Lin Wei's casual dismissal of the offer darkened Otto's expression. Such blatant disrespect, bordering on humiliation, would have enraged anyone less composed.
But Otto didn't react immediately. He took a deep breath, his anger slowly receding, replaced by a strained smile. "A pity. I offered sincerity, but you choose to misinterpret my actions, focusing on the… unfortunate necessities. How… perplexing."
He knew Lin Wei was trying to provoke him, hoping he'd lose his temper. Otto wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He was already in too deep to back down now. Especially not with Durandal watching.
He forced himself to remain calm. "Reanna, Cecilia… you remind me of them. They lived in different eras, but their contributions to Schicksal, to humanity, are indelible. As their Overseer, I honor their sacrifices, and I grieve for their… unfortunate fates."
Otto sighed dramatically. "Regardless of the reasons, I bear the responsibility for their deaths. This… burden… is far greater than any personal slight."
"However, while I can tolerate your… misinformed opinions about me, I will not tolerate your disrespect towards these fallen heroes."
"Such thick skin," Lin Wei thought, watching Otto's masterful manipulation of the narrative. Even he, accustomed to audacity, was impressed.
"Your eloquence is truly remarkable, Overseer. I'm in awe," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's a shame Siegfried Kaslana isn't here. I'm sure he'd find your heartfelt words… deeply resonant." Your victims aren't all dead yet.
"Siegfried? A mere traitor. His words mean nothing." Otto chuckled dismissively. "This wasn't his first betrayal. I gave him a second chance, but he failed me. Again." And he couldn't even manage to betray me properly. Losing his own daughter… Cecilia must be so disappointed.
Lin Wei wanted to call out Otto's manipulation, but he couldn't without falling into his trap. Durandal, still fiercely loyal to Cecilia's memory, would certainly disapprove.
Otto, as Overseer, held the moral high ground, defending his fallen subordinates. Durandal, bound by her loyalty and past experiences, couldn't question Otto's narrative.
The more Lin Wei argued, the worse it would get for him.
"You're right. My apologies," Lin Wei said, feigning contrition. "As a mere outsider, I shouldn't question your account of events, or disrespect the deceased." He hadn't expected Otto to deflect his attack so easily.
Even if he focused solely on Welt Joyce, Otto's justification would be simple: He was a Herrscher, the first of this era. Schicksal, acting out of caution, eliminated him before his powers awakened. What's the problem?
Besides, who knew a Herrscher could be so vile?
"So, that's why Anti-Entropy never bothered arguing with Otto," Lin Wei thought.
"Hmm?" Otto frowned. He hadn't expected Lin Wei to back down so easily. He'd even laid a trap with his "apology." Any further "justification" from Otto would make him look defensive.
A truly troublesome individual.
Durandal frowned slightly, glancing between them, but remaining silent. She was disciplined, rarely speaking out of turn, but she wasn't oblivious.
She knew there were other sides to these stories, but the past was the past. She was more concerned about the escalating tension. Otto's hostility towards Lin Wei was palpable, but his primary goal was information, not confrontation.
Why was Lin Wei antagonizing him, pushing him towards conflict? She didn't understand. Regardless of his true identity or past actions, his actions in Manila had proven him a valuable ally, not an enemy.
This escalating conflict was… unwelcome.
"Now that we've cleared up that misunderstanding… what about my offer?" Otto smiled. Lin Wei's refusal, while unexpected, wasn't a major setback. He could afford to be magnanimous. "Mr. Lin Wei, will you join Schicksal and fight for humanity's future?"
If Lin Wei agreed, Otto could control him legitimately.
"Overseer, you didn't bring me here for such a simple invitation, did you?" Lin Wei smiled, tearing down the pretense. "Such a trivial matter wouldn't require such elaborate arrangements. Rita could have extended the offer in Kolosten, instead of… coercing me to come here, then subjecting me to an interrogation."
He gestured casually. "Please, Overseer, speak your mind."
He wouldn't give Otto an inch. The man would exploit any advantage, until Lin Wei was completely trapped.
"It seems you misunderstand me, Mr. Lin Wei," Otto said, feigning exasperation. "I initially suspected you of being Welt, the leader of Anti-Entropy. So…"
"Oh, I see!" Lin Wei interrupted, feigning realization. "So, even a hero… is still suspect in your eyes, Overseer, simply because of his alleged affiliation? How… disappointing."
"No, thank you, Overseer. I have no desire to relive the experience of having my memories read, or my consciousness altered. The thought alone is… unsettling." He refused politely, but firmly.
Otto's eyes narrowed. He'd never encountered such a difficult opponent. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so blatantly defied.
"How… commendable, Mr. Lin Wei." Otto stood up, descending from his "throne," his usual placidity replaced by cold indifference. "I've treated you with the utmost respect, tolerating your repeated insults. But…"
He stopped beside Lin Wei, towering over him, his voice low and menacing. "My patience… is wearing thin." If you won't cooperate, I'll make you cooperate.
"Really?" Lin Wei remained unfazed, smiling calmly. "Is this your 'respect,' Overseer? Bringing me here under guard, creating this… theatrical setting, then threatening me with two S-rank Valkyries?"
"If this is your idea of 'special treatment,' then I must be truly… honored."
"Hmph!" Seeing his threats were ineffective, Otto returned to his seat.
"You insist on playing the victim, twisting words, avoiding the real issues. I've indulged you out of courtesy. But don't mistake my patience for weakness."
"Do tell," Lin Wei said, smiling, inviting him to elaborate.
"You claim to have learned about the Nagazora incident beforehand, yet you never explained how. You survived the Honkai corruption and wielded immense power, yet you never explained how. And for a year after that, you vanished. Where were you? With whom?"
Otto's words, highlighting Lin Wei's omissions, strengthened his suspicion of a connection to World Serpent. He felt both anger and excitement.
Durandal's eyes flickered. These were questions she wanted answered.
"Those are… personal matters," Lin Wei replied calmly. "Hardly worth dwelling on."
"A valid point. But… I disagree." Otto smiled, extending a hand towards Durandal.
Durandal, understanding his intent, glanced at Lin Wei, then retrieved an ornately decorated katana from behind Otto's chair, presenting it to him with both hands.
Lin Wei recognized his own blade.
"You claim you were merely visiting Yuno in Manila, and acted in self-defense after being captured…" Otto began, his voice turning cold.
"This blade was wielded by someone who interfered with Durandal's apprehension of a dangerous criminal, causing our operation to fail. And this blade… belongs to you."
"A curious coincidence, wouldn't you say?" Otto stared at Lin Wei, his eyes piercing. "If this is all a coincidence, then your lies are… remarkably elaborate."
Lin Wei's forced smile wavered. Otto's "punishment" had arrived.
"Tell me," Otto continued, his voice like ice. "Who did you abduct? Where are they? How many members does World Serpent have? Where are their bases?"
He sighed dramatically. "I intended to treat you with respect, offering a generous exchange for the information I seek. But…" He looked at Lin Wei, as if savoring his discomfort.
"Oh, that?" Lin Wei chuckled, nodding readily. "Yes, I took them. It was me."
Otto's eyes narrowed. He waited.
"I had to. It was an emergency. I needed to save them from you, and from themselves," Lin Wei said, sighing with feigned relief. "I acted out of goodwill, for your benefit as well as theirs. Why do you still hold a grudge, Overseer?"