"Hello, Lord Takagi, we meet again."
Screwllum came before Takagi and elegantly performed a gentleman's bow.
"Hello, Screwllum, you are as polite as ever."
"Unlike a certain doll girl, who is as impolite as ever."
Takagi chuckled.
"I'm sorry for being impolite." Herta retorted, looking at Takagi:
"Takagi, you can help this guy embark on the Path of Propagation."
"Can you also help me embark on the Path of Propagation?"
"You know, we are researching matters related to the Aeon of Propagation."
"Maybe by stepping onto the Path of Propagation, I can gain more inspiration."
Takagi shook his head and said,
"Sorry, I can't help at all."
"Besides, you're an Emanator of Nous."
"Isn't it a bit much to want to step onto the Path of Propagation?"
"Aren't you worried that after stepping onto the Path of Propagation, your reputation in organizations like the IPC and the Genius Society will become bad?"
Even Dottore, a Pathstrider on the Path of Propagation, could create bugs so easily.
With Herta's knowledge and energy, if she were to step onto the Path of Propagation, who knows how many bugs she could create.
If people in the Star Ocean who have suffered from bug plagues knew that Herta had stepped onto the Path of Propagation, who knows what kind of trouble would arise.
Takagi didn't want to guide this world towards such a future.
Herta: "In that case, I'll pick a few people, and you can help them step onto the Path of Propagation?"
Takagi: "I refuse."
Herta: "Don't be like that, reconsider, okay? Can't you just do it for me?"
Takagi: "...You say you're asking me, but you don't mean it at all in your heart."
Takagi felt a little embarrassed.
He knew that Herta would have this reaction after knowing that he had The Power of Destiny that made it easier for people of Teyvat to step onto a Path.
Therefore, he didn't plan to let Herta know about this at first.
However, Takagi also understood that with Signora, Lisa, and others successively stepping onto Paths at Herta Space Station,
Herta, who had sufficient monitoring authority over Herta Space Station, couldn't possibly not notice.
Takagi had originally hoped that Herta wouldn't know about this before he led the people of Teyvat away from Herta Space Station.
But now it seemed he had thought too optimistically.
"It is indeed worth paying attention to the matter of humans stepping onto the Path of Propagation."
"It must also not be a simple matter for Lord Takagi to use his ability to help him step onto the Path of Propagation."
"Herta, I think it's better if we don't make things too difficult for Lord Takagi."
Screwllum said.
Herta: "Tsk, you really are a good person, Screwllum."
Screwllum didn't mind Herta's words. He turned his head, raised his hand, and handed the strange object, the Clockie, to Takagi.
"Lord Takagi, I came in a hurry."
"I only had time to prepare this strange object as a gift for you."
"I hope you can accept it."
Screwllum said.
Takagi: "Is this the Clockie?"
Screwllum: "Exactly!"
Takagi raised an eyebrow and said,
"As far as I know, this is a highly iconic strange object given to you by the IPC."
"Is it okay for you to give it to me?"
Screwllum nodded and said,
"If it's Lord Takagi, of course, it's worth me taking out the Clockie."
"The Clockie represents the friendship between the IPC and me."
"I hope this Clockie can also represent the friendship between me and Lord Takagi."
Takagi took the Clockie and examined it carefully.
Although the Clockie is a negative Curio in the Simulated Universe,
In the real world, Takagi found that this Clockie was not entirely useless.
Although it would cause the person carrying it to consume double the energy when using energy,
Conversely, the Clockie can also help the user gain more than double the attack power.
"When you go back to the Astral Express to rest later, place the Clockie in the reception room, Signora."
Takagi handed the Clockie to Signora, then looked at Screwllum.
"I am naturally willing to accept the friendship of the Mechanical Aristocrat Screwllum."
"However, accepting such a representative strange object from you, I also feel bad not showing any appreciation."
"Tell me, is there anything you want from me?"
"If it's something I can do relatively easily, I might be able to show my appreciation."
Takagi said.
"Lord Takagi has already helped us a lot by helping us test the Simulated Universe."
"However, if I can be a little greedy and make a request."
"I hope to have the opportunity to see an Aeon in the real world with Lord Takagi."
As Screwllum spoke, he glanced at Signora, who was standing behind Takagi holding the Clockie, and Asta, who was beside her.
Screwllum: "Just like Asta and this lady saw the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook with you."
[Keqing: So that's it, the genius Screwllum's goal is to see an Aeon with his own eyes.]
[Ningguang: And not just an Aeon in the Simulated Universe, but an Aeon in the real world.]
[Alhaitham: Although the strange object Clockie has considerable significance,
It's quite a bargain if it can be exchanged for an opportunity to see an Aeon.]
[Venti: As expected, when it comes to seeing an Aeon,
Even for Screwllum, who has already seen the Aeon of Erudition, it is extremely attractive.]
[Yae Miko: Not only Screwllum, but the two geniuses Herta and Ruan Mei are also very interested in seeing an Aeon in the real world.]
[Alice: Yes, you can tell just by looking at their expressions.
Perhaps the most fundamental reason why Ruan Mei, Herta, and Screwllum were in such a hurry to come here this time was that they heard from Asta that Takagi helped Signora and Asta see the Aeon of Destruction.]
[Albedo: As scholars, especially scholars who study Aeons,
There is probably nothing more attractive than seeing an Aeon in the real world.]
[Lumine: So the question now is, does Takagi have the ability to take them to see an Aeon?]
[Barbara: With the power of Mr. Takagi, he definitely can.]
"So that's it, you want to see an Aeon in the real world."
"Asta told you, right?"
Takagi said, looking at Asta.
Asta tilted her head and smiled playfully.
"Can you do it, Takagi?"
"Or do you need the cooperation of the Trailblazer?"
Ruan Mei asked.
"Although I also want to see an Aeon."
"But this should not be so easy."
"Even with the cooperation of that Trailblazer."
"You're right, Takagi."
Herta spread her hands and said to Takagi.
"Are you trying to provoke me, Herta?"
Takagi's mouth curved upwards, and he said with interest.
Herta: "If you think so, then it is."
Takagi: "What if I said I have the ability to let you see an Aeon?"
Herta: "As expected, you can't... Wait, what did you say earlier?!"
Herta's eyes widened as she looked at Takagi in disbelief.
Takagi smiled mysteriously. You know, he still held the authority to meet an Aeon and obtain an Aeon's power once.
And after the last time seeing [The Trailblaze], and this time seeing [Destruction] with the help of Stelle.
Takagi knew that using the authority he held to meet the Aeon, he could also bring others to meet the Aeon together.
Of course, only he himself would gain the power of the Aeon.
[Lumine: Hiss... Takagi actually still holds the opportunity to meet the Aeon in the real world?
This should be different from helping us meet the Aeon in the mysterious space, right?]
[Jean: The opportunity to meet the Aeon that Lord Takagi specifically mentioned should be different from when we met the Aeon.]
[Venti: Perhaps, the opportunity to meet the Aeon mentioned by Lord Takagi could trigger some major event.]
[Paimon: Major event? What kind of major event?]
[Venti: We'll only know after the Aeon appears.
Perhaps someone could gain super strong power by meeting the Aeon this time.]
[Kaeya: This is truly exciting, but unfortunately, I'm not at the Space Station right now.
Otherwise, I would also ask Lord Takagi to take me to meet the Aeon, right?]
[Baizhu: If we meet Abundance, does it mean we can receive Abundance's blessing?]
[Hu Tao: Abominations of Abundance warning!]
[Baizhu:...]
[Arlecchino: In any case, I'm a little envious of Signora, I wonder if she can seize this opportunity.]
[Columbina: Yes! I hope Lord Takagi's third tourism project can consider me.]
...
"Lord Takagi, can you really take us to meet the Aeon?"
Ruan Mei came closer to Takagi, looking at him with burning eyes.
Even someone as indifferent as her showed extreme enthusiasm when it came to matters concerning the Aeon, unable to maintain her inner composure.
"In my hands, I indeed hold an opportunity to meet the Aeon."
After a brief thought, Takagi still nodded to Ruan Mei.
Anyway, with his current power, he wouldn't be afraid of anything other than an Aeon.
Even if there was any danger, he could quickly transfer using the authority of Trailblaze.
Therefore, letting Ruan Mei and others know about this power of his wasn't a big deal either.
Furthermore, Takagi also intended to use this opportunity to meet the Aeon to gain sufficient friendship from geniuses like Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Herta.
Perhaps, someday in the future, he might need this friendship.
"That's great, quick, let us witness it."
"Oh right, which Aeon can you take us to meet?"
Herta grabbed Takagi's sleeve and asked impatiently.
"Which Aeon we meet is irrelevant for now."
"But Herta, Screwllum at least gave me a strange item."
"If you want to meet the Aeon, don't you need to show something in return?"
Takagi asked with a smiling face.
"Didn't I agree to let you bring these passengers from who knows which world to visit the Space Station, and even experience the Simulated Universe?"
Herta said, looking at Lisa and the others.
"But as the price for them being able to come here to visit and experience the Simulated Universe."
"I should have already paid the corresponding price, right."
Takagi chuckled.
Herta: "..."
"I wonder if Lord Takagi is interested in the Ruan, if you like it, I can give you this Ruan."
At this moment, Ruan Mei took down the Ruan from behind her and handed it to Takagi.
Herta: "Ruan Mei, you!"
Ruan Mei glanced at Herta and said calmly:
"Lord Takagi is right, he has already paid the price for Dottore and others to travel to the Space Station."
"Since we want to meet the Aeon in the real world."
"Naturally, we also need to pay another price."
Herta: "..."
Takagi looked at the Ruan in Ruan Mei's hand, and then looked at Ruan Mei herself.
"Didn't you already give me special pastries?"
"Furthermore, this Ruan is the instrument you carry with you, and it's also your weapon, right?"
"Is it really okay to give it to me?"
Takagi asked.
"If this Ruan can bring me an opportunity to meet the Aeon."
"Then giving it to you is worth it."
Ruan Mei said seriously.
"Let's forget it."
"I also don't know how to play the Ruan."
"Compared to keeping it with me as a decoration, it's better to keep it with you."
Takagi shook his head and said.
As a member of the Genius Club, the weapon Ruan Mei uses must not be an ordinary item.
If this Ruan stays with Takagi, Takagi can neither use it as a musical instrument nor as a weapon.
Under such circumstances, Takagi didn't want to take something someone cherished.
Even if he were to draw Ruan Mei's template someday, the template would also come with a corresponding Ruan.
This made Takagi feel even more that there was no need to take Ruan Mei's Ruan.
"In that case..."
Ruan Mei furrowed her beautiful brows, seemingly still thinking about what would be good to give Takagi.
"If you really want to give me something."
"Why not find some time to play the Ruan for me."
"The music played by you, I imagine, is very moving."
"Oh right, if you could record your performance onto a disc and give it to me, that would be even better."
Takagi smiled.
"I see, I understand."
"I will record the disc later."
"As for now, do you need me to play the Ruan for you?"
Ruan Mei asked.
"Hey, shouldn't we adjust the Simulated Universe right away?"
Herta put her hands on her hips and said discontentedly.
Upon hearing this, Screwllum and Ruan Mei both looked at Herta without saying a word.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You guys aren't trying to sell me out just to meet the Aeon, are you?"
Herta asked.
Ruan Mei: "Don't you want to meet the Aeon, Herta?"
Herta: "Of course I want to meet it."
Screwllum then spoke:
"Since that's the case, Ms. Herta might as well agree to some of Lord Takagi's small requests."
"This way, you can also meet the Aeon you want to see, can't you?"
Ruan Mei looked up at Screwllum, and murmured:
"To think I'd be lectured by you."
"Speaking of which, Takagi, you really can take us to see an Aeon, right?"
Takagi nodded slightly, confirming Herta's question.
"Since that's the case, may I ask which Aeon you can take us to see?"
"And what is the principle behind you being able to take us to see an Aeon?"
Herta asked.
"I can't explain the principle."
"Which Aeon we meet is also random."
Takagi shrugged and said.
"It's fine if you can't explain the principle."
"But even which Aeon we meet is random?"
Herta widened her eyes, looking at Takagi in disbelief.
"Alright, alright, tell me, what do you want from me in exchange for taking us to see an Aeon?"
Herta sighed and said.
Takagi: "How about you give me one of your puppets?"
Herta: "What do you want my puppet for?"
Takagi's lips curled up, and he smiled:
"My Astral Express is quite empty when there are no passengers."
"Having an extra puppet on board can add some liveliness."
"Also, when I'm free, I can play dress-up games or something with your puppet."
Herta's mouth twitched: "Are you serious?!"
"Of course... not." Takagi smiled and patted Herta's shoulder, saying:
"Although I'm very interested in your puppets."
"But it's not to the extent of using such a method to get a puppet."
"How about this, as long as you agree to establish a permanent tourist route in Herta Space Station to the world they are in."
"I will agree to take you, Ruan Mei, and Screwllum to meet that random Aeon."
"Of course, you don't have to worry about establishing this route causing you inconvenience."
"Travelers who didn't come with me only need to be treated as regular travelers."
Hearing this, Lisa, Signora, and the others looked at Takagi in surprise.
They obviously hadn't expected Takagi to give up proposing a demand that would benefit himself, but instead propose a demand that would benefit Teyvat.