"Since everyone's time is precious, I'll get straight to the point." Herta scanned the room, hands on her hips, ready to dive into the agenda.
"I believe it's time to find another partner."
"Are you going to kick Stephen out?" Ruan Mei asked calmly, her arms crossed, showing no change in her expression upon hearing Herta's words.
"No, of course not. Stephen doesn't want to get involved in this matter and abstained from the vote," Herta replied smoothly, shaking her head.
"I respect everyone's lifestyle choices, but unfortunately, he won't have the opportunity to participate in this decision."
A hint of regret tinged Herta's voice, as if she genuinely regretted Stephen's absence from this crucial meeting at the Space Station.
"Question: Why introduce a sixth partner to the Simulated Universe?" Screwllum inquired after Herta had stated the core issue of the meeting.
With Screwllum, Ruan Mei, Herta, Stephen, and Lumina already involved, the group consisted of five partners. At least according to Screwllum's calculations, unless the Simulated Universe faced any critical problems, adding a sixth collaborator would only create unnecessary complications.
According to Herta, the sixth collaborator would likely be another member of the Genius Society.
Every genius possessed their own unique way of thinking. If introducing a sixth collaborator caused divisions in the research on the Simulated Universe, it would be a net loss.
Without Lumina's involvement, Screwllum would have remained neutral on Herta's proposal. But with Lumina now part of the team, Screwllum felt that introducing a sixth collaborator at this stage was a poor idea.
Hearing Screwllum's concerns, Ruan Mei crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and nodded slightly in agreement.
Just as Screwllum had suspected, Ruan Mei also believed that introducing a sixth genius was a poor idea, especially with Lumina already involved.
"Exactly," Herta acknowledged, observing Screwllum's words and Ruan Mei's nod. "Introducing a sixth collaborator means introducing another genius."
Rather than rushing to explain, Herta turned her gaze to Lumina, who had remained silent throughout the discussion.
"Lumina, what's your opinion?"
Introducing a sixth collaborator was no small matter, so naturally, Lumina's opinion had to be sought.
"Hmm... A sixth collaborator? As long as they're not someone with a terrible reputation or personality, I have no objections," Lumina said with a faint shake of her head, indicating her lack of reservations.
Stephen was an unknown quantity, but in Lumina's eyes, Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei weren't as cold or detached as the rumors suggested. If the sixth collaborator could be reasonably similar to them, Lumina wouldn't concern herself further.
Of course, their amiable and friendly demeanor was largely due to Lumina's status and power. Had it been anyone else, they likely wouldn't have bothered to engage.
But none of that mattered to Lumina. Since she held this position, she might as well enjoy the advantages it afforded her.
Having gauged Lumina's stance, Herta turned her gaze to Screwllum and Ruan Mei, stating, "We all know why we've gathered here."
"Though Lumina's involvement has significantly accelerated the research, progress remains painfully slow."
"After all, Lumina isn't some kind of genius who can provide technical assistance."
Herta's tone was utterly flat as she bluntly explained why, despite Lumina's involvement, they still needed another collaborator.
While Lumina's contributions to the Simulated Universe research were undeniably significant, when it came to technical expertise... Herta chose not to elaborate.
After all, the woman's brain is right there for everyone to see. It wouldn't be right for me to criticize her.
Lumina: ...
When Herta uttered those words, Lumina's expression froze visibly for a moment before quickly recovering, unnoticed by anyone.
"Herta, was it? Just you wait..." Lumina muttered viciously, silently recording Herta's remarks in the little notebook in her mind, anticipating the day when she would settle the score item by item...
"As for how to handle any conflicts that might arise from adding a sixth collaborator?" As one of the Geniuses, Herta naturally understood Screwllum and Ruan Mei's reasons for rejecting the idea.
"I don't think we need to worry about that at all..."
"No one can resist the secrets of the Aeon, not even Zandar... So, any disagreements along the way don't matter as long as the final result points toward the Answer."
"Besides, gathering geniuses takes time—a day at the shortest, or several Amber Eras at the longest."
"We don't need them right now, but what if we do later? If we wait until we're facing a real problem to start recruiting, we'll waste precious time."
Listening to Herta's words, Screwllum pondered for a moment, as if calculating something. After a brief pause, he nodded in agreement, accepting Herta's plan to introduce a sixth partner.
Ruan Mei also concurred, though she didn't nod directly like Screwllum. She offered no objection to Herta's reasoning.
After all, Herta was right: regardless of the process or any disagreements that might arise, as long as the final result leads to the Answer, it doesn't matter.
However... While Ruan Mei had shifted from outright rejection to neutrality, one question still lingered.
Ruan Mei opened her eyes, looked up, and asked, "What if the one who comes is Polka Kakamond?"
"Wouldn't that be perfect?" Herta retorted, her tone suggesting a high regard for Polka Kakamond.
"Lord of Silence, are you listening? This is Herta, the 83rd Seat. I want to meet you—we'd have so much in common!"
Though Ruan Mei's words implied a significant personal conflict between them, what did that matter? When the Answer was at stake, personal grudges were hardly insurmountable.
Hmm... of course, if Ruan Mei truly objected, then we'd drop the matter.
Herta mused inwardly, realizing that losing a member would be far more critical than gaining a new one.
"Polka Kakamond probably won't respond. She's been out of contact for a long time," Screwllum cautioned, hearing Herta's address to the empty air.
He then ventured his own prediction: "The 64th Seat, Dr. Primitive, might appear."
"Oh, Dr. Primitive? Absolutely not," Herta immediately rejected the suggestion.
"Leaving aside Dr. Primitive's notorious research history, the IPC is already making a huge deal out of his feud with the Galaxy Rangers."
"I don't want the Simulated Universe to be inexplicably saddled with some bizarre public perception."
Although Herta had previously stated that everything else paled in comparison to the Answer, she was still reluctant to include Dr. Primitive—a man burdened with infamy and a universally negative reputation.
"Even if he joins, the IPC won't do anything." Lumina remained supremely confident in her image within the IPC's eyes, offering a reminder to Herta.
"Oh~ I almost forgot, you're the one with the pristine, universally positive reputation." Herta nodded in acknowledgment.
But nodding was one thing; Dr. Primitive remained a poor choice for their group.
Without further deliberation, Herta turned her gaze to Lumina. "Lumina, you've traveled the Cosmos for so long. Have you ever encountered any other members of the Genius Society?"
"Yes, I have," Lumina replied, offering no hesitation.
"Then you..."
"But I don't have any contact information for that person," Lumina interjected, cutting Herta off mid-sentence.
Recognizing someone—even a fleeting glance in a crowd counted as recognition.
"Alright then..." Seeing this, Herta didn't press further. Her gaze shifted to Ruan Mei as she asked, "What about Yu Qingtu, Ruan Mei? Are you still in contact with her? Is she even still alive?"
"Hmm..." Ruan Mei didn't answer directly. Instead, she glanced at Stelle behind her before saying, "If we're going to discuss this, could you excuse her first? The process will be lengthy and rather dull—no need to waste her time."
Though Ruan Mei's words sounded considerate, as if she were thinking of Stelle's best interests, her true meaning was clear.
"Oh, of course. You brought her here, so it's your call," Herta replied. She wasn't foolish and understood Ruan Mei's implications perfectly. Either the matter was too sensitive to discuss in front of Stelle, or Ruan Mei had something she needed to entrust to Stelle. Herta leaned toward the latter.
As for what that something might be? The answer was already obvious...
After all, the aura emanating from the Containment Zone was growing stronger by the moment.
Herta glanced at Lumina, then back at Ruan Mei, saying nothing. With Lumina and Ruan Mei present, she figured there shouldn't be any problems.
I just hope they don't cause too much of a commotion... Herta thought silently.