One system hour later, at Herta Space Station.
Ruan Mei held a cup of tea, half-leaning against the window, gazing at the blue planet. This planet had once been unremarkable and ordinary, but the birth of Herta several Amber Eras ago had made it known throughout the universe. Of course, Herta had also saved the planet many times, to the point that its inhabitants had mythologized everything about her. The sorceress who saved the world. The absolute genius. The guardian of the blue skies.
A voice interrupted Ruan Mei's thoughts.
"Madam Ruan Mei, here is the report on Herta #3156. Madam Herta asked me to deliver it to you."
Ruan Mei took the report from Asta and examined it. After reviewing the data, she noted that Herta #3156's Path of Destruction was highly compatible with Amphoreus' "Irontomb," with a similarity of seventy percent. However, her power was far inferior to the stillborn Irontomb, likely due to the inherent limitations of being a puppet.
A flicker of interest crossed Ruan Mei's cool eyes. "Interesting, both in Path and in life. Just as Herta Ninety-Nine said, there is some research value here." She set the report on the table and turned to Asta. "Asta, take me to the lab. I want to observe Herta #3156 personally."
Asta shook her head and smiled apologetically. "Madam Ruan Mei, it's getting late. Madam Herta hopes you will rest at the space station tonight. She has already arranged a room for you. As for further research on Herta #3156, Madam Herta will forward everything to you for simultaneous analysis and review."
Ruan Mei fell into thought. The form that Herta #3156 had taken upon walking the Path of Destruction had unsettled her the moment she saw it. Extinguished and eerie, yet she was curious.
Seeing Ruan Mei lost in thought, perhaps contemplating another experiment, Asta did not dare disturb her further. "Madam Ruan Mei, please rest well. I'll return to the Master Control Zone."
Asta turned, pushed open the door, and left.
Ruan Mei picked up the report again, gazing at the image of Herta #3156 darkened by Destruction, gradually drifting into a trance.
---
In a warped, chaotic space, a mutated sea of violet orchids withered and crumbled into graves under the weight of Destruction.
Ruan Mei slowly looked up. A strange yet hauntingly familiar purple figure loomed in the void. They wore an ominous crown, and around their neck hung a necklace like a sea of skulls. Black wings and shackles extended endlessly. Grotesquely beautiful and beyond imagination. Yet, simply by appearing, they inspired an indelible terror, like an emperor.
"You... who are you?"
"Rupert. The Third."
The voice was cold yet familiar. For the first time in her life, Ruan Mei's composed face showed disbelief and horror. Her eyes went wide. She repeated the name in a whisper.
"Rupert III?!"
They nodded slightly and waved a hand. The blue planet—the one Herta had protected time and again—collapsed and crumbled, destroyed, reduced to dust. They waved again. Every curio in Herta Space Station annihilated simultaneously, transforming into an absolute inequality and unleashing power enough to destroy half the universe. In the name of Rupert III, they brought absolute and equal Destruction to the entire universe.