"Humanity no longer has time for us to continue this 'degeneration'."
After saying this, Leo Ash paused for a moment before continuing to the camera.
"From the Third Eruption in Nagazora City until the end of the Eighth Eruption now, a certain viewpoint has been spreading more and more widely within the organization."
"And now, after Otto's death, this viewpoint seems to have been accepted by the majority. It seems many people now think—Schicksal can't function without me, Leo Ash?"
"To this viewpoint, I can only say—stop spouting bullshit. What kind of crap is that."
Leo Ash tapped his intelligence screen, displaying the data he had collected for everyone to see, magnifying it several times for clarity.
"At first, this idea started to surface after I got lucky and resolved the incidents related to the Third Eruption."
"Then, after the Jiuyou incident, this view began to spread rapidly—I have to say, that was Otto's doing at the time, trying to build up my reputation."
"As for what came after—fine, I admit, I dealt with most of the Herrschers."
"But the problem is, does fighting the Honkai *only* mean fighting Herrschers?"
"Who makes the weapons? Who is responsible for finding the artifacts left by the Previous Era? Who is risking their life on the lower-level battlefields? Who is responsible for handling all the paperwork?"
"In the past, people would brag about 'Otto guarding the world for 500 years,' and 'humanity is doomed without Otto.' Now that you've discovered Otto was no good, you've started hyping me up?"
"Every last one of you is a clueless idiot."
"From the destruction of the Previous Era fifty thousand years ago until now, humanity's civilization has continued, not because of some world-deceiving bastard, not because of some kid who got lucky and gained some power, and not even just because of us, Schicksal."
"Humanity's civilization has endured to this day because of the correct choices made by all of humanity's heroes in the fight against the Honkai, because of the legacy left to us by the Seniors of the Previous Era, because of the blood shed by soldiers on the battlefield, and because of the round-the-clock hard work of the logistics staff."
"This is clearly a miracle created by all of humanity together. Why must people force all the credit onto one person's head?"
Seeing the stunned expressions on the faces of the staff members present, Leo Ash adjusted his own expression and continued to the camera.
"Of course, I'm not saying this to completely deny the contributions of certain outstanding individuals. My purpose in saying all this today is simply to tell all of my colleagues in Schicksal..."
"——Perhaps I, as a high-end combatant, am important. But my colleagues, you are all just as important."
"From this day forward, I, Leo Ash, will formally assume the post of Archbishop of Schicksal. And after I assume this position, I hope..."
"——That all of you, my colleagues, will lend your strength to this unworthy brat, just as you have always done."
At this moment, the Schicksal members watching this broadcast, whether they admired Leo Ash or had a poor opinion of him, could all feel the sincere emotion filling his words.
Even the extremist Otto loyalists, who believed 'Leo Ash must have secretly murdered Lord Otto', couldn't find any fault with his speech now.
Unlike those who tried to hog all the credit for themselves, Leo Ash did the opposite, stating clearly, 'The credit belongs to all of humanity.'
Especially after he said, 'You are all just as important,' anyone who tried to find fault would just be branded as a traitor and strung up.
In the past few days, Otto's diehard loyalists in the upper echelons had basically all disappeared.
In this situation, even if the Otto loyalists at the grassroots level, who hadn't had direct contact with either of them, were dissatisfied with Leo Ash taking the Archbishop's seat, they couldn't stir up any trouble.
"Ah, I've said too many sentimental things... Forget it. I don't think there's any need for more nonsense."
"From today on, I'm the boss of Schicksal. I'm too lazy to keep talking. Everyone, just go back to what you were doing."
After decisively ending the speech, Leo Ash said to the staff around him.
"Thank you all for your hard work today."
"Theresa, you come with me. The rest of you, please handle the follow-up work."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing the new energy in their voices, Leo Ash knew his words had had some effect.
And as 'Theresa' followed Leo Ash out, Wraith, reverting to her original form, didn't speak, but waited for Leo Ash to say something.
"Teacher Wraith."
Turning back to look at Wraith, who had dropped her disguise, Leo Ash finally deactivated Mind Like Still Water and Cold, Handsome Man.
In that instant, Wraith could feel that her disciple, for the first time, seemed like a seventeen-year-old boy, revealing an undisguisable exhaustion.
"My performance this time, what score do I get?"
"Oh, I'll give you an 80."
After saying this, Wraith suddenly sighed.
"I said before that you were destined to go down in history, but it's only been seventy or eighty days, and you've even killed Otto."
"I really didn't see it back then. That little brat who couldn't even hide his own thoughts... would actually grow to this extent."
*Yeah. From the Fourth Eruption until now, so little time has actually passed.*
*Even I'm curious how I managed to grow to this point.*
[Actually, you know it full well in your heart. A man as outstanding as you, no matter where you hide, is like a firefly in the dark—so bright, so dazzling—]
*Stop.*
*You, of all people, praising me like this just makes me feel uncomfortable all over.*
[But it's not praise. It's simply a fact.]
[Good-looking, good personality, and motivated. People like that will become the center of attention in any crowd.]
*Give me a break. My lifestyle isn't that different from before I died. The only difference is that I'm handsome now...*
*——You motherf**ker, are you saying that in the end, I'm still just coasting on my face (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!*
[Ah, you don't need to be so extreme.]
[A good appearance just makes it easier for others to notice your virtues. That's an unavoidable 'theorem' in every world.]
[In that case, calmly accepting your advantages isn't always a bad thing, right?]
*Ah, you've been saying less and less nonsense lately.*
*What changed you?*
[It's not the System that's changed. It's you.]
[Now that you're facing your desires honestly, even if the System wanted to have fun the old way, I've got no moves left.]
*That's true.*
[Just like now. If the System makes a joke about this, you can just casually find a girl in the headquarters and 'do' her on the spot.]
[In that situation, what else can the System say?]
*Oh, that's really true.*
*To think there'd be a day when you'd completely give up 'running your mouth.' At this moment, I'm convinced—I've truly grown!*
[Mhm. So, the System popped up today to inform you of something.]
[After this matter comes to an end, it's about time for the System to find some new fun.]
*...When?*
[No idea. The filling speed of the Cocoon of Finality changes every day. Even the System can't accurately predict which day it will begin to make its 'choice'.]
[The System just knows very well that although you've thought of a solution, if there isn't enough time, your solution won't be able to solve the Cocoon of Finality.]
[At that stage, regardless of whether you win or lose, the System's test for this phase will be over. So...]
*So?*
[Why don't you hold a 'developer conference' right now? Otherwise, the System won't be able to rest in peace!!!]
*Go to hell. You really haven't changed one bit.*
*I have too much to do right now. I can't rest yet.*
"But speaking of which."
Leo Ash, who had been distracted talking with the System, suddenly asked Wraith.
"Matriarch Theresa... is she still unwilling to come back to headquarters?"
"Mhm."
Hearing Leo Ash mention this name, Wraith sighed helplessly.
"Although I'm sure she doesn't blame you, you should try to be considerate of her feelings."
"Otto was evil through and through, but no matter how depraved he was, he was still Theresa's only close relative."
"Otto and Theresa had their conflicts, but that doesn't mean there weren't genuine feelings between them."
"At a time like this, just give her some time."
"When she calms down, she will definitely return to being that S-rank Valkyrie and come back to Schicksal to fight for you."
...
*Thinking about it, I've really changed a lot too.*
*In my view, the Apocalypse family bears the title of 'Archbishop.' A family bearing this title should naturally, as one of The Three Great Houses, participate in the mission to save humanity.*
*It's just a pity that whether it was Nicholas back then, or Otto recently, both were demons who chose to abuse their power for their own selfish desires, even coming close to dragging humanity into the abyss.*
*Me, and Matriarch Theresa... to wash away the infamy of the Archbishop's family, we must naturally fight the Honkai with all our strength.*
*And yet, even with that premise, I still did something that my past self would have absolutely detested.*
*I killed her family member, and now I'm asking her to keep working for me.*
*This... is something Otto did, too.*
*I've only just become the Archbishop, and the symptoms of my 'Otto-fication' are already getting worse.*
[Give me a break. At least Otto was devoted. You're worse than Otto!]
*If this so-called 'devotion' comes at the cost of countless lives, then I'd rather do without it.*
*Focusing only on his devotion without looking at how many people he screwed over to achieve it... how is that any different from 'casting aside the facts'?*
[Oh. That's true, I guess.]
*However, speaking of family, I think I still have some private matters to attend to.*
"Teacher Wraith, please help me delegate the other tasks to everyone."
Letting out a deep breath, Leo Ash walked towards the Schicksal members' residential area.
"Now that things have settled down, I think it's time for me to take care of some of my own personal business."
"Oh, oh. Then go get some rest."
Watching Leo Ash's departing figure, Wraith couldn't help but think, how could a seventeen-year-old have such a desolate-looking back?
*A seventeen-year-old Archbishop of Schicksal...*
*The world may envy the power he holds, but only those close to him can see the immense pressure he has put on himself, pressure he never needed to bear.*
*But from this perspective, the kid looks really tired right now.*
*Although he tries to hide it, I can usually tell what he's thinking. But for him to not even bother pretending now... it means he's truly exhausted.*
*However, during this turmoil, the Herrscher of Reason transferred her core, and the Herrschers of Flame, Ice, Star, and Domination all awakened simultaneously within the Theater of Domination.*
*This situation is enough to prove that there must be some special reason why the Honkai would make five Herrschers 'awaken' all at once in this turmoil.*
*You have to know, Herrschers who awaken under these circumstances are unable to absorb enough Honkai Energy, causing their strength to be unable to reach its peak immediately, which could lead to them being defeated one by one by human warriors.*
*The Honkai, which has always planned meticulously, couldn't have failed to think of this.*
*Was It really forced into a corner, or...*
*——Was 'sacrificing' these Herrschers also part of Its plan?*
At this thought, Wraith suddenly felt that Leo Ash was right not to rest.
After knowing something this terrifying, even the most carefree person wouldn't be able to rest peacefully.
Schicksal Headquarters. Living Quarters
In the living quarters of Schicksal Headquarters, Isla Ash was in her personal room, looking at the intelligence screen and processing the work that had piled up in Schicksal over the past few days.
As for Leo Ash's two speeches, the one for the outside world and the one for internal members, Isla Ash had, of course, watched them.
But after watching them, she truly felt that her old man was being a bit too much.
*He's trying to shoulder everything by himself again. This habit...*
*Sigh, Dad.*
*If he could just change this bad habit, I, as his daughter, wouldn't have to worry so much.*
*But then again, a Dad who could change that habit wouldn't really be Dad, would he?*
Just as Isla Ash was about to process the next document, a knock suddenly came from her door.
"Isla, are you in your room?"
"If you are, Dad has something he needs to talk to you about."