Although for Theresa, suddenly swapping bodies with some unknown man was initially hard to accept, there's a widely circulated saying—When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Or perhaps, if you can't fight it, might as well lie back and enjoy it.
Unable to control the situation, or rather, even if she could, finding the 'quick swap' method Elysia told her about hard to accept, Theresa naturally chose to just 'lie flat' and accept her fate.
Besides, this period wasn't necessarily that unbearable.
While the differences in physical anatomy made her feel awkward at first, especially when using the restroom, after the initial shyness and surprise wore off and she adapted, she discovered the differences between genders weren't that big a deal after all.
Compared to her 'Theresa' self, [Jiang Qiao]'s body might even be more useful and convenient in certain aspects.
And then there was that girl, Elysia.
Being with her gave Theresa a sense of comfort similar to being with Cecilia—not that the two were particularly alike. On the contrary, in terms of personal style, one couldn't say they were completely different, but they were at least worlds apart.
Yet, that unchanging 'sincerity,' that heart rooted in her 'true self,' deeply attracted her.
She even treated me to bitter melon juice!
But happy days always seem fleeting.
Although she really wanted to stay immersed in these work-free days with someone like Elysia for company, in a moment of daze, reality pulled Theresa's consciousness back into her body—her original body.
"Did we... switch back?"
Raising her hand, looking at her own pale, small palm, Theresa wore an expression of wistful loss, yet also tinged with slight joy and relief.
There's no place like home. Although the body of that man named 'Jiang Qiao' had indeed offered some novel experiences, what she was most accustomed to was obviously her own original body.
Everything before felt like a dream.
"Lady Overseer?"
"Ah... it's Amber."
"What are you doing here.... wait, what did you just call me?"
Theresa, who was quite close with Amber, was surprised to see her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she felt curious. In her understanding, Amber should be spending most of her time painstakingly cleaning up Schicksal's messes for Grandpa.
How could she have the time to come here? But as she questioned, she suddenly realized something, glanced around, confirmed only she and Amber were in the spacious Overseer's office, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She asked nervously,
"Lady Overseer."
"....Overseer.... Grandpa is the Schicksal Overseer!"
"....Lord Otto.... wait, could it be...." Amber, finding [Theresa]'s utterly 'pure' gaze strange and about to say something, suddenly realized, her expression turning subtle.
"It's me! The original Theresa! The 'Theresa' from before wasn't me.... so what exactly happened while I was gone?!"
Amber wasn't too surprised by this reaction.
After all, during their work handover, Jiang Qiao had already told her about the relevant matters—what caught Amber off guard was just how sudden the swap was, preventing her from reacting immediately.
And after reacting.... although there was joy in seeing Theresa, as they were good sisters, knowing her sister's situation somewhat, her mood inevitably became a bit complex.
Fortunately, having served as Otto's aide for many years, she was long accustomed to such things. Concisely, she informed Theresa about everything that happened while she was away.
A moment later.
"Huh?"
As expected, Theresa was stunned by the string of news, utterly bewildered, and mostly, incredulous.
"Grandpa betrayed Schicksal? Grandpa died? I became the new Schicksal Overseer?"
Just these three points—any single one was hard for her to accept, and now they all came together?
Theresa was completely dumbfounded.
"Really.... you're not joking with me, right?" She tried this approach, hoping for a negative answer from Amber—that this was all just a joke.
Grandpa hadn't died, and she hadn't become the new Schicksal Overseer.
But, facing this self-deception, Amber merely looked calmly, answering with silence.
Of course, the harsher, more realistic proof lay on the desk: official documents regarding the Kolosten incident and Otto Apocalypse himself. These documents, stamped with the Schicksal Overseer's seal, clearly couldn't be fake.
Realizing all this, Theresa stared blankly at the documents, sitting frozen in place, unable to recover for a long time.
"Grandpa, he really did so many bad things...."
"Siegfried, Kiana.... Cecilia...." Theresa knew what a ruthless heart and methods lay hidden beneath her seemingly gentle grandpa's mild exterior, and knew he must have done many bad things. But actually seeing Otto's record, looking directly at the sins he committed, still left her shocked, her voice trembling.
Was it anger, or fear, or perhaps both?
"...."
"Grandpa, he really deserved to die...."
The filial words were uttered, yet filled mostly with sincerity. This was Theresa's heartfelt sentiment after reading through her grandpa's life story.
The initial Otto was a hero who fought alongside the Saint, defeated the Black Death, saved thousands, and upheld the path the Saint believed in for long years.
But the moment he embarked on the future path of reviving Kallen, this Schicksal Overseer of five hundred years transformed from the former hero of Schicksal into an evil dragon who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
He became the very type of person Saint Kallen—and Otto himself—detested most. He lived himself into the image hated by everyone, including himself.
The hero's name was tarnished. Even if that devotion, that willpower, was so tenacious it could make even his enemies pause, it couldn't wash away the sins he committed, the blood debt he incurred.
Knowing this clearly, Theresa, though her feelings were complex, agreed with [Theresa]—Jiang Qiao—leading Durandal and the others to defeat and kill this former hero, now sinner.
In fact, she might even have to thank him.
After all....
If it were her, she really wouldn't know how to face Grandpa.
—Although Otto's life was filled with sin, although he wronged and owed too many people, only Theresa, his most beloved granddaughter, was someone that man didn't owe much.
He truly fulfilled his duties as a grandfather, a family member, even doing so exceptionally well.
Even in the name of justice, Theresa would find it difficult to handle matters concerning Otto.
Fortunately, at this most difficult time, Jiang Qiao took her place.
Saving her from making such a hard choice.
Gently touching her chest, although not much was there, precisely because of this, it was easier to feel the beating heart—thump-thump—as if traces of the previous user still lingered.
Faintly, Theresa could sense the 'self' of that moment's feelings.
"I understand everything now."
She had no objections to Jiang Qiao's arrangements for Otto—in fact, from a certain perspective, that person did far better than she could have imagined.
At the very least, regarding Grandpa's arrangements, if it were Theresa, she probably would have neither praised nor criticized, absolutely not laying Otto's entire life bare for people to judge with their own will.
While this wasn't conducive to personal rule, Theresa's most distinct governing style was 'democracy'.
She cared deeply about everyone's thoughts, taking into account each individual's feelings.
Such a decision perfectly matched her disposition and taste, aligning completely.
When Theresa saw it, she even thought—So it could be done like this!
Well done, you did well!
Of course, she did have some minor objections.
Your actions are very Theresa-like, the Overseer likes it very much. But your actions are too Theresa-like, even more Theresa-like than the Overseer, the Overseer doesn't quite like that.
After all, from this perspective, from the angle of [Theresa], didn't she, the real Theresa, kind of lose to Jiang Qiao, the temporary pilot?
Unlike a certain stubborn pink elf, Theresa didn't dwell on this too much.
In her view, this was just a small coincidence, an unexpected manifestation. During the brief identity swap and leisure time, the real Theresa was still herself.
Besides, she probably didn't have time to think about such things anymore.
Compared to the pink rascal's leisure, as a member of the 'Jiang Qiao Victims' group, Miss Theresa's life as the new Schicksal Overseer, referencing the other two victims next door, would undoubtedly become exceedingly 'eventful'.
However, she didn't seem to realize this yet.
In fact, after accepting everything Jiang Qiao did, she quickly stepped into the role of Schicksal Overseer.
After all, Grandpa passed this down to me, with high hopes—I definitely can't let everyone down!
Besides, Grandpa always looked so relaxed usually, meaning this position isn't actually that taxing.
Recalling her bitter days as St. Freya's Principal and part-time Director of the Far East Branch, Theresa even began fantasizing about leisurely days like Grandpa's, sipping bitter melon juice while casually reading the original publication of Homu Adventure—now as Schicksal Overseer, the entire Schicksal was hers, no need to live frugally like before!
Thinking of this, the excited Theresa instantly decided to put on the airs of the Schicksal Overseer, slamming her hand on the desk.
"Amber, bring the documents!"
"As the Schicksal Overseer, I must be diligent in my duties!" she declared righteously.
Amber's eyes lit up. The next moment—
"Lady Theresa, this is regarding the next quarter's financial expenditures."
"Lady Theresa, these are the reports from the various branches."
"Lady Theresa, these are the detailed documents regarding post-Honkai reconstruction."
"Lady Theresa...."
Amber's voice, like a lute, lingered in the air, endlessly echoing.
Theresa's mood, her expression, gradually stiffened as the documents piled up rapidly.
"It's a dream.... I must still be dreaming.... Yes, I haven't switched back yet, I'm Jiang Qiao right now!"
"Give me bitter melon juice...."
—Schicksal's Inescapable Fate: To Be Continued!
Although Otto's arrangements regarding the 'populace' greatly pleased Theresa, such actions that shook the foundations of rule undoubtedly brought more governing pressure—most obviously, a sudden surge in workload. But... since it was very 'Theresa-like,' presumably even with a bit more work, she should be quite happy, right?
Completely unaware of the incredibly brief mental journey of the Doomed by Schicksal Overseer, Mr. Jiang obviously didn't think about these things.
After all, that was something [Theresa] needed to consider. What did it have to do with him, Jiang Qiao?
Right now, his top priority was clearly dealing with the pink elf before him.
Easily, the latter had already detected the return of the original owner.
"Bad—Jiang—Qiao—!"
I was painstakingly trying to increase my favorability with that pretty girl named Theresa, why did you suddenly come back!
Somewhat annoyed, but more than that, happy.
Happy because she saw a certain someone.
After all, for Miss Elysia...
Theresa wearing the 'Jiang Qiao' skin was actually more like a temporary substitute.
Wearing Bad Jiang Qiao's skin completely failed to register on her pretty girl radar; she could only barely make do out of affection.
Just treating it as playing house.
Mm, the main point was, it was hard to make a move!
Jiang Qiao filled with Theresa had absolutely no flavor.
The filling had to be Jiang Qiao-filled Jiang Qiao, or Jiang Qiao-filled pretty girl. The key was the original flavor, unlocking more kinks.
Now, the filling was right, wasn't it much easier to make a move?
The pink elf, smiling brilliantly, immediately hooked her arm around someone's.
"Let's go, come play with me!"
There were always all sorts of mishaps before.
Making it so she was either sent away, too busy to care, or tricked into jail by this rascal.
Now, Elysia is both free and has caught you red-handed.
Elysia wants to see what tricks you can pull now!