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

 North America, Anti-Entropy HQ

"Damn Schicksal…" Tesla, her request denied, gripped her communicator, seething with frustration. She'd humbled herself, practically begging, yet they'd flatly refused. Her anger was surprisingly muted, overshadowed by a sense of defeat.

It was uncharacteristic, but understandable. She was desperate, and after the Great Eruption… she had no right to criticize Schicksal.

They'd cleaned up her mess. She had no standing to make demands. Tesla, fiercely proud, felt deeply humiliated.

Suck it up, she told herself.

"Einstein, what now?" Tesla ran a hand through her fiery hair. "We're weak and disorganized. Even if we tried to take him by force, we wouldn't stand a chance against Otto."

"This was predictable, Dr. Tesla." Einstein, leaning back against the table, remained calm and rational. "Given the threat Lin Wei posed in Manila, regardless of the Key of Corruption, Otto would never let him go. He might even…"

She swallowed the word "eliminate." They'd seen this too many times—Joyce, Cecilia, and countless others. They were almost used to it.

Almost.

"While Star of Eden was our only bargaining chip, it wasn't enough." Einstein smoothed her hair, a hint of sadness in her voice. "This outcome was inevitable."

"Then why offer it?" Tesla mumbled, deflated. "You value it so much…"

It was a memento of him, Einstein's most treasured possession. Everyone knew that.

"It was our only leverage in our current state." Einstein shook her head. "What else could we offer? The SELENE is still a prototype. Should we trade Siegfried?"

"Absolutely not!" Tesla protested. "He chose us, trusted us. He's our comrade! We can't do that!"

Einstein nodded silently. She understood.

"…But we've already disappointed another comrade, haven't we?" Tesla murmured, her voice laced with despair.

They'd initially believed Welt had sacrificed himself in Manila, like Joyce before him. Then, thanks to Theresa's "goofing off," Welt had contacted them, relaying information from Fu Hua, revealing the truth.

Welt's survival was a relief, but the shocking revelation left them speechless. The "Joyce" figure was someone they knew, someone they'd distrusted and kept at arm's length—Lin Wei.

Even Welt himself had been stunned.

After absorbing this incredible truth, they realized the bitter irony. Cocolia, whom they'd considered a comrade, had betrayed them. Lin Wei, whom they'd distrusted, had acted like a true comrade.

The contrast filled them with shame.

Tesla imagined Lin Wei's anger and disappointment when he'd cut off their communication. And the resolve he must have felt, cleaning up their mess…

"Should I apologize?" Tesla looked at Einstein, her expression almost pleading.

Upon learning of Lin Wei's survival and capture, they'd immediately tried to rescue him. They knew, better than anyone, what awaited those who fell into Otto's hands.

But every attempt had failed. Even abandoned, the old HQ held symbolic significance. Under Rita's watchful eye, Anti-Entropy had lost several operatives, including long-term infiltrators. Rita's iron fist had quelled any further attempts.

Left with no other options, they'd tried to "buy" his freedom. It felt pathetic, but they had to try.

And, as expected, they'd been refused.

"Einstein, do you think… he can escape on his own? Where should we meet him?" Tesla asked, trying to sound hopeful. "He has the Key of Corruption. Otto wouldn't dare harm him, right?"

Einstein shook her head, her voice dispelling the illusion. "On the contrary, the Key of Corruption makes him even more valuable to Otto."

Tesla sighed, feeling increasingly frustrated. "Do you think… if we'd invited him to the undersea ruins, things would be different?"

With his powerful Divine Key, both Cocolia's mechs and the ruins themselves would have been easily suppressed. At the very least, he wouldn't be Otto's prisoner.

"Perhaps," Einstein said, standing up. "But there are no 'ifs' in life. Dwelling on it is pointless."

"…Right." Tesla conceded.

Then, a report came in. "Our infiltrators report a transport ship leaving Kolosten, heading towards Schicksal HQ."

The two scientists exchanged glances. They were out of options.

...

Schicksal HQ was Otto's domain. To fully control Lin Wei, he needed him under his direct supervision, where he could safely exploit him.

But the floating island, pinnacle of human technology, was vulnerable to the Key of Corruption. It could even be hijacked.

Lin Wei, however, after his reckless display of power, wasn't feeling confident. He felt no ill effects, but he wasn't risking using the Divine Key again.

He even refrained from using his stigmata powers, unsure if his body could handle it. Welt Yang's fate served as a warning. Even a true Herrscher couldn't withstand such strain. Lin Wei wasn't taking any chances.

One life to live. Play it safe. Don't be reckless… Despite his penchant for risk-taking, Lin Wei prided himself on being cautious.

But refraining from using his power didn't mean surrender. A nuclear missile was most effective while still on the launchpad. The moment he set foot on the floating island, Otto, with his consciousness core at its heart, would become Lin Wei's hostage.

Corrupting a physical body carried the risk of Otto retaliating, destroying his own consciousness core in a desperate gamble. But corrupting the core directly…

Touched?

Only then would he become the ultimate deterrent.

That's why, upon learning of his capture, Lin Wei had decided to play along, letting Otto "invite" him to HQ, where he could access their advanced medical facilities.

If there were any lingering issues, Schicksal's technology could heal him, far better than groveling before his former students at St. Freya.

He could eat, drink, live, and play at Otto's expense, while Otto had to treat him with respect.

Forget fighting. I'm moving in! he thought. Schicksal HQ is my new home! Otto said it himself.

Of course, it wouldn't be that simple. Even he, an ordinary person, could turn the tables. Otto wouldn't go down without a fight.

But this was his only viable option. The future depended on their wits.

Lin Wei was, in fact, more eager to reach the floating island than Otto.

But he couldn't show it. Otto's paranoia would only complicate matters. Especially since he was being watched.

He played his part, displaying genuine frustration and anger, demanding to leave, masking his true intentions.

Whether he was deemed "too weak" and taken to HQ by force, or Otto intervened with another "friendly invitation," Lin Wei would "reluctantly" comply.

"See? I didn't want to go to Schicksal HQ. You forced me!" He'd successfully crafted the image of a helpless victim.

While Otto's true intentions were an open secret among Schicksal's inner circle, maintaining the facade was crucial. A tragic victim was less threatening than a reckless madman.

He needed to make a good impression. His enemy was Otto, not all of Schicksal.

This didn't stop him from giving Rita the cold shoulder once aboard the transport ship. The show wasn't over yet. She represented Otto's will, so she would bear the brunt of his displeasure.

Time passed quickly. The ship flew swiftly.

"We've arrived, Mr. Lin Wei." Rita, ever polite and courteous, entered his cabin, ignoring his hostile expression.

"Fine." Lin Wei nodded curtly, brushing past her towards the door, maintaining his act.

Rita sighed inwardly, following him. Someone has to play the villain… She knew she was making herself even more disliked.

Lin Wei, besides playing his part, was genuinely eager to see the legendary floating island. He was curious about the place that had played such a central role in the story, almost feeling a sense of pilgrimage. The last time he'd felt this way was at St. Freya.

The airlock hissed, the door opening to reveal a brightly lit landing platform. A group of young girls stood waiting, their faces filled with excitement and curiosity.

"What's this…?" Lin Wei paused, surprised by the welcoming committee. What's going on?