In the screen, Otto was still stumbling forward, toward the golden-glowing tree...
Of course, his inner monologue continued.
But this time, it wasn't just about reflecting on his past or his life.
It was more about Otto's reluctance to leave this world.
It wasn't that he was reluctant to lose his life... he knew he should descend into hell.
But... what Otto couldn't bear to leave behind were the children around him.
Otto: "But, it doesn't really matter. 'She' truly proved it—anger born of love can possess power equal to love."
"And behind such a hero—Theresa, my dear granddaughter."
"You are growing into a great leader... In time..."
"You will eventually make people forget your grandfather."
"His merits and demerits will be lost to history, forgotten in casual conversation."
"Just..."
"Occasionally eat some fruits and vegetables other than bitter melon."
"You always stay up late. You should be getting a more varied diet."
"You know... tomorrow's coronation ceremony..."
"Grandpa hand-stitched the Archbishop's robe for you..."
"If you don't mind, then wear it to usher in your own era..."
"Wash away the stains that Grandpa left on it..."
"Theresa, my 'old friends', the Crimson Lotus Xian, the Herrscher of Reason..."
"They are truly good people."
"They will surely help you forge your own path."
As life slowly drew to a close, Otto's heart was still entangled with several strands of sentiment he couldn't let go of.
His greatest concern was his granddaughter, Theresa, who carried his complex emotions.
True, Otto's lifelong love was deeply imprinted in the name of Kallen. That feeling was as vast and boundless as the deep sea.
However... Theresa, this soul born from inspiration of Kallen.
She not only inherited Kallen's features in her appearance but also replicated her innocence and resilience in her personality.
In Otto's eyes, she seemed like a reincarnation of Kallen across time, allowing him to relive past tenderness and dreams with each gaze.
Therefore, his love for Theresa was a continuation of his bloodline, a deep longing for past times... and a continuation of his love for Kallen...
However, this almost indulgent love inadvertently paved challenges for Theresa's path to growth.
Otto realized that he might not have given her enough space to soar alone, to become the leader who could stand on her own two feet.
This regret made him unable to completely let go at this final moment...
But even so, Otto was still filled with confidence and hope.
Because he knew that Theresa was surrounded by loyal and powerful companions.
They would be her strongest backing, accompanying her through future storms and trials.
So, in his final moments, Otto chose to shoulder all the weight and guilt, allowing Theresa to step lightly onto her own path, to become a truly respected Schicksal Archbishop.
His last words weren't grand rhetoric or lofty promises, but mundane and sincere life's advice.
These seemingly insignificant expressions of care, however, were like the warmth of the sun in winter, warm and bright, illuminating Theresa's path forward.
They silently conveyed Otto's deepest and purest love for his granddaughter—a bond that transcended death and time, connecting the hearts of the grandfather and granddaughter.
.........
Beyond the screen, in the principal's office of St. Freya Academy, the atmosphere was heavy and mournful. Theresa sat at the desk, the image on the screen like a sharp blade, slicing through her already fragile heartstrings. Otto's final instructions fell on her heart like a drizzle, turning into tears that welled up.
"Grandpa... Grandpa... how could you leave me like this..." Theresa's voice choked, each word like a struggle from the depths of her heart.
Although for a time, Theresa resisted her grandfather, rebelled against him.
Because of the "Second Herrscher" and the "K423" incident... when Theresa saw Otto's true face.
But... no matter what... Otto's love for Theresa was real.
No matter how outrageous the things Theresa did... she was still the granddaughter Otto loved dearly.
And at this moment, hearing her grandfather's final "instructions"... Theresa felt a heart-wrenching pain.
She wished so much that the story in the video was fake... that in a future timeline, Grandpa Otto had never left her side.
But at this moment, it was probably too late.
........
Back to the screen.
Otto's inner monologue continued...
At this point of his life, besides Theresa, there was another thing he couldn't let go of.
Otto: "And 'Bianka'..."
"My last student... I manipulated your life, planned your fate,"
"I showed you genuine affection while also using you as a pawn."
"You know... everything I showed you in the last ten years."
"It was just so that after my demise, someone could erect a nameless tombstone for me."
Otto's feelings for Yae Sakura were undeniably complex and sincere.
Although he controlled her fate with almost evil plans and conspiracies.
But beneath this manipulation, Otto's care and protection for Yae Sakura, this feeling was pure and real.
In Otto's eyes... Yae Sakura truly was that most important student and junior.
And because of this... in the twilight of his life, Otto would make Yae Sakura face her true identity and past memories.
At least, the audience outside the screen hadn't realized this yet.
.........
Outside the screen, in Yae Sakura's own lounge.
Listening to Otto's reflections in the video... Yae Sakura's heart was filled with confusion and complexity.
The early warnings echoed in Yae Sakura's ears like prophecies...
Otto had once told her...
If one day she discovered that she was "Medea", then she should never feel any pity for herself.
And now, Yae Sakura seemed to faintly sense the meaning of this statement.
Her expression was incredibly complex as she said.
"Manipulating my life... my destiny... Medea...
Taking my own life...
Lord Bishop... what do these words, these processes, mean?
Could it be... that this is related to my lost childhood memories?"
........
Eyes return to the screen.
Otto... his advice and instructions were all delivered. Otto knew he had reached the end of his life's journey.
Now, he took a resolute step forward, ready to face his final and most crucial battle—the final act of his life.
That was... the final "Rush of the Tree"!!!