“You there, just now, you weren’t planning on doing that too, were you…”
The Herta doll narrowed her eyes, her dangerous gaze sweeping over Caelus.
Was it that she, the Emanator of Erudition, could no longer lift a blade, or had this bunch gotten far too cocky?
Why did every single one of them want to lift her up into the air?
“No.
Nothing of the sort.
I am a proper and upright person.” Caelus immediately straightened his expression, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
Stelle’s encounter just moments ago had deeply impressed upon him a crucial lesson: the person before him was absolutely not someone to be trifled with.
If he didn’t want to get clobbered, his best bet was to behave honestly.
“Don’t be fooled by Herta’s youthful appearance.
Her actual age is quite the mystery.” Himeko covered her lips in a light laugh and explained at just the right moment.
“After all, she successfully achieved rejuvenation long ago through the Herta Sequence she personally developed.”
“Whoa!
Rejuvenation!” Caelus put on a very cooperative expression of astonishment.
“So that’s how it is!
No wonder she looks so small.
It’s the effect of rejuvenation!” Stelle also had a sudden epiphany.
“This isn’t even my true body.
It’s merely one of my many dolls.” Herta facepalmed in exasperation.
She kept getting the feeling that these two Stellaron sprites had brain circuits completely unlike ordinary people.
She was clearly the one here to study them, yet now it felt like she was the one being studied instead.
Herta circled around Stelle and Caelus once, carefully observing them.
“These two little ones indeed have remarkably unique constitutions, to be able to perfectly contain Stellarons without suffering any damage.”
“We are not little ones!” Stelle immediately protested.
“You were born less than a day ago.
How does that not count as little brats?” Herta was unimpressed.
“Besides, my brain is far too precious.
I don’t have the spare capacity to remember so many names.”
“Well then, I truly am honored that you still remember me.” Himeko teased.
“That’s different.
We have commercial dealings.
What was your name again?” Herta tilted her head, as if genuinely making an effort to recall.
“Forget it.
Back to the main topic.” She quickly refocused her attention on Stelle and Caelus.
“These two little ones who can contain Stellarons.
Can I do a bit of research on them?”
“That’s not something I can decide for them.
You’ll have to ask them yourselves.” Himeko shrugged, showing respect for the parties involved.
“What kind of research?” Caelus asked curiously.
“Research on you, of course.
Having a Stellaron inside you is no different from carrying a ticking time bomb.” Herta planted her hands on her hips.
“Who knows if it might suddenly explode and blast you both to smithereens?
Now that this genius is willing to offer her help, you two ought to be overflowing with gratitude!”
She grew more and more animated as she spoke.
“It just so happens I currently still have some interest in you. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Once my enthusiasm fades, even if you begged me, I wouldn’t bother researching you!
But for now, I’m willing to accommodate just about anything.
A Stellaron inside a body, how fascinating!
Give thanks!
This is a service even the IPC couldn’t commission with all their heavy coin!”
The Herta doll raised her chin with a tsundere air.
That expression was, somehow, even a little bit cute.
“Do you understand now, Stelle, Caelus?” Himeko explained gently.
“Herta wants you to stay on the space station.”
“Hey, don’t put it so absolutely.” Herta immediately corrected her.
“Just stay for a while.
Once I’m done with my research, or if I lose interest midway, these two brats will have to leave.”
“And after that?” Himeko pressed.
“After that, what does that have to do with me?” Herta answered with righteous confidence.
As the human with the highest IQ on the Blue Planet, Herta only devoted herself to things that piqued her interest.
The moment she lost interest, she withdrew immediately.
Besides, she had fully entrusted Herta Space Station to Asta.
With Asta managing things, the two brats certainly wouldn’t be treated poorly.
“Is there compensation?”
Stelle rubbed her chin and suddenly dropped the question out of nowhere.
Herta: ??????
Freshly born and already savvy to this?
Stelle: Brought up by the Stellaron Hunters, what did you expect?
I only play for real.
Did you all teach her this?
Herta looked toward the Express Crew.
Himeko maintained her warm and friendly smile.
Dan Heng’s expression was rather peculiar.
March 7th gave Stelle a thumbs-up.
“Of course there is!” Herta agreed readily.
“Didn’t expect you to have quite the head for business.”
She was just about to pull Stelle and Caelus into the Simulated Universe as test subjects anyway.
Giving them a bit of compensation was no big deal at all.
“Stelle, Caelus,” Himeko turned to the two of them, her voice warm.
“You have another choice.
There’s an Astral Express parked on the platform.
If you’re willing, you can come with us.”
“The Express has dealt with Stellarons on many occasions.
The questions you’re worried about are exactly the answers we’re searching for.
And,” she added with a smile, “we can come back anytime to let Herta conduct her research.
Right now, her interest is at its peak.”
“Hm, that’s a good proposal.
It’ll also maintain a bit of novelty.” Herta nodded in agreement. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“When there’s no need for research, I won’t have to worry about it either.”
“Either board the Express or stay, huh…” Caelus rubbed his chin in deep thought.
“I suggest you pick the Express.” Herta was blunt and direct.
“You staying would have some minor benefits for me, but overall wouldn’t be of much help.
But if you leave, do remember to come back and visit often.
Just book an appointment with Asta or Arlan ahead of time, so I can clear my schedule to research you.”
“Me too, me too!
I want to board the Express too!”
Xu Zixuan’s voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
The Herta doll’s surface remained expressionless, but the real Herta, controlling her from afar, had already darkened her face.
This guy sure showed up fast.
Xu Zixuan came running over, leading the charge.
Asta followed behind him, while Welt sauntered along leisurely at the very rear.
“The Astral Express welcomes anyone with a spirit of Trailblaze to join…” Himeko responded with a smile.
Although Xu Zixuan was suspected of being a Masked Fool and loved to seek out entertainment, every single one of his actions had been out of goodwill.
He had already earned Himeko’s trust.
March 7th looked at Himeko in surprise.
Was letting a suspected Masked Fool board the Express really okay?
“Nice!” Xu Zixuan cheered with excitement.
March 7th: “???”
Why does it feel like he’s imitating me?
“Whoa, old…” Stelle was just about to yell “Dad” when she suddenly remembered Xu Zixuan’s earlier instructions and hurriedly corrected herself.
“Whoa, Big Bro!
You were so incredibly awesome back there!”
“That terrifying giant, and you just punched him!
Way too cool!”
Caelus also nodded repeatedly, his face full of worship.
At the moment they had seen that giant in the starry sky, they had been frozen in terror.
They never expected their Big Bro to be so fearless, charging right up and delivering a punch.
That nameless giant had seemed unfathomably powerful, yet Big Bro had landed a solid blow right on him.
That slap, though it hadn’t landed on them, had still stunned them senseless.
Big Bro was seriously far too fierce and too strong!
“What’s this about punching a giant?”
“What giant?”
March 7th blinked curiously.
She hadn’t missed anything just now, had she?
Why couldn’t she understand what Stelle and Caelus were talking about?
Beside her, Himeko, Old Yang, Herta, and Asta, however, all seemed lost in thought.
A giant?
No giant had definitely appeared on the space station.
So how had they seen one?
Could it have been…
the Path’s Narrow?
The gaze of an Aeon?