"Let me see... Hmm, it's almost time for my death scene. I'll be getting my 'lunch box' soon."
After reviewing the script's progression, Otto realized it was nearly time for him to play the role of the "Tree-Charging Warrior."
But then he turned to Chang Yuan beside him.
"Teacher, if the script says this method can create a parallel world, then why haven't you tried making one where Teacher Elysia survives?"
There was no reason he could do it while Chang Yuan couldn't.
In terms of scientific research and other capabilities, Otto might be an all-rounder, but he still fell short of the Previous Era's top scientists.
So if he could accomplish it, those scientists definitely could too.
Yet he couldn't understand why Chang Yuan hadn't attempted it.
"...What would it change? In the Previous Era, every version of her chose to die. Why would a parallel-world Elysia live?"
"In every possible world, she made the same decision—to sacrifice herself for a sliver of hope in the future."
"If I did it, it would be like killing her with my own hands. So do you really think I don't want to?"
Hearing Otto's words, how could Chang Yuan not want to try?
Even if it wasn't his Elysia, he still wished for a world where she lived.
Because it would prove, in some small way, that Elysia could have chosen not to sacrifice herself.
But no such possibility existed. In the Previous Era, he had seen it himself—not a single Elysia chose survival. They all embraced a broader future, one bought with their lives.
"...Sorry, Teacher. I brought up painful memories again."
Otto rarely fell silent, but Chang Yuan's answer gave him pause.
Countless versions of a loved one, all destined to die—no chance of survival.
The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
At least his Kallen wasn't like that. His Kallen didn't have to die.
"It's fine. The past... I long since stopped caring."
The 11th Herrscher, the Herrscher of Binding, was about to be "skipped." The countdown had begun. Time was running out.
"Alright then, Teacher. I'll go prepare. Though the thought of being pinned down by Durandal already makes my body ache."
He hadn't forgotten the script—how he'd end up like Jesus, impaled against a wall by that golden oaf and her Black Abyss White Flower.
Even imagining it hurt.
"Relax, you won't die. Besides, Kallen will take care of you afterward. What's there to fear?"
"...Let's negotiate. No caretakers, especially not from the Kaslana family."
The moment he was injured, Kallen would force-feed him her "nutritious soup." At that point, Otto would rather not recover.
A mere fatal wound through the torso suddenly didn't seem so bad.
"Ehe~ Brat, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I don't even get to eat her cooking anymore."
Chang Yuan chuckled, teasing Otto lightly.
Lacking the weight of centuries of schemes, this Otto retained more of his youthful demeanor.
If he'd been the cunning old fox from the original timeline, even as his student, conversing with him would've been... uncomfortable.
"Finally, I get to fight alongside my little sister! From now on, I'll protect her!"
"Lady Durandal, with all due respect, Kiana eventually becomes the Herrscher of Finality. Shouldn't it be her protecting you?"
"Details, details! Sisters protect each other! Besides, I can't wait to shoot Bishop Otto later~"
"...As expected of you, Lady Durandal."
Rita sighed at her master's single-minded excitement.
Clearly, Durandal had carried her script-fueled grudge into reality.
Meanwhile, factions maneuvered in the shadows—though Anti-Entropy remained oblivious.
Salt Lake Base
"Einstein, I've got this... ominous feeling. Like a storm's coming."
"Dr. Tesla, while intuition is valuable in research, this borders on superstition."
"Couldn't you at least pretend to comfort me? Why'd you have to shoot me down?!"
"Dr. Tesla, this is me comforting you—by telling you not to overthink it."
"GAAAH—!"
The next day, news shook every major organization.
From Schicksal's floating island, Otto addressed all Valkyries and civilians:
"I, Otto Apocalypse, hereby resign as Overseer of Schicksal. Henceforth, my daughter, Theresa Apocalypse, shall succeed me."
The announcement spread like wildfire—even reaching Anti-Entropy, whose reaction was... intense.
"WHAT?! Otto did WHAT? He quit?!"
Tesla's first instinct was disbelief.
But since the intel came from their Schicksal informants, she had to accept it.
So this was that 'impending storm' feeling...
"Hey, Einstein! What's that bastard plotting? Why give up the Overseer seat out of nowhere?"
"Why assume I'd know? But one thing's certain—this isn't as simple as it seems."
Einstein's calm reply didn't ease Tesla's nerves.
Any idiot could see there was more to this. They just didn't know what.
"Wait—Aunt Theresa! Does this mean you're no longer a 'traitor' but Schicksal's legitimate heir?!"
Holy crap. The true Schicksal successor was in Anti-Entropy all along?
Kiana stared at Theresa, baffled.
"I-I don't know what Father's thinking! Ugh—could this be a trap?"
"Based on Bronya's understanding of Overseer Otto, nothing is ever straightforward. We should prepare for combat."
"...What the hell is that man planning?"
After the initial chaos, Kiana forced herself to think rationally.
Even now, she couldn't fathom Otto's true goals.