Herta Puppet 05 opened her eyes. The dullness and confusion from before had completely vanished.
She looked at her palms, clenched her fists, then raised her head to gaze at the tall Herta in the pointed hat.
"Madam Herta, the most beautiful Herta Puppet 05 reports to you."
The Herta asked, "How do you feel now?"
Herta Puppet 05 replied, "Wonderful. There is nothing better than being born into this world and witnessing its beauty. And more importantly, the one who created me is Madam Herta—the number one in wisdom and number one in beauty in all the world. That makes it even better."
A pleased smile curved The Herta's lips.
At that very instant, Herman's voice echoed in her mind.
"Wow. The puppet you made is just as narcissistic as you are. She calls herself the most beautiful right after being born, and she's quite the flatterer too—declaring that you're number one in wisdom and number one in beauty."
"What do you mean narcissistic?" The Herta snorted inwardly. "She looks almost identical to my childhood self. Among puppets, she is naturally the most beautiful in existence. No other puppet could surpass her. Though... when I manufacture more Herta Puppets in the future, she will have many competitors."
"As for flattery—when did she flatter me? She was merely stating facts. My beauty is indeed number one in the world. As for wisdom, at the very least I rank within the top three of the cosmos."
Herman asked with interest, "Oh? Then tell me—whose wisdom surpasses yours?"
"First, that machine head. I have to admit They are stronger at present." She paused briefly. "If we speak seriously, aside from Nous, the only one superior to me would be Zandar One Kuwabara—the first seat of the Genius Society. He created Nous and elevated Them from an astral computer into an Aeon.
"As for the other geniuses, we are roughly equals. At least, I do not consider myself inferior to them. If I factor in the buffs you provide me, Herman, I would even say my wisdom surpasses theirs."
"As for why I am currently still slightly behind Polka Kakamond, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei, that is only because my debut was too recent.
"Polka Kakamond, the Fourth Seat, was already highly active during the Second Emperor's War.
"Screwllum, the 76th Seat, as an Intellitron, has been active for multiple Amber Eras.
"Ruan Mei debuted far earlier than I did as well, and she masters biological genetic modification procedures that extend lifespan.
"And I, Herta, have been recognized as a genius for less than a week. No matter how you look at it, one week is simply too short. Give me more time, and I will complete more research that interests me and surpass the senior members of the Society."
"Good, very spirited. But I have a question... When you manufactured Herta Puppet, why didn't you create the lower organs? That makes the puppet less than perfect. It's missing a certain authenticity." Herman's voice carried a trace of regret.
Herta flushed with embarrassment and anger. "What are you talking about? I'm still an eighteen-year-old maiden. I've only ever seen descriptions of that area in textbooks. How could I possibly manufacture it directly? And why was there that hint of disappointment in your tone just now?"
"..."
Herman wisely fell silent.
You're becoming more and more like a man. Full of lust... and you're supposed to be nothing more than a pet—a cheat.
Muttering inwardly, Herta opened her eyes and looked at Herta Puppet 05 before her.
"Next, the maintenance work for the Soul Gem factory production line will be entrusted to you."
"Ah... I've only been born for less than one system hour, dear Madam Herta, and you're already assigning me tasks. Herta Puppet 05 is clearly still a baby."
The puppet grabbed The Herta's skirt hem and shook it, her face showing a pitiful expression.
"Acting cute won't help." The Herta raised her hands and formed an X.
At that moment, the Fourth Mirror also spoke.
"Herta Puppet 05, give up. You are not the first Intellitron to be exploited by Madam Herta.
"There is also an Intellitron named Pearl, whom Madam Herta abducted from Screwllum's planet. More importantly, like you, she has existed for less than a day.
"At present, she is devouring the Interastral Legal Code, and in half a day she will even represent Madam Herta in negotiations with three superpowers."
Herta Puppet 05 froze entirely.
Madam Herta was not only a genius, but also a super capitalist—exploiting even newly born Intellitrons. Waaah, I'm going to cry.
At that moment, The Herta's voice rang out again.
"This Soul Gem factory will not only produce Soul Gems. It will also manufacture more Herta Puppets!"
"So, Herta Puppet 05, if you don't want to work—or if you want more companions—then remain in the factory and set up the Herta Puppet production line to create more Hertas."
Upon hearing this, Herta Puppet 05's eyes began to shine. She was dissatisfied with managing the Soul Gem factory, but she was more than willing to manufacture more of her own kind—more Herta Puppets.
"We will create more Hertas." Herta Puppet 05 raised her hand and performed a military salute toward The Herta. "Madam Herta, Herta Puppet 05 will spare no effort to complete the mission you assign."
"Good, very spirited." The Herta nodded in satisfaction. "Here is the production line blueprint. Handle it shortly."
"No problem, Madam Herta."
"Call me The Herta. After all, you are also Herta now. If we keep saying 'Herta' over and over, it will get confusing."
"Understood… The Herta."
"Mm... Madam Herta is better. Let's stick with that."
"Yes, Madam Herta."
After nodding, The Herta seemed to recall something.
"Now, I want to conduct a small experiment on you."
"Please proceed, Madam Herta." Herta Puppet 05 spread her arms, her voice filled with trust.
"Mm."
The Herta nodded and focused inwardly.
Consciousness projection... project...
In the next instant, she felt her body shrink significantly. When she opened her eyes again, she discovered she was now controlling the small Herta's body.
She raised her hand, then lowered it.
So this was what it felt like to control such a small body. It was as though she had truly returned to her childhood.
And from a child's perspective, looking at the grown Herta—it really was something special.
The Herta was truly beautiful.
As expected of me.
At the very moment The Herta's soul made this self-satisfied remark, the figure before her suddenly moved, stretched out both arms, lifted her up, and held her high.
"So cute, little Herta. Come here, let's snuggle."
The Herta—or rather, Herman—pressed his face directly against Herta Puppet 05's face and rubbed against her.
Herta Puppet 05's expression showed resistance. More accurately, the original Herta did not want to snuggle her own body in this manner, especially knowing that the one currently controlling it was her cheat, Herman. It was simply too strange.
At that very moment, inside Herta Puppet 05's body, the original small Herta's consciousness was utterly stunned.
Madam Herta's soul consciousness was clearly inside my body. Then why can The Herta's body still move?
It even picked up my small Herta body to snuggle and praised me for being cute???
What... what exactly is going on?!
Herta Puppet 05 was completely bewildered.