December 23, 3:21 PM.
Otto stepped forward, entering a restricted zone devoid of people.
It was a small chapel, and at its center stood a statue.
The original owner did not revere gods—but he held one in his heart.
The statue depicted Kallen leaning against the Oath of Judah.
Of course, it was only a sculpture.
"Wow~ paying respects to the eternal~ beloved of Otto~ Kallen Kaslana."
Clearly, the current Otto held not the slightest trace of reverence. With exaggerated theatrics, he bowed deeply to the statue, then placed his right hand on its chest and used his left to trigger a mechanism, opening the hidden passage behind Kallen.
At first the path was narrow, barely enough for a person. After turning left and right for dozens of steps, a faint light appeared ahead.
He had reached the core of the chamber. At its center, an ice-blue coffin glowed softly, and within it lay the goddess the original Otto had longed for.
Kallen rested quietly in the specially made coffin, looking like a princess asleep, waiting for a prince's kiss.
"What a pity. The one who was obsessed was a knight… and a villainous supporting character in the story."
Otto shook his head and glanced around.
The security measures here were even tighter than those at Schicksal Headquarters.
If something went wrong here, Schicksal would practically be finished.
—Of course, toppling Schicksal wasn't exactly difficult.
He didn't approach Kallen's body. Instead, he walked around it toward the left.
Just as he occasionally tolerated Theresa, letting this Sleeping Beauty rest undisturbed was one of the few respects he would grant the five-hundred-year-long obsession.
Otto continued through the darkness. The silence was suffocating, as though something watched him from every direction.
Yet he strolled unhurriedly down the corridor, like someone taking a leisurely walk in his own garden after a meal.
Just walls of lasers—detection to elimination took only a moment, painless.
And for Otto Apocalypse, Schicksal Headquarters truly was a tranquil backyard—at least until a certain troublesome child smashed his soulium face.
He walked slowly, not to delay, but because he had no reason to hurry.
At the corridor's end stood a massive door engraved with a medieval clock.
Now, he would move the hands of time.
"The final Saint of Schicksal, Cecilia Schariac—make your entrance."
His voice echoed, calm and solemn.
Otto raised his hand and knocked lightly.
The door lifted like the curtain of an opera. With his hands behind his back, he stepped into the chamber.
It was dark. The only light came from a cylindrical pod filled with faintly glowing nutrient fluid.
The liquid flowed slowly, outlining a sacred and beautiful figure.
By that dim glow, Otto gazed at the former Saint. Without noticing, his heartbeat quickened.
Her face was flawless—no need to say more. Compared to the youthful allure of their first meeting, the woman in her twenties now possessed a gentle maternal grace.
Her figure was perfection incarnate: a slender neck, rounded shoulders, full hips, and beneath delicate collarbones a soft fullness rising proudly. Her narrow waist flowed into curves that expanded both above and below, forming a breathtaking silhouette.
Yet she did not appear seductive. Instead, her pure and radiant aura, combined with the soft glow of the pod, made her seem like a saint descended to the mortal world—so sacred that no impure thought could arise, leaving only reverence.
Even after Otto snapped out of his brief astonishment, he found it hard to look away.
So the necessary step… had to be taken.
"Amber."
He spoke while still observing the figure.
"Lord Otto, I'm here."
Amber stepped out of the darkness behind him. Surprise flickered across her face, then she quickly composed herself.
Of course the Bishop would know she was there.
—After all, if she weren't, calling her would be pointless.
Otto smiled faintly, projecting an air of absolute control.
"It's time to awaken our Saint."
Amber nodded and stepped forward, pressing the activation button.
The nutrient fluid drained away, the glass cover lifted, and Cecilia's body slumped softly against the base.
She hadn't regained consciousness yet, her lips slightly parted as she coughed out remnants of fluid.
So tempting to poke.
The thought flickered through Otto's mind, though his expression remained unchanged. While waiting, he chatted casually.
"By the way, Amber—has that task been issued?"
"The message has been delivered to Lady Rita and Lady Fu Hua," Amber replied, helping Cecilia sit upright. "The request to retrieve Oath of Judah has also been sent to Lady Theresa. She lodged a strong protest and asked to speak with you."
"Let the little one finish being angry first. Don't let her contact me."
Otto's eyes curved slightly, a depth in them others couldn't read.
"My dear granddaughter—it's time for you to stage a magnificent betrayal against your ancestor."
"I do hope… your fury burns me clean."
Magnificent betrayal… burn you clean…
Amber's gaze dimmed.
Lord Otto… I don't know your full plan, but when you made this decision, you had already prepared to be abandoned by everyone, hadn't you?
She pressed her lips together, hesitated, then looked firmly at the blond man.
"Lord Otto, I will always stand by your side—as long as you do not drive me away."
???
Wait—I was joking. What did you just imagine?
Otto didn't quite understand, but that didn't stop him from giving a profound smile and replying teasingly:
"Very well. For this lifetime—whether in poverty or wealth, in sickness or health—I command you to remain loyal to me, never leaving, until life's end."
Alright.
Amber nodded once, answering solemnly in her heart.
…
"I will not abandon your soul to the underworld, nor will I let your holy body see decay."
What… is that voice?
Who… am I?
Memories flickered before Cecilia's eyes like a lantern reel—chaotic and fragmented.
But whenever she tried to focus, a sharp pain surged at the center of her mind.
"Ah—!"
She clutched her head, but it didn't help. Pain engulfed her from all sides—not only her mind, but her limbs and chest throbbed as well.
Along with the pain came fear. She didn't know why, only that she was afraid.
As her bodily functions and senses gradually returned, the pain eased, yet the instinctive fear deepened.
Her vision remained darkness—she hadn't opened her eyes.
It seemed… she didn't dare.
"What's wrong?"
A voice sounded beside her.
"Bishop… it seems Lady Cecilia… has amnesia?"
The voice of the one supporting her.
She… had amnesia?
Cecilia didn't fully understand the word, but it still sent a chill down her spine.
She wrapped her arms around her long legs, curling into herself, trembling faintly.
…