The Herta Puppet held a metal box containing a Curious Object and drifted slowly toward the Curio Storage Room, its box shimmering with a deep blue gloss under the cool-toned lights of the Space Station.
Just as the Astral Express Crew turned around and prepared to return to the Astral Express, another Herta Puppet wearing a deep purple dress suddenly flashed out from the corner.
“Hey, wait up.” The puppet’s voice carried a unique electronic texture, and a playful smile hung on its exquisite face.
Himeko tilted her head slightly, her red hair cascading down like a waterfall: “What is it? Ms. Herta?”
The puppet did not answer immediately, staring straight at Kal’tsit.
Just as mon3tr was about to take a candy out from its pocket, upon sensing this probing gaze, it immediately stuffed the candy back.
Its dark shadow form unconsciously expanded, blocking in front of Kal’tsit like a wall.
“Heh…” The puppet suddenly let out a soft chuckle, its floating height increasing slightly: “To think it’s an Emanator of Remembrance, this is even rarer than an Emanator of The Hunt.”
Welt pushed up his glasses, the gaze behind the lenses turning sharp: “Ms. Herta, what do you mean by this? Surely you aren’t blocking us here just because Ms. Kaltsit is an Emanator of Remembrance, right?”
The puppet waved her hand casually, her mechanical joints making a faint “click” sound: “No, no, no, I’m simply interested.” Her gaze bypassed mon3tr and locked directly onto Kal’tsit: “I want to make a deal with this Emanator of Remembrance.”
Kal’tsit gently patted mon3tr’s shoulder to signal her to step aside, her silver-white cat ears looking exceptionally striking under the cool light of the Space Station: “What kind of deal?”
“My main body is on the way,” a stream of data flashed across the puppet’s pupils, “I need you to use my memories to make a five-star Light Cone.”
“Very well.” Kal’tsit’s reply was crisp and decisive: “What is the reward?”
The puppet’s exquisite face suddenly froze, revealing a rare expression of astonishment: “Huh?
Don’t you people from the Garden of Recollection love collecting memories?” The height of her floating increased by a few more inches: “The memories of a Genius’s entire life—isn’t this reward enough?”
Kal’tsit shook her head, the hem of her lab coat swaying gently with the movement: “I am not from the Garden of Recollection.” Her voice was as calm as if discussing the weather: “Nor am I interested in the memories of a Genius.”
The air in the Space Station seemed to freeze at this moment.
The puppet slowly descended to the ground, complex expressions flashing alternately across her face: “The lie detector I carefully developed actually shows that you are telling the truth…” She suddenly chuckled softly: “Heh, you really are a strange person. An Emanator of Remembrance who has no interest in memories—this truly opens my eyes.”
mon3tr’s dark shadow wriggled uneasily at Kal’tsit’s feet, its emerald eyes staring alertly at the puppet.
Himeko and Welt exchanged a meaningful look, while Dan Heng silently tightened his grip on the spear in his hand.
The Herta Puppet tilted her head, her long purple hair cascading down like a waterfall: “Interesting…
Too interesting…” Her voice gradually took on an excited tremor: “It seems for this transaction, we need to renegotiate the terms.”
“How about this,” the puppet suddenly put on a casual expression, her fingers gently playing with the ends of her hair, “name your reward.
Whether it’s the rejuvenation project or other research, I can authorize it directly to you.” The corners of her mouth curved into a perfect arc: “You must know, this is something countless factions dream of…” Follow the newest chapters on novelping . com.
Kal’tsit’s cat ears twitched imperceptibly, her short silver-white hair gleaming with a metallic gloss under the cool light of the Space Station.
She shook her head calmly: “I am not interested in your research projects, Ms.
Herta.” Her voice was as precise as a scalpel: “I only want two things: a personal favor from you, and permanent supply rights for the Astral Express at the Space Station.”
The entire docking bay suddenly became quiet enough to hear the faint rustling sound of mon3tr’s dark shadow.
The Herta Puppet’s golden pupils suddenly dilated, followed by a burst of laughter full of electronic texture: “Hahaha…
To think it’s something like a ‘favor’!” She floated to a height level with Kal’tsit’s line of sight: “You know, making a Genius owe a favor is a hundred times harder than getting my research materials～”
The puppet spun around gracefully, her long purple dress blooming in the zero-gravity environment: “However, since I said you could name any reward, this Genius naturally won’t go back on her word.” Her fingertips traced a data stream in the air: “The authorization for the Space Station’s permanent supply rights has already been sent to Asta.
Any other requests?” She deliberately dragged out her tone: “I’m in a good mood today, so I can mercifully agree to all of them～”
“These two are enough.” Kal’tsit’s reply was crisp and decisive, with no trace of hesitation in her pale green eyes.
The Herta Puppet spread her hands exaggeratedly: “Heh, she really is a strange person.” Her pupils flickered with a playful glint: “You could have asked for more…
Oh well, I’ve already notified Asta to receive you.” She added as if suddenly remembering something: “Right, my main body is still on the way, it’ll probably take…” She tilted her head and made a calculating expression, “three system hours to arrive.”
After finishing these words, the light in the puppet’s eyes suddenly extinguished, and her exquisite face instantly turned blank.
She turned mechanically and walked back to her original standby position with standard strides like a model in a showcase window.
“Dr.
Kal’tsit…” Himeko’s red hair was like a dancing flame under the lights, and she said sincerely, “Thank you for securing such important conditions for the Astral Express.”
Welt’s lenses reflected the cool light of the Space Station: “A favor from an Emanator of Erudition… This might turn the tide at a critical moment.”
Dan Heng didn’t make a sound, but his usually stern mouth curved up slightly, and his grip on the spear in his hand unconsciously relaxed.
As for mon3tr, it transformed back into human form, looking at Kal’tsit with sparkling emerald eyes and an expression full of undisguised adoration.
“Everyone, you must be the distinguished guests Ms. Herta mentioned!” Accompanied by brisk footsteps, a pink-haired girl hurried over, the station master badge on her chest shining brightly under the lights.
She was slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed from running.
Himeko stepped forward gracefully, her red hair cascading down like flames: “Are you Station Master Asta mentioned by Ms. Herta?”
Asta stopped and nodded, looking curiously at the out-of-the-ordinary red-haired woman before her: “That’s right!
Hello everyone from the Astral Express Crew.” She gave a playful salute: “I am Asta, the nominal station master of this Herta Space Station.” As she spoke, her gaze couldn’t help but linger on Himeko for a few more seconds: “This red-haired older sister, what may I call you?”
“I am the navigator of the Astral Express,” Himeko smiled slightly, her voice gentle yet heroic, “just call me Himeko.”
Asta nodded happily, turning her gaze to the other four.
Dan Heng briefly stated his name and nodded politely, his cyan eyes carrying his usual calmness. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Welt pushed up his glasses and introduced himself steadily: “Welt Yang.”
mon3tr raised its hand lively, its emerald eyes sparkling: “I am mon3tr!” It proudly pointed to the silver-haired woman beside it: “This is Dr. Kal’tsit!”
Kal’tsit merely nodded slightly, her silver-white cat ears looking exceptionally striking under the Space Station’s lights.
Asta noticed the doctor exuding an aura of keeping strangers at bay, and unconsciously swallowed hard.
“Then please follow me to the reception room!” Asta tried hard to maintain a professional smile, turning around to lead the group through the bright corridor.
She introduced as she walked: “Over here is our central lounge, where researchers usually gather…”
mon3tr looked around curiously, its dark shadow form manifesting from time to time; Welt observed the structure of the Space Station earnestly; Dan Heng maintained a vigilant posture; while Kal’tsit’s gaze constantly followed the hidden security devices scattered throughout the Space Station.
After arriving at the spacious reception room, Asta said apologetically: “I’m terribly sorry, I still have work to handle, so I must excuse myself first.” She glanced at the blinking message on her communicator: “Ms. Herta’s main body is expected to arrive in two hours. During this time, everyone is free to move around, and feel free to contact me if you need anything!”
Watching Asta leave, mon3tr immediately threw itself at the sofa in the reception room: “Wow! This sofa is so soft! Dr. Kal’tsit, come and try it!”
Kal’tsit ignored mon3tr’s invitation and instead walked up to the panoramic window, gazing at the busy Space Station port outside.
Himeko sat gracefully on the single sofa, her red hair cascading like a waterfall: “It looks like we’ll have to wait here for a while.”
Welt pushed up his glasses: “This is a good time to organize the previous data.” He looked at Dan Heng, who was checking his weapon: “Want to go check out the archives room together?”
Dan Heng put away his spear and nodded.
After the two left, only Himeko, Kal’tsit, and mon3tr rolling around on the sofa were left in the reception room.
“Speaking of which,” Himeko spoke suddenly, looking at Kal’tsit with a thoughtful gaze, “why did you choose a ‘favor’ as your reward? Given Herta’s personality, this condition is far more dangerous than directly asking for resources.”
Kal’tsit’s cat ears twitched slightly, her gaze still lingering outside the window: “Resources will always be exhausted eventually…” Her voice was very soft, yet carried unquestionable determination: “While a Genius’s promise can create miracles at the most critical moment.”
mon3tr had somehow floated to Kal’tsit’s side, its emerald eyes filled with adoration: “Dr. Kal’tsit is the greatest!”
Right at this moment, the Space Station’s alarm suddenly sounded, and red warning lights began to flash.
Asta’s anxious voice came over the broadcast: “Attention all personnel! Unknown energy reaction detected! Repeat, unknown—”
Before the words finished, the entire Space Station shook violently.
Kal’tsit instantly entered combat mode, and mon3tr immediately transformed back into its dark shadow form to protect her.
Himeko rose swiftly, her red hair resembling burning flames in the red alarm light: “It seems our break time has ended early.”