---o---
[The Lantern of [Salvation], after burning the concept of the Path of [The Abundance] from the Ambrosial Arbor's main root, has supplemented a part of itself, forming a Path of [Salvation] that can truly be considered "complete"—]
[Although it is incredibly weak compared to other normal Paths, it possesses a power that is difficult for ordinary people to attain.]
[To transform such a treasure into the form you envision through mortal forging methods is already difficult. Moreover, if the design created is not perfect, the Lantern of [Salvation] itself might resist the imperfect change...]
[You need to consider a design direction—if you want to forge the Lantern of [Salvation] into a blade that can break through the veil, in which direction should you push its design?]
The text on the light screen faded, and a new simulation option box appeared:
[Please Choose—]
[1. "Use the lantern's wall as the blade's edge, and the lantern's fire as the blade's heart... A transparent blade wrapped in endless fire might be a good design direction."
[The Lantern of [Salvation] manifested in the form of a lantern simply because it was originally the light you used to guide the Pathstriders of Salvation. It did not contain any excessively fierce power, and its manifestation was merely a guiding light of hope for the people.]
[But now, the guiding light for the Pathstriders is clearly too gentle. This immense power should have a new method of utilization—]
[You decide to start with the concept of a "blade," completely transforming the Lantern of [Salvation], forging it into a true blade wrapped in a raging fire.]
[The fusion of scorching heat and a razor-sharp edge—this is what can truly be called a blade capable of breaking through the veil.]
[Choosing this option, you will begin to attempt a "Weapon Design." The goal is to completely transform the Lantern of [Salvation], turning it into a dagger long enough to pierce the veil of fate.]
[Based on the "The Existence of 'You'" trait and the "Sharpening the Blade" project phase bonus, the probability of triggering a miracle event for this option is 11%.]
[Based on your "Weapon Design" skill level, your probability of success for this choice is 1%.]
[2. "Sometimes, professional matters should be left to the professionals."
[You do not possess a sufficiently high-level creative skill, and it is obviously too late to grind for experience in these skills now... Herta has been by your side all this time. Now is clearly the time to use her.]
[You have long been prepared to hand over these troublesome matters that you are temporarily unable to handle to Herta, while you yourself act as her assistant, solving all sorts of trivial, miscellaneous tasks—]
[Although your current design-related skills are all at an extremely low level, Herta, as an Emanator of [The Erudition] and a great scientist of the cosmos, possesses extraordinary abilities...]
[The miracle design of the "Blade" would certainly be extremely difficult for her to solve... but there is definitely a chance to try, and it is far more likely to succeed than if you were to do it yourself.]
[Choosing this option, you will assist Herta. Under her thought and leadership, you will complete a design that uses the power of the Lantern of [Salvation] itself and a special "Mechanical Design" to bend the path of light, transforming it into a dagger that can pierce the veil of fate with its radiance.]
[Based on Herta's status as an Emanator of [The Erudition], the probability of triggering a miracle event for this option is 6%...]
[However, because you are present as Herta's assistant, the miracle event trigger probability for this option will increase by 5%, bringing the combined total to 11%.]
[Based on Herta's "Mechanical Design" skill level, your probability of success for this choice is 80%.]
[3. Blank Option.]
Looking at the option box on the light screen, Ron actually had nothing to hesitate about. He immediately made his choice.
Only option two was the right choice to make now.
After all, this was the plan he had thought of long ago... Herta, the perfect assistant he had found, was meant to provide her greatest utility at this very moment.
Although the "Weapon Design" mentioned in option one was indeed tempting to Ron—because if he thought about it carefully, it was clear that a special weapon designed and created in this way would possess unimaginable power, perhaps not only able to tear through the veil, but also to be used as a reliable weapon...
But as good as this idea was, one had to have the ability to accomplish it—and it went without saying that Ron, with his complete lack of "Weapon Design" skills, couldn't possibly choose this option.
Although this option wasn't entirely out of reach. To complete this weapon design, he could simply choose the blank option, then operate the simulation himself and entrust Herta with completing the design...
After all, as an Emanator of [The Erudition], Herta was just as adept at "Weapon Design," her skill level basically maxed out.
But this choice concealed a huge drawback—
Even if the design were successfully completed many times over, it might not truly be a miracle design capable of breaking the veil.
After all, the bottom-line content of this miracle design, which could guarantee a blade that could break the veil, was to complete a mechanical design. Although a weapon design was similar, it was ultimately worlds apart.
He could only choose option two... This choice perfectly matched Ron's expectations. Although the Life Simulation Game had once again given Ron a blank option due to the effect of the "Way of Salvation" trait, he no longer needed to choose it.
Wasn't typing a waste of time?
With this thought in mind, Ron clicked on the second option on the light screen. He watched as the option box on the screen gradually faded, and new lines of text appeared—
Herta, at his side, lazily watched the simulation screen before her. As Ron made his choice, new text jumped out on the screen:
[Standing before the Furnace of Creation, Ron handed the Lantern of [Salvation] in his hand to you.]
[He hopes to have you as the leader, while he himself acts as your assistant, to complete a mechanical design related to the "Blade" together.]
[He hopes that you can clear the fog for him and illuminate the path ahead—to break through the veil of fate, what exactly should be done to transform this lantern into a "Blade" that can tear through the veil?]
[Faced with this problem that involves the level of an Aeon, even you must think it over carefully before you can answer—]
The text on the light screen gradually faded, and a new simulation choice jumped out.
The new option box was wrapped in a distorted band of light, and a bright, seven-colored light outlined the frame of the choice...
This was a miracle choice—
[1. Comply with Ron's request and complete this mechanical design together with him.
You feel there is no problem with Ron's idea, and you readily accept his request—
Just as you did in the previous simulation, you and he shaped an Aeon together. And now, you will shape the "Blade" that can break the veil of fate.]
[2. Defy Ron's request. With Ron's help, use the Lantern of [Salvation] as a foundation to complete other kinds of special designs.
You feel there is a slight problem with Ron's idea. Why shouldn't the "Blade that can break the veil of fate" be a real blade?
What you need is not a harmless device that can only pierce the veil, but a sharp blade capable of wounding Terminus, the Finality.
You decide to provide a new design direction, attempting to forge a real blade with Ron's help.]
[3. (Miracle) "Why... not try to personally delve into it and make the choice that should be made in the real world?"
Sometimes, only through personal experience can one have the chance to forge a miracle.
Choosing this option, you will personally enter the simulation with Ron and make all the choices yourselves.
Go and try... to complete this one true miracle.]
Looking at the choice on the simulation screen, Herta raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Ron, I seem to have a special option..."
"A special option?"
Ron, who had just made his choice and was still pondering what kind of design he should complete and how to push the miracle design to completion, was slightly taken aback. He came back to his senses.
He looked at Herta with some confusion. "What special option? If it doesn't have sufficient benefits and deviates from our current chosen goal, perhaps we don't need to be fixated on it..."
Herta shook her head. "It's not that... It's just an option to personally enter the simulation."
She looked at the simulation screen before her with great interest.
"This option is prefixed with the word 'Miracle'... This is the first time I've encountered an option that allows me to personally enter the simulation."
As she spoke, she made her decision without hesitation:
"I'll choose this one... Everything related to Aeons should be treated with reverence. A hands-on approach is necessary—what do you think, Ron?"
Looking at Herta, who had glanced over at him, Ron pondered for a moment, but ultimately made the same choice.
After all, he was well aware of how much benefit a miracle option could bring... Not to mention, personally entering the simulation was a benefit in itself. This meant they could more flexibly control the development of events in the simulation, keeping everything firmly in their grasp.
The troubles to be solved next were many, and required meticulous operation... Ron was not prepared to let this opportunity slip by.
Seeing Ron nod as well, Herta clicked on the miracle option on the light screen with great interest...
As the option box on the light screen faded, a faint golden ripple appeared on the screen before the two of them, like a mysterious water mirror, gradually reflecting their own images...
---o---
In the next moment, Ron and Herta both felt a dizzy spell, and then suddenly found that the scene before them had changed drastically—
The huge cauldron with its lid open was now sitting right in front of them. Sniffing lightly, they could even smell a faint, subtle burnt smell in the air...
The Heliobi burned without any odor, but the fire of [Salvation] seemed to have been turned up a bit too high, giving the Heliobi themselves a slightly toasty smell.
Ron looked down at his own hands. The complete Lantern of [Salvation] was burning with a gentle flame... Before, just looking at the simulation text, he couldn't feel it, but after making personal contact, he could sense that although this Path of [Salvation] was completely constructed, the entire Path was riddled with countless pits and holes.
That single wisp of the concept of [The Abundance] had merely linked the head and tail of [Salvation], and had not truly repaired this Path, allowing it to thoroughly possess Aeon-grade power...
Although it could indeed be considered a "complete" Path, and could be distinguished from its previously completely broken state, at most it wasn't much stronger than the Path of [Salvation] Ron had just begun to shape after activating the "Way of Salvation" trait.
...Well, at least it's a complete Path. You can't ask for a free bike, can you?
It'll do if it works...
Ron comforted himself in his heart, then turned to look at Herta beside him, preparing to discuss with her exactly how they should complete this miracle design—
Then he saw Herta's eyes were dull, as if she had gone offline and lost her spirit.
Herta, is your puppet's battery life this bad? You should upgrade your configuration!
Ron was alarmed. He hurriedly prepared to find a charging station in the Artisanship Commission to give Herta a temporary boost...
But in the next moment, Herta's dull eyes flickered and became bright again.
"What happened?"
Seeing Herta suddenly go online and offline, Ron was completely baffled. But Herta just shrugged nonchalantly and said casually:
"I just found that a text-only simulation lacks too many things... After entering personally, I went offline for a bit to connect to my other puppets."
"It's not very important, but maybe this time, going online and offline will have some effect later... Who knows?"
Listening to Herta's words, Ron felt completely lost... When did this woman start liking to speak in riddles?
But Ron didn't mind. What was important now was not Herta's riddles, but the miracle design of the "Blade"...
It was time to consider how exactly this miracle design should be completed.
---o---
At the same time, on the other side—
A panting Bronya, carrying a cold Herta puppet, rushed into her ship. Just as she tossed the puppet onto a seat, she saw the Herta puppet, which had been as stiff and wooden as a doll, suddenly blink. Its dull eyes flickered with the light of wisdom, and it turned its head to look at her with a blank expression...
?
A big question mark popped up above Bronya's head, followed immediately by a joy that came from the bottom of her heart—
Holy crap! My sugar mommy's online!
Ron... I'm... saved!