“Oh, the renowned Miss Columbina has graced my Space Station with her presence.
You truly honor this humble place~” Herta’s tone practically overflowed with teasing.
Anyone could tell this was just her usual playful banter.
Yet Columbina, standing opposite her, seemed to miss the subtext entirely.
Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched slightly before slowly relaxing.
After a two-second pause, she replied softly, her voice tinged with earnest awkwardness.
“That’s too much.
I’m not…
that renowned.” “The Moon Goddess, who travels everywhere fulfilling others’ wishes, isn’t considered renowned?
Then what about me?” Herta deliberately drawled her words, frowning with a look of disdain.
“So in your eyes, I’m just some invisible person who doesn’t even exist?” “Um, I didn’t mean it like that.
I just mean…
I, I just feel I’m not worthy of…” Columbina was instantly stumped by these two sentences.
She had never imagined someone could retort so quickly, and so mercilessly.
Seeing her so flustered, Herta chuckled inwardly and decided to stop while she was ahead.
After all, this was her first time meeting Columbina up close.
She had only heard of the Moon Goddess before, but seeing how easily the other woman was flustered, she found her much more lively than she had imagined.
She waved her hand, dropping her teasing expression.
“Alright, alright, I was just teasing you.
We can talk more later.
Let’s deal with the Stellaron brat’s problem first.” With that, she turned to Stelle, who was standing in the middle.
Her tone instantly became straightforward, the teasing gone, replaced by a few more hints of serious concern.
“Little one, it’s your turn to choose.
Do you want to stay at the Space Station?
Or board the Astral Express?” “Anyway, I’m very interested in you right now.
No matter which you choose, I will respect your decision.” “Um…” Stelle was still lost in confusion, unable to make up her mind for a moment.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she subconsciously looked up, her eyes clearly seeking help as she turned to Columbina standing beside her.
Columbina quickly caught Stelle’s gaze.
She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment and said softly, “If I were to offer advice, Stelle could try going with the Astral Express.” “The Nameless on the train have a vision that spans the entire Cosmos.
The scenery they’ve seen and the things they’ve experienced are far beyond what the Space Station can compare to.” “Stellarons…
Those are the answers the Express is currently seeking.
Perhaps you’ll find something of value there too.” “Besides, if you ever want to come back, you can still visit the Space Station from time to time to help Madam Herta with her research.” “That wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Herta, listening from the side, nodded repeatedly with a hint of approval in her tone.
“It would keep things fresh for me.
Of course, the final choice is still yours to make.” “It sounds like Miss Columbina has a very high opinion of the Astral Express.” Himeko, who had been standing aside without saying a word, finally spoke, her tone carrying a slight smile of surprise.
Hearing this, Columbina spoke with a level of sincerity she’d never shown before.
This was her true feeling: “I very much like the ‘Trailblaze’.
If Akivili were still alive, I probably would have taken the initiative to board the Astral Express long ago.” Another layer of meaning: I will not board the Express now.
After an Aeon dies, their Path still flows through the Cosmos.
But compared to those Paths where the Aeons are still present and can guide the way at any moment…
The ‘Trailblaze’ would ultimately be of less help to her.
“That really is a shame.” Himeko sighed softly, her voice full of genuine regret.
“I had hoped we could become partners, Miss Columbina.” But this regret did not last long.
Himeko quickly shifted the conversation back to Stelle, her tone softening further to avoid putting too much pressure on the young girl: “Stelle, you don’t need to rush into a decision.
The Astral Express will be staying at the Space Station for a while.” “You can go see whoever you want to see, do whatever you want to do, and take plenty of time to think things through.” Next was free time.
“Columbina, come here for a moment.” Herta suddenly walked over to her side and led Columbina into a secluded corner: “Let’s add each other as friends.
I’ll need your help with something later.” “Can’t you just tell me directly?” Columbina’s tone was filled with confusion.
Why did she need to hide in a corner just to add a friend?
And if there was something to be done, wouldn’t it be easier to just say it directly?
There was no need to add a friend, right?
Columbina’s phone had very few contacts after all.
Instead of answering directly, Herta raised an eyebrow and asked slowly: “Lady Goddess, rumor has it that you can help people fulfill their wishes, right?” “Yes.” Columbina nodded.
This was how others perceived her, and it was also what she had been doing all along.
“Then consider this me begging you.” Herta immediately changed her tune, straightening her back and speaking with an air of absolute entitlement, showing not the slightest hint of someone asking for a favor.
Columbina didn’t get angry, but simply shook her head gently, her tone still soft: “But I can’t feel your wish…
And besides, the way you’re acting doesn’t look like you’re begging me at all.” Many people believed that her granting wishes was random, and that all they had to do was ask.
But only she herself knew that she could only sense wishes that were sincere, urgent, pure, and within her power to fulfill.
The one who could grant wishes just by asking was the Abundance Apothecary.
Not her, Columbina.
Seeing that her trick hadn’t worked, Herta didn’t dwell on it.
She simply softened her tone, drawing out the words: “Pretty please~ Just add me~ It definitely won’t take much of your time, I’ll be done with my work in no time!” This sudden, cutesy tone completely startled Columbina, who instinctively flinched back.
How can you have two faces like this, hey!
One second she was acting so entitled, and the next she was being this cute.
It was truly hard to resist.
“Stop it, I’ll do it, just add me!” Columbina couldn’t stand her acting this way any longer.
She quickly pulled her phone from her pocket, unlocked it, and handed it over.
Her voice still carried a hint of flustered haste, as if she hadn’t quite recovered from the shock.
“Hmph, done!” Herta took the phone, quickly added her as a friend, and handed it back, her face beaming with the smile of someone who’d just gotten their way, her mood clearly ecstatic.
She felt that Columbina seemed a bit gentle, and spoke with a certain earnestness.
In reality, she wasn’t just easy to tease, but also easy to coax.
She was much more interesting than those slick, slippery people.
She patted Columbina’s shoulder, her tone cheerful: “Wait for me, Lady Goddess.
I’ll finish up what I’m doing first, and I’ll contact you as soon as I’m free!” After Herta walked away, Columbina returned to her room and continued reading the game’s story.
“Can I arrange a quest for them?” [Yes, we have plenty of popularity right now.
As long as you’re not arranging a whole planet for them, there shouldn’t be any problem.] “Then…
let’s arrange it like this.” Columbina thought for a moment, then told the Little System her plan.
[Alright, leave this to me!] Meanwhile…