The defeat in the war inflicted massive losses on Schicksal. To recoup these losses, Schicksal issued the "Redemption Voucher," further intensifying their faith-based extortion. This deepened the conflict between the people and Schicksal.
The war also brought Otto's talents to the attention of the Schicksal Organization, making him a key figure within the organization.
As for Kallen... the defeat was entirely blamed on her. She became a pariah within Schicksal, despised by the organization's leadership. Their malice toward her was undisguised, even extending to public mockery.
Whenever Kallen went out, Otto would find various excuses to accompany her, doing his best to shield her from this hostility.
One day, as Kallen and Otto were walking down the street, Kallen, distracted by her surroundings, accidentally bumped into a boy carrying a basket of apples.
The boy fell, scattering the apples across the ground. Kallen immediately apologized and helped him gather the scattered fruit, then gently asked if he was hurt.
But when the boy saw the Schicksal Organization emblem on Kallen's uniform, he was terrified. He didn't even dare take the apples she offered, fleeing in panic instead.
"Did you see how frightened that child was?" "To prey on such a young boy for a few apples..."
The crowd gathered, pointing and whispering about Kallen. Perhaps some had seen the truth, but upon recognizing her as a member of the Schicksal Organization, they joined the chorus of condemnation.
Kallen couldn't understand why these people, who had been so respectful just moments ago, were now relentlessly denouncing her.
"It's likely because Schicksal has been forcing people to buy Redemption Vouchers lately," Otto explained, sensing her confusion. "Schicksal claims that everyone is born sinful and continues to commit new sins throughout their lives. These sins will follow them their entire lives, and Schicksal has a responsibility to purify their souls. Therefore, those who didn't participate in the war must offer equivalent wealth to achieve redemption."
Otto looked at the Schicksal Organization emblem on Kallen's chest, once her pride, now the source of her guilt.
He had understood during the war that humanity's only true enemy was itself.
"Key wielder, think carefully about what you truly want to protect," the Immortal Red Crane's words echoed in Kallen's mind.
"Otto... do you think... this is right?"
Otto couldn't answer Kallen's question. The truth was too cruel and merciless, almost enough to shatter her faith.
Fortunately, Otto knew Kallen well enough to know what to do in such a situation.
"Kallen, why don't we eat something first? It's hard to think clearly on an empty stomach," Otto suggested, trying to distract her.
The moment she heard the word "food," Kallen's worried expression instantly brightened. She raised her hands in delight.
"Yes!!"
Otto took Kallen to a shop called "Greebucks Coffee." They ordered a mountain of desserts, but almost all of them were placed in front of Kallen. Otto only ordered a small cake and a cup of coffee for himself.
Kallen ate with gusto, and in the time it took Otto to sip his coffee a few times, she had devoured nearly everything on the table before her.
Otto set down his coffee and found Kallen staring longingly at the small cake in front of him.
Both of them broke out in slightly awkward sweat. Otto sighed and handed the cake to Kallen, who accepted it with a shy smile and swallowed it in one bite.
"Ah~ I'm so full, so full," Kallen said contentedly, patting her small belly.
At times like this, Otto would simply watch Kallen from the side. No words were spoken, but his gaze was filled with tenderness.
At that moment, Kallen and Otto were drawn by a cry.
"Please, I beg you, give us a few more days," a woman pleaded desperately, clutching her child in her arms as she begged a lecherous missionary.
"Why haven't you bought an Redemption Voucher yet? Your husband's sins must be atoned for," Missionary Victor ignored her pleas, still demanding she purchase one immediately.
"How about... we let Sasha work at the church for a while? That way, your husband's sins can also be redeemed," Victor said with a lecherous grin, then reached out to the little girl in the woman's arms.
But the woman bit Victor's hand fiercely. Enraged, Victor raised his hand to slap her.
"What are you doing?!"
Kallen slapped Victor's hand away with a resounding slap, then coldly rebuked him, "You, a missionary of Schicksal, dare to abuse an innocent woman and child in public! What do you think you're doing?!"
Victor recognized the girl confronting him. He sneered at her, saying, "Oh? After losing battles outside, you're suddenly so imposing with your own people, Knight?
What we're doing now is just cleaning up the mess you left behind!"
"What did you say?!" Kallen's face was a mixture of shock and disbelief.
She was about to press Victor for an explanation when Otto grabbed her arm.
Otto glared at Victor, who immediately froze in fear and finally spat out a threat before hurrying away.
As soon as Victor was gone, Kallen rushed to help the terrified mother and daughter off the ground. But the woman simply stared blankly at Kallen, her expression dull as she muttered, "I'm sorry, we're closed."
Then, taking Sasha by the hand, she retreated into the shop, locked the door, and ignored Kallen.
"How could such a preposterous thing happen? Innocent civilians falsely accused of crimes..."
Kallen was momentarily stunned, but then her jaw clenched in anger, her fists clenching. "And those who truly deserve punishment remain completely unpunished..."
Slap!
Otto patted Kallen's shoulder, cupped her face in his hands, and made her look at him. "I know what you're thinking, Kallen. But the naive idea of an eye for an eye won't change anything."
"Come with me. I have something to show you."
Taking Kallen's hand, Otto led her away.
Otto wrapped his arm around Kallen as they stood in the crowd in the square, watching a masked figure on stage deliver a speech and perform.
It was Shakespeare, the rising star of the moment.
"A person's appearance can be as angelic as can be.
Yet they might be concealing something deep within their heart."
"They slither like venomous snakes, gorging themselves like ravenous rats.
For their own gain, they indulge without restraint, greedily hoarding wealth and disregarding human life and death!"
Shakespeare drew the sword from his waist, pointing its tip at Kallen, who stood in the audience wearing the Valkyrie uniform of the Schicksal Organization.
"Let me—the sword-wielding champion of justice—sever the throat of your Order!!"
Kallen was stunned by Shakespeare's speech. She felt something stirring within her heart, as if awakening from a long slumber.
But at that moment, the crowd erupted into chaos.
"Seize her! She's the one spreading slander against Schicksal!"
A mob of missionaries surged from the crowd, pinning Shakespeare to the ground.
The mask Shakespeare had been wearing was knocked off, but she continued to shout defiantly, "The people will no longer be deceived by your lies!!"
Watching Shakespeare about to be arrested, Kallen was consumed by anxiety. She desperately wanted to save her.
Then she saw the mask that had been knocked off Shakespeare's face.