The Herta complained wildly in her heart, 'These Aeons are truly outrageous. They can even interfere with space and time... Even the temporarily ascended Pure Child of Anāsrava—Cyrene, as you call her—possesses the ability to interfere with time.'
Herman chuckled. "What? Are you afraid?"
'Afraid? Impossible. I am Herta.' Her inner voice was as confident as ever. 'Herta has no limits. One day, I will unravel the mystery of how Aeons interfere with space and time. I will even crown myself and become an Aeon...'
"I believe in you. With your wisdom—and my assistance—one day we will stand at the pinnacle of the cosmos. Even the Aeons will be unable to sway your will. The stars themselves will tremble because of your research."
Herman's words rang out with firm conviction.
'Enough looking to the future.' The Herta coughed lightly in her heart and grew serious. 'About Cyrene—about Fuli of Amphoreus—do you have any more information?'
"Of course. Cyrene is the will born from the Emperor's Scepter—she is the thirteenth Titan of Amphoreus."
Upon hearing this, The Herta instantly caught the key point in Herman's words. 'You mean there are twelve other Titans in Amphoreus? And are they like Cyrene—capable of instantaneous ascension, saving the cosmos?'
Herman shook his head slightly, then nodded. "Among the remaining twelve Titans, most did not reach Cyrene's achievement. But one of them—the Worldbearing Titan, Kephale · Khaslana—will, in the future, throw a punch at Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction."
"That punch will injure Nanook's cheek and cause golden blood of annihilation to flow."
Another Aeon bleeding.
The region of Amphoreus truly was filled with monsters.
The Herta had not expected that after the death of Zandar—the First Seat of the Genius Society—one of his nine fragments, Lygus, would stir up something so immense in this star domain.
She could not help but sigh inwardly.
As expected of a predecessor. Whether the original body or merely a fragment, he could alter the structure of the cosmos.
And at that very moment, at the location of Amphoreus' world barrier, a mechanical figure appeared.
That figure bore a temperament somewhat similar to Screwllum's—refined and intellectual.
Almost simultaneously, Herman's voice sounded in The Herta's mind. "That Intellitron is one of Zandar's nine fragments. In the distant past, his original body manufactured an Aeon."
"And in a more distant future, this fragment—Lygus—will manufacture the ascended Fuli of Amphoreus and the Khaslana who injures an Aeon. He will also be the culprit who makes you the Third Emperor and ignites the Third Emperor's War."
The Herta listened, silently marveling inwardly.
As expected.
At that moment, Lygus performed an elegant bow toward the people aboard the Screw and the Ruanruan. "Esteemed geniuses who have traveled from afar to reach the world of Amphoreus—it truly surprises and delights me."
Upon hearing this, Screwllum promptly opened the hatch of the Screw. "Logical deduction. In unexplored worlds, it is indeed possible for Intellitrons to arise. Mr. Lygus... our visit this time is to connect this world with the cosmos."
Lygus tilted his head slightly. "Is that not the task of the Trailblaze · Astral Express—or perhaps the Interastral Peace Corporation's Marketing Development Department? Since when have geniuses taken on such side occupations?"
Screwllum replied calmly, "Result inference. Mr. Lygus, the fact that you are aware of the Express and the Interastral Peace Corporation indicates that you have previously visited the universe. That is correct—we wish to explore this world which has yet to be opened."
Lygus shook his head without hesitation. "Due to certain special circumstances, Amphoreus is temporarily closed to outsiders."
At those words, Screwllum adjusted the monocle on his face. A trace of distinctly human confusion appeared in his expression.
The reason was simple.
His monocle was specially constructed—capable of probing the information of opposing Intellitrons.
In the past, this mechanical observation lens had never failed.
But before Lygus, it had completely lost its function.
Even within the monocle's display, Lygus' data remained: ???
This situation made Screwllum realize that Lygus was no ordinary being. Perhaps he was another recluse Emanator like Ruan Mei—or perhaps a powerful Intellitron left over from the Emperor's War.
If it truly were a relic of the Emperor's War, then it might have been influenced by the Anti-Organic Equation.
If so, it would require destruction—reforging in the furnace.
It absolutely could not be allowed to enter the cosmos and wreak large-scale devastation upon its worlds, further worsening public perception of Intellitrons.
After reaching this line of thought, Screwllum's gaze grew serious. "Mr. Lygus—are you an Intellitron from the era of the Emperor's War?"
"The Emperor's War? That is far too recent." Lygus' voice was exceedingly calm. "I was born before even the Genius Society had taken shape—when it was still merely a concept."
!!
Hearing this, Screwllum realized that he had encountered an extremely ancient Intellitron.
If so, perhaps Lygus possessed a method of resisting the influence of the Anti-Organic Equation.
With that thought, the Screw—whose hull had subtly begun to shift, preparing to transform and deploy numerous weapons—ceased its movements.
At that moment, Ruan Mei stepped out from the Ruanruan and looked at Screwllum. "An Intellitron born before the Genius Society existed... Why have we never heard your name throughout the cosmos?"
The Herta spoke as well. "Perhaps because the name you use now is an alias. In the past, you went by another name. Am I correct—one of the nine fragments of Zandar One Kuwabara?"
!!
At The Herta's address, Ruan Mei's eyelids twitched.
She had not expected that this expedition would encounter one of Zandar's fragments.
Zandar—the man who created an Aeon. Even part of the Aeon was a divine manifestation of Zandar himself.
What scheme might he be conducting within this unknown world?
As this thought formed, Ruan Mei took out the A-Ruan Pouch—ready at any moment to pack The Herta inside and withdraw from Amphoreus using the power of an Emanator.
On the other side, Screwllum had also not expected to encounter Zandar.
No wonder—even as the mechanical sovereign of Planet Screwllum—his personally crafted Appraisal Eye could not analyze Lygus' data.
So Lygus was merely an alias...
If that were the case, Lygus' refusal to allow the three geniuses to investigate Amphoreus meant that this world held a great secret—perhaps even the secret of how Zandar created an Aeon.
With that realization, Screwllum's gaze toward Lygus grew increasingly grave.
Meanwhile, within the world of Amphoreus, Lygus' own heart was heavy.
As expected.
The special nature of Amphoreus had already been perceived by those geniuses.
Judging from the expressions of the three just now, the one who had glimpsed part of Amphoreus' hidden truths was Herta—the newly risen genius of the Genius Society?
After reaching this conclusion, Lygus admitted it openly. "That is correct. I am one of the nine fragments Zandar left within this world. As for Amphoreus—you three will not be permitted to explore it. In this region, I have my own schemes and plans. It concerns whether the countless beings of the cosmos can escape the prison of wisdom and intellect."
"In truth, if my plan succeeds, the three of you will benefit greatly as well. Your research will no longer be confined to the domain circled and restricted by Nous. Even unknown, unknowable, forbidden knowledge will become available for study..."
At those words, a name surfaced simultaneously in the minds of Ruan Mei and Screwllum:
Polka Kakamond—the Lord of Silence.
Was Lygus intending to destroy Polka Kakamond, so that every genius in the universe could research forbidden knowledge?
But almost immediately, both sensed something was off.
The being before them was a fragment of Zandar.
How could he possibly target a junior like the Lord of Silence?
Perhaps his true target was not Polka at all—but the Aeon of Erudition personally created by Zandar himself—Nous.
As this thought flashed through their minds, The Herta spoke first. "Your plan is to kill Nous?"
"Correct." Lygus admitted it without hesitation. "In this world, where even Trailblaze has not arrived, Nous cannot easily perceive what occurs here. Therefore, I can tell you part of the truth behind my plan."
"What I intend to do is precisely as Herta said—to kill the Aeon of Erudition, Nous."
"As for the reason—you have already heard it. Nous fixed the circle of knowledge, forbidding exploration of the taboo beyond its boundaries. That is undoubtedly a hindrance to those who come after."
"The creation my original body forged has become a stumbling block to later generations. It must be removed."
"I trust you will not oppose me, correct? After all, this would greatly benefit you. If my plan succeeds, you too may research forbidden knowledge."
Ruan Mei fell into contemplation before nodding slowly. "Indeed. I agree with you. If I wish to ascend... I must inevitably study forbidden knowledge. At that time, Nous would indeed become an obstacle upon my path."
At her response, a faint smile curved Lygus' lips.
But at that moment, Screwllum spoke—offering a firm rejection.
"No. Absolutely not. The principles Nous represents are already engraved into the foundational logic of the universe. If Nous were to fall... entire sextillions of lives in this universe would perish."
Lygus' smile stiffened slightly.
The Herta spoke as well. "Whether the Droidhead lives or dies doesn't concern me much. But if his death were to cause countless beings across the cosmos to perish, that would be excessive, wouldn't it?"
"So the final result is two against one?" Lygus asked.
He shook his head. "You geniuses are far more humane than I anticipated."
As he spoke, he cast an extra glance at Screwllum.
He had not expected Screwllum to possess such humanity. He had assumed that an Intellitron genius like Screwllum would be cold and calculating—willing to disregard everything for the sake of research, just as he himself was.
Even more unexpected was Ruan Mei's initial agreement.
She was human—yet she had shown no concern at all for the possibility that Nous' fall might cause the collapse of universal laws and endless death.
At that moment, Screwllum spoke again—having pondered deeply.
"Even if Nous were to fall and universal law collapse—even if sextillions of lives were extinguished—what of it?" Lygus continued before he could respond. "I believe geniuses such as yourselves possess methods to evade doomsday. And in a great cosmic collapse, another Aeon—Equilibrium—would naturally perform adjustments. The Abundance would enact miracles."
"In that newborn cosmic cycle, there would no longer be an Aeon born from an astral computer to interfere with your research. Every genius would usher in the freest era of inquiry—whatever you wish to study..."
"At that moment, every genius would possess the possibility of becoming an Aeon."
After speaking, Lygus spread his hands, his expression intoxicated—as though he truly beheld that radiant new era already arriving and beckoning to him.
But Screwllum answered firmly, "Mr. Lygus, I absolutely cannot agree with your proposal. To cause the deaths of endless living beings merely so that geniuses may gain absolute freedom in research—that is too cruel."
The Herta added, "Screwllum is entirely correct. To annihilate septillions of lives for the sake of absolute research freedom—that is not something I, Herta, wish to see. Besides, even if the Droidhead remains, it does not mean I cannot advance further."
Lygus sneered. "Advance further? To become an Emanator?"
"No. An Aeon." The Herta's eyes were filled with seriousness. "I have no limits. Give me enough time, and I will unravel the truths of the universe—even the secret of how life ascends to become an Aeon. Then I will elevate myself and become one."
"Impossible." Lygus rejected the notion without hesitation. "As long as you revolve within the circle of knowledge delineated by Nous, such an opportunity cannot exist. Only with Nous' fall can new Aeons be born."
The Herta shook her head. "If Nous truly falls, a war among the Aeons will erupt. Whether the universe itself will still exist afterward would become a grave question."
In her heart, she silently added:
'According to Herman, in the future timeline... if Nous truly falls, it will not merely mean the deaths of lives numbering beyond twenty-one zeros. All life in the cosmos will perish. Only through Fuli of Amphoreus' intervention—recreating the dead from memory—will existence be restored.'
"Regardless, my experiment is inevitable," Lygus declared. He extended his hand toward Ruan Mei. "Come to my side, Miss Ruan. We can join forces to conduct the experiment to kill Nous. Your achievements in biology could help me advance further within the Amphoreus testing ground..."
Ruan Mei shook her head. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them slowly. "I now believe Herta is correct."
"Just as she said—she has no limits. And I, Ruan Mei, also have no limits. Even if Nous has delineated the circle of knowledge, it does not mean we cannot ascend... or stand at the summit of the cosmos!"
Her voice rang with firm conviction.
Thus, the number of supporters for Lygus' plan to kill Nous dropped from one—back to zero.
Lygus laughed.
More precisely, he was laughing in irritation at the three before him.
Herta and Ruan Mei have no limits?
Utter nonsense.
To ascend within the circle of knowledge delineated by Nous—to become an Aeon—was harder than creating an entirely new Path and becoming a new Aeon outright.
Each of them was undeniably a genius, possessed of extraordinary intellect.
So why were they all so stubborn...