Chapter 136: Emergence?
Himeko's Villa
"Look forward to it, Wendy." Kiana gave a thumbs-up to Wendy, who was sitting on the sofa. "We've been eating Mei's cooking a lot these past few days, but Sister Irene's cooking is also top-notch."
"Though Sister Irene rarely cooks normally."
Generally speaking, Kiana rarely praised others' cooking in front of people. After all, she still had Mei as her personal chef. But Irene was an exception.
Because Irene's cooking was genuinely delicious. Although Sister Irene's cooking had been good before, for some unknown reason, ever since the incident in Singapore, her cooking had gotten even better.
Every dish was perfect in color, aroma, and taste. The meat was cooked just right, and the vegetables were fresh and juicy. Even though they all bought the ingredients together, Sister Irene somehow managed to bring out even more flavor from them.
"Then I will definitely look forward to it." Wendy sat on the sofa and nodded with a smile. Her gaze occasionally drifted toward the kitchen, carrying a hint of helplessness, before she finally turned back to look around and asked.
"But why haven't Principal Theresa and Teacher Himeko returned?"
"Oh, those two went to bombard the Oceania Branch." Irene turned her head from the kitchen and looked at the few people sitting on the sofa. "The Oceania Branch already knows about your situation."
"So you can imagine how furious they are. It seems they're even planning to go to Overseer Otto to uphold justice."
"Ah? They still dare to ask for Wendy back?" Hearing Irene's words, Kiana instantly couldn't sit still anymore. They already knew exactly how the Oceania Branch had treated Wendy.
Those bastards actually dared to demand Wendy back.
"Sit down, it's not time for you to panic yet." Irene pointed her spatula at Kiana. "Rest assured, Theresa and Teacher Himeko have no intention of agreeing, and it's impossible for them to agree either."
"Mhm, I believe in Teacher Himeko and Principal Theresa." Wendy nodded firmly. "It's just that, what about Lord Overseer's side?"
"Don't worry, there won't be any problems." Irene turned her attention back and continued cooking. "As for the Overseer, I don't think he'll side with the Oceania Branch."
If nothing else, Otto was actually a very simple person. As long as everything was beneficial to him, he could accommodate many things. As long as it could assist him in completing his goals, he could compromise on a lot.
Right now, his spiritual anchors were solely his impending task, and Theresa.
Wendy was already in Theresa's hands, and she had even demonstrated the ability to begin utilizing her Herrscher's Authority here. Even if she hadn't, Otto wouldn't possibly side with the Oceania Branch.
If his own granddaughter wanted her, he would just give her to her. Besides, he was currently worried that Theresa wouldn't have enough troops under her command and wouldn't dare to rebel. His plan strictly required Theresa to rebel against him.
Therefore, there was absolutely no need to worry that Otto would uphold justice for the Oceania Branch in this matter. Rather, according to this guy's usual modus operandi, he might just uphold justice for Wendy.
According to laboratory standards, any experiment had to be undertaken voluntarily and with complete respect, adhering to the principle of Valkyries willingly offering their bodies for research. These were all regulations that Otto had implemented following the Tower of Babylon incident.
As for whether he actually followed them himself, that was a matter for another time. At the very least, he still required everyone in the branches to execute them. The Oceania Branch definitely hadn't told the complete truth in their reports.
For example, how they actually treated Wendy on a daily basis. But if you were to say Otto was completely unaware of this, that would truly be underestimating him.
Only he himself and God knew exactly where he hid his artificial bodies. Furthermore, as long as Otto wanted to look into the Oceania Branch's attitude toward Wendy, he could easily find out.
This was evident from the experimental records Otto had shared. It was obvious that a large portion of those records shouldn't have been included at all—for example, the Oceania Branch's attitude toward Wendy.
Originally, if Wendy truly couldn't demonstrate control over the Gem of Desire, Otto naturally wouldn't have bothered with her. After all, if Wendy eventually lost control, the ones she'd bombard would be the Oceania Branch, not him.
He could just go and stop it after the fact. He wouldn't lose anything either way, so why should he stop it?
Of course, now that Wendy had demonstrated the ability to use her Herrscher's Authority, Otto would definitely not hesitate to play the role of an Overseer who had been deceived by the Oceania Branch.
And he would strictly demand that the Oceania Branch be held accountable for their previous violations of experimental regulations.
What? You say Otto knew about this beforehand and was just standing idly by? There's no evidence for that. "I genuinely only discovered this due to recent investigations. I have constantly been deceived by the higher-ups of the Oceania Branch."
You didn't even need to guess. That man Otto would definitely go and play the victim to gain a wave of Wendy's goodwill. In any case, it was just another lie, an inconsequential personnel handling matter for him.
Stepping forward, he could earn Wendy's goodwill. Stepping back, this display of fair, selfless, and principled behavior would reinforce his glorious image among the Valkyries.
Why wouldn't he do it?
[Mhm, I feel like Otto could actually do that.] Kallen's voice echoed in Irene's ears.[Speaking of which, why do I feel like you understand Otto even better than I do, Irene?]
[How could I not understand him?] As Irene cooked, she brushed her palm over the faint white mist between her fingers, letting it drift down and gradually alter the dishes using her Authority of Creation.
As the saying goes, the person who understands you best isn't necessarily yourself, but possibly your enemy. Furthermore, Otto's psychology was actually quite easy to figure out.
What he would do was nothing more than those few things. Although his course of action and plans were hard to guess, Irene could still deduce a thing or two about his goals and the methods he might employ.
[But Miss Irene, your ability goes far beyond just 'understanding.'] Nuwa's voice sounded in Irene's mind. In just a few sentences, she had completely guessed the actions and motives Overseer Otto might take.
[Well~ it's Darling, after all. It's precisely because Darling can do it that she can calculate so many things.]
[Alright, [Irene]. You're always going to take Irene's side anyway.] Nuwa shrugged, deciding not to dwell on this matter any longer.
She then borrowed Irene's eyes to look at the faint white mist drifting down from Irene's hands and mixing into the food.
[Speaking of which, Irene, I've always really wanted to point this out. Won't the Honkai honestly cry with you using your Herrscher's Authority like this?]
[I think it's perfectly fine.] Irene's mental projection shrugged. This white mist of the Authority of Creation was fantastic. It enhanced the texture of the meat, improved the quality, and could even better assist in infusing flavor.
As for whether it might carry trace amounts of Honkai energy and cause problems, she wasn't worried about that at all. First of all, utilizing the Authority of Creation to this degree would not leave behind any Honkai energy once completed.
Her Honkai Adaptability could confirm this. Even if there was any left, she could extract that little bit of Honkai energy by utilizing her Honkai Adaptability and the manipulation techniques of the Taixuan Sword Qi.
In any case, the reality of the alteration already existed. Even if the Honkai energy was extracted, it wouldn't cause the food to degrade. Of course, under normal circumstances, one absolutely must not do this.
Otherwise, the Honkai energy would let you experience what it means to be reduced to ashes. Irene achieved this through the Authority of Creation, not through Honkai energy.
Besides, out of everyone who ate her cooking, who didn't have some Honkai Resistance? Just this tiny, microscopic amount of Honkai energy? For them, it might even enhance the mouthfeel.
She had secretly tried it herself a few times and found no harm in it before incorporating it into her culinary repertoire. It was just that this method did somewhat carry the suspicion of cheating.
Irene plated the food, set it on the table, and turned to look at everyone in the living room. "Alright, stop chatting over there and come eat. Oh, by the way, Wendy, wait a bit before going back to your room after dinner."
Hearing Irene's words, Wendy tilted her head and asked with some confusion, "Mhm, is something the matter?"
"Mhm, I just want to try something." A flicker of electricity flashed in Irene's hand. "Although Bronya said she could let us replicate the exoskeleton on her legs, that doesn't change the fundamental issue. So, I want to give it a try."
"Elder Sister Irene, what is this?" Bronya, holding Seele's hand, looked at the electricity in Irene's hand. Project Bunny materialized behind her for a moment, but it didn't detect any signs of Honkai energy in the electricity Irene held.
"It's a little skill of mine, Active Polarization." Irene looked at Wendy. "It can achieve a healing-like effect, capable of vitalizing activities, including cells and energy."
"So I want to try and see if I can achieve a healing effect by vitalizing your muscles. At least this way, you won't be trapped in a wheelchair anymore."
However, if this plan failed, Irene still had the Authority of Creation to assist in the treatment. Furthermore, she also wanted to test if Active Polarization could vitalize even the gem. If it could vitalize even the Gem of Desire, then a massive amount of Honkai energy wouldn't be needed for assistance.
A gleam of light flashed in Wendy's eyes. She didn't want to sit in a wheelchair forever either; it was ultimately too inconvenient. Earlier, Bronya had mentioned that they could have the Schicksal Engineering Department study the exoskeleton on her legs.
It wasn't that Schicksal lacked this type of technology; it was just that most of it was used to help disabled Valkyries regain their normal mobility.
And those exoskeletons ultimately weren't meant for combat; they were merely to restore their normal mobility. Disabled Valkyries were almost always forced into direct retirement.
Because of this, there was naturally no need to develop exoskeletons that could be directly used for combat.
But the one on Bronya's legs was different. It was an exoskeleton specifically developed for combat by Cocolia using Anti-Entropy's technology.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Miss Irene."
"It's a small matter." Irene waved her hand. "Alright, what are you all still sitting there for? Hurry up and come eat."
"Oh, time to eat!" Kiana immediately cheered, bounding off the sofa and planting herself right by the dining table in a flash.
"Don't be in such a rush, Kiana." Mei followed Kiana with some helplessness. Kiana was always in such a hurry every time, as if someone was going to snatch it away from her.
Just as Wendy was about to move her wheelchair, Seele already stepped up to push it. Perhaps because the two were indeed somewhat similar, they had quickly become good friends after meeting.
Irene's Room
Wendy conjured a gust of wind to drop herself onto the bed. Finally, she used her hands to forcefully roll herself over, looking at Irene, who had just walked in with a hint of helplessness on her face.
Judging from Wendy's fluid movements just now, this child had probably started using this routine the moment she learned how to use her Herrscher's Authority to summon the wind for herself.
"Sigh, in this day and age, there really aren't many examples of a Herrscher's Authority being used properly." Irene shook her head and sat down next to Wendy.
"This is much more convenient. Compared to having to roll over and inch my way up before, it was much harder."
A hurricane formed behind Wendy, supporting her upper body so she could sit up on the bed. "But Miss Irene, will that really work?"
"My legs became like this purely because of the Honkai corruption from the Gem of Desire. Will restoring cellular activity really be of any use?"
"Don't worry. Even if it doesn't work, I have other methods." Irene smiled at Wendy. "Don't forget, I am the Herrscher of Death. The power of creation is also within my Authority."
Besides, she had previously used Active Polarization to treat Welt. There was no reason she couldn't treat Wendy. However, what she wanted to do was not just this.
Lines of Mirror Sync appeared in Irene's hands. After shaping them into Judah, she stood it to the side. Several chains extended from Judah, covering the area and forming a seal around the room.
"Miss Irene, what is this?"
"Just taking a precaution, because I actually want to try and see if I can help you activate the gem this time." Irene patted the mirrored Judah beside her. "Don't worry, this is the 11th Divine Key, the Oath of Judah, which commands the Binding Authority."
"There won't be any problems."
"Mhm, I trust you, Miss Irene." Although Wendy didn't know what Irene wanted to do, she believed in the Irene that her other self believed in.
Irene maintained the Mirror Sync, gently placing her hand on Wendy's feet. As electricity flashed, Wendy let out a muffled groan, but this instead brought a look of joy to her eyes.
For how many years had these legs of hers felt no pain? Yet today, she suddenly felt it. This unequivocally proved that her legs were indeed getting better.
While maintaining the Mirror Sync, Irene also emitted a white mist from her hands, mixed with a hint of black mist. This was used to pare away the flesh and blood that had been completely corrupted by Honkai energy and rendered useless, before using the Authority of Creation to restore it.
At the same time, Irene easily sensed the Gem of Desire lying dormant within Wendy's legs.
[As expected, the gem exists within Wendy's body as well.] Irene attempted to touch the gem with Active Polarization. The gem immediately reacted, and the output of Honkai energy could be clearly felt increasing instantly.
[You can actually play with it like this?] Wendy suddenly popped up mentally.[But speaking of which, Irene, why did you say 'as well'? Isn't this a completely normal thing?]
[Oh, that's because Darling's condition is a bit strange.][Irene] popped up to explain on Irene's behalf.[After Irene acquired the Herrscher Core, the Herrscher Core vanished from Darling's body. Aside from being able to tangibly utilize the Authority, we can't actually sense where the gem is.]
[Hm? Then doesn't that mean Miss Irene has undergone 'emergence'?]
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