The long minute finally passed, and the Herta Puppet slowly reverted to her original state, as if the farce had never happened.
Bai Luan was caught completely off guard.
This Zero-Frame Start move had no wind-up; nobody could defend against it.
Furthermore, the Herta Puppet's mind had mostly been focused on how to backstab Herta, so Bai Luan naturally had no defenses against her.
This time, he was thoroughly ambushed by her.
He was Super Broken, and right in front of Stelle.
Ah... Suddenly, I feel like moving to a different planet.
『It's not hard to switch planets here, you know?』
...Shut up, System.
The Herta Puppet felt she had Won Completely—first, winning by fine-tuning, that's one win.
Next, winning by changing clothes, that's two wins.
Then, happily taking photos, that's three wins.
She hugged her camera contentedly, a smug curve on her lips, like a cat who successfully stole fish.
Herta was also taken by surprise.
She truly hadn't expected that what the Herta Puppet most desired was to become the "better" version of herself in Herta's eyes, and herself wearing a wedding dress.
Very well, quite the ambition, little puppet.
Herta narrowed her eyes, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table.
As expected of a puppet modeled after This Genius.
It looks like I'll have to write you some 'Wonderful Marvelous Programs' when we get back.
You want to wear a wedding dress?
First, you have to elbow your way past the program.
As for Bai Luan... Herta glanced at Bai Luan, who was currently suffering from Social Death and had lost all will to live, and decided to discuss everything further once they returned to the Space Station.
Stelle, as an audience member, silently watched the show and left a comment:
Wonderful.
Aha: +1
However, the farce triggered by this Special drink was far from over—besides the personality evolution, there was still one recipe left untried.
Stelle walked toward Herta.
Herta was currently receiving the Sensory Beacon Data Report from the Herta Puppet after she drank the special concoction.
She quickly scanned the flashing numbers and curves on the screen, her eyebrow slightly raised when she saw the sensory reaction data provided by Bai Luan.
The data showed that the puppet experienced extremely high values of happiness and joy after seeing Bai Luan's reaction.
Hmm... The Herta Puppet was actually Super Broken too, it was just less obvious than with Bai Luan.
After all, she is a puppet and very good at maintaining composure, but unfortunately, data doesn't lie.
She had to admit that her assistant was truly a Herta Specialist.
"Ms. Herta, there is actually one more recipe for this special concoction that hasn't been tried yet. Would you like to try it?"
Before Herta could respond, the Herta Puppet raised her hand and excitedly said:
"I have no objections."
It would be even better if what just happened could happen again!
"I have objections. You won't be drinking it."
Herta rejected her flatly, then turned to look at Stelle.
"What is the effect of the next special drink?"
"It seems to cause a Personality Reversal. Hmm... simply put, it allows one to see an unusual side of the drinker."
"An unusual side?"
Herta and the Herta Puppet simultaneously turned their gaze toward Bai Luan, who had just recovered his senses.
The Herta Puppet had even raised her camera, adjusted the focus, and prepared to record this historical moment.
As it turned out, they were thinking the same thing.
Driven by the curiosity of researchers (and personal interest), they both very much wanted to witness Bai Luan's "unusual" side.
Just as Bai Luan escaped the lingering effects of Social Death, he felt two burning gazes focused on him.
?
Why am I involved now?
He blinked blankly, and after hearing Stelle's explanation, he showed a thoughtful expression.
To be honest, he was also quite interested in this proposal—after all, who wouldn't be curious about what their "other side" looks like?
"Sure."
Bai Luan nodded readily, but then added.
"However, we need a safety measure."
He turned to Stelle, his expression suddenly serious:
"If, after drinking it, my attitude toward life reverses and I start speaking nonsense that despises life... just hit me awake."
"Huh? Uncle, isn't that a bit much?"
As Stelle said this, she pulled out a Baseball Bat.
"It's fine, Uncle has the Blessing of Abundance; I can take a hit."
Bai Luan pointed carelessly at his own head.
"Just take the baseball bat and hit right here."
"...Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"It is a bit, but it's a necessary precaution."
Bai Luan's tone was resolute.
"Who knows what kind of monstrosity that 'unusual side' will be."
"Alright."
Stelle took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, as if accepting a sacred mission.
She set the baseball bat aside and began mixing the next Special Concoction.
The deep red liquid slowly swirled in the glass, resembling flowing magma in the dark night, a stark contrast to the previous drink.
Stelle still garnished the rim with a slice of bright yellow lemon, adding a splash of color to the profound drink.
Bai Luan took the Special Concoction, didn't hesitate, and drank it all in one gulp.
He savored the lingering aftertaste on his tongue, smacked his lips, and commented:
"The flavor is really strong."
Stelle, who had raised the baseball bat: ...It seems the personality reversal didn't affect his inherent nature of Creating Drama; he's still so keen on saying shocking things.
Stelle put down the baseball bat.
Herta carefully observed Bai Luan's reaction and asked:
"Do you feel anything special?"
"If I had to say..."
Bai Luan's gaze shifted back and forth between Herta and the Herta Puppet, his brow slightly furrowed, an inexplicable, strange expression appearing on his face.
This strangeness stemmed from the fact that he still remembered everything about his past with Herta, yet seeing her generated an almost Deus Ex Machina-like sense of annoyance.
Subconsciously, he thought this was quite unreasonable, but his feelings wouldn't deceive him, so he felt strange, as if his body was no longer under his control at that moment.
He was silent for a moment, finally speaking with a hint of barely noticeable detachment:
"I think I don't really want to see you right now."
"The biggest OOC in history has appeared!"
Stelle looked at Bai Luan in disbelief.
Are you giving up on life!?
"?"
Herta and the Herta Puppet simultaneously fell silent; the air seemed to solidify.
The next second, Herta silently pulled out a Magic Staff, its tip flickering with ominous light, while the Herta Puppet raised her Hammer.
The Herta Puppet looked at Herta and asked:
"You or me?"
Herta glanced at the hammer in her hand.
"I'll do it. The hammer is too heavy; it's hard to control the force."
Herta turned to Stelle, her voice calm and steady, yet carrying the oppressive feeling of an impending storm:
"Where did he say hitting him would restore his clarity again?"
Stelle swallowed, raised her hand, and pointed to the spot Bai Luan had demonstrated earlier.
The Magic Staff spun deftly a few times in Herta's hand, then struck Bai Luan's head elegantly and precisely.
A crisp striking sound came from the bar, accompanied by Bai Luan's muffled groan of pain.
Stelle instinctively pulled her head back slightly, and then a phrase popped into her mind—Does it sound good? If it sounds good, it's a good head.
After that strike, Bai Luan's eyes instantly cleared up considerably, and a small bump swelled slightly on his head. He reached up to rub it, and thanks to the Blessing of Abundance, the bump quickly subsided.
"Are you awake now?"
Bai Luan nodded and said.
"I'm awake."
At this point, the Herta Puppet looked suspiciously at Bai Luan, rubbing her chin, and said:
"It's possible he's faking recovery to avoid getting hit again."
The Herta Puppet looked at Herta and said:
"This is the one thing we must confirm 100%."
Herta greatly agreed with this, so she looked at Bai Luan:
"Prove yourself."
"How am I supposed to prove that..."
Bai Luan scratched his head, then made a heart shape with both hands toward the two of them.
"Love you?"
The Herta Puppet immediately took out her camera and snapped a photo, then happily replied:
"Ahhh, love you, love you~"
Herta glanced at the Herta Puppet, whose eyes were practically sparkling with hearts.
No ambition. At the very least, you should...
Herta pulled Bai Luan out from behind the bar and left for a short while.
She then returned, looking refreshed, bringing back a Minor Break Bai Luan.
"No problem."
Herta's voice was full of certainty.
Words are too pale, actions can be faked, but reactions don't lie.
"Magic Therapy is highly effective; he has recovered."
...