Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"As you wish, Overseer." Though surprised by the unexpected request, Amber immediately began executing the order. Light streamed through her visor as she rapidly searched the database. "Since 2014, Fu Hua has only submitted one written report, containing blood sample analysis data. Is that the report you require, Overseer?"

"Yes, that's the one," Otto replied, his expression still thoughtful. "Also, retrieve the file on the individual named 'Lin Wei' who spread those false rumors online before the Nagazora eruption last year…" He paused, a strange smile twisting his lips. "I'm curious to see what kind of fish is daring enough to play such games right under my nose." Such audacity!

Amber, ever the efficient assistant, immediately located the forgotten file, nearly discarded as irrelevant, and sent it, along with Fu Hua's blood sample report, to the printer.

The printer whirred, spitting out a few sheets of paper. Amber collected them, arranged them neatly, and presented them to Otto. "Here you are, Overseer."

"Thank you." Otto took the papers, skimming through them, the memories of his previous reading resurfacing.

His gaze lingered on the glaring "Honkai Resistance: 0" entry. How ironic. He glanced at the other document, a summary of an ordinary person's life, spanning two decades, condensed onto a few thin sheets. As insignificant as the paper itself.

He scoffed, placing the documents on his desk, casually pinning them down with one hand, then issued another order. "Inform the intelligence department to compile a list of all individuals named 'Lin Wei' in Singapore. I want to review the data personally."

"Yes, Overseer. Anything else?"

Otto considered it, then shook his head. "That will be all for now."

"Understood." Amber withdrew, once again carrying out the Overseer's will.

A while later, she returned, carrying a thick stack of files, placing them neatly on Otto's desk. "We've identified 147 individuals named 'Lin Wei' in Singapore: 91 males and 56 females. Categorized by age, there are…" A truly efficient assistant.

"Good work." Otto ignored most of the files, focusing on the stack labeled "Young Adult Males."

Amber stood silently by, awaiting further instructions. Yuno, true to her word, remained quiet, observing Otto intently.

What is he doing? Ignoring the Honkai eruption to focus on a name? she wondered. She knew he wouldn't answer, so she didn't bother asking.

Otto worked in silence, flipping through the files, the only sound in the vast office the rustling of paper.

He worked quickly, barely glancing at each file before moving on, as if searching for a specific, easily identifiable detail.

Suddenly, the rustling stopped.

He held a seemingly ordinary page, his eyes narrowed, focusing on the ID photo.

He picked up the discarded file from earlier, placing it beside the current one, comparing the two photos side-by-side.

"Two people… so alike?" he murmured, his voice cold, devoid of humor.

The two photos, though the subjects had different expressions and auras, shared almost identical facial features. One looked thin and nervous, his smile stiff and forced. The other, equally thin, had sharper features, his expression more confident, a sly smile playing on his lips, his eyes seeming to meet Otto's gaze, making him frown.

What an irritating smile, he thought.

If he'd encountered these two individuals separately, he might not have recognized them as the same person. But now, actively searching for similarities, the identical facial features were undeniable.

Twins? Impossible! he scoffed. Who would give twins the same name? And one was of Chinese descent, while the other was Chinese-American.

He scrutinized the files, then chuckled, his voice tinged with admiration. "Impressive…" He'd been completely fooled for a whole year. If not for the incident with Anti-Entropy, neither he nor Rita would have noticed the anomaly.

One "Lin Wei" had appeared at St. Freya in March 2014. The other had surfaced in Singapore in March 2015…

What a coincidence. A whole year unaccounted for.

Did he disappear to avoid detection, then resurface with a new identity?

As for keeping the same name, it wasn't entirely unreasonable. There were hundreds of people named "Lin Wei" in any given city. It wasn't a particularly unusual name.

But such details no longer mattered, because…

"I must say, I'm impressed…" He stared at the smiling face in the photo, a similar smile playing on his own lips. "Don't you agree… Welt?"

He was certain now. This "Lin Wei" was Welt.

It explained everything. The impossible "Honkai Resistance: 0," achievable only through the Herrscher of Reason's power. The close ties to Anti-Entropy, the specific anger towards their actions. The willingness to cooperate with his enemies after the Honkai eruption.

And only Welt would have done something so foolish before the Nagazora eruption.

But if Welt was there, why didn't he stop Cocolia? He couldn't understand. Was he too weak to control his own subordinates?

Anti-Entropy was such a disorganized mess.

As for Lin Wei's appearance being completely different from the Welt he remembered… that was easily explained.

The 2nd Herrscher of Reason had only revealed his true form after the 2nd Eruption. Before that, he'd used the identity of "Walter Joyce."

And after the 2nd Eruption, Welt had practically vanished. If not for a brief sighting in 2005, Otto would have assumed he was dead.

He's like a cockroach. Impossible to kill. He sneered.

Welt had disappeared again after that, his whereabouts unknown. With the Herrscher of Reason's ability to reshape his body at a cellular level, he was practically untraceable.

Why did he appear at St. Freya? What was his goal? Solving one mystery only led to more questions. And why did he disappear again afterwards? Did he achieve his objective?

If he hadn't noticed the anomaly and sent Fu Hua to investigate, would Welt have simply remained hidden near St. Freya?

Unless…

He stroked his chin, his hand slowly clenching into a fist. "Unless… meeting with Fu Hua was his objective…"

That made perfect sense. Welt could have learned about Fu Hua's past, her connection to the Herrscher of Corruption, from some ancient ruin, and used that knowledge to manipulate her.

I would have done the same, he thought.

What did Fu Hua promise him? Anything involving K-423 was cause for concern. In the worst-case scenario… can Fu Hua still be trusted?

He dismissed the thought immediately, shaking his head. No, no… Fu Hua would never break a promise. I know her too well…

But being incapable of betrayal didn't mean she couldn't be manipulated. He knew that all too well.

This was troublesome.

He didn't mind Anti-Entropy's minor interference with St. Freya. He even encouraged it. A common enemy helped foster unity within the test group.

But there were two conditions: it had to be within his control, ensuring it remained harmless, and Fu Hua couldn't be compromised. She was there to guide events, ensuring they unfolded according to his plan.

Now, both conditions were at risk. This could ruin everything. He was starting to panic.

Behind him, Yuno watched him silently, observing his shifting moods – the silence, the excitement, the growing anxiety. She frowned, taking a step back.

But Otto was oblivious, lost in his thoughts.

"Whether or not Fu Hua can be trusted, I shouldn't make any rash moves," he reasoned, organizing his thoughts. "Whatever the answer, if I capture this 'Lin Wei,' everything will become clear."

He'd made up his mind, but who would carry out this task?

Rita? She was in Manila with Lin Wei, perfectly positioned.

But after a moment of consideration, he dismissed the idea. "If he truly is the 1st Herrscher, this requires absolute certainty. Rita… is too much of a risk."

He didn't hesitate. He looked up and addressed Amber. "Inform Durandal that her simulation training is suspended. There's a more pressing matter requiring her attention." If the experiment itself was compromised, the simulation was pointless.

Amber bowed and left to relay the message.

Yuno's eyes lit up at Otto's order, then she frowned, a suspicion forming in her mind. "So… it could be suspended?" She'd assumed Durandal was on a crucial mission, that's why she'd been patiently waiting.

She couldn't understand. Why had Otto remained inactive during the Honkai eruption, yet he was now mobilizing Durandal to find a single person? What were his priorities?

Her instincts about him had been correct.

Otto chuckled awkwardly at her pointed question, but before he could offer an excuse, Durandal arrived.

"Overseer, you called for me?" Ever efficient, she'd dropped everything the moment she'd received the order.

"I need you to retrieve someone." Otto handed her the file, intending to give her a brief overview of the mission. "All you have to do is…"

He was interrupted again.

"Is this… Mr. He Kun?" Durandal looked at the photo, surprised. "He's still alive?"