You … You're the one who sent the letters … Ah. Indeed. “Clown α”. But, now that we finally meet face-to-face, a “proper” introduction is in order. My name is “Otto Apocalypse”. The current Overseer of Schicksal. Don't just stand there. How about you come in, and join me in the warm water? Otto … Apocalypse? Hahaha, that's right. It's me in the flesh, the genuine article. “Otto Apocalypse”. But in this organization, no one else is really bold enough to mention my name … hahaha. (Could he be the person H.A. spoke about in the Soulium recording … ?) (But, but … wasn't that person from over 100 years ago?) (Then is this person … second- or third-generation?) (After all, he looks incredibly young … ) … You've probably heard some nasty rumors. About me. Some of them are grounded in truth, but others are complete hearsay, just words from people clutching at straws. But none of that really matters. I didn't come here today as the Overseer ― ― But, if you and I are to fully trust each other, we should stop using pen-names, in case it gets too formal. … What … what are you planning to do? “Oh, my dear friend, you need not be anxious.” … Ha, now is probably not the time for me to tease you like that, speaking like a playwright. I believe it'll calm your nerves if I clearly state my intentions ― so let me do just that. I want you, “Welt”, to be the successor of me, Otto Apocalypse. In other words, I'll foster and guide you so that, once I retire, you'll be able to become the next Overseer of Schicksal. What do you say to that? Wha … What? Ah … Indeed I've given you a bit of a fright, going straight for the jugular like that. But, you must know … the “Apocalypses” have never been a family held back by blood ties. From ancient past to present time, our Family has constantly adopted some of the most promising and talented people of this planet. So, if you are willing … today can be the day you join the Family, change your surname, and become my sworn brother. Uh … ? … What? Making such a request at our first meeting ― it's only natural that you'd be confused. But, speaking from my perspective … As the head of the Apocalypse family, I've been observing you for a long, long time. I believe that you, as the opposite of me, will grow to become a truly great leader. … The opposite? What do you mean by that? Hahahaha. Your points of focus, the things you pay attention to, are unlike anyone else's. To put it bluntly, I believe I'm a failure of an Overseer. The reason why I became the Overseer, was based entirely on my own personal desire ― But that's not the important point. Today's important point is … I wish to have an heir who truly possesses a “great gift”. … Me? Great gift? Yes. Great gift. Your so-called gift is one that has yet to manifest ― so it's perfectly normal that you'd think of yourself as a rather ordinary person. So that's that. I've heard you've been reading a lot of books over the past two years ― ― So in your opinion, in the last several thousand years of human civilisation, what kind of person could be considered truly “great”? … It doesn't matter, just say whatever comes to your mind. This is a conversation between pen pals, so there's no need to worry if anything's right or wrong. … You say that I read a lot ― that is clearly an exaggeration. Since you insist on me speaking, I can only list some celebrities. “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” ― How about Newton? Hahaha, wasn't she just poking fun at someone with that statement? Sure, Newton's mathematical insight was certainly unparalleled … But in terms of true “greatness”, being able to understand a myriad things, I think she is no equal to Shakespeare. … Now that you've mentioned Shakespeare, the writer who wrote “To Be or Not to Be”, what do you think of her? Haha … All she did was gather up the various kinds of suffering in our world, and line them up on stage for your amusement. Her vision was outstanding, but beneath the surface, she didn't have a single ounce of sympathy within her. … Going by your logic, thinkers are limited by their narrow scope within their own fields; while creators, because they must frequently draw upon the root of human conflict, need to bear a heart of stone … How about those religious leaders who encourage people to do good … for example, Gautama Buddha, what do you think of him? Ha … after nominating a few candidates, we've finally ended up with an ancestor of the Apocalypse family. A-Ancestor? Aye … I'd really like to tell you all the ins and outs of that story, but if I begin now, we won't be finished for another three days and nights. CG15-14.jpg But, to put it simply: he had heart, but lacked strength; he could see things from afar, yet couldn't even look beneath his feet ―― therefore I cannot say that such a person was “great”. … You sure have high standards. In that case, someone with their feet firmly rooted to the ground, someone who is broadminded and worldly ― the father of modern Russia, Peter the Great, how about him? Peter admittedly had courage … but his massacre of many innocent lives was a stain he could not wash away. A truly great person should be able to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. … What about the “Angel in White” who reformed hospital sanitary practices, and saved countless lives, Nightingale? She indeed had great talent … But in reality, her lifetime commitment to medical matters limited the growth of said talent. … I can think of others like Adam Smith, Darwin, Clausewitz … But according to your impossibly high standards, none of them could be considered “truly great people”, right? Exactly. These people were all intelligent individuals, who by their own capabilities were able to transform the status quo of their own fields … Yet they lacked the power to practice rational thought in other fields beyond their own. … Do you think I can achieve what those people couldn't? Of course I cannot guarantee you can achieve it. And indeed, as far as intellect is concerned, you're certainly no match for any of them. But … you do possess an advantage that none of them had. An advantage … they didn't have? Hahahaha … Think about what kind of people you've been dealing with recently. Einstein, the most intelligent person on record. Tesla, the most destructive inventor in history. Planck, the most unconventional physicist of our time. Brigantia, the most powerful Valkyrie of Schicksal. Oh, and there is also the one you just met today, the “Immortal Sage from Beyond”, Fu Hua. They all think rather highly of you, don't you think? Eh … r-really … Hahaha … You really have no clue about yourself. How should I phrase this … Among us, the one who could connect with all five of them … Is none other than you. Eh … ? Don't you understand what I mean? A truly great person, is not one who stands out among all walks of life … But one who can cheerfully interact with those outstanding people, to bring forth their greatest potential. And, as far as I know, you're the person most suited to training up and cultivating such greatness. … Is it right, for a person like me, to have as much as I want? Hahaha … if I'm the carnivore of carnivores, then you're the herbivore of herbivores!

Note:

In Chinese and Japanese popular culture, the Carnivore (“of the carnivorous system”, “肉食系”) refers to the type of person who is enthusiastic about pursuing societal accomplishments, proactive in chasing fame, and places a lot of emotional investment in things.

The Herbivore (“of the herbivorous system”, “草食系”) describes a type of person who is reserved in personality, frugal in consumption, has no ambition, pays no attention to worldly affairs, and is content with an easy and peaceful lifestyle.

 Herbivore … ? Carnivore … ? Hahaha … it doesn't matter if you don't understand this kind of metaphor. I just want to remind you, that the intrinsic nature of a human, is not merely made up of their personality and disposition ― Before those things, the intrinsic nature of a human is first determined by their “noumenon” or “ontology”.

Note:

Ontology is a fundamental branch of metaphysics that explores existence itself; that is, the essence or essential characteristic of all real objects.

In information science, “ontology” specifically refers to any “formal, clear and detailed description of a shared system of concepts.” For example, a record of version information for a book, can be regarded as an “ontology” of that book, within the book retrieval system of a bookstore or library.

 Ontology? Ontology is not some mysterious thing. I've been alive for more than five hundred years … and yet from beginning to end, my ontology has been nothing more than a vague, imaginary shadow of the so-called “Saint”. F-five hundred years? Nothing to be surprised about … All I did was make a deal with the devil. Besides, if I were you … I wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to achieve that. Eh … W-what do you mean … ? What I mean is that, in actual fact, it is easier for you than it is for me to live for five hundred years. Much easier. But that's not the focus for today. What I really want to say, is that your ontology ― under the right guidance ― can be a hundred times stronger than mine. Mine? Stronger than yours? Mm-hmm. You, stronger than me. Are you not self-aware? Your ontology … is not some single object of longing … … But is the synthesis of “humanity” as a whole. My ontology … A synthesis of “humanity”? “If we have chosen the position in life in which we can most of all work for mankind,” “No burdens can bow us down, because they are sacrifices for the benefit of all.” “Then we shall experience no petty, limited, selfish joy,” “But our happiness will belong to millions.” “Our deeds will live on quietly but perpetually at work,” “And over our ashes will be shed the hot tears of noble people.”

Note:

This text is the last paragraph of “Reflections of a Young Man on The Choice of a Profession”.

The author is a 17-year old named “Karl Marx” — for the rest of his life, he would work hard to practice this seemingly “Chuuni” concept. (Translators' note: “Chuuni” [“中二”, or “Middle-school, second year”] is a colloquial Japanese term referring to adolescents with delusions of grandeur, a character trope used frequently in Japanese or Japanese-inspired popular fiction e.g. Fischl in Genshin Impact.)

― What I want to ask is, have you ever been envious of someone who could spout such bold and inspiring words? Have you ever felt that, no matter how many times you've been around the sun, you still wish to become an “Ally of Justice”? … Ah … The World War already ended ten years ago … How is it, that the power supply to the outskirts of London remains so inconsiderate to our needs? … Wait here, no need to get up ― I'll go ask the manageress for something to light up the place. … No need. … Hm? If you are really trying to convince me to do something … Next time, please don't spend so much time going on and on about yourself. You don't understand anything at all, Mister Overseer. … Did I … say something wrong? … No, in fact you didn't say anything wrong. But because of this ― ― it makes it even more … difficult to believe you, at this very moment. … Is that so. Well then, … I hope time can give us both the answers we seek. … Then I'll take my leave. … Let us meet again, my friend. ( … Mr Welt, please wait a moment.) … Who's there?