[ High-value gacha target detected: Herta ] [ Current distance: 10 meters ] [ Status: Not within the optimal extraction range ] Kazuki glanced at the system notification that popped up in front of him, feeling not a ripple of emotion in his heart, holding absolutely no hope for drawing the Destiny Cards of Herta.
After all, even for those members of the Astral Express Crew, the first time he pulled, he only managed to scrape together a bunch of useless cards; he figured Herta would be the same.
After Herta entered, she leisurely scanned the layout of the room, her gaze lingering for an extra two seconds on a few corners where someone could be hiding.
” Ms.
Herta, let’s skip the pleasantries.
I’ve just moved in, and I only have plain water to entertain a great genius like you.
” Seeing that she wasn’t followed by those supporting Herta Puppets, and that she was looking him over like she was interrogating a thief, Kazuki decided to get straight to the point: ” If you have something to say, just say it.
I have plenty of time to chat with you.
After all, I know my place; I can’t exactly pull any tricks right under the nose of an Emanator of Erudition, there’s no getting away.
” Hearing this, Herta casually found a chair and sat down, positioning herself exactly a few meters outside the card-drawing range—not a bit more, not a bit less.
” You don’t seem the least bit unfamiliar with what my real body looks like.
” From the moment she entered, Herta had been staring at Kazuki’s face, only to find that when he saw her real body, there wasn’t even a hint of surprise in his eyes, which only deepened the suspicions in her heart.
She rested her fingertips nonchalantly on her shoulder and lifted her chin, that aura of genius arrogance practically overflowing: ” Even so, I still have to introduce myself formally.
My name is Herta.
If you want to distinguish me from those puppets, you can call me ‘ The Herta ‘.
” ” That’s a really casual introduction.
So, Herta, why are you looking for me?
” Kazuki retorted, then asked in turn.
” Oh?
We’ve reached this point, and you’re still playing dumb with me?
Where is the ‘ other ‘ me?
” Herta casually crossed her legs clad in black stockings, her fingertips painted with purple nail polish lightly brushing over her knees, making a faint scratching sound.
” Before coming here, I detected two signal sources in this empty room.
Originally, I couldn’t be bothered to make the trip myself, but then one of the signal sources suddenly escaped my control and vanished without a trace, while you were sitting here perfectly calmly.
What, isn’t this an obvious provocation?
I had no choice but to come and meet you in person.
” As she spoke, she leaned her body slightly forward, her tone instantly turning sharp.
The expression on Kazuki’s face didn’t panic in the slightest; he even curled the corner of his mouth into a half-smile: ” Herta, isn’t your conclusion a bit too arbitrary?
That was just a friend of mine.
Besides, you can’t produce a shred of substantive evidence, yet you insist that there’s another ‘ you ‘ in this universe?
Just because I recognize your real body?
That’s a bit laughable, don’t you think?
” ” I naturally have my evidence.
Coming here was to dig out exactly what secret you are hiding.
Tell me, satisfy my curiosity, and I can pardon you for the crime of offending a genius.
” Herta let out a soft breath, leaned back against the chair, and returned to that nonchalant, arrogant posture.
” Or, do you need me to tell you what I’ve discovered before you’re willing to confess honestly?
” Kazuki pondered for two seconds, nodded indifferently, and spread one hand toward her, as if saying ” Please, go ahead.
” This was his first interaction with Herta.
Regardless of the outcome, he wouldn’t lose anything either way.
He just wanted to face the pressure of this genius head-on!
So, Herta opened the floodgates, talking endlessly about her findings, data inferences, and the traceability analysis of the [ Black Tomb Puppet ].
As Kazuki listened, his brows began to furrow.
” So, you’re that certain that no one in the entire universe can replicate your Herta Puppet network?
” After Herta finally finished speaking, Kazuki raised an eyebrow and asked.
” That goes without saying.
” Herta spread her hands, the confidence in her tone practically overflowing.
” In the entire universe, aside from myself, no one can perfectly replicate my puppet network.
I have at least that much confidence.
” Truly arrogant to the bone.
Kazuki rolled his eyes internally.
So, based on just this guess, she dared to insist there was another version of herself and even traveled across star systems to come here personally.
He looked up, watching Herta sitting across from him with a face that said ” I’m the smartest in the universe, ” and suddenly hooked the corner of his lips, beckoning her over: ” Fine, then Ms.
Herta, lean in a bit closer, and I’ll tell you personally where that ‘ other Herta ‘ you mentioned is.
” Hearing this, Herta didn’t hesitate at all; she stood up and walked over to him, carrying a faint scent of bellflowers, which was unexpectedly quite pleasant.
[ Entered optimal extraction range.
Extract Destiny Cards of target Herta?
] Kazuki silently recited two words in his heart: Extract.
[ Extracting…
100% ] [ Extraction complete ] [ Obtained card: Emanator of Beauty ] [ Card ownership: Herta ] [ Card Wishes: 1.
A sense of being alive.
2.
Obtain a piece of the Transcendent Mirror.
3.
Require Kazuki to recite and perfectly perform the ” Coronet of Light Dust · Hymn of the Knights of Beauty “.
4.
Have at least three beings at the Emanator level or above sincerely praise ” Ms.
Herta’s beauty is peerless “.
5.
Cleanse evil, resolve an evil event that would at least affect an entire star system.
] [ Difficulty: Extremely difficult ] [ Card Status: Transformable, wishes unfulfilled, can be stored in card slot ] Kazuki’s eyelashes twitched violently, his pupils instantly contracted, and his whole body froze in place.
Kazuki:!!!
∑ ( ° Д ° ノ ) ノ Holy crap???
It actually turned gold?!
Wait!
This is bad!
He snapped back to reality—he was currently standing face-to-face with Herta; such a huge emotional fluctuation would definitely be seen by her!
As expected, Herta blinked those beautiful purple gem-like eyes, her fingertips nonchalantly lifting his chin, her tone practically overflowing with playfulness: ” Little one, why are you suddenly so scared?
Heart rate accelerating.
What, could it be that my charm is too great, making your little heart flutter?
” ” Your thoughts are very dangerous, you know~ ” As soon as she finished speaking, she casually brushed the hair hanging in front of her shoulder, her eyes slightly narrowing at the corners—the very image of a wicked woman who had someone in her grasp.
” Your thoughts are very dangerous, you know~ ” Kazuki’s muscles instantly tensed up.
Even though he was the one who initiated calling her over, he was now like a cat whose Tail had been stepped on, retreating two steps in a row, looking exactly like an innocent, naive boy caught off guard by a bad older sister.
The plan has changed!
It seems…
he needs to go back to the Herta Space Station again.