The Greater China region was vast.
This was Lin Wei's first real impression as he traversed this veritable sky city. After the curious crowd dispersed, Rita led him deeper into the heart of Otto's meticulously crafted lair.
"Is this the same path Theresa and the others will take when they invade?" Lin Wei mused, a strange sense of overlapping realities washing over him. It was a familiar feeling, this merging of past, present, and future, a sensation that accompanied every new area he explored.
As a military fortress and political hub, the floating island boasted high technological density but low population density. Within the lush greenery lining the pathways, countless drones zipped between buildings, trimming the vegetation into uniform, low hedges.
The clippings were collected mid-air by accompanying miniature mechs. Once finished, they moved on to the next section with synchronized precision.
"Whoosh…" A sudden downpour began, but Lin Wei remained dry. A transparent umbrella had appeared above him, shielding him from the rain.
"Schicksal HQ's weather simulation system doesn't follow seasonal changes," Rita explained, holding the umbrella, her voice calm and elegant. "While it doesn't replicate the full cycle of nature, wind and rain are indistinguishable from the real thing. This prevents a sense of isolation, even high above the clouds. However, one must still heed weather forecasts. If the rain bothers you, the adjacent zone has a different weather pattern. It's sunny there."
Like in Kolosten, Rita acted as his guide, offering explanations at opportune moments. But unlike before, where she'd detailed the history of every street and building, here she kept her explanations brief and superficial.
Lin Wei didn't mind. Given Rita's position and the floating island's nature, secrecy was expected. Pressing her would only make things awkward.
Besides, after the "welcome party," he'd grown quiet, losing interest in trivial details.
A few hundred meters later, he felt an invisible barrier. On one side, rain fell steadily. On the other, the sky was clear, a rainbow arcing across the divide.
"An ingenious design, self-contained and isolated." Lin Wei looked up, seeing a vibrant aurora borealis shimmering high above the simulated sky. "If I'm not mistaken, even if the world below were destroyed, this 'kingdom of God' would remain a functioning, self-sustaining ecosystem. Truly, humanity's last bastion."
"You flatter us. We hope it never comes to that," Rita replied, her voice calm and steady. "Such a future would be bleak. We strive for the best, but prepare for the worst."
"However," Lin Wei continued, a thoughtful frown on his face. "Concentrating most of your crucial assets on a single, isolated island, filled with advanced technology…" He paused. "While seemingly safe and powerful, wouldn't such a centralized structure be vulnerable to, say, the Herrscher of Corruption?"
If this weapon-laden island were to crash… the consequences were unimaginable.
Rita hesitated, then replied, "The Herrscher of Corruption is only the twelfth. The twelfth is still far off. We need this bastion to face the numerous challenges ahead."
"I suppose you have other contingencies…" Lin Wei nodded, letting the matter drop.
He knew World Serpent had a 50,000-year-old plan. But Schicksal had no contingencies against the Herrscher of Corruption.
Otto, obsessed with his own goals, was scrambling to gather resources, hoping to achieve his single-minded objective before Finality arrived.
Otto hadn't built this island with long-term survival in mind.
As for the Honkai…
"Please, the Overseer has bigger concerns. Not actively sabotaging you is enough!" Lin Wei scoffed internally. "'After me, the flood.' How typical of Otto."
"Fine. I'll bring the flood to you."
He followed Rita to the most imposing building they'd encountered so far.
"We've arrived, Mr. Lin Wei. The Overseer awaits you in the reception hall on the top floor." Rita gestured towards the closed doors, her smile unwavering. "Please."
Lin Wei glanced at the spotless interior, then back at the top floor. "Such a grand setup. I expected Otto to greet me personally. Disappointing…" he muttered, striding through the entrance.
Rita watched him, her smile fading slightly, then followed closely behind.
The elevator ascended rapidly, the numbers flashing from single to double digits, quickly reaching the eighties. Lin Wei leaned against the wall, eyes closed.
The elevator stopped. Lin Wei opened his eyes. The display read "80."
"Quite a climb," he chuckled. "Too bad it's one floor short."
They walked down a lavish corridor, then through an ornate door. The room beyond was smaller than expected, lacking ostentatious decoration, almost cozy.
"Welcome, my friend, from afar." Otto, seated at the head of the room, rose to greet him, not the least bit offended by his abrupt entrance. He gestured around with a flourish.
"I had the room redecorated, removing the unnecessary embellishments, to make it more… welcoming. I hope you approve. Ah, Rita, you've arrived as well. You must be tired."
"It was my pleasure, sir," Rita replied softly, then gestured for Lin Wei to sit. She stood respectfully beside him, like an attentive maid.
"Overseer Otto, the honor is all mine," Lin Wei said, glancing first at Yuno, then nodding politely at Durandal, before turning to the beaming Otto, his smile fading slightly. "Your hospitality has been overwhelming. You shouldn't have troubled yourself with such elaborate arrangements. Such courtesy is… hard to refuse."
Yuno, standing beside Otto, opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Lin Wei's earlier glance had confirmed he recognized her. And his voice… it was so familiar.
During her darkest hours, when despair threatened to consume her, a voice would echo in her mind.
"Don't give up…" That gentle, hopeful voice, like a clear spring, had kept her from the abyss, giving her strength to persevere. Lin Wei, in her memories, had offered her unwavering friendship, a lifeline in her shattered life.
Now, his voice, though familiar, held a different tone, filling her with a sense of foreboding. The truth might be… disappointing.
Durandal, noticing Yuno's subtle shift in breathing, glanced at her, then back at the "resurrected" Lin Wei.
She frowned. This Lin Wei seemed… stronger than she remembered.
His polite words were a facade. He was sizing them up.
She detected a hint of sarcasm in his "hard to refuse," her own smile turning wry.
She truly hoped to avoid conflict. If it came to a fight, she would have to face him, with no hesitation.
"I'm glad you're pleased," Otto said, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm, gesturing towards a seat. "Please, sit." "You're surrounded, my dear guest. What can you possibly do?" he thought smugly.
Otto pulled out a large, comfortable chair for Lin Wei.
Lin Wei thanked him, sat down, and met Otto's gaze, a silent battle of wills.
"You need something from me. Not the other way around. So, you remain silent, and I remain silent." Lin Wei sneered internally, refusing to break the stalemate.
With the two main players silent, the others remained quiet as well, the atmosphere growing awkward.
Otto, his smile faltering, wondered at his guest's rudeness. "Is there something wrong, my friend?" he asked, his voice still polite. "Don't push your luck," he added silently.
"Lovely weather we're having. Please, make yourself comfortable," Otto said, trying to break the silence.
Lin Wei smiled faintly, shaking his head. "With the Overseer himself present, I, a mere traveler, wouldn't dare presume to take the lead."
Otto chuckled, as if realizing his mistake. He stood up, a chilling smile playing on his lips, his gaze now looking down at Lin Wei. "Now that you mention it, I haven't even asked your name. A grave oversight. Please, forgive me."
"Should I address you as 'He Kun,' or 'Lin Wei?' Or perhaps…" Otto paused, his voice turning icy, each word dripping with malice. "Welt… Yang?"