Facing Herta's inquiry, Herman quickly relayed all the intelligence he knew.
Mikhail was a great Nameless.
He had once boarded the Astral Express and served as its mechanic. Guided by the ideals of the Nameless, he had helped prisoners such as Hanu pursue freedom and overthrow the Interastral Peace Corporation's rule.
Moreover, in order to completely liberate the prison planet, he and his companions—Hanu, Gopher Wood, Tiernan, Razalina, and others—had devoted themselves to long years of effort.
Together, they wove the story of a child's dream.
A dream built upon the prison planet's abundant Memoria resources—a beautiful dream about Penacony, the City of Dreams.
That story attracted countless Dreamchasers from across the universe, and Penacony's condition gradually improved. In time, it earned the reputation of being the Planet of Festivities within the cosmos.
Hearing this, The Herta finally understood why Mikhail was so opposed to this cooperation.
Most likely, the Nameless—Mikhail—viewed this partnership as another scheme by the IPC, a renewed attempt to invade Penacony...
Herta asked inwardly, "What about Gopher Wood? How much do you know about him?"
Herman promptly replied, "A member of the Oak Family. Mikhail's companion."
The Herta was startled. "That's it?"
Herman rolled his eyes internally. "Come on. I'm not an all-purpose information bureau."
The Herta said, "I thought you knew everything."
Herman answered, "If I truly knew everything, that would mean omniscience... and omniscience inevitably leads to omnipotence. Unfortunately, I am not an omniscient and omnipotent being."
"Which is precisely why I need to bind myself to you—to unravel more of the universe's questions."
"With the two of us together, we will inevitably walk the path to omniscience and omnipotence. After all, your host is Herta."
The Herta's inner voice brimmed with confidence.
In her life, she had never encountered a setback, never faced a problem she could not solve. She firmly believed that, given enough time, every conundrum in the universe would be dismantled by her hands—even the secrets of the Aeons were no exception.
One day, she would inevitably become omniscient.
Omnipotent.
"I look forward to that day," Herman replied in affirmation.
With that, The Herta ended her internal conversation with Herman. She opened her eyes and looked at the white-haired elder, Mikhail, before speaking slowly.
"Mikhail, correct? I initiated this transaction. What I intend to offer Penacony is an enormous opportunity for development. If you are truly intelligent, you should not stand in my way."
"And surely you have considered this—would this not make the story you tell about Dreamchasers even more perfect?"
Mikhail asked, "What do you mean?"
Gopher Wood hurriedly explained, "Miss Herta means that the raw materials required for the research product she has developed—Dreamstones and Memoria—are essential, and the demand is substantial."
"The citizens of Penacony, as well as Dreamchasers from across the universe, could delve into dreams on Miss Herta's behalf to mine these materials. Through this method, they would earn a considerable sum of Credits."
Jade nodded. "Precisely. Mr. Mikhail, as long as the Family's envoy at your side agrees to cooperate, Penacony's people will gain access to a gold mine that can never be exhausted."
Mikhail asked, "And what will the IPC contribute in this cooperation?"
"Naturally, channels." A faint smile curved at Jade's lips. "As everyone knows, the Interastral Peace Corporation's Marketing Development Department has expanded into countless worlds. Through free trade, we have established the Credit system throughout the universe."
"Every world where Credits circulate has become a vast market developed by the IPC."
Mikhail said, "So this transaction was initiated by Miss Herta. The raw materials will be provided by Penacony. And the distribution channels will be handled by the IPC—and even the Xianzhou Alliance?"
"Exactly. Mr. Mikhail, you finally understand the situation." Seated in her chair, Jade spoke with a faint smile. "Believe me, when greater interests are at stake, the IPC has no reason to cause trouble in Penacony."
"And I am certain that the current Dreamchasers in Penacony are drawn by the stories you tell. They have not truly made money yet."
"If you agree to this cooperation, Penacony will finally possess a grand enterprise capable of captivating the cosmos and generating real profit."
"I am confident that in this way... Penacony will become a true Planet of Festivities."
Jade's words flowed like blooming lotuses, painting this cooperation as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—one that would guarantee Penacony prosperity for generations, like oil monarchs in undeveloped worlds who stumbled upon vast petroleum reserves.
"I do not believe you," Mikhail said flatly.
He was not bewitched by Jade's persuasion. As a veteran Nameless, his instincts told him that the pink-haired woman before him, wearing a top hat and exuding an elegant aura, was not as harmless as she appeared.
She was a snake.
And as everyone knew, snakes were cold-blooded and adept at lying in wait.
They struck only when the time was right.
If Jade—or rather, the Interastral Peace Corporation behind her—ever found an opportunity to swallow Penacony whole, neither she nor the capital forces within the IPC would hesitate.
No matter how people embellished the truth, claiming that the Interastral Peace Corporation upheld peace across the cosmos and embodied Order—
Mikhail knew the reality.
The Interastral Peace Corporation was the personification of capital itself.
From head to toe, from every pore, it dripped with blood and filth.
As long as sufficient profit existed, capital would trample any law.
For example, suppose that one day Penacony truly prospered and became the universe's Planet of Festivities, attracting Dreamchasers from everywhere.
At that point, the profits generated by Penacony itself might surpass those of mining Memoria and Dreamstones.
When that day came, the IPC would absolutely change its stance. It would move against Penacony—even if it meant becoming enemies with the Family.
Having thought through all of this, Mikhail took a deep breath. He lifted his head and glanced at everyone present before speaking slowly.
"The Family and Penacony can cooperate. We are willing to undertake the mining and supply the raw materials. But there is one condition. I hope Miss Herta will agree to it."
An additional condition?
The Herta frowned slightly. "Speak."
Mikhail said, "I hope that Miss Herta will accept twenty percent of the shares in Penacony Reverie Company."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present—including Herta and Jade—was stunned.
At the side, Gopher Wood was completely dumbfounded. He hurriedly spoke up. "Mikhail, do you know what you're saying? You led the transformation of Penacony—the prison planet. Yet the total shares you hold in Penacony Reverie Company amount to only thirty percent."
"If you hand over twenty percent to Miss Herta, you will be left with only ten percent. After that, even if you join forces with me and the Family, you will no longer be able to maintain controlling interest in Penacony Reverie Company."
"Whether I retain controlling interest in Penacony Reverie Company is not important," Mikhail said, shaking his head. He stroked the white beard on his chin and turned to his old friend. "I am already advanced in age. Even if I continue to sleep in the hibernation pod, I will only awaken a few more times before I leave this world for good."
"So what concerns me now is whether Penacony's future will once again lose its freedom—whether it will deviate from its original path of liberty and be enslaved by the IPC once more."
"Now, I am introducing a true variable into Penacony—a genius from the Genius Society. And this genius will also possess assets in Penacony. As long as the genius remains here, she will not stand by and watch Penacony descend into turmoil."
At this moment, Mikhail's true thoughts were clear.
His old friend Gopher Wood's ideals had begun to deteriorate.
The change had started after Mikhail entered the hibernation pod for the first time. Otherwise, when the Family chose an envoy to cooperate with the IPC and Herta this time, it should not have been Gopher Wood—it should have been Old Oti.
After all, the Gopher Wood of old had been just like him, willing to give everything for their ideals, someone who would never have cooperated with the IPC.
And if Gopher Wood's convictions had softened—if his stance toward the IPC had weakened—then it meant the IPC would inevitably establish a presence in Penacony in the future. There would be a real possibility that Penacony might once again fall under corporate control.
At that point, the beautiful dream would mutate, decay, twist... perhaps even die.
That was something Mikhail could never accept.
So he would introduce a variable in advance—Miss Herta, the newly inducted 83rd Seat of the Genius Society.
He had once boarded the Astral Express and served as its mechanic, traveling to many worlds beyond Penacony. In those worlds, he had encountered geniuses other than Herta.
Each and every one of them had been extraordinary prodigies, obsessively pursuing the truths, ideals, and principles in their hearts day and night.
There was no reason to believe this new genius of the Genius Society—Miss Herta—would be any different.
More importantly, as a mechanic of the Astral Express walking the Path of Trailblaze, he possessed a special Path ability—Trailblaze's pointer... Clockwork.
That ability had already told him that Miss Herta was not a bad person.
And that alone was enough.
He would use the final years of his life to have the people of Penacony serve Herta, making her value this place more deeply—so that she would not remain indifferent if turmoil ever struck.
In the future, once Penacony developed further, it would no longer be a contest solely between the Family and the IPC.
A new variable—Miss Herta—would enter the equation, forming a tripartite balance of power.
Having thought through everything with the shrewdness of age, Mikhail looked at Herta earnestly.
"Miss Herta, are you willing to accept the shares I am offering?"
Herta, inwardly, felt some resistance.
If she accepted the shares, she would have to consider the IPC's future.
For example, if Penacony Reverie Company held a board meeting—would she need to attend?
And matters concerning Penacony's development... just thinking about them gave her a headache.
At that moment, Herman, residing within her mind, spoke.
"Accept the shares Mikhail is giving you, Herta."
Herta responded rapidly in her thoughts. 'But it's such a hassle. More importantly, I don't lack money. I don't lack research funding.'
"Don't forget," Herman said, "you just told me you intend to complete research toward omniscience. If you want omniscience, then analyzing the entire universe is essential."
"That will require astronomical levels of research funding. The 1.2 trillion Credits in your hands are merely a drop in the ocean."
"More importantly, in the future, the shares of Penacony Reverie Company will be extremely valuable. Twenty percent of the shares—its annual dividends will not be less than your current savings. At minimum, 1.2 trillion Credits per year, and likely far more."
Herta's heart stirred. 'That profitable?'
"More profitable than you imagine. In the future, Penacony will completely shed the name of prison planet. The environment of that world will transform from a hellscape into a true City of Dreams, attracting Dreamchasers from across the cosmos in droves."
Herman continued earnestly, "Think about it. How many galaxies are there in the universe? How many Dreamchasers yearning to strike it rich? Penacony Reverie Company will charge them—and naturally, it will earn enormous profits."
"And most importantly, you have a special talent under your command. She can manage Penacony Reverie Company on your behalf."
Herta was intrigued. 'The talent you're referring to... is Pearl?'
"Exactly. You can have her hold the shares on your behalf, appoint her as a director of Penacony Reverie Company, and let her manage it for you."
"Good idea."
Herta was fully convinced.
She opened her eyes and looked at the aged Mikhail.
"Since you are willing to give them, I will accept. But I do not sell regret afterward."
Mikhail burst into hearty laughter. "I will not regret it. Once the Soul Gem project cooperation is finalized, I will sign the share transfer agreement and transfer the shares to you, Miss Herta."
"Very well," Herta replied.
Watching the two conclude the deal before his eyes, Gopher Wood's expression grew complicated.
He had already figured it out.
His old friend Mikhail likely feared that Penacony would once again fall under corporate control. By gifting the shares to Herta, he intended to make the IPC wary through this maneuver.
But transferring the shares to him—to the Oak Family—would have achieved the same effect.
If the Family controlled the shares, it would likewise prevent the IPC from easily interfering in Penacony's management.
At this moment, Gopher Wood very much wanted to ask Mikhail:
"Do you no longer trust me, old friend?"
In the end, he did not voice the question.
Instead, he followed Pearl to another conference room to discuss cooperation regarding the Soul Gem.
As for Jade, the executive of the Interastral Peace Corporation, she had witnessed Mikhail transferring the shares to Herta. With her sharp mind, she quickly grasped his intention.
She understood even more clearly that if the IPC truly sought to reclaim control over Penacony in the future, it would face resistance from the genius Herta. The difficulty of doing so would increase considerably.
At that moment, Herta spoke to Mikhail.
"I have a few questions for you, as a Nameless."
Mikhail smiled. "Of course. If you wish to know about the travel experiences of the Nameless, I would be delighted to tell you."
"Beyond that, I can also share with you a story—about a watchmaker who buried a treasure."