MGSFV?! Chapter 485: Can't Beat Otto; Do You Trust Me or the Writer More?
[Even if it's a last meal before execution, if it's always this sweet, I'll take more. I fear nothing anymore (delirium.jpg)]
[Eating well before the knife falls isn't a bad choice either (lol)]
While many players still cling to the "classic theory"... this time, there were noticeably different voices in the livestream chat.
[Actually… why don't we think positively? What if the writer's trying to surprise us with a twist? Just when everyone expects the story to take a tragic turn… it stays sweet all the way to the end?]
[It starts sweet, ends sweet—what a complete cycle (brilliant)]
[To begin and end in sweetness—there's a certain romance to that (I believe.jpg)]
[Feels like you're all lying to yourselves (lol)]
Maybe everyone was emotionally stirred by the earlier story events and grew worried the writer would drop a bomb right after such an overwhelmingly sweet family reunion. Like… Siegfried sacrificing himself in front of the two sisters or something…
Please, don't do that.
So this time, the chat didn't end in just a few messages like before.
[Let me analyze this from a 'rational' standpoint… do you trust me, Qin Shi Huang, or the writer more?]
[…]
[Speaking objectively, while he tends to speak in half-truths, I don't think he's ever actually lied.]
[That's some Otto-level "I didn't lie" logic, got it.]
[Actually… that's not what I meant.]
[Feels like I can't predict where the story is going at all anymore.]
...
And so, the players continued watching with a wide array of thoughts in mind.
In-game. After the camera gave a long still shot of the full family—Cecilia, Siegfried, Kiana Kaslana, and Durandal…
Meanwhile, on the other side—Rita had already arrived safely at St. Freya Academy. And through the unique resonance between her and Durandal—referring to an item they both possessed: "Genius," which Rita had specially given to Durandal back in Kolosten—
A token of love (not really).
Ahem—anyway, through the resonance of Genius, Rita confirmed ahead of time that Durandal and the others would return soon. She also relayed this information to Theresa.
"So soon…?"
Theresa, upon hearing this, was clearly taken aback.
"I haven't even… mentally prepared myself."
Along with a strange sense of hesitation.
[What's there to hesitate about? Just be happy, Theresa!]
There was, of course, a reason for it... After all, it had only been about fifteen minutes since Theresa had learned another shocking truth from Rita.
A shocking truth? Could it be… that Rita and Durandal already… Nonsense! Shut up.
It was probably that, right? Rita had long ago told Durandal back in Kolosten that she knew her true origin. Now, with the timing right, it was only natural to tell Theresa.
And what was Theresa thinking now? So Grandpa hadn't lied to her after all? That Schicksal Overseer Otto Apocalypse had actually told her the truth for once? If only she hadn't been fooled by Otto back then...
Hmm... Don't bother with such impossible what-ifs. Theresa, you were never going to win against Otto. Because Hokuto had made some revisions to the plot, when Theresa learned from Rita that Durandal was the real Kiana, her heart was mostly filled with shock—and anticipation for seeing Durandal again. Along with a subtle surge of nervousness.
...
"Mm..."
Rita gazed at Theresa, who was adorably spinning in circles with her hands tucked behind her back. Quietly admired her for a moment... Let's not forget—Rita is a total Theresa fan.
Rita: Delighted.
Only then did she slowly bring up another topic, intending to subtly 'help' Theresa ease her nerves.
"Indeed, Rita also only arrived at St. Freya about twenty minutes ago. It seems Lord Siegfried really does have two incredibly outstanding daughters."
Theresa, who had been twirling with her hands behind her back, stopped and looked toward Rita upon hearing her voice.
Rita smiled faintly and continued, "Next, all we need to do is activate the beacon they set, and use Chiliocosm Promenade to lure the Kaslana Stigma Space away from Kevin and have it attach to you instead… Then we'll be one step closer to defeating Project STIGMA and Finality."
[Good grief, they're directly stealing the Kaslana Stigma Space?]
[It's Theresa's space now!]
[Theresa about to get a power-up—new battlesuit confirmed.]
[New battlesuit—cool!]
Cool? Isn't that… Kosma's catchphrase? Speaking of which, how would Kosma react to Theresa's "new form"?
Theresa's Human Finality form certainly "grew up" quite a bit, while Kosma's Human Finality form is… well, Kosma probably wouldn't react much at all. He's always liked his Human Finality form anyway.
Long ago, Hokuto even asked Kosma whether he had any objections to how his Human Finality form was designed in-game. If he did, it could be adjusted based on his feedback.
Kosma's response was... Hmm? So what was it? Say it!
"..."
???
Just "...", got it? So it was "...". That's… so very Kosma.
As for what "..." actually meant—based on Pardo's translation afterward from where she happened to be standing nearby—it basically meant: "Darknight Hero! Cool!"
...
We're getting off track. Back to the main story. The reason Theresa could now turn the Kaslana Stigma Space into her own "Theresa Space"... was thanks to—
"Kevin voluntarily gave up that initiating point of Project STIGMA. Without that, we'd never have a chance to do what you're suggesting."
"Perhaps after that initial explosion in activity, Project STIGMA no longer needs a fixed point of origin."
"..."
Rita intentionally mentioned some weighty topics here to distract Theresa, preventing her from becoming overly anxious before the face-to-face meeting with Durandal.
As the final few minutes ticked by... That person who had once drifted far from the outside world finally returned to reality under the protection of her loved ones.
"Hi, we're back, Theresa!"
As expected, it was Kiana Kaslana leading the charge, flashing a brilliant smile as she greeted Theresa. Siegfried followed close behind.
"Surprised? Bet you didn't think we'd be back this quickly. Oh right, I should introduce—"
"—No need."
Theresa took a deep breath and cut him off, then looked toward Durandal. Having learned the truth, she had certainly been looking forward to this reunion. But now that they were face to face—of course, her emotions were a tangled mess.
So what should she say now? That because of her grandfather, she had always believed the real Kiana was long gone? So she never suspected Durandal was her?
...There's no need to bring "him" up again now. And blurting all that out would just be awkward. Should she say "you've had a hard time"? But… Durandal didn't really suffer much at Schicksal. In fact, Otto had treated Durandal surprisingly well. Durandal lived quite the charmed life at Schicksal.
"..." "..."
A long silence.
Theresa... in life, it's not about being right or wrong—it's about standing firm in what you believe... The teachings of her grandfather flashed through her mind. In the end, she still thought of… him.
Theresa's expression shifted slightly. Then she smiled at Durandal.
"Bianka... welcome home."
What mattered now was how Durandal felt. If she said too much, she might disturb the resolve Durandal had already made.
"Ah..."
Facing Theresa's deeper, more personal warmth, Durandal seemed a little flustered. But she still chose to meet it head-on.
"I—I'm back."
After all, she had thought long and hard about how to view her current identity. To firmly be herself—that was enough.
"Ha..."
"I'm sorry, Lady Durandal. Just now... I revealed a long-held secret to Lady Theresa."
Once Rita confirmed both Durandal and Theresa had received a certain joyful answer, she tactfully changed the subject. Sister Rita, dependable as always.
"This... mm, well..."
Rita smiled meaningfully: "Because Lady Durandal turned out to be braver than I expected."
"..."
Durandal didn't respond. She just scratched her head.
[So, wait—do the Kaslanas have some kind of recessive gene? Why are they all ferocious when pursuing someone, but turn soft once they succeed?]
[You said it! Now that you mention it… it really does seem that way.]
[All Kevin's fault (lol)]
[Kevin: slurping noodles]
...
Since Durandal didn't respond, Rita turned to Kiana.
"She told you herself—didn't she, Kiana?"
"Of course!"
Kiana placed her hands on her hips confidently. "She's the strongest Valkyrie in Schicksal! There's no way she'd lack the courage for something like that."
She looked even happier praising Durandal than praising herself.
[If Kiana can't become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, then let the strongest Valkyrie become Kiana.]
[Such an adorable bug-bug (lol)]
"Pfft. Still, Kiana, don't underestimate the difficulty of emotional hurdles."
Rita maintained her elegance even in front of Siegfried. "But since that's the case... Lady Theresa, shall we give 'the strongest Valkyrie' and 'the strongest Herrscher' a bit of private space?"
[Sister Rita really gets it.]
[Actually… I feel like Rita is also subtly trying to prove herself in front of Siegfried (dog head)]
[Hahaha, you guys really get it.]
[Now that you bring it up, I feel like someone's missing from this reunion... Where's Mei?]
[Maybe she's busy with something?]
Every line of dialogue since earlier had its own unique flavor. The players quickly picked up on it. But in-game, the world's cutest Theresa was a bit slower on the uptake.
"Eh? Ah... right."
She paused for a moment before realizing. "St. Freya won't be in any immediate danger. So, before we officially convene a strategy meeting for future operations—two 'Kianas'—everyone will gladly give you some time."
She paused again, then quietly gave Siegfried a swift kick. "You agree, don't you, Siegfried?"
"Ah… yeah."
Siegfried quickly nodded. "What we think isn't nearly as important as what they need to confirm with each other."
After saying that, he turned and left decisively with Theresa and Rita. Soon, only Kiana and Durandal remained.
Kiana: "..." Durandal: "..."
[The atmosphere suddenly got awkward.]
[Looks like Goose and Bug really need to talk it out.]
[Yeah, it can't keep going like this.]
"They're like..."
"Like two people who clearly want to care for each other, but when they finally stand face-to-face, they hesitate and fumble, and in the end only manage to say, 'Uh... maybe we should get back to work first?'... That kind of situation."
Hokuto chimed in before Elysia could speak.
"Hmm...?"
"What? You don't think I'm right?"
"Not really..." Elysia paused slightly. "In fact, I think it's pretty accurate. Just that..."
"Just what?" Hokuto asked curiously.
"Just that... shouldn't the rare ability to use metaphors be something unique to a beautiful girl like me?"
"I mean, is it not possible that..."
"'Otto'—are you saying you're a beautiful girl too?!" Elysia gasped.
Hokuto: ??????
"..."
"No, I meant... it's not such a rare trait."
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