Prompted by Shu's reminder, it only took Otto a few seconds to mentally map out the entire plotline of: "An idiot, after being mocked and rejected, suddenly awakens to absolute power and returns to exact his revenge."
What a horrendously cheap plotline. If this were a movie, Otto would leave a one-star review for the screenwriter.
"It doesn't matter," Otto waved his hand dismissively, taking another sip of his milk tea and leaning back into his chair.
"Even if that idiot genuinely became a Herrscher, I highly doubt someone with his level of intellect could cause any real trouble.
"A person like that possesses no grand ambitions. I imagine his mind would be entirely consumed by personal gains and petty grievances. He would undoubtedly seek me out again, desperately trying to prove that he was right all along... or simply throw a tantrum and try to kill me for rejecting him.
"Do you honestly believe a Herrscher born from such a pathetic obsession would spend time researching complex applications of their Authority? No. His intellect dictates that he would choose the most blunt, straightforward method possible: confronting me face-to-face.
"And a Herrscher who chooses the most blunt, straightforward method to confront me face-to-face—"
Otto raised his eyes, shooting Shu a half-smile.
"—Will immediately run face-first into you, and subsequently be effortlessly obliterated. We wouldn't even need to worry about a Herrscher like that hiding in the shadows and biding their time. His intelligence simply wouldn't allow him to make a tactical judgment that complex."
"Did you consider the possibility that becoming a Herrscher might also come with a massive intelligence boost?" Shu wasn't just playing devil's advocate; he had genuinely considered this angle.
An incredibly mediocre—or downright stupid—person suddenly transforming into a super-genius. Was that really impossible?
"If that were the case, then he would immediately realize what he truly needed to do, and understand just how monumentally stupid his previous actions were." Otto sighed, shaking his head helplessly.
"If becoming a Herrscher truly enlightened someone like that, they would instantly abandon such petty grievances and turn their attention to far more important matters.
"And a Herrscher like that would be no different from the standard Herrschers we already have to guard against. The specific, hypersensitive scenario you described would be even less likely to occur."
Otto scoffed. Every word he spoke was laced with absolute disdain for the man. The innate arrogance of an old European aristocrat was on full display.
In the past, he would put on a polite facade and maintain a sense of humility when interacting with his peers.
But when faced with someone whose very actions proved them to be irreparably foolish, Otto truly didn't want to waste a single breath on them. Discussing the mere possibility of that idiot becoming a Herrscher with Shu was nothing more than an entertaining hypothetical, a way to show Shu just how 'diverse' the human species could be.
In short, he was just bringing Shu some premium garbage to look at.
"This world truly is full of interesting people..." Shu sighed. He couldn't just completely ignore the possibility. If he could imagine it, there was always a non-zero chance the timeline could develop in that direction.
Sigh. I just have to hope that 'interesting' individual turns out exactly as Otto described—even with godlike power, he'd still be a talentless hack who has no idea how to use it.
Ideally, he'd decide to assassinate me first to make an example out of me before going after Otto, only to get slapped to death by me instantly.
Thinking about it that way, it's actually not that terrible of a development, is it?
Well, that was the end of that topic. It was just Otto needing to vent, anyway.
Now that Otto had successfully complained, enjoyed the sight of Shu looking deeply troubled, and drank a perfectly sweetened cup of milk tea, his mood had significantly improved.
So now, it was time for Shu's questions.
"My store," Shu began softly, resting the milk tea on his knee. His tone was hesitant, probing. "How exactly did it survive this past half-month?"
Otto flashed a knowing smile, as if he had been waiting for this exact question.
"Are you referring to your little shop that sells Homu merchandise, movies, and... certain custom figurines?"
Shu's expression remained completely deadpan at Otto's teasing. "Why, do you want to place an order? I can throw in a Kallen and Yae Sakura joint couple's set as a freebie..."
Otto's eyes instantly widened. His hands and feet trembled with rage as the blood drained from his face.
Are you threatening me?
I'll drop everything and quit right now, try me!
Hmph. I won't stoop to the level of such a vulgar man.
Otto waved his hand, physically brushing aside his ruined mood, and looked back at Shu, the amused smile returning to his face.
"There is no need for such orders. I am perfectly confident in my own aesthetic tastes and artistic abilities. As for your store, it was indeed under my care during your absence.
"Obviously, I couldn't restock your inventory of specific films or hand-crafted figurines. But I could certainly provide other commodities.
"I had someone install a few machines behind your little counter, and then I allocated a dedicated supply chain purely for their ingredients. Conveniently, aside from the sugar, none of the required materials were classified as high-priority resources.
"I also provided the large screen and the projector for your lounge area. Oh, and of course, I continued to pay their salaries exactly as you requested: daily payouts."
Otto rested his chin on his hand, looking at Shu with an air of smug satisfaction. "So? Business at your little shop has been booming lately, hasn't it?
"Commercial machinery, a dedicated supply chain... compared to those, the salaries you pay your employees are nothing but a drop in the bucket. This is what we call privilege, my friend. Pure privilege."
Otto deliberately repeated the word "privilege" to the red-blooded, socialist youth sitting across from him, fully expecting to see a conflicted, embarrassed expression on Shu's face.
But Shu didn't take the bait.
"With an expense that small, couldn't the esteemed Overseer just embezzle a little extra with the snap of his fingers? Don't tell me there's actually a blind, suicidal audit team out there daring to investigate the Overseer's personal accounts?"
Shu raised an eyebrow, staring back at Otto without a shred of shame.
How could this man spout such treasonous, capitalistic words?! Is the blood in his veins even red?!
Otto was genuinely astounded. He felt that Shu was being far too blasphemous. According to the doctrines of the Little Red Book, Shu should be dragged out to the public square and severely criticized.
Besides, was it truly impossible for someone to investigate his accounts?
Sure, the Kaslanas would never think to audit financial records on their own. But if someone simply hinted at the idea? Kallen would be auditing his books faster than anyone else in the city!
If that happened, he'd be in for a world of pain!
"My friend, that is a blatant, naked slander against my character. I am deeply hurt, truly." Returning to a serious demeanor, Otto's righteous indignation made him look exactly like an uncorrupted, impoverished official who was perfectly content eating a single bowl of plain noodles with a clove of garlic for dinner.
"Oh, give it a rest," Shu rolled his eyes. He only ever believed about half of the bullshit that came out of Otto's mouth anyway.
However...
"Thanks." Shu still offered his gratitude.
Otto smiled, clearly pleased by the acknowledgment.
Yes. This is exactly what I wanted.
"I spoke to your employees using your name. I told them that your 'persona' is currently a high-ranking executive within the Fire Moth, and you were simply on a temporary leave of absence.
"If you wish to return, you can resume that identity at any time. Or, of course, you can choose to finally lay your cards on the table and tell them the truth."
Lay my cards on the table?
Our relationship is way past the point where I can just 'lay my cards on the table'... Shu thought, his mind filled with a profound sense of despair.