Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 458: Otto: Huh?
"So, why the sudden change of mind? Didn't we agree that I'd take the lead and you wouldn't interfere?"
Walking across the empty plain, Otto smiled as he looked at the silver-haired young man beside him.
Come to think of it, it was quite remarkable. Their very first conversation still felt vivid—back then, the boy had been cautious and inexperienced. Though he boldly cast out an irresistible bait, it was easy to see his lack of confidence; from the inside out, he had been in awe of Otto.
But now, as Otto looked at the young man—now even slightly taller than himself—he was completely different. Both his mind and strength had grown to unimaginable heights.
Otto could even clearly recognize that the reason he was still alive wasn't because he was particularly resilient or clever, but simply because he was still useful. Otherwise, Sigurd would've long since smashed him into dust.
Thinking this way, Otto suddenly felt grateful for the Honkai incident in Yordle City—especially grateful to the unfortunate Vira Klov. If not for that, someone as cautious as Sigurd would have chosen to stay hidden and quietly grow stronger. By the time he decided to step into the spotlight, Otto's fate would probably have already been sealed. Thanks to Miss Vira's misfortune, Otto had been able to befriend Sigurd.
Nodding to himself, Otto briefly reflected on Vira's misfortune and his own luck—before hearing Sigurd's reply.
"I just suddenly remembered a principle I brought up a long time ago." Sigurd spoke calmly, his voice as flat as ever.
Otto stroked his chin, intrigued.
"And what principle is that?"
"They shouldn't be canaries kept in a cage by me—they should be my allies."
"Oh? So you've decided to 'flexibly adjust' that excessive protectiveness of yours? Or is it that you're actually scared that Kiana might turn on you…?"
Otto's smile carried a hint of teasing.
To Sigurd, Kiana was what Kallen had been to Otto.
So Otto understood that mindset well. If nothing had happened to Kallen back then, Otto's entire life would have revolved completely around her thoughts and feelings. The idea of Kallen turning against him was something the Otto of five hundred years ago wouldn't even dare imagine.
Over those five centuries, Otto had sometimes wondered—if Kallen hadn't met her tragic fate, perhaps he would have chosen to become a priest, adopt a few orphans, and live out a simple yet warm life.
"Ah…"
Otto let out a long sigh, imagining Kallen being revived in this era and turning against him. Knowing her, she definitely would, wouldn't she? After all, he had committed so many inhumane acts and hurt so many innocent people—how could Kallen not feel sorrow and anger?
Sigurd glanced at Otto. From the dazed, wistful expression on his face, he could tell Otto had once again drifted into thoughts of Kallen. So he said casually:
"Some things are better left understood than exposed. It wouldn't do you any good."
"Oh my, I'm being threatened by my terrifying best friend! I'm suddenly so frightened! How scary~~"
Otto snapped out of his reverie about Kallen and replied with a calm smile, showing not the slightest hint of fear.
That sarcastic tone made Sigurd frown. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Tch. Let's talk business."
"Come on, don't be like that! I'm still working on little Theresa's situation anyway—we've got time, so let's chat a bit more. Actually, I think letting Kiana get involved midway will reduce her dissatisfaction afterward, but it still won't completely absolve you. I suggest that afterward, you shift all the blame onto me—say it was my own decision. Let her destroy a few of my clones to vent her anger; that way, your image stays intact. What do you think?"
Otto raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with his own clever idea—and admittedly, it wasn't a bad one. After all, Otto was already the source of countless evils; adding one more wouldn't make much difference. Others would naturally cooperate as well, helping preserve the relationship between Kiana and Sigurd.
But Sigurd stopped in his tracks and refused without hesitation.
"Otto, what's done is done. I won't lie to her about something like this. That's the difference between you and me."
A single lie would inevitably require more lies to cover it up. Even a perfectly constructed lie that could never be exposed—once a relationship is maintained through deception, it becomes flawed.
Sigurd's firmness and openness made Otto lose focus for a moment. Then he sighed with a trace of melancholy:
"Alright, in that regard, you really are far superior to me. If I could have, why would I ever have wanted to deceive Kallen? It's just that back then, I wasn't as strong or decisive as you. I simply couldn't do it… If I had been like you—knowing from the start what I wanted and what I should do—perhaps my ending with Kallen would have been completely different."
"Who knows? Maybe you could find a parallel world to verify that."
"It would be meaningless. The me in a parallel world isn't me, and the Kallen in a parallel world certainly isn't my Kallen."
"Then walk the path you've chosen. Your life up to now has been the result of your own decisions. The bitterness and tears—you have to swallow them yourself."
Sigurd spoke in a measured, almost gentle tone.
Otto was an arrogant man—if anyone else had said such things, he would have dismissed them outright. But hearing them from Sigurd, this ancient figure who had once crossed into the depths of evil felt a genuine warmth in his heart.
"Thank you. I'll finish what I need to do."
"You're welcome. Looks like your preparations are just about complete."
Sigurd looked ahead as the plain suddenly flickered, like a lagging animation. He knew their idle conversation had come to an end.
…
At the center of the Binding Field, Theresa's body was bound by golden chains, suspended in midair. At times she struggled, at times she went still, her expression constantly shifting between madness and chaos.
"After figuring out certain things and changing my plan, I naturally thought of taking things a step further. I once tried to observe the God of Honkai from an informational perspective, but I was repeatedly interrupted and eventually received a warning… The possible identity of that 'young lady' made it impossible for me to ignore that warning."
Sigurd walked forward alongside an Otto, casually glancing at the many other Ottos around them as he explained his current plan.
The Ottos all smiled and nodded, waiting for him to elaborate.
Sigurd continued:
"However, no matter what, studying the Will of Honkai is a crucial step toward defeating it. Since observing from an informational perspective carries risks beyond my control, direct observation is another path. Right now, Theresa is being observed by the Honkai. So we can also observe the Honkai through Theresa, can't we?"
"Observation is relative—you make a fair point. But I must remind you that this carries risks as well. You know I once made contact with It through Sirin… to be honest, I nearly suffered a mental breakdown and died afterward. So I don't recommend you doing this—at the very least, it shouldn't be the Emperor himself. I, or Fu Hua and the others, could do it in your place."
"Yes. That's exactly why I've decided to have you do it."
"…Huh?"
All of the Ottos froze at the same time.