Chapter 290: Crown of the Mundane and Divine 『 Part Four 』
「 Stelle expressed her desire to have a private chat with the Molten Cheese Tart, and the creature agreed. The staff member even helped them select a quiet location—a toilet situated right in the center of the laboratory.
Stelle: "Are you serious?"
"It's a one-way channel; the other end connects to the Storage Zone," the staff member assured her, patting his chest confidently. "Relax, it's perfectly safe."
Stelle brought the creature to the toilet and proceeded to stuff its head firmly into the bowl, only to discover it simply wouldn't fit…
The Molten Cheese Tart's round, roly-poly body trembled incessantly. It opened its innocent eyes, gazing up at her with profound confusion. Stelle, however, seemed to decipher the meaning behind its noises vaguely. It appeared unwilling to accept its fate as an "unqualified lifeform," and thus harbored ambitions to achieve great things aboard the Space Station! It even invited Stelle to join its cause.
To think this little Tart had such lofty aspirations…
With a mixture of pity and increased force, Stelle finally managed to jam it into the toilet, then hit the flush button, activating the inter-spatial teleportation device.
Just as she finished this task, Ruan Mei suddenly sent her a message, inviting her to accompany her to a gathering of geniuses within the Simulated Universe.
As a regular patron who frequented the Simulated Universe like clockwork every week, Stelle naturally did not decline. Herta, seeing her arrive alongside Ruan Mei, was both surprised and welcoming. After all, a gathering of three geniuses was a rare occurrence; aside from the Simulated Universe, they seldom had opportunities to interact.
Herta looked at the group solemnly. "Then I'll get straight to the point—I believe it is time to find another partner for the Simulated Universe."
"…You're kicking Stephen out?" Ruan Mei asked.
"No, why would I? Stephen didn't want to get involved in this matter and cast an abstention vote—fine, I respect everyone's lifestyle, but he no longer has the opportunity to participate in this decision."
Screwllum: "Query: Introducing a fifth collaborator to the Simulated Universe?"
"Correct. A fifth genius." Herta smiled faintly. "We all know the reason we are gathered here. Aside from the [Answer], who else could summon the members of the Genius Society together?"
"No one can refuse the secrets of the Star Gods; not even Zandar could. Someone will respond to us." 」
「 ..... 」
〜StarCraft universe〜
Artanis stood upon the high platform of the Nexus, gazing at the figures of the three geniuses projected in the sky curtain.
"Zeratul,"
Artanis's voice carried the ethereal resonance unique to the Protoss.
"Tell me… when Zandar watched his own creation ascend step by step to become a Star God, what kind of emotion do you think he felt in his heart?"
"Joy, perhaps?"
Zeratul's figure emerged from the shadows, his voice bearing the characteristic weariness of the Nerazim.
"A creator spends their entire life pursuing truth, yet their creation becomes a god governing truth in an instant. Heh… truly ironic."
"However, at least he, as the master, witnessed the birth of a Star God with his own eyes. Furthermore, Nous should be the first inorganic lifeform to ascend to Aeonhood, correct? That is a massive stride in the research of Star Gods."
Artanis pondered for a moment before speaking,
"Previously, I did not understand why Ruan Mei was so obsessed with creating a lifeform that was born a 'genius.' But after Herta mentioned Zandar… I suspect Ruan Mei also wishes to attempt creating a Star God or an Emanator, does she not?"
Zeratul looked up at the sky curtain, his tone laced with a hint of disbelief.
"Artanis… hearing your tone, do you admire them?"
"The sacred Khala once connected every one of us. We pooled the wisdom of the entire Protoss race, yet we never once thought of 'creating a god'."
Artanis shook his head with regret.
"But on the other side of the universe, a human woman not only wishes to study gods but desires to become one—that ambition alone… is there anyone among our people who possesses it?"
"Do not be hasty."
Zeratul slowly raised a finger, pointing toward the distant depths of the cosmos.
"When we reclaim Aiur, rebuild our civilization, and establish contact with those humans from the Interastral Peace Corporation… everything will be well, Artanis."
—
「 "What if the person who comes is Polka Kakamu?"
"Wouldn't that be perfect?" Herta raised her head, addressing the void: "Lord of Silence—are you listening? I am # 83 Herta, and I want to meet you. We would certainly have many topics in common!"
"Polka Kakamu is unlikely to respond. She has been out of contact for a long time," Screwllum said. "Probability: # 64 Dr. Primitive may appear."
"Oh, absolutely not. Putting aside Dr. Primitive's pile of infamous research, his grudge with the Galaxy Rangers would definitely be blown out of proportion by the IPC. Forget it, I don't want the Simulated Universe tainted by strange public opinion."
Herta turned to look at Ruan Mei. "What about Yu Qingtu? Ruan Mei, are you still in contact with her—is she even still alive?"
Ruan Mei glanced at Stelle behind her. "…If we are to discuss this topic, could she be excused first? The process will be lengthy… and dull. There is no need to take up someone else's time."
Herta was indifferent and nodded in agreement.
"Come, my dear, I will see you out." Ruan Mei turned calmly and walked toward the exit. 」
「 ..... 」
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
(My… my dear…)
(That progressed way too fast, didn't it? I don't think I missed anything, right?)
At the entrance of a flower shop in Lumina Square, Vivian's fingers were unconsciously rubbing the petals of a violet. Ruan Mei's seemingly casual phrase, "my dear," played on a loop in her mind from the sky curtain.
(Could it be that it's actually not as complicated as I imagined, and I should just be more direct?)
Vivian's heart was in turmoil. She stole a glance at the young girl squatting in front of a cluster of tulips—Belle had her hair in a high ponytail today, the tips swaying gently as she made her selection, revealing a small patch of fair skin at the nape of her neck.
"Hmm? Vivian? Are you zoning out?"
Belle stood up, holding a bouquet of blue-purple irises, tilting her head to lean in close to Vivian's flushed face.
"Is your forehead steaming?"
Her fingers naturally pressed against Vivian's brow.
"Whoa, so hot! Did you get caught in the rain in the Hollow a few days ago?"
"I-I'm fine!"
Vivian jerked back half a step, only to knock over a pot of succulents by the window. As the flowerpot teetered precariously, she scrambled to catch it, but ended up bumping foreheads with Belle, who had bent down at almost the exact same moment with a dull thud.
"Pfft… hahahaha!"
Belle rubbed her reddened forehead and burst into laughter, the bouquet of irises trembling in the crook of her arm.
"Vivian, what's with you today? I don't think even the high-risk Ethereals in the Hollows made you this nervous?"
"I… I just have a question. Um, Phaethon…"
"Hmm?"
—
( Translator-kun: Wait, is Vivian in love with Wise, right? Not Belle, or she is in love with whoever the player picks between the two, ' Phaethon'? )