Kiana Married Life (Patreon)

Chapter 35: Otto’s Plans

That night, Rita stood on the rooftop for a long time. Partly because she truly couldn’t sleep, and partly because she was still on a mission.

"Lord Overseer, I’ve successfully established contact with the target. I’ve recorded their recent activities, and the report has already been sent to you."

Wearing an exceptionally small earpiece, Rita spoke softly after connecting the call.

"Hmm, I’ve received the report. Well done, Rita. As expected of one of my most capable aides," Otto’s distinctive cheerful voice came from the other end of the communicator.

"Maintain this level of surveillance. Observe every detail carefully. If there are any unusual changes in the target, inform me immediately," Otto continued, outlining the mission.

"Keep in mind, Rita, this mission is of high priority. That said, it’s not so serious—just treat it as a little vacation for yourself."

"I understand, Lord Overseer," Rita agreed without hesitation. However, unlike her usual decisive style, this time, she hesitated slightly, her expression showing some inner conflict.

"What’s the matter? Rita, do you have any other questions?" Otto quickly picked up on her hesitation. "Hesitating like this isn’t like you."

"Lord Overseer, I have a few doubts," Rita admitted.

"Hmm? Just as I expected... Go ahead and ask." Otto’s tone indicated he had been expecting this.

"Kiana and that Xiang Lai are just two ordinary people. The only noteworthy aspect is that Kiana happens to be Miss Durandal’s sister.:

"But Kiana herself hasn’t been involved in any sensitive matters like business or politics, and Xiang Lai is merely an ordinary person who was in a coma for six years due to a car accident and now runs a dessert shop..."

Rita voiced her doubts, "Do such people warrant this level of surveillance from Schicksal?"

While ordinary people might not notice, Rita—being skilled in special operations, infiltration, and pursuit—was highly perceptive.

From the moment she arrived at the dessert shop, she sensed that someone was subtly monitoring the place.

Based on the clues she pieced together, she deduced that the observers were from Schicksal’s intelligence division.

This puzzled Rita even more. There was nothing in their history or background to suggest they were hiding anything suspicious.

She also didn’t believe in perfect disguises—nothing could fool Schicksal’s intelligence division completely.

What was rare, however, was Otto’s uncharacteristic silence upon hearing her question.

After a moment, Otto finally spoke. "That’s a tough question, Rita. I’m not entirely sure how to explain it to you."

Standing atop Schicksal’s headquarters, Otto also gazed into the night breeze, speaking into the communicator, "Perhaps, Rita, you could think of it as my way of showing respect to them."

"Respect?" Rita was visibly surprised by this response.

She knew Lord Otto well. Though he outwardly appeared kind and approachable, deep down, he cared for no one but Lady Kallen.

As a genius, Otto carried an air of arrogance, and to hear him say he respected two ordinary people was completely unexpected.

"Alright, Rita. I’ve answered your question. I also understand what’s bothering you." Otto’s voice now carried a hint of weariness.

"Of course, I’m not entirely ruling out taking action against them. If something unimaginably disastrous were to happen..."

"I would act immediately to eliminate the source of the threat. But that possibility is one in a hundred thousand, or even a million."

"But that possibility isn’t zero. Ever since Xiang Lai woke up and Kiana appeared in this world..."

After uttering a series of cryptic words that only confused Rita further, Otto ended the call.

Rita furrowed her brows. Though Otto was proud, he wasn’t reckless.

Everything he said had a deeper meaning, even if it wasn’t immediately apparent.

Sighing softly, Rita recalled the image of that red-haired figure.

"Why? You’re just an ordinary person, so what quality do you possess that attracts Lord Otto’s attention?" Rita murmured, feeling increasingly puzzled.

At the same time, the previously ordinary figure of Xiang Lai now seemed shrouded in layers of thick fog.

Unconsciously, her mind wandered back to Kiana’s absurd story during her illness.

"Honkai?" Rita chuckled wryly and shook her head. "Could it be… that what Kiana said was true?"

"I’m becoming more and more curious about you..."

<+>

Meanwhile, Otto, having just ended the call, took a weary sip of the black coffee before him.

"So bitter..." He winced as the bitterness hit his taste buds, but it did help wake him up a little.

With a slightly contorted expression, he looked at the mountain of documents piled up before him.

Despite having just been playing the role of a mysterious and strategic leader, Otto now looked miserable as he stared at the ever-growing stack of paperwork.

With a despondent face, he turned to his maid. "Amber, how many more documents are left to process?"

Standing nearby, Amber, who had previously been his maid and had returned to her duties, coldly raised three fingers.

"Only three stacks left?" Otto’s face lit up with hope.

"No, about three times the amount currently in the office." Amber’s tone remained cold and indifferent.

"I..." Otto slumped onto the desk, utterly defeated.

"Amber, are you dumping all of Schicksal’s paperwork on me? Normally, I only need to review the quarterly itinerary and sign a few documents!"

Reaching his limit, Otto grabbed a document in frustration and waved it in the air. "Why am I seeing files about livestock farming?! Why do I have to read reports on sow farrowing rates this quarter and postnatal sow care equipment maintenance?"

"Why are such documents even on my desk?!"