Sorry for the days without updates! I literally forgot to schedule the chapters for this story, and since I have so many going on, I only realized it today, hehe... I'll upload some extra chapters for you guys <3
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"I won."
Leon spoke with a tone that practically screamed, 'Aren't I just the coolest?'
"So?"
Herta crossed her arms, her jointed fingertips tapping impatiently against her arm.
"So, I won."
Am I awesome or what? Come on, you bunch of haters, say something!
"Does this have anything to do with what I asked you?"
Herta was confused; she didn't actually believe Leon's words entirely. Because of the Simulated Universe, she had her guesses about the return of "Tayzzyronth," and she didn't feel that this "Aeon" was truly dead.
"You're right, but I won."
"Do you want me to praise you?"
Leon stopped messing around and spoke truthfully. "I took on an after-sales service request."
"Naturally, it ended up involving 'The Propagation'."
"After-sales?"
Herta hummed, dragging out the sound. "Is the person asking you for after-sales service male or female?"
*"The Propagation"? What could possibly be related to "The Propagation"?
"Gender: Glamoth Iron Cavalry."
How dare you assume a person's gender for a clone like that?
"Wait, are you talking about that movie you filmed?"
Herta originally wanted to let out a 'hah', but then she thought of something.
"What? Was it actually adapted from true events?"
"Yeah."
Is it not based on true events? When an Emanator of "The Enigmata" does it personally, even if it's nonsense, it has to be true history.
"Ruan Mei sought you out... was it also related to this?"
"Pretty much."
No problem there. Ruan Mei looking for him—wasn't that also about that messy business with "The Propagation"?
"In other words..."
Herta made a deduction on her own. "You coincidentally met this Glamoth Iron Cavalry, and then for some unknown reason decided to help her out..."
"What do you mean? Why do you keep saying 'for some unknown reason'?"
It feels like Herta's eyes are a bit rude, looking at me like I'm acting out of lust again.*
"Do I have to have an ulterior motive? Can't it just be because I'm a good person?"
What do you mean by that? Is he such a snobbish person? Shaking and cold, does a good person deserve to be held at gunpoint?
"That Glamoth Iron Cavalry has a condition related to 'The Propagation' which you couldn't fully cure, and Ruan Mei suddenly started paying attention to you for some reason."
"You chatted with Ruan Mei, decided she could solve the Iron Cavalry's problem, and finally reached a cooperative relationship to work on it offline?"
Herta ignored him and continued speaking on her own.
Every profession has its specialization. Ruan Mei is an expert in the field of life; it is normal for her to solve problems he cannot.
"Something like that."
One could only say a Genius is worthy of being called a Genius. Herta could deduce the general direction from just a few words.
As for the remaining details... like Ruan Mei seeking him out for cooperation, she indeed wouldn't know unless told.
Herta glanced at Ruan Mei.
She had told her back then that her project required Leon's help, which was why she was looking for him. In other words, she is also researching things related to "The Propagation"?
If that's the case, why hide it from me?
Herta didn't know much about Ruan Mei's "Project". However, if it concerned "The Propagation", the Simulated Universe would undoubtedly be her best aid.
It seems there are hidden circumstances.
"So, what was the final result?"
However, Herta couldn't be bothered to pry; she wasn't Ruan Mei's mother. It was fine, though. At least the two didn't hook up to mess around but went to do serious business. That reassured Herta.
Since that was the case, there was nothing more to say.
"It went okay. I guess you could say it's resolved?"
He obtained the qualification to be crowned Emperor from "Tayzzyronth". It was even more legitimate than Firefly's qualification. If the Swarm wanted to find someone, they would definitely look for him based on intensity.
So Firefly didn't need to worry about anything anymore.
"Then what did you mean by 'Tayzzyronth' just now?"
Leon was not one to spout nonsense. Although Herta truly didn't believe he had just fought "Tayzzyronth", that didn't mean she would completely deny it.
If Leon said such a thing, there must be a reason. Herta had always felt that way.
"Literal meaning."
Leon's expression grew a bit more serious.
Herta didn't reply, only staring into his eyes.
"...Literal meaning?"
His gaze is quite serious; he's obviously being for real. What does 'literal meaning' mean? Leaving aside the fact that 'The Propagation' Aeon has fallen, doesn't this imply you fought an existence at the level of an 'Aeon' and actually won in the end?
Do you think that's possible?
Even for Leon, Herta felt it was a bit of a stretch.
"En, literal meaning."
As the words fell, Leon dropped a bombshell.
"'The Swarm Emperor' is still alive, or rather, has been reborn. I met Him just now."
"...Alive? You mean 'Tayzzyronth'?"
Herta spoke the name of the deceased Swarm Emperor. She subconsciously wanted to ask if he was joking, but looking at his expression, she couldn't say it.
"Not a complete form?"
At this moment, Herta—the real one—who had been listening for a long time, spoke up.
If it were a complete form, the hope of Leon standing here right now would be slim. The news of the "Swarm Emperor" descending upon the world again would definitely have already flown all over the galaxy.
The Herta Space Station hadn't received any wind of it here. If not for Leon informing them, probably no one would know about this matter. Combining this with his words...
It was obvious he really won. In a confrontation with "Tayzzyronth", he truly defeated an "Aeon".
"En, missed by just one step."
Leon hummed in affirmation.
"The body used as a vessel wouldn't do, and the Authority He bore was only that little bit."
"But even so, I think it should be enough to prove some things. 'Tayzzyronth' is not dead, and sooner or later, He will make a comeback in the future."
For Leon, this was inevitable. Although this time it was partly their fault. The creation he helped Ruan Mei build attracted "Tayzzyronth", causing the re-descension.
But they also used this to gain the important intelligence that the "Swarm Emperor" is still alive. It's much better to be on guard for the future; it's not a loss.
Both Hertas fell silent due to Leon's words. Even as a "Perfect Scholar", she didn't know everything. She had merely connected with "Nous" for an instant, seeing the same vision from the same height as Him.
What she gained was more of an elevation in thinking and perspective; it didn't mean she was truly omniscient and omnipotent like "Nous".
"Making a comeback?"
The real Herta hadn't expected that her hypothesis from many years ago would actually come true at this moment.
"...Really didn't expect it. So 'Tayzzyronth', that guy, really isn't dead?"
Little Herta muttered. Even if she had anticipated this long ago, hearing it with her own ears and seeing it with her own eyes were completely different feelings.
"Then, why did He come looking for you?"
Little Herta discovered a blind spot. "Was it just a coincidence?"
Based on "Tayzzyronth's" logic of action... Even if He really resurrected, the first thing He would do would definitely be unrepentant, crazy "Propagation". He would absolutely not go to trouble a specific person.
This "Aeon" never targets anyone; He only follows the logic of action driven by the loneliness in His heart.
And there was no news leaking out regarding any large-scale "Propagation" hazard caused suddenly by "Tayzzyronth". That meant Leon encountered Him directly at the start, began fighting Him, and resolved it on the spot, strangling this crisis in the cradle.
But how could he bump into Him so coincidentally? Is there really such a coincidence in this world?
Herta would rather believe it was the hand of "The Equilibrium", that guy "HooH" secretly exerting force, than believe Leon really encountered Him by chance.
"It's a long story, so I'll keep it short."
Leon hummed thoughtfully. "Anyway, basically, that's how it is."
He seemed to have said something, yet seemed to have said nothing.
"?"
*'Anyway like this' what 'anyway like this'?
Leon, you rascal, your mouth is really stiff. You haven't said anything yet.
"Have you heard of 'Entropy Loss Syndrome'?"
Leon thought for a moment and decided to pick something he could talk about.
"No, I haven't."
Even if Herta were humble, she could completely call herself learned in the ancient and modern. If she weren't humble, she could claim to know astronomy above and geography below.
But she really hadn't heard the term "Entropy Loss Syndrome" from Leon's mouth.
Where on earth does he come into contact with so much messy stuff?*
"Actually, it isn't a disease."
Leon changed his phrasing. "Didn't you just deduce it yourself?"
"It is a natural defect of 'The Propagation'. Do you know the defect of 'The Propagation'?"
He felt that Herta, as a fanatical researcher of "Aeons" and "Paths", would understand this.
"'The Propagation's' defect?"
Little Herta thought for a moment, seeming to recall.
She hadn't delved too deeply into the "Path" of "The Propagation", and her understanding wasn't extensive. Regarding "Tayzzyronth", what she was curious about was only that Divine War of the past.
"'The Propagation's' defect is the 'Cluster'."
Herta hadn't spoken yet when Ruan Mei beside her answered directly for her.
"If the leading True Sting dies, the remaining swarm will begin to gradually wither, losing vitality, until finally stopping after death."
"So, what you mean is?"
Little Herta nodded, indicating she understood.
"My meaning is that the Glamoth Iron Cavalry also has this defect. To make her break free from the problems brought by this defect, there is only changing her status."
"Changing from the guided to the guide."
Leon spoke briefly. "That is, constant metamorphosis."
"From 'King' to becoming 'Emperor'. Only by making herself no longer need to act as a vassal does it count as a true solution."
"You made that girl the Emperor of 'The Propagation'?"
Little Herta was slightly shocked, understanding what he wanted to say.
"Are you serious? How did you do it?"
Even though she had devoted herself to researching "Aeons" and "Paths" for many years, she didn't know this kind of inside information. How did Leon, this crude martial artist, know more than she did?
"Do this, do that, and then do this—wouldn't it be done?"
Actually, Leon himself didn't know how it was done, because it wasn't him who did it at all. It was the "Stellaron" that did it.
This "Xipe" is too philanthropic, I tell you. As Her creation, the "Stellaron" knows the inside story of any Path. Damn scum woman.
"In short, you want to tell me that you helped her become 'Emperor', which led to you having an aura similar in form to 'Tayzzyronth' on your body."
Little Herta rolled her eyes at him. "So that's why He came directly to find you, right?"
"Talking to smart people saves so much trouble."
Leon nodded. He said a few sentences, and Herta could directly supplement the entire cause and effect for him.
Truly nice.
"Wait, something's not right."
Herta suddenly discovered a problem.
"According to your statement, you solved that girl's 'Entropy Loss Syndrome'." She was confused. "Then what is Ruan Mei's role in this? What is she following you for?"
Leon didn't reply, only looking at Ruan Mei.
Seemingly asking if this thing could be said.
Ruan Mei pondered briefly, and after thinking seriously for a moment, nodded to him.
Herta watched the two making eyes at each other and sneered, "Heh."
"The 'Entropy Loss Syndrome' solved by me has some problems, which is that the imperial power obtained is not real."
After obtaining Ruan Mei's consent, Leon spoke.
"It cannot convince the masses."
"Leading to the Swarm testing her. But she is only a Pathstrider, while within the current galaxy, there are still quite a few True Stings acting as 'Emanators'."
Leon felt he didn't need to finish.
Speaking up to here, he felt Herta should be able to understand his meaning.
"En, and then?"
Little Herta nodded. "Ruan Mei told you she could solve this problem, is that it?"
A Pathstrider taking that position was indeed not good. Just as he said, there were six "Emanators" waiting to torture the one ascending to the throne.
Unless "Tayzzyronth" Himself, or finding a top-tier escort like Leon to act as after-sales service, otherwise whoever went up would likely face nine deaths and one life.
"Yes."
Leon nodded.
"She told me she could solve it, so I reached a cooperation with her."
"So, your meaning is, you still encountered 'Tayzzyronth' by chance?"
Talking back and forth, it still hadn't hit the main point.
"Ruan Mei, since it concerns 'Tayzzyronth', this matter cannot be treated carelessly."
Little Herta looked at Ruan Mei; she knew she was still hiding some things.
"I don't want to engage in any moral kidnapping."
"I won't ask about your purpose, but at least tell me what you did."
Ruan Mei closed her eyes, then sighed softly.
"In a way I thought could solve the problem on that girl's body, using 'Tayzzyronth' as a prototype, I created an experimental product related to 'The Propagation'."
Responding to Herta's request, Ruan Mei told the truth about what she did.
Herta waited quietly for her to continue.
Using "Tayzzyronth" as a prototype, that meant Ruan Mei attempted to create an "Aeon".
Just like Zandar, the first seat of the Genius Society.
In the eyes of bystanders, this ambition was definitely great. But whose ambition isn't great? Leaving her aside, isn't Herta herself the same?
Her ambition for the Simulated Universe had never been small.
"Aeons" are just such fascinating, fanatical creatures.
For scholars like them, topics related to "Aeons" could never be refused.
"In the end, it naturally failed."
Ruan Mei continued speaking.
"I don't know the reason either."
"But judging from the final result, this failed experimental product attracted the remnant soul of 'Tayzzyronth'."
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