After serious discussion in the conference room, the upper echelons of the Blue Federation all agreed that more underground air-raid shelters and similar defensive facilities should be constructed to guard against some massive crisis in the future.
As for Patavia's earlier speculation—that the crisis might come from within, from the genius Miss Herta herself—it was treated by the Blue Federation as little more than a joke.
...
In the dormitory of The Blue's First University, Herman listened through the Fourth Mirror—the super AI Herta that surpassed the Blue—to the contents of the Blue Federation's high-level meeting.
The Architects' prophecy of eighteen crises.
And even Patavia's claim that the crisis might come from within—from Herta.
A strange expression appeared on Herman's face as he pondered silently. In his previous life, in the game Honkai: Star Rail that he had played, there were clear documents describing how The Blue had fallen into enormous crises eighteen times.
And the great Miss Herta had saved The Blue from dire peril time and again. As for where the peril came from—best not to ask.
After thinking it through, Herman closed his eyes. His consciousness entered the Simulated Laboratory, where he immediately discovered that in just over a day, Herta had already developed assembly-line robots and mechanical arms capable of entering the factory to work.
However, seeing Herta's tightly furrowed brows, Herman knew she was still dissatisfied with the robots she had created. He spoke up:
"Herta, judging from the laboratory data, the robots you're producing now are already sufficient to serve as AI workers in the Soul Gem factory. Why are you still frowning?"
The Herta shook her head slightly. "What I want to create is not this kind of semi-finished assembly-line robot, but an intelligent machine with self-awareness—preferably one as much of a genius as I am. Its appearance should resemble me as a child... I've even decided on the name. It will be called the Herta Puppet."
Herman blinked. "Is that really so difficult? Haven't you already cultivated the Fourth Mirror · AI Herta?"
The Herta gave a bitter smile. "That was the result of long-term cultivation. I invented it when I was eight years old, and it has followed me for ten years."
"Ten years of refinement—plus the energy of the Path of Erudition—are what made it what it is today."
Herman's eyelids twitched.
Eight years old?!
At such a young age, she had already developed a revolutionary AI. Was this the research capability of a genius?
What had he been doing at eight years old?
Oh right. Playing with toys. Playing in the mud...
After inwardly sighing, Herman quickly thought of something and said to Herta, "If you want to accelerate the research on the Herta Puppet, I might be able to help a little."
Herta looked up and studied the man before her seriously. "Universal Genius and World-Shaking Wisdom are still active on me as buffs."
"Do you think I, Herman, can only give you buffs?"
Herta shook her head earnestly. "No. Besides enhancing me with buffs, you can also handle mundane matters in reality for me. And I quite like the modified Herta's Key · Herta Magic Wand."
"No, no, no. My abilities go far beyond that. For example, I can help you arrange a meeting with the 76th Seat of the Genius Society—Screwllum."
Herman spoke calmly. "He achieved genius purely as an intelligent machine. Perhaps he understands the principles behind mechanical intelligence and the birth of personality. Talking with him might help you in researching and creating the Herta Puppet AI."
The Herta's eyes began to shine.
At that moment, Herman continued, "In fact, just yesterday, another genius approached me. We discussed the Solitary Waves Theory and the future of the universe... She even asked me whether the Aeon of Propagation would be revived in her hands."
Herta looked surprised. "Who?"
"The 81st Seat of the Genius Society, Ruan Mei." A faint smile curved at the corner of Herman's lips as he gazed at the girl before him. "From our conversation, I learned that Ruan Mei is an expert in biological research. So when you begin constructing the Herta Puppet, you could even consult her about the structure of a perfect biological human body—and use that data to create the most perfect Herta Puppet."
Hearing this, The Herta felt even more tempted. She looked at the man before her seriously and said, "Then I'll leave contacting the two geniuses to you, Herman."
"Alright." Herman nodded slightly, then suggested, "How about using the Society Ticket invented by the 56th Seat, Elias Salas, to teleport to the Genius Society's base for a gathering?"
"You arrange it."
"Very well."
Herman's soul vanished from the Simulated Laboratory space.
The Herta stared blankly at the spot where he had disappeared for several seconds, unable to help thinking silently:
Herman, your role is indeed more than just giving me buffs and handling trivial matters of daily life. You can help me find teammates and solve scientific research problems.
It feels like I'm becoming more and more dependent on Herman.
But Herman is my cheat—and my pet. So relying on him a little shouldn't be a problem, right?!
Thinking this, Herta prepared to continue her research, seeing whether she could complete the Herta Puppet project on her own.
After opening his eyes in reality, Herman immediately logged into Herta's interastral network account and wasted no time contacting the ruler of Planet Screwllum—Screwllum himself—as well as Ruan Mei.
He conveyed the idea of exchanging research projects and mentioned that they could use a Society Ticket to teleport to the Genius Society's base.
On Screwllum, dressed in a suit and presenting himself as an elegant mechanical monarch, Screwllum received the message from the Blue IP address. Streams of data flashed through his eyes.
"Analysis: Screwllum must see the future. It requires the answer to the Solitary Waves Theory to extrapolate the future of Intellitrons—whether they will continue to exist, or face destruction."
"Conclusion: It must accept Miss Herta's research invitation."
Screwllum swiftly typed a reply:
"Miss Herta, in one system-hour, I, Screwllum, will complete the research project currently at hand. Regardless of success or failure, I will activate the Society Ticket and arrive as promised."
On the other side, the reclusive genius and supreme expert in biological research, Ruan Mei, also saw the research invitation sent by Herman on Herta's behalf. She blinked and thought to herself:
Herta—the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society.
More importantly, when she had privately messaged Herta's account yesterday, Herta had replied directly and even recognized at a glance that she was the 81st Seat. That level of insight made Ruan Mei further acknowledge Herta as a kindred spirit.
Afterward, Ruan Mei had also inquired about the Soul Gem technology. Once she confirmed that the technology was related to the soul, her interest only deepened.
Thus, when Herman extended this invitation on Herta's behalf, Ruan Mei responded immediately:
"In half a system-hour, I will activate the Society Ticket and descend upon the Genius Society base. See you there."