The Asgard's patrol mission proceeded in a subtle and oppressive atmosphere.
Bishop Otto's presence was like an invisible film, shrouding the entire bridge, making everyone cautious, especially Captain Kael.
He felt as if he had returned to those initial tense days, where every command needed to be replayed twice in his mind, fearing that the inscrutable Bishop behind him would find any fault.
However, during a brief period of stable navigation, when only Kael, Otto, and a few core operators were on the bridge, an unexpected event occurred.
Otto seemed to have taken an interest in the historical data of a certain star system and was asking Kael questions in her characteristic, somewhat operatic, elegant voice.
Kael answered cautiously, trying to be concise and accurate.
Somehow, the topic subtly shifted, bringing up a small Honkai Beast pack that had been eradicated years ago.
Otto suddenly chuckled and said with a tone of reminiscence and... inexplicable pride:
"Speaking of which, when that star system was cleared back then, I personally designed a directional energy net, which was extremely efficient, a true work of art! Those Honkai Beasts had nowhere to escape, falling like harvested wheat... Tsk, perfect! Indeed, whether it's strategic planning or weapon design, I am an undisputed genius! Having me around is truly a blessing for Schicksal! Hahaha!"
She grew more animated as she spoke, even leaning back slightly, tapping her fingers on the armrest, her emerald eyes sparkling with undisguised self-admiration and joy, her "praise me, praise me" demeanor a stark contrast to her usual unfathomable Bishop image!
Kael: "..." For a moment, he didn't know how to respond and could only remain silent, his expression slightly awkward.
Just then, a communication indicator light in front of Kael quietly lit up—it was an encrypted communication request from the Helheim. Theresa had probably calculated this relatively free time and wanted to secretly contact him again.
Kael subconsciously glanced at it, but before he could deal with it... Theresa's hushed but perfectly clear whisper, full of helplessness and complaint, suddenly came through the communicator:
"Sigh... here we go again... Grandma is always like this; she can never stop once she gets to this self-praising part... What a narcissist..."
The sound wasn't loud, but in the suddenly silent bridge, it exploded like a thunderclap!
The core operators instantly froze, desperately lowering their heads, wishing they could bury themselves in the control panel, their shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Kael's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.
He instinctively wanted to cut off the communication, but it was already too late.
Bishop Otto's smile and her intoxicated "genius" expression instantly froze.
(Otto's defense broke.jpg)
The air on the entire bridge seemed to freeze, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
After a few seconds of suffocating silence, Otto slowly, slowly turned her head, her gaze no longer playful and scrutinizing, but extremely "kind," a strangely "gentle" curve even forming at the corner of her mouth as she looked at the communicator from which the voice had come.
"Heh..." She let out an extremely soft laugh, which then gradually grew louder, becoming clear and pleasant: "Hahaha... Well said, Theresa."
Her laughter sounded happy, but anyone who knew her could hear the "killing intent" contained within it.
"It seems the Helheim's communication system needs a thorough inspection; the static is so loud it's interfering with the commander's judgment."
Otto smiled, saying in a light tone, "And, the temporary tactical commander seems very idle? She even has time to... evaluate her superior?"
She paused, her voice still laced with a smile, but issued a cold command: "Order, Theresa Apocalypse, the Helheim's temporary tactical commander, is to be given a minor demerit for unauthorized use of an encrypted channel for non-official communication and for making inappropriate remarks during her mission. At the same time, given her excess energy, the supply quota of bitter melon for her and her unit will be... canceled for the next three months."
Theresa on the other end of the communication clearly heard this "verdict," and a desperate, drawn-out wail came through: "No—!!! Grandma, I was wrong! I was really wrong! Deduct my salary, put me in solitary confinement, anything! But don't take away my bitter melon!! That's..."
The communication was abruptly cut off.
The bridge fell silent again.
Otto acted as if nothing had happened, elegantly tidied her sleeve, picked up the red tea that the robot had just served again, took a sip, and nodded contentedly: "Hmm, much quieter."
She looked up at the still rigid Kael, her smile "amiable": "Captain Kael, let's continue. Where were we just now? Oh right, my perfect directional energy net..."
Kael: "..." He felt his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
This Lord Bishop... truly cannot be judged by ordinary standards!
Narcissist?
That word, perhaps only Theresa would dare to say it... Although, to some extent, it was actually a bit... apt?
After this commotion, the atmosphere on the bridge ironically relaxed a little.
Although the operators still dared not look up, their tense shoulders were noticeably looser.
Otto also seemed to have reined in some of her oppressive aura; although she would still occasionally offer "suggestions" or "questions," it was no longer with the obvious scrutiny and fault-finding of before, but rather more like she was... enjoying the process of discussing... or rather, unilaterally showcasing herself to Kael?
She would even lightly applaud after Kael perfectly resolved a small problem, saying, "Not bad, Captain Kael, you have some of my style from back then."
Kael could only bite the bullet and respond, "Lord Bishop overpraises me."
The voyage continued.
During this time, Kael, seizing a moment when Otto's attention seemed to be drawn by a report, secretly sent Theresa an encrypted message: [I'll figure out the bitter melon.]
A few seconds later, he received a reply: [[Crying emoji] Kael, you're the best! Grandma is a devil! TAT]
Kael looked at the crying emoji, almost imagining Theresa pounding her chest and looking heartbroken on the Helheim, and couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly.
This subtle change in expression, however, was precisely caught by Otto, who seemed to be reading a report but had been keeping an eye on him out of the corner of her eye.
Otto's gaze slightly narrowed, her fingers gripping the teacup tightened slightly, and an extremely complex emotion flashed in her emerald eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.
When the Asgard finished its first day of patrol and entered the designated airspace for rest, Otto stood up and stretched, her curves fully revealed, her movements carrying a kind of laziness and... contentment that seemed at odds with her status?
"Hmm... that's enough supervision for today," she nodded in satisfaction, looking at Kael, "Captain Kael's performance today was acceptable; although far from perfect, it barely passed. Keep it up."
With that, she actually turned around and, under the respectful gazes of the Valkyries, leisurely left the bridge to rest in the luxurious cabin prepared for her, as if she had truly only come for an ordinary inspection.
Kael watched her back disappear through the doorway, letting out a long, thorough sigh of relief, feeling as tired as if he had fought a high-intensity battle, yet also with a sense of relief at having survived a disaster.
This Lord Bishop's mind is truly more unfathomable than the abyss of the universe.
Meanwhile, far away on the Helheim, at the other end of the fleet, Theresa was holding an empty bitter melon storage box, on the verge of tears, her "resentment" towards her own grandmother deepening even further.
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