Herta stood nearby, studying the flawless crystal fragment with cautious curiosity. "Ruan Mei, is this the fragment you've been looking for? Strange. I can't even discern its structure."
Ruan Mei didn't answer immediately. She quietly accepted the fragment, noting with some satisfaction that only two pieces remained. Though bringing Herta's excessive tsundere value below one hundred—that would be the real challenge.
"The universe is full of things we have yet to understand. Don't you agree, Herta?"
Herta didn't think much of it. At most, she assumed the fragment was related to Ruan Mei's research. "True. The unknown always fascinates. Let me study it sometime."
Ruan Mei's gaze sharpened. Had she guessed something? Herta's intelligence and observational skills were second only to the Aeons themselves.
Herta caught the look and quickly waved a hand, feigning indifference. "Forget it. I was just talking. Studying this fragment is less interesting than updating the Simulated Universe. I don't really care about it anyway."
Ruan Mei gave a soft "Oh."
"Really?"
"I said I don't care, so I don't care!"
"Then let me give it to you to study. What do you think?"
Herta blinked, her eyes slowly opening to gaze at Ruan Mei. That doesn't make sense. She just refused to let me study it. Now that I say I don't care, she agrees?
She wavered. Maybe I should take it. Just to examine it.
No. She had said she didn't care. She would not care.
After an internal struggle, she pouted, still every inch the tsundere. "Not interested. Keep it for now. I'll look at it when I have time."
Nearby, Lingsha stirred, clutching her head. She looked up at Herta with a plaintive glare. "Who hit me? When I find out who—"
Bam.
Another magic hammer, this time from Asta. Lingsha's eyes went wide. She tried to turn and see her attacker, but unconsciousness claimed her before she could.
Herta Ninety-Nine watched, impressed. "Asta, you should just keep using the hammer. You're more ruthless than me."
"No thanks."
"Suit yourself. I'm taking Lingsha back. I'll make sure she's properly cared for—so she doesn't find another way to escape and anger Madam Herta again."
She carried Lingsha through a [Mirror] back to Herta City.
The other puppets stared, confused. Herta #3156 spoke first. "Why did you bring her back here?"
Herta Ninety-Nine sighed. "Don't ask. She has some Vidyadhara secret technique for hiding her condition. The moment she left Herta City, she started demanding a 'final battle' with Madam Herta. Completely overestimating herself."
The puppets murmured.
"A final battle? She's so weak. Isn't she afraid Madam Herta will just send her to reincarnation with a wave of her hand?"
"Exactly. Even Madam Ruan Mei wouldn't dare say those words."
Herta Ninety-Nine pressed her forehead. Why were all her fellow puppets so dense? Couldn't they read between the lines?
"By 'final battle,' she meant fighting for Madam Ruan Mei. Winner takes her. Loser loses her."
The puppets nodded in understanding.
"Then say that next time!"
"Stop speaking in riddles."
"Be direct. Our systems are human."
Herta Ninety-Nine gritted her teeth. We're all Herta puppets. Why can't you understand plain speech?
"What's with your attitude? I'm the Deputy Station Master. I could have all of you formatted."
The crowd fell silent. Eyes turned to her—fear, resentment, jealousy, admiration. She was the center of attention. The chosen one. The destined.
Herta #3156 glared. That position should have been hers.
"I oppose Herta Ninety-Nine! This isn't the space station. This is Herta City. You can't—"
Other puppets joined in. "She's not Madam Herta. She can't bully us!"
"Justice! Down with Ninety-Nine!"
Some stood up. Some lowered their heads, afraid to meet her eyes. Others waited, watching to see which way the wind would blow.
Herta Ninety-Nine's gaze turned cold. She had fought to get where she was. They couldn't take it from her.
"Madam Herta is on a date with Ruan Mei. If I interrupt them and mention a few things... some of you might face worse than formatting."
The murmuring stopped.
Herta Ninety-Nine yawned. "Now. Take care of Lingsha. Anyone who opposes me opposes Madam Herta."
The puppets picked up their magic hammers and walked toward Lingsha.
Outside Herta City, Asta stepped forward, smiling. "Madam Ruan Mei, Madam Herta—you can study the flawless crystal later. Now, it's time to enjoy the Lantern Festival."
Ruan Mei studied her with a puzzled look. Herta pressed, "Asta. How did you know the fragment was called 'flawless crystal'?"