At that moment, the words "Dominating Doll · Ling Ke" made everyone present unconsciously freeze for an instant.
They… at first didn't quite understand what it meant.
"What does it mean to 'not speak empty words'?"
Dr. Tesla's eyes widened. "Could it be that this guy really has the ability to bring the dead back to life?"
No sooner had she said this than something unexpected happened.
"No, no, no, no."
What no one anticipated was that the one who reacted with the most emotional intensity at that moment was—Otto.
That old monster who had been scheming for over five hundred years, manipulating the lives of others, clearly believed more in the power of "love," even if he had always wielded it without scruples.
Just listen:
"In this world, it is impossible to return consciousness to a body whose soul has already dissipated."
At that instant, Otto seemed to have given everything up long ago.
Alignments? Debates? None of that mattered.
He needed to confirm just one thing.
"You cannot have the ability to resurrect the dead."
"There is no such convenient power in this world!"
He said it with absolute conviction.
That was also the final conclusion he had come to after centuries of relentless research and utterly abandoning his humanity.
Otherwise, he would never have executed his plan the way he did.
"Otto Apocalypse."
The "Dominating Doll · Ling Ke" suddenly spoke: "Has anyone ever told you that you are, in fact, an incredibly arrogant person?"
Otto fell silent.
Suddenly, he became incredibly calm.
As if that brief hysteria from moments before had simply been an act.
But it wasn't.
He had simply panicked.
Because if Ling Ke truly possessed the power to bring the dead back to life, then this situation… was undoubtedly the last thing he ever wanted to face.
Otto was like that.
His emotions had long since transcended the human.
He could still become furious, but… he was able to compose himself quickly.
That… to some extent, could be considered a different kind of "inhumanity" compared to Ling Ke's.
And right now...
"Your arrogance does not allow for anything unexpected to occur."
"That's why, back then, 'Walter Joyce' was someone you greatly valued… and later hated with fury."
"Because you underestimated him—more than once."
"Over ten years ago, you detonated a Honkai fission bomb in Siberia because of that."
"Because the power Siegfried displayed, known as 'artificial collapse,' made you feel that same discomfort once again."
"Unbearable, deeply frustrating."
"So, even though with your calculations there were thousands of ways to indirectly control that power, and you could've used sweet words, coercion, incentives, and deception… to limit and manipulate everything they had…"
"And make them obey you…"
"You still chose direct destruction!"
"Otto, Otto!"
The "Dominating Doll · Ling Ke" spoke words that cut like blades: "Tell me, in your heart, what's more important—your faith in Kallen or…?"
"Or is your obsession with resurrecting the former saint Kallen just a way to prove you can defy the unbreakable rules of this world?"
Otto didn't answer.
But the rage in his eyes… hadn't burned that intensely in years.
At that moment, the so-called "Heavenly Tyrant" could no longer remain composed.
Even though he still insisted that what Ling Ke said was merely an attempt to sully his faith in Kallen…
Still...
"The world does not permit a vessel to once again house a consciousness that has already dissipated. So if you still wish for Kallen to return to life, doesn't that mean… you've lost?"
The "Dominating Doll · Ling Ke" said meaningfully: "I must say, Otto, you're a true 'fool.'"
"To challenge the world with actions, not just words..."
"For that reason alone, to some extent, I still feel a bit of admiration for you."
"Even if your life has been filled with the pathos of a 'clown' from beginning to end."
At that moment, Ling Ke, hidden backstage, indirectly spoke a truth: "Yes, just like hundreds of years ago... many people who approached the execution site had already planned to cause an incident to free Kallen. Everything was arranged. But it was because of you."
"You were the one who attracted those Honkai beasts, forcing Kallen—who never forgot her original intention—to protect the people… and ultimately, to die unexpectedly."
"And now, thanks to your consent… even full support of the entire Schicksal organization to conduct inhumane human experiments at multiple sites…"
"It was thanks to that that I, the only one with the ability to resurrect, have stood completely against you."
"Ling Ke" spoke coldly: "You will never again have the chance to fulfill your long-cherished wish."
"And remember this."
He raised his right hand, lifted his index finger, and looked straight at the silent blond silhouette.
"You brought all of this upon yourself."
"The cycle of cause and effect… retribution always comes!"
"I look forward to seeing, with my own eyes, the day you, who are also consumed by obsession, finally collapse entirely."
That was the end of his words.
Otto didn't respond.
But that familiar feeling returned.
Everything was completely out of his control.
And this time, more intensely than ever before.
Humans are complex beings.
And Ling Ke, with full intent, provoked Otto with every word.
Was Otto truly committed to resurrecting Kallen just to rebel against the world?
Perhaps!
But that wasn't the only reason.
This man… his faith in Kallen was genuine, too.
And who's to say there can only be one reason behind something?
However, even though Ling Ke knew this… he still chose to shatter that faith.
That is the core of his game, derived from his foresight, his advantage as a time traveler, and his masterstroke.
To such a degree that now, on the side of Schicksal, aside from "Amber," who was present as an assistant, Otto, Yuliy, and Rita were all disoriented.
Even if they tried to pretend they weren't, it was useless.
Because even Teresa could see the obvious.
It's the first time in my life I've seen my grandfather like this.
And Ling Ke's cruel words didn't just affect a few individuals.
Kiana… Delisa didn't even know how to address her now.
The time and place for revealing the truth… were a disaster.
All of it was part of Ling Ke's design.
"How does he know so much?"
At that moment, everyone present unconsciously thought the same thing.
In fact, the amount of information Ling Ke had shown couldn't be explained by mere "deduction skills."
Because many of these things were known only by a few.
Even… things known to a very specific group.
Moreover...
"Several years ago, Ling Ke first appeared in Changkong City and inexplicably learned of Cocolia's plan."
"Before that, there wasn't a single trace of his existence."
"It was as if he had appeared out of thin air in Changkong City… someone who shouldn't exist."
And if one follows that thread, it inevitably leads to a single name.
"Aponia."
That name emerged in Kevin's mind.
He seems to know the truth.
"Ling Ke can foresee the future!"