Looking at the utter confusion and shock on Rowe's face on the screen—
as if he'd just heard sothing that was fundantally impossible—
everyone fell silent for a mont.
What they hadn't expected
was that, in the eyes of Schicksal's grassroots and frontline staff,
Otto's image would be this positive.
In Rowe's understanding,
there simply was no possibility that Otto could be a bad person.
Those negative labels didn't seem to have the slightest connection
to Schicksal's sole leader.
But as Rowe continued speaking,
everything suddenly made sense.
Working in a military organization dedicated to protecting Earth,
status and honor were naturally high.
The pay was generous, and Schicksal covered insurance at the maximum level.
There were various bonuses, and during major holidays,
employees even received care packages bearing Otto's personal handwritten blessings.
A job like that… who wouldn't want it?
And given Otto's status—
the Archbishop of Schicksal, a man who in many ways already held the Earth in his grasp—
he still went out of his way to stay close to frontline employees,
even spending ti on handwritten greetings?!
With Otto's thods,
there was hardly any need for him to put on a show
just to consolidate his rule…
[Clara: He actually… defends Otto that much?]
[Xiangling: Even though Otto didn't plan to sacrifice the world… it kind of feels like Schicksal's frontline staff are blindly loyal to him…]
[Honkai · Hiko: ]
[Keqing: Wait… is this really Otto…?]
[Hu Tao: By that description, working for Schicksal really does sound like a dream job!!]
[Charlotte: Why am I suddenly a little tempted…]
[March 7th: No—would Otto really have the ti to personally comfort frontline workers??]
[Rita: Although… the Archbishop may not care about goals beyond reviving the Holy Maiden, in his eyes these were simply things that ought to be done.]
[Furina: Are we… still not understanding Otto well enough…]
[Furina: Or rather, from the perspective of most civilians, Schicksal and Otto probably do feel like reassuring existences?]
[Silver Wolf: Yeah…]
[Sushang: But Otto always looks so punchable… it's really hard to change that impression…!]
Theresa was silent for a mont,
then clenched her teeth and looked back at Rowe.
"Alright, I understand. But can you trust and leave here for now? Staying here really is dangerous. I'll explain everything properly later!"
Rowe looked troubled.
"Well… I still have so work on hand. I really can't get away right now."
"How about this—co find again in a bit? I should be almost done by then."
"..."
Theresa fell silent for a mont,
then offered to help Rowe finish his work.
Before long, she finally convinced him to head to the safe zone.
"Thank you, Lady Theresa. I was planning to go ho later and rest properly with my daughter anyway. I've been working too much lately—my blood pressure feels unstable…"
"Haha… once today's crisis is over, I'll personally review the headquarters' logistics staffing."
"Eh? Really?! Will you hire more people?!"
"If it truly is a manpower issue, I'll seriously consider it. And if it's inefficiency caused by workflow, I'll definitely consult your opinion."
"Thank you so much… to be honest, when Lord Otto suddenly announced he was stepping down, I really panicked… but after actually talking with Lady Theresa, I realized that was completely unnecessary worry! You really understand frontline staff…"
"For now, let's move to a safer area. You're an important mber of the St. 7308 Research Institute—there will be plenty of chances to talk later."
Rowe bowed deeply to Theresa,
then left with a sense of relief.
Theresa continued evacuating the surrounding crowd.
"Hello—judging by your attire, are you… a Valkyrie from the Immortal Blades?"
"Huh? Well, not exactly… but I guess you could say that, since I haven't returned to Team Phosphor Sand in a long ti. May I ask who you are—"
"I'm Theresa Apocalypse. I hope you can leave this area as soon as possible, or help us guide people to safety."
"Th-th-th—Lady Theresa?! The next Archbishop of Schicksal?!"
Susannah imdiately snapped to attention and bowed.
"B-rank Valkyrie Susannah, awaiting your orders!"
"Don't worry about that for now. Help relocate the town's residents."
"Huh? Relocate civilians? Why? Didn't Lord Otto just announce that the crisis was over and that everyone could return to town?"
"Otto is planning an experint. If civilians move around freely here, they could easily be affected."
Theresa hesitated briefly, then carefully chose her words.
But Susannah looked even more confused.
As if Otto and harmful actions simply could not coexist.
"An experint by Lord Otto? Would that be sothing harmful to us?"
"Ah? What??"
"Ah, sorry, Lady Theresa! I just… can't imagine why Archbishop Otto would conduct an experint that harms people…"
Susannah spoke haltingly,
her expression serious as she described her impression of Otto and Schicksal.
"Schicksal usually treats Valkyries very well—not only caring about our physical and ntal health, but also providing all kinds of benefits and assistance to our families."
"I heard that… Lady Rita's family was arranged to live in an estate in this town, working in gardening, which they love."
"And the Archbishop's agents just told us to stay where we are. I think… there shouldn't be any danger, right?"
Susannah glanced timidly at Theresa.
Clearly,
this B-rank Valkyrie trusted Otto's words more.
Or rather—
deep down, Susannah firmly believed that Archbishop Otto would never harm anyone in Schicksal, let alone civilians.
"..."
Theresa fell silent.
She realized that even Valkyries couldn't easily accept what she was saying.
Otto's authority and the degree of trust people placed in him
were simply not things that could be shaken overnight.
So once again,
Theresa used the sa approach she'd used with Rowe.
She helped Susannah finish her tasks,
gradually closing the distance between them.
"Sohow… Lady Theresa feels gentler than I imagined."
"Huh… really? Do I usually give people a very strict impression?"
"Ah, no, no! It's just that… since you have the strength and resolve to oppose Lord Otto, I thought your personality might be… well…"
"Ah… I understand that impression."
"But after actually interacting with you, you feel like a very approachable senior!"
Susannah bowed to Theresa—
then said sothing that exceeded both Theresa's and countless viewers' expectations.
"Let help Lady Theresa evacuate the town's residents to another area!"
As their relationship grew closer,
Susannah placed more trust in Theresa.
Although her faith in Otto remained unshaken,
she at least agreed to Theresa's plan for the ti being.
After helping several more residents evacuate,
Theresa encountered Changguang wandering around town.
"Changguang? Why are you here?"
"Oh, that? About half an hour ago, Mr. Otto confiscated all my equipnt, fired on the spot, and kicked out."
Changguang shrugged.
"Once the bird's caught, the bow gets tossed. Don't need anymore. And then you guys happened to be doing sothing interesting here."
"No matter what, I can tell you don't harbor any ill will toward us."
"Hehe, thanks for trusting ."
After so conversation,
Changguang completely dispelled any remaining suspicion about herself
and fully joined Theresa's side.
Once she understood Theresa's difficulties,
Changguang imdiately hit the nail on the head.
"I don't know who you t just now, Lady Theresa, but I imagine they had enough sense not to voice certain awkward thoughts."
"Honestly speaking, you were away at the Far East Branch for far too long—"
"So long that for these residents, and even Schicksal's frontline staff, the na 'Theresa' has beco unfamiliar."
"Among Schicksal's upper ranks, your na may still be famous—but to others, it's just an ordinary na."
"I don't seek influence in people's hearts. I only do what I believe is right."
Theresa spoke firmly.
Changguang smiled lightly.
"That's admirable, and I truly respect that resolve. But the problem is—Mr. Otto designated you as the next Archbishop."
"I'll put it bluntly—right now, in these people's eyes, your image is probably just 'the granddaughter doted on by the Archbishop.'"
"You were once an S-rank Valkyrie and founded a Valkyrie academy, but a year ago, for reasons unknown, you betrayed the Archbishop and led the Far East Branch away from Schicksal."
"Now, their Archbishop has reconciled with you and announced he's handing over the position—and you imdiately rushed back."
"—In others' eyes, it looks like you've coveted this position for a long ti, eagerly waiting for Mr. Otto to retire."
Changguang's tone was light,
but every word struck deeply into Theresa's heart.
It made Theresa—and countless viewers—realize just how severe the situation truly was.
"Sorry if I sound harsh, but I want to remind you that the authority of the Archbishop of Schicksal cos from recognition, affirmation, and trust."
"How to establish authority and unite Schicksal's diverse personnel and civilians—that's what the next Archbishop must do."
"And these civilians aren't difficult to communicate with. They simply don't know you yet."
"Since Mr. Otto left us so ti—I think if you genuinely solve so of their imdiate problems, they'll co to trust you."
"I understand, Changguang. Given the current situation, that really is the best approach."
[The forr Director of St. 1504 Research Institute watched as the next Archbishop of Schicksal once again threw herself into work.]
[She closed her eyes, recalling that series of dangerous yet benevolent lies, reflecting on her own unexpected potential as an 'actress.']
[From a certain perspective, today she truly only maintained the virtue of honesty when facing Theresa.]
(Alright then. Since I'm confident everything will turn out well… how much difference can those minor lies or truths really make, in the grand sche of things?)
Watching the screen—
Changguang's lengthy explanation,
laying bare Theresa's current predicant and what she needed to do,
steadied Theresa's resolve and direction.
As the viewers sighed in reflection and relief,
they recalled Herta's earlier words.
"The succession of the Schicksal Archbishop can't be perfectly resolved with just one sentence."
"Heh~ Otto really went to great lengths."
The onlookers were no fools.
At this mont,
many of them had begun to realize sothing.
Everything happening in this town…
really might be part of Otto's arrangent.
And Otto's painstaking efforts—
were all for one purpose:
To give Theresa, his most beloved granddaughter, a chance.
A chance to smoothly take over Schicksal.
A lesson in how to establish authority and win the people's trust.
The forr Archbishop of Schicksal, Otto Apocalypse—
was paving the road for the current Archbishop, Theresa Apocalypse.
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