"Hmm... Why does something feel off?"
After parting ways with Robin, leaving Dreamscape Reef, and returning to the Sweet Dream, Lumina couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
But when she reviewed her interactions with Robin, seeing the word "normal" plastered all over the musician, she couldn't pinpoint anything amiss.
"It's all your fault, spouting that nonsense in your dream-talk. Now I feel so uneasy."
After racking her brain without finding anything amiss, Lumina blamed the System entirely.
If it hadn't blurted out that inexplicable phrase, she wouldn't be overthinking things now.
[That wasn't sleep-talking! I was trying to warn you!]
"Shut up! Go back to sleep."
Lumina ignored the System's sleep talk, silencing it once again.
All unknowns and fears stemmed from insufficient firepower.
Fortunately, Lumina's firepower was more than sufficient, leaving her with no reason to fear.
They say extremes beget their opposites? Watch out, I'll beat you into a literal "extremes beget their opposites" right here and now!
"Hmm... where should I go first?"
Without further thought, Lumina stood on the bustling streets of the Golden Hour, looking left and right, lost in thought.
Ding-a-ling... ding-a-ling... ding-a-ling...
Just as Lumina was debating whether to visit Sunday at Dewlight Pavilion or March 7th and the others near Clockie's statue, her phone's ringtone for the Special Group began to chime.
Lumina quickly pulled out her phone and checked the message from the Special Group:
[Herta: What's going on with the Asdana Star System?]
[Herta: Are you still alive?]
[Herta: If you're alive, give me a sign.]
It was clear that Herta, another Emanator, had also entered the Asdana Star System and sensed the anomalies here.
Lumina glanced at the three messages Herta had sent. Her eyes darted about before she tapped the voice message button.
Squeak~
[Lumina:[Voice Message.jpg]]
[Herta: You actually sent it when I told you to? Are you my little puppy?]
Herta replied instantly with a disdainful remark.
[Lumina: [I am Madam Herta's dog.jpg]]
[Lumina: [The lazy me has already become Madam Herta's little puppy.jpg]]
Lumina remained silent, spamming emoji after emoji.
[Herta: ?]
[Lumina: These are emojis I saved from Madam Herta's fan group. Aren't they cute~?]
[Lumina: [Madam Herta is so adorable.jpg]]
After sending the last message, Lumina chuckled softly, already picturing Herta on the other side of the screen, her face a mix of bewilderment, speechlessness, and disdain.
Though Lumina couldn't join her own fan group, she could join Madam Herta's fan group!
The chat was filled with Madam Herta's exclusive emojis, making Lumina utterly captivated. She desperately wanted to save them all, over and over again!
[Herta: Heh, haven't you noticed whose face these are?]
[Herta: Just a puppet that barely resembles me from when I was a child, and you're this excited?]
[Herta: And then there's this one.]
[Herta: [I am the Saintess's dog.jpg]]
[Lumina: ?!]
Lumina's lips twitched as she stared at the last emoji Herta sent.
Given my earlier line of thinking, Herta wouldn't have joined that so-called Saintess Support Club, would she?!
[Herta: Alright, enough fooling around. Let's get back to the point.]
[Herta: What's happening in the Asdana Star System? I can sense an Emanator-level power enveloping the entire system.]
[Lumina: You can sense it? Is this your Main Body?!]
[Lumina: [Madam Herta Star-Worshipping Face.jpg]]
At that moment, Lumina finally realized the critical point.
Though Herta herself was an Emanator, that was just her Main Body. If only a puppet had come, it shouldn't be able to sense Ena's Dream, a power wielded by another Emanator-level being, right?
So... could Herta have come in her Main Body?!
Could I...?
Lumina: (★ ω ★)
Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~
However, a melodious chime quickly shattered Lumina's fantasies of whatever she had planned to do to Herta's Main Body.
[Herta: You're overthinking it. Puppet or Main Body—aren't both just me?]
[Herta: Since they're both me, why wouldn't the puppet sense this obvious Emanator-level energy?]
[Herta:[Country Bumpkin Lumina.jpg]]
Herta wasn't trying to trick Lumina; it was simply the truth. Puppet or Main Body, both were her.
Was it really so difficult for a puppet body to sense Emanator-level energy?
Besides, this Emanator in Asdana might be a bit reckless, brazenly projecting their power across the entire star system. Even Herta couldn't help but notice.
[Herta: So, what exactly happened on Asdana?]
[Herta: Or rather, what exactly happened on Penacony?]
Given Lumina's behavior, Herta was almost certain she knew the mastermind behind it all. Lumina had come to the Asdana Star System to attend the Charmony Festival, the most prestigious event in the entire star system. The unknown Emanator was likely present as well.
"How did Herta's brain even develop like that?"
"I wonder if she'd share half with me..."
Watching Herta's focus immediately lock onto Penacony, Lumina couldn't help but envy her sharp mind.
[Lumina: Don't worry about it. This has nothing to do with either of us. Let's just watch the show.]
[Herta: Fine. I'll be there soon. No need to meet me at The Reverie Hotel ]entrance.
[Herta has logged off]
Does Herta have a tsundere side? Lumina thought, amused. How could she not see through Herta's little act? Chuckling softly, she put away her phone.
With a punch, she shattered the Sweet Dream, returning to The Reverie Hotel in reality.
-
"This power... it feels familiar..."
Meanwhile, elsewhere, after putting down her phone, the Herta crossed her arms, gazed at the Asdana Star System before her, and began to ponder.
"Order?"
"Intriguing."
Having found her answer, Herta chuckled softly, a gleam of amusement slowly spreading across her features, as if anticipating a good show.