a core. At the same time, because she did separate a portion of her power, she could not completely abandon these pseudo-cores."

　"So, it's perfectly reasonable for me to tamper with something that has such a simple structure and will definitely be reused by Sirin, right?"

　"But don't worry, I didn't do anything too outrageous. The blood of the Saria can decompose Honkai energy, but the Herrscher core itself is a highly active entity."

　“A small amount of Schariac’s Holy Blood, combined with some other auxiliary materials, can turn the original Herrscher Killer into a catalyst for Honkai energy itself—just like putting a catfish into a school of sardines. When it is absorbed into the core, it will cause the Herrscher core to quickly enter an activated state until these ‘catalysts’ are exhausted.”

　"And now... *smack*!"

　Before Otto could finish speaking, a delicate little fist landed hard on his face, making a cracking sound on his steel-like cheek. However, the punch didn't seem to damage Otto's vocal cords.