Five Aeons had gathered in the same location.
The surrounding simulated space could no longer endure their combined presence.
Cracks spread through reality itself.
Herta immediately pressed the emergency termination control.
Despite her quick reaction, the machine in front of her erupted with a deafening crash.
A large fracture split open across its casing.
Electricity flickered inside the damaged machinery as thick black smoke poured into the office.
Herta stared at the wreckage.
This should not have been possible.
Even if Kai was an Emanator, she should not have been able to attract five Aeons during a single test.
Then Herta understood.
Aha.
This had to be Aha’s doing.
The Aeon of Elation had deliberately brought the other Aeons into the Simulated Universe.
That also explained how Aha had altered Mythus’s rewards.
The simulated Mythus was ultimately a collection of reconstructed data.
Aha was the actual Aeon.
There had never been a fair comparison between them.
How infuriating.
Had Aha heard Herta’s thoughts, the Aeon would undoubtedly have defended itself.
Was Herta not trying to study the Aeons?
The incredibly helpful Aha had simply invited several of them to visit.
The machine could not survive the gathering.
That was hardly Aha’s problem.
The important question was whether the Aeons had appeared.
Five of them had arrived.
Surely that was enough research material.
Inside the Simulated Universe, Kai’s vision abruptly went dark.
When she opened her eyes again, she discovered that her head was resting in Herta’s lap.
Kai blinked in surprise.
“Herta.”
“What is this?”
For once, Herta showed no embarrassment.
She looked down at Kai with an unusually gentle expression.
“The Simulated Universe suffered a major failure.”
“Fortunately, the experimental data were preserved.”
“The test was an extraordinary success.”
“You worked hard, Kai.”
“Thank you.”
Herta carefully adjusted Kai’s head against her stocking-covered thighs.
“Rest here for a while.”
Kai’s eyes brightened.
Was Herta truly offering this without being asked?
Now that Kai thought about it, she did feel remarkably tired.
When had that exhaustion begun?
Approximately three seconds ago.
Herta had voluntarily invited Kai to sleep in her lap.
No sensible person would waste such an opportunity.
“Herta is so kind.”
Kai smiled sweetly and lightly rubbed her cheek against Herta’s thigh.
She then closed her eyes.
Herta sighed.
“This woman.”
“She cannot even sleep without causing trouble.”
The gentle movement against her leg left Herta feeling helpless.
Still, Kai had contributed enormously to the experiment.
Herta decided she could indulge one of Kai’s harmless interests.
Kai was only sleeping in her lap.
There was no reason to object.
Herta lowered her gaze and quietly studied Kai’s sleeping face.
A faint smile rested upon Kai’s lips.
The longer Herta looked at her, the more charming she seemed.
Before Herta realized it, a small smile had appeared on her own face.
That smile vanished a moment later.
Kai’s lips parted slightly.
A thin line of drool escaped the corner of her mouth and landed directly on Herta’s stockings.
Herta stared at the damp mark.
She suppressed the powerful urge to wake Kai with a strike from her staff.
Then she released a defeated sigh.
Those stockings were beyond saving.
…
After enjoying a wonderfully comfortable nap, Kai was awakened by Asta.
Her newly decorated room was finally ready.
Herta had already returned to The Blue with the experimental data and immediately begun her analysis.
Asta eagerly led Kai to her new quarters.
“Well.”
“Do you like it?”
“If it seems too plain, I can have everything replaced.”
Asta held Kai’s hand and watched her with visible nervousness.
Too plain.
Kai stared into the magnificent room and briefly forgot how to speak.
Asta considered this plain.
Kai’s former understanding of wealth had clearly been inadequate.
She slowly walked around the room.
Every piece of furniture looked as though it belonged in the private residence of an interstellar monarch.
Was this truly going to be her room?
It was incredible.
Becoming Asta’s bestie had been the finest decision Kai had ever made.
Overcome with excitement, Kai wrapped both arms around Asta’s leg.
Asta’s face turned pink.
“Kai.”
“What are you doing?”
Despite her embarrassment, she made no attempt to stop her.
Kai looked up and realized what she had done.
“Sorry.”
“It has become a habit.”
Kai released Asta’s leg.
She stood and wrapped her arms around Asta instead.
“Thank you, Asta.”
“Kai loves it.”
“I am glad.”
Relief spread across Asta’s face.
She had worried that Kai might be disappointed.
After all, the furniture had only cost a few hundred million credits.
Asta would never have chosen anything so inexpensive for her benefactor and bestie if Kai had not insisted upon it.
Fortunately, Kai did not appear to care about the low price.
“I still have some station matters to handle.”
“I should return to work.”
“Rest as long as you need.”
“Please contact me if you need anything.”
“All right.”
After Asta left, Kai launched herself onto the bed.
She sank into the soft mattress with a contented sound.
“This bed is so soft.”
“I may never stand up again.”
A large window stood beside the bed.
Through the reinforced glass, Kai could observe the scenery beyond Herta Space Station whenever she wished.
She spent several moments admiring the beautiful surface of The Blue.
Then something familiar entered her vision.
Voidrangers.
Members of the Antimatter Legion.
Kai immediately sat up.
Did this mean the main story was finally beginning?
Wonderful.
There would soon be countless opportunities for entertainment.
Every transmigrator who arrived in this universe had certain obligations.
One of them was making Welt’s life needlessly complicated.
Kai fully intended to uphold that tradition.
There would be many other opportunities as well.
Several familiar faces would soon arrive at the station.
The Stellaron Hunters would bring Kafka and Silver Wolf.
The Astral Express would bring March 7th, Dan Heng, Welt, and Himeko.
Kai was especially curious about Himeko’s coffee.
Was it truly as dangerous as everyone claimed?
She would have to try it personally.
The birth of the Stellaron vessel was another historic event that could not be missed.
Kai wanted to discover whether Stelle was truly as chaotic as the stories suggested.
Why Stelle instead of Caelus?
The casting budget could only support one protagonist, and Caelus had apparently been priced out of the production.
For Kai’s plan to torment Welt properly, she needed to ensure that the others could not return to the Astral Express too quickly.
That meant she needed to make a few preparations.
Kai smiled.
She passed directly through the wall of the space station and entered the void.
Then she flew toward the approaching Antimatter Legion.
…
“This necklace looks acceptable.”
“But it only costs three billion credits.”
“That is far too inexpensive for Kai.”
“This gemstone costs thirty billion.”
“The price is barely respectable, but I do not think Kai would like the color.”
“A planet-destroying warship for ninety-nine billion credits.”
“The price is reasonable.”
“Unfortunately, it does not match Kai’s sweet and charming style.”
Inside Herta Space Station.
In a bedroom decorated almost entirely in soft pink tones.
Asta sat in a luxurious chair with her body turned slightly to one side.
She continuously scrolled through an IPC shopping application while searching for the perfect gift.
Kai had taken her on a journey through the stars.
She had also fulfilled Asta’s lifelong dream.
Calling Kai her benefactor would not have been an exaggeration.
In return, Asta had only given her ten billion credits.
The more Asta considered it, the more guilty she felt.
She had decided to purchase several additional gifts in secret and surprise Kai.
A wanted notice suddenly appeared on her terminal.
Asta initially ignored it.
The bounties for the Stellaron Hunters changed so frequently that another updated notice was hardly unusual.
Then she noticed the name, Kai.
Asta froze.
Why had the IPC issued a wanted notice for Kai?
She immediately opened the document.
The contents left her speechless.
Asta’s eyes widened.
One hand rose to cover her mouth.
Kai had destroyed the IPC headquarters.
The notice described her as ruthless, dangerous, and responsible for countless acts of destruction.
That could not be true.
Silence filled the room.
Asta’s expression became increasingly conflicted.
The terrifying criminal described in the notice had nothing in common with the affectionate woman Asta knew.
For two and a half minutes, Asta wrestled with the evidence.
Then she clenched her fists.
Her uncertainty disappeared.
The IPC had to be wrong.
Kai was kind.
She would never attack the corporation without a reason.
Whatever had happened, the IPC must have provoked her first.
The corporation was the corporation.
Asta was Asta.
No matter what anyone claimed, she trusted Kai.
Kai was her bestie.
Asta believed in her.
Kai could be playful and mischievous.
That did not make her cruel.
She was gentle, considerate, and far too sweet to resemble the monster described in the wanted notice.
A massive explosion suddenly shook the station.
The force nearly knocked Asta from her chair.
She caught herself and rose unsteadily.
Confusion and alarm appeared on her face.
“What is happening?”
Asta rushed through the bedroom door and entered the station corridor.
Numerous dark creatures had appeared ahead of her.
Their bodies possessed twisted and unnatural forms.
Asta’s eyes widened.
“The Antimatter Legion.”
◉◉◉◉◉
Save to library!