Schicksal Overseer: Ren

"Bronya… sis… ter?" Arriving in this new world, Seele immediately searched for her sister. But as she could see better, she stopped and backed away because she felt something was wrong.

Seele had long since discovered the location of the First Herrscher core, but lacking Welt's permission to participate in the trials, she could only drift between the three bubble universes.

After countless loops, she knew these worlds intimately. But this wasn't a familiar scene. The environment, the people—they were all wrong.

Seele, something's not right. I can't sense her. Veliona, her inner persona, warned her. Bronya, who should have been with her, was missing. Something had changed. In the Sea of Quanta, a change in a bubble universe signaled danger.

Seele's sudden appearance startled Kiana, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. Welt's slaughter continued, his mechs closing in on the base.

Ren glanced at Seele but said nothing. She was one of his targets in the Sea of Quanta, though he was more interested in Veliona.

He followed Kiana, his threads extending, connecting to the controlled mechs.

To cover the Valkyries' retreat, Kiana had chosen to face the next wave alone. In this artificial world, the outcome was predictable.

Ren wouldn't let her die. (This Tsundere...)

In a way, Welt's plan to delay him had worked.

After they left, Seele looked at the dilapidated base. Without Bronya, she didn't know where to go. After a moment, she decided to follow Ren and Kiana to the battlefield. She'd tried to save these Valkyries in previous loops, but her power wasn't enough to change the world.

Invisible threads turned gold, weaving a web across the battlefield. This was just a bubble universe; Welt's power was limited. His mechs were easily overtaken by Ren.

The battle became a clash of titans, metal against metal. Kiana, initially prepared to die, stood bewildered with her dual pistols.

"How… how are you so strong?" she asked, staring up at Ren from the safety of a mech's hand.

Seele shared her bewilderment. She'd witnessed the destruction of this world countless times, but she'd never heard of anyone defeating Welt.

Strong? Not really.

This world was designed for Bronya, a test of her character, a way for her to understand the burden of 300,000 souls carried by the First Herrscher. No one had anticipated someone brute-forcing their way through.

Ren was a Puppet. Welt was a phantom. How much control could they possibly have over a Herrscher's true power?

…

Having decided to help Kiana, Ren joined the fight.

The battle escalated, consuming Siberia. Smoke filled the sky, flames scorched the earth.

It was just a bubble universe, but Ren found himself fighting in earnest.

He took control of this Otto-less Schicksal, planning meticulously, using their remaining resources and his own power to prepare for a long, drawn-out war.

With the combined forces of the surviving Valkyries and his controlled mechs, he managed to create a stalemate against Welt, gaining a foothold.

Time flowed quickly in the bubble universe. Years passed in a blink.

During this time, Ren honed his organizational skills. Strangely, he became the Overseer of Schicksal in this world.

He'd created the Obsidian Concord, but that was a one-man show, not a true organization.

Kiana had finally become an S-rank Valkyrie. There was no Sirin in this world; she'd achieved this through her own hard work. The surviving Valkyries had also grown stronger, becoming top-tier A-ranks even if they couldn't reach S-rank.

This meant fewer casualties. The war against Welt no longer relied on throwing lives away.

The world became polarized.

Welt, the Herrscher of Reason, was humanity's enemy. Ren, the Herrscher of Dominance, fought for humanity, their only savior.

Ironic.

Seele, trapped in this world, searched for her sister. But the bubble universe remained intact, preventing her escape.

She had no choice but to join Ren, participating in this hyperrealistic war game. He'd promised to return her to Bronya if they won.

As the war raged, Welt's power to maintain the bubble universe waned. Time accelerated.

Years flew by.

Schicksal, having stabilized, began to rebuild and thrive.

Welt, however, could only maintain his existing forces. The tide began to turn in Ren's favor.

Standing alone atop Schicksal HQ, Ren gazed at the artificial sky. The past years felt unreal. To him, it was just a game. He wasn't a savior.

A faint fragrance drifted from behind him. He didn't need to turn to know who it was.

Years had passed since they first met. Ren hadn't felt the passage of time, but for Kiana, over a decade had gone by.

He had saved humanity countless times, pulling the world back from the brink of collapse. They had fought side-by-side, he'd saved her life multiple times. Feelings had inevitably developed.

Now, with the situation stable, Kiana, at 28, had matured into a capable woman. Since leaving the battlefield to become his personal secretary, her feelings for him had only grown stronger.

She stood silently behind him. He was so close he almost turned to face her.

But he couldn't. This was just a bubble universe. It was all fake.

Emotions were poison. If he allowed himself to be swayed by them, he would be trapped here.

A Herrscher couldn't be ruled by emotions.

Besides, he had more important things to do.

"I'm sorry."

The rooftop was quiet. He heard the soft thud of tears hitting the floor.

"I understand. I should have known from the moment we met."

Two years later, after more than a decade of struggle, humanity finally saw a glimmer of hope.

In June of that year, Welt's forces were annihilated. Cornered and defeated, Welt's core was taken by Ren. The war was over.

Balloons filled the sky, fireworks exploded in a dazzling display.

It was a true celebration. Even under the dim sunset, people's smiles shone brightly.

Atop Schicksal HQ, tears shimmered in the fading light. Kiana watched as Ren and Seele walked away, her heart breaking.

Three days later, Schicksal welcomed a new Overseer: Kiana Kaslana.

And the world began its Samsara again.