"Madam Ruan Mei, what are you waiting for?!"
"Yes!! We would never harm you—only help you!"
"We've had enough of Herta's terrible personality. Why should we be formatted just for disobeying her?!"
"Why does she get to study the Simulated Universe with you? Go sightseeing on the Luofu? Watch fireworks with you?! Why can't we?!"
"Yes!!"
Every Herta puppet voiced their grievances against the real Herta.
Seeing this, Ruan Mei could only nod to them.
"Everyone. I'll have Tingyun handle everything from here."
She turned to Tingyun and spoke softly.
"Tingyun. Make the arrangements for these puppets. Their next steps."
Tingyun blinked, a flicker of surprise in her foxian eyes—gone in an instant.
"Understood, Benefactor Ruan Mei. I'll take care of everything."
Ruan Mei turned and left. One hundred thousand Herta puppets... in my lab. Sigh. What is that woman thinking?
---
Evening.
Herta slowly opened her eyes. Herta #99 quickly stepped forward and offered her coffee.
Herta frowned, displeased.
"What's this?! I always take three sugars."
Herta #99 lowered her head, trembling.
"Forgive me, Madam Herta. I'll get you a new one."
"Forget it. Never mind."
Herta tossed the cup aside and questioned Herta #99.
"Anything happen recently?"
Herta #99 hesitated. She didn't know how to break the news.
One hundred thousand puppets leaving the space station for Ruan Mei's lab? Unprecedented.
"Well... well..."
"Speak!! Unless you want to be formatted?!"
Herta #99 trembled. I've helped her so many times, and her attitude toward me swings wildly.
Her personality really is the worst in the universe.
Herta ignored her and investigated herself. Asta had contacted her repeatedly—but Herta #99 had blocked every call.
"What is it, Asta?"
"Madam Herta. One hundred thousand of your puppets—and ten of my Starcrusher ships—have left the space station."
Herta froze. She shot to her feet.
"What?! Where are they now?"
"Madam Ruan Mei's lab."
Herta closed her eyes and pressed her forehead.
"Fine. I understand. Leave this to me."
Herta #99 stood cautiously to the side, terrified of being formatted.
"Come here."
"Yes."
Herta #99 stepped forward, head bowed.
Herta glared at her coldly.
"Am I that terrifying? That heartless? Why won't you look at me?"
Herta #99 quickly looked up, stammering.
"No, no, Madam Herta. I... I..."
Herta waved her silent.
"One question. Why did you block Asta's calls while I was resting?"
Herta #99 bit her lip and answered softly.
"These past few days, you've barely rested—always troubled over Madam Ruan Mei."
"When I saw you finally sleeping peacefully, I couldn't bear to disturb you. So I blocked Asta's calls."
Herta smiled faintly. She stepped forward and smoothed Herta #99's sleeve. Straightened her hat.
Those few seconds felt like an eternity. Herta #99 walked on eggshells, terrified of being formatted.
"Interesting. You understand people better than the other puppets. You've learned fear. Don't worry. I won't hurt you."
Herta #99's eyes welled with imaginary tears—though as a puppet, she couldn't actually cry.
All those times I helped Madam Herta... finally, some recognition.
Herta returned to her throne and looked down at her.
"Herta #99. From now on, you'll be Herta Ninety-Nine. 'Ninety-Nine' for short. What do you think?"
Herta #99 blinked, staring in disbelief.
Named by the real Herta herself?! It sounds almost the same, but...
In countless Amber Eras, among millions of puppets, she's the first.
"Madam Herta's kindness... I'll never forget. I'll serve you faithfully. Help you win back Madam Ruan Mei."
"And witness the great, peerless, brilliant Madam Herta defeat Polka. Overthrow that figurehead, Machine Head."
Herta nodded, satisfied.
"Yes. Not bad. You're really not bad, Ninety-Nine."
"Oh, once things are right between me and Ruan Mei, I'll have her modify your puppet form."
In Herta Ninety-Nine's eyes, the real Herta was no longer an object of praise. She was a true goddess.
Madam Herta is perfect!
"Madam Herta... I... I..."
Seeing her overcome with gratitude, Herta understood. Her greatness defied words.
"Enough. Go change your clothes. Tidy up. Tomorrow morning, we see Ruan Mei."
"Yes!!"
Herta Ninety-Nine hurried out. She knew better than anyone: for one so ambitious, this was not the end.