Although for Miss Raven, who was nearing retirement, the need for money wasn't as pressing as before, perhaps due to her past experiences scrimping and saving, she still happily accepted this large order from the future Schicksal Overseer.
"What about me?"
Kallen clearly wasn't the type to sit idle. Although she didn't quite like the overly extreme method of 'physical elimination,' her conviction as a Kaslana warrior fighting for the people still drove her to make decisions worthy of her name and bloodline.
I have other uses for that brain of yours—subconsciously, looking at Kallen's incredibly 'pure' face, 'identical' to his current [Theresa] form, Jiang Qiao almost said something dismissive.
But luckily, he reacted quickly enough.
However....
What should Kallen do?
Regarding this question, Jiang Qiao also fell into thought.
After a long while, he said with a subtle tone:
"You.... go with Raven, help her identify the people."
"No problem.... wait, what kind of mission is this! Didn't you give her the files?"
"Files are static, people are dynamic. You going along helps ensure she doesn't deliver the wrong 'order', right?"
"See... this is quite important, right? If the wrong 'order' is delivered, innocent people might suffer. As a Kaslana, is that permissible?" The short, white-haired girl's words were full of persuasion.
Kallen's eyes widened.
"Of course not!"
"Then, it's settled."
"Next, you and Raven go 'send off' those tactless old nobles, As for me... I need to leave this world temporarily."
"....Are you leaving?"
"Of course, I'm not from this world. I only came here to help someone clean up a mess."
"....That's true.... Then, I'll wait for you."
"Mm."
"However, don't expect too much from me. After all, every world has its own destiny. The ones who can and should make decisions are the living people of that world at that specific time."
"All I can offer is a little assistance. Ultimately, it's up to you all."
The white-haired girl spoke softly, a faint smile on her pretty face.
It was early morning now. Under the ancient tree, the dawn sunlight filtering through the leaves fell upon her face, making [Theresa] seem exceptionally dazzling in Kallen's eyes.
Her heart thumped. Thump-thump.
"I understand."
...
This world, created by Otto solely for Kallen, was also a new possibility.
A future where Kallen existed but Otto did not. Where it would lead, no one could predict. But as a branch of the main trunk, a divergence from the main world, it was indeed extremely close to the main world on the level of the Imaginary Tree.
This distance was merely five hundred years.
Compared to the Previous Era, which was also listed, separated from the Current Era by a full fifty thousand years.
---||---
Returning to the Current Era, after the False God was defeated, Kolosten town had already returned to its former peace.
And Jiang Qiao found Durandal and the others.
"....So that's how it was."
Durandal, having learned from him what he had been doing during this brief time, came to a realization, then complained softly: "Actually, you should have told us about this back then."
"Although my relationship with Lord Overseer was somewhat complicated, just based on our teacher-student bond, I would have been willing to lend a hand for the Overseer."
Even though she had personally 'fulfilled' his wish, even though she bore a deep blood feud against him, the incredibly mature Miss Durandal was already capable of viewing such matters correctly.
She felt a little regretful not being able to see the Overseer off at the very end.
"Tch, so you stayed behind just to do that... That Otto guy really knows how to cause trouble." Kiana pouted, though she didn't have strong feelings about it.
"....After all, that's just the kind of person he is."
"Qiao, what are you planning to do next?" As if noticing the look exchanged between Jiang Qiao and Kiana, Durandal blushed slightly but tried her best to maintain composure. "I should be able to call you that, right...."
She sounded uncertain.
"Of course, it's fine. Just call me whatever you like."
"That's good."
Durandal breathed a sigh of relief.
Honestly, this somewhat intimate address didn't necessarily imply any ambiguous feelings, but.... regarding Jiang Qiao, who had previously appeared as 'Jiang Kiana' and 'Super Sister,' she still found it difficult to process the connection.
If possible, she hoped to be slightly closer to him, just like with Kiana.
"Actually, I was wondering if you, like Kiana, wanted to call my current self 'Great Aunt'."
"Cough cough cough cough...."
"What a weird nickname! When did I ever call you that? Don't make things up!"
Both Goose and Tuna reacted quite strongly.
[Theresa] chuckled, then spoke:
"Next up is probably preparing for the succession ceremony... Although logically, this should be done by the owner of this body, still.... this ability does have some troublesome aspects. I guess she probably wouldn't be willing, nor is she in a hurry right now. Since that's the case, let me handle it for her for the time being."
"Mm...."
Durandal never doubted Jiang Qiao's capabilities.
But she asked another question.
"Then, what about Lord Overseer?"
In fact, the most pressing matter currently needing attention was the news of Otto Apocalypse's death.
Although he had already withdrawn from Schicksal before this, procedurally speaking, he no longer had any connection to Schicksal.
Yet, he was, after all, the Overseer for five hundred years.
Regarding Otto's death and posthumous affairs, there had to be a reasonable explanation.
[Theresa]'s smile faded, becoming calm.
The most suitable solution for handling this matter.
Was undoubtedly to cover up Otto's crimes and publicly announce that Otto sacrificed himself fighting against the Honkai—this way, the Overseer who reigned for five hundred years could conclude his story in a relatively dignified manner.
Simultaneously, this method would also help stabilize Schicksal's political power. After all, it was a transition between old and new. If the Valkyries discovered that their former idol, Lord Overseer, was actually an incredibly dirty villain with bloodstained hands, even [Theresa] as the new Overseer would be affected and questioned.
No matter how one looked at it, concealing Otto's deeds was the most rational plan.
Even Anti-Entropy's research team thought so.
"Although it's infuriating that guy gets to leave with the title of hero in the end.... that bastard doesn't deserve it at all."
"However.... to stabilize the situation, this is necessary," Tesla cursed while also sighing.
Though fiery-tempered, having been around for years and being one of Anti-Entropy's administrators, she understood that sometimes, things couldn't simply be judged as right or wrong; the world was never truly black and white.
Understanding this path, almost everyone suggested the same—let Otto end his story as a hero.
[Theresa] listened to these memories, gently touching her chest, feeling the beating heart, and instantly made up her mind.
Thus, he said:
"Reveal everything Otto Apocalypse did."
"This...."
"You can't act on impulse!"
"No, this isn't impulsive—factually speaking, for me, there isn't much need to hate that man. In fact, at this very moment, I should be the one most inclined to favor this 'Grandpa'."
"I've thought about it too. After thinking, I feel that everything he did should conclude in this manner."
"Just lay bare all his accomplishments, everything done by this Schicksal Overseer of five hundred years, my 'Grandpa'."
"Whether it's the sins he committed or his merits, in the end, that should be judged by the populace, by Schicksal's Valkyries themselves."
"After understanding Otto's life, I believe they will give the most fitting evaluation."
Schicksal would still erect a monument for Otto.
But not as a hero, nor a criminal. It would simply be proof that the former Schicksal Overseer 'Otto Apocalypse' existed.
"This...."
Faced with this decision, everyone exchanged glances.
They felt this seemed problematic, yet somehow... not problematic.
Even though it might not be the best, perhaps even quite terrible, in practical terms...
But....
For them, being idealists at heart, such a decision actually aligned better with their hopes for the future.
"This is fine too. It was us who were too attached to appearances," Einstein said thus.
"It's just that, this way, you'll probably be quite busy."
With this outcome, besides Otto himself, the one most affected would undoubtedly be [Theresa], Otto's granddaughter and the future Schicksal Overseer.
"No matter. Isn't this what the Schicksal Overseer is supposed to do?"
"If they truly object, believing 'I' am unfit for this position, then it only means this is my dereliction of duty, that this position doesn't suit me."
"At that time, 'I' can actually take a break and continue being 'my' St. Freya Academy Principal," [Theresa] chuckled, relaying the thought that came genuinely from the heart.
With that said, there were naturally no further objections.
Under the arranged plan, within the specially prepared church, [Theresa Apocalypse] donned the Overseer's cape, completed the coronation ceremony, removed the word 'future' from her title, and became the true Schicksal Overseer.
Simultaneously—he used this opportunity to make public everything about the former Overseer.
Needless to say.
After Otto's true face was exposed, Schicksal was naturally in an uproar.
Many of Otto's staunch supporters even believed this was the new Overseer settling scores with the previous one. Considering their kinship, this wave was practically 'Grandfather dies, granddaughter shows filial piety,' truly the drama of the year.
But this chaos was short-lived.
After all, although Otto's supporters were indeed dissatisfied and objected, it should be noted that [Theresa] already possessed considerable prestige within Schicksal. Coupled with the testimony of S-rank Valkyries, especially Durandal, although Schicksal's Valkyries experienced a brutal idol-falling-from-grace incident, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
Moreover, what was made public wasn't solely the former Overseer's flaws.
Although his depravity was breathtaking, that five-hundred-year devotion, for the all-female, severely single Valkyrie force, was definitely a plus point! Devoted men are the most marketable!
Besides, the Valkyries stationed everywhere, fighting major Honkai Eruptions, weren't doing it for Otto's sake anyway.
Most of them were survivors of Honkai disasters. Having experienced suffering, they chose to seek revenge against the Honkai after gaining the opportunity, and also to prevent the tragedies that befell them from repeating on others.
"The Valkyries' evaluation of the former Lord Overseer seems quite decent," Durandal remarked with a subtle tone. She had initially thought Otto's reputation would plummet straight to rock bottom, transforming from the Valkyries' dream lover into a street rat everyone wanted to beat, perhaps even having his grave secretly dug up.
"Schicksal's Valkyries are all well-educated. They have the ability to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong."
At the desk, chatting while methodically processing work requests from various branches and even Schicksal HQ, [Theresa] spoke thus—Miss Amber, standing by, was moved to tears watching this.
Back when Otto was still in charge, following that 'hands-off manager,' she was under immense pressure—though in reality, Otto's 'hands-off' approach was also a standard unattainable by ordinary people.
Still, Amber was definitely suffering.
What's it like to work overtime until your parts creak kazi kazi? Miss Amber, being half-human, half-machine, could write a million-word workplace testimonial, tears streaming down her face.
But, ever since [Theresa], the new Overseer, officially came online, the previous nightmare vanished instantly.
Looking at her relaxed workload, she even felt a sense of—
Am I dreaming?
"Oh God, if this is a dream, please let this dream last longer."
Miss Amber couldn't help but hope for this in private.
Perhaps it was because her hope indeed had an effect.
And so....
While reviewing documents, [Theresa] experienced a daze, and her eyes became 'pure,' 'Theresa-like'.
She looked around blankly at the unfamiliar scene and the desk full of documents.
Where is this? Where did they bring me? Wasn't I just happily gulping down bitter melon juice and reading manga from the Previous Era?