"So what you're saying, Herta, is that you lean towards the idea that Welt really did come from the same world as me, but his memories of me were sealed to make way for the project I'm currently part of?"
"Mm, that's about the size of it."
Herta gave a nod. "And there's practically no way for you to tell the difference between these two possibilities."
"In situations like this, Welt's memories of his homeland would have to be logically consistent. Finding a flaw probably won't be easy."
"Then how should I explain to him about me traveling between two worlds?"
Lynelle tilted her head. "If it involves memory seals and all that, shouldn't I try to avoid triggering his memories too much?"
"As for your situation of hopping between worlds and your reason for joining the Astral Express, I've already prepared a complete backstory for you. It's a mix of truth and fiction—some facts, some my own guesses and fabrications. Look it over carefully later."
Herta smacked a few pages of documents onto Lynelle's head.
"As for whether you should explain the world from your dreams to Welt in detail... judging from my observation of him earlier, he seems very interested in your situation. Even if you don't bring it up, he definitely won't be able to resist asking you."
"So, how exactly you should tell him—whether to explain everything as it is or disguise some of the terminology—go ask your little system spirit about that."
With that, Herta stood up.
"Alright, it's really time to go now. Asta has sent me several messages. Can't keep her waiting too long."
"I've arranged to meet with Himeko later. You probably have an hour or two to familiarize yourself with your 'background' and figure out how to explain your situation before I'm done talking with her... My puppet is right outside, just find her if you need anything."
"Okay, bye bye, Herta~"
After watching Herta leave the room, Lynelle shifted her consciousness back into the system and began calling for her customer service rep, Kiana-chan.
[Alright, alright, stop shouting. I was listening the whole time.]
A moment later, Kiana-chan's listless voice sounded in Lynelle's mind.
"Mm... You sound really weak. Were you hurt when I got that look-over earlier?"
Lynelle asked with immediate concern.
[Don't imagine things. I'm perfectly fine, just a bit low on energy, that's all.]
"Really?"
Lynelle thought for a moment. "If Kiana-chan is hurt but not telling me, I'm going to tattle to Senior Cecilia, you know?"
[Don't—ahem, I mean, don't bother her. I really am fine here. At most, I just need to rest for a bit.]
Just mentioning Cecilia made Kiana-chan's voice pitch rise several notches, leading Lynelle to sigh inwardly. When in trouble, threatening to tell the 'parents' really was the way to go.
[As for what Herta just told you, Host... well, sorry, but I can't say anything about it.]
"Silly Kiana-chan, I wasn't asking you for the truth. I just wanted to know, if I need to explain the Honkai situation to Welt, what should I do?"
[Just don't take the initiative to reveal too much information. Welt is also from Earth; he'll naturally think of parallel worlds or world bubbles on his own.]
[Besides, Host, your situation actually somewhat resembles Durandal's case, where a world bubble exists within her. So, Welt should be able to accept your explanation pretty smoothly.]
"Really... will it really be that easy for him to accept?"
Lynelle tilted her head, skeptical.
[If it were Void Archives, maybe not. But for Welt, absolutely. Because he's... well, let's just say, in a way, you have a specific effectiveness against him too.]
[For example, don't you think he believed you far too quickly during the Second Honkai War?]
"Mm..."
Lynelle pondered for a moment. "I think I kinda get what you're saying, but not entirely..."
[You don't need to fully understand. Just remember to do it, Host. You'll figure it out gradually as time goes on.]
With that, Kiana-chan let out a yawn.
[If there's nothing else, I'm going back to sleep, okay? Gotta build up my energy reserves fast. That accident earlier used up all my emergency hidden reserves...]
"Alright... good night, Kiana-chan."
After bidding goodbye to Kiana-chan, who had gone back to catch up on sleep, Lynelle thought for a moment, then decisively hopped off the bed, went outside, and brought the little Herta puppet back in.
"Hehehe... I've been wanting to use little Herta as a body pillow. While the real Herta is busy chatting with Himeko, I'm gonna get my fill of cuddles with little Herta~"
--+--
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"Hmm, I have no objections regarding how we handle Stelle. Welt already helped confirm earlier that the Stellaron is currently stable inside her. As for whether she follows the Astral Express or stays at the station... let her decide for herself."
Himeko took a gentle sip of coffee, then moved on to another matter.
"By the way, Madam Herta... Earlier, when Asta contacted me to confirm the itinerary, she mentioned you had another matter you wished to discuss with me this time?"
"Correct."
Herta nodded. "Actually, Mr. Welt probably knows a bit about this. It's concerning that child he encountered previously."
"Oh?"
Welt was momentarily stunned. "Lynelle?"
"Yes. I want her to join... mmpfh."
A sudden blush bloomed on Herta's fair cheeks, and her long, grey-silk-clad legs under the table subtly tightened together.
"Madam Herta?"
"...It's nothing. One of my puppets just had a minor issue."
Herta closed her eyes slightly, mentally issuing several commands to the puppet before reopening them as if nothing had happened.
"I want her to join the Astral Express."
"I thought as much..."
Himeko and Welt exchanged a glance.
"However, Madam Herta, I must reiterate," Himeko said seriously. "While the Astral Express never turns away any passenger who wishes to board, it must be of their own free will. I will confirm this personally with Miss Lynelle."
"Don't worry, she has no objections to it. Though she might not be able to come over until later." Herta's voice paused briefly.
"And... her situation is somewhat special. Having her board the Astral Express is, in a way, to consolidate her 'existence'."
--+--
So, what state was Lynelle in, she who had just caused Herta's strange reaction?
"Hah, hahahahaha, pl—please, have mercy! I—I won't dare do it again, hahahaha—"
"Detected Lynelle's plea for mercy. Automatically executing command: Playing pre-recorded message from Madam Herta."
The little Herta puppet, who was sitting on Lynelle's back and relentlessly tickling her, stopped its fingers and spoke expressionlessly.
"You little brat, you went and activated developer mode on my puppet while I was away, didn't you? And you turned on the shared sensation system too, huh? I'm not turning off the auto-tickle module on little Herta until I get back. You can just lie there and enjoy it!"
"H-Heeeeeelp—"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.