"The Elysia Stigmata? You mean that thing which, after you activated it, nearly got you devoured by a bunch of fangirls at the academy?"
Herta paused for a moment, then asked with a hint of confusion.
"Uh... it wasn't quite that extreme..."
Lynelle scratched her head somewhat sheepishly. "But the effect was pretty similar."
"No, what I actually meant..." Herta's expression turned a bit strange. "While I do find you quite agreeable, honestly, I didn't feel your 'charm' was amplified by that Stigmata at all."
"In my opinion, amplifying your Herrscher abilities is probably the Stigmata's true function..."
"Maybe it only works on people from the Honkai side?" Lynelle didn't seem too skeptical.
"But amplifying Herrscher powers does fit Elysia's nature... after all, it's 'Ego' we're talking about."
"If that's the case, then I have a Curio here that might suit you perfectly." Herta thought for a moment, then typed something on her computer.
"Ah, wait. It seems I left that thing on The Blue... I'll have to retrieve it for you tomorrow."
"So... what is it?" Lynelle asked, curious.
"Space-Time Prism." Herta slowly uttered a name that took Lynelle completely by surprise. "As for its effects... I'll tell you after you add it to your roster."
"Though, if I'm not mistaken, it should probably amplify both your Stigmata and your Herrscher Core. Then, the amplified Elysia Stigmata could amplify your Corruption Core a second time... A classic case of 'stepping on your own left foot to reach the heavens'."
"But that's just a relatively optimistic prediction... We'll need to wait until I finish testing the Simulated Universe today and return to The Blue tomorrow for the specifics."
"By the way, the Astral Express isn't in a hurry to depart, is it?"
"Uh... Probably not, right?" Put on the spot like that, Lynelle felt a bit uncertain herself.
After all, while in the original story, the Express departed for Belobog almost immediately after Stelle decided to board, the numerous side quests on the space station suggested it wasn't quite so rushed.
One could only say that's just how game developers are. Isekai'd individuals just need to follow the main plot, while the developers have to consider a lot more when stuffing events into the blank timeline.
"Never mind, I'd better go to the Express and ask. It works out anyway, since I promised Himeko just yesterday I'd become a Nameless."
"I was supposed to go to the Express today regardless." Lynelle sighed. "Oh, and remember to give Stelle some support!"
"Mm, go on then." Herta waved a hand. "Don't worry. Since you breached the firewall directly, I'll set up a very rewarding node for the little gray-haired one... But, do you have any special requests for the node's design?"
"You can do custom orders?" Lynelle's eyes lit up. Her Corruption Authority immediately compiled a string of data and sent it to the terminal in front of Herta. "Then... make it like this."
--+--
Meanwhile, in the Simulated Universe...
"Huh? A pink teleporter? Don't think I've seen this one before..." Stelle circled the new node adorned with a dazzling pattern, a puzzled look on her face.
"[Ego]? What kind of node is that... Could it be..." Stelle immediately thought of Lynelle outside.
"Did Lynelle finish setting it up already? Awesome!"
Trusting Lynelle completely, Stelle strode into the new node without a moment's hesitation.
"Hello~! A new day, beginning with a wonderful encounter?"
The moment she entered the node, a projection of a pink-haired girl appeared before Stelle.
Simultaneously, the Simulated Universe's [Event] was triggered.
[In this new node, you encounter an exceptionally familiar girl. She greets you with a smile, just like always, and brings you the aid you need most.]
[As a side note, she prepared forty different opening lines~?]
[Acquired all currently available Path Blessings. Acquired five positive Curios and 1000 Cosmic Fragments.]
"!!!"
"Lynelle, I love you!"
--+--
After the attack on Herta Space Station, the Astral Express had remained docked at the platform.
On one hand, there were still two prospective passengers who hadn't boarded yet. On the other, as an ally of the space station, it was only natural for the Express to stick around and help clean up the mess.
For Lynelle, however, this was quite convenient for her plans. After all, there was still a whole situation to deal with on the Honkai Impact side.
And if they went to Belobog... if Lynelle remembered correctly, you'd basically become a wanted criminal by the second day.
Then, she probably wouldn't be able to pop over to the Honkai side multiple times a day like she could now.
"Huh, you are..." The moment she entered the passenger car, Lynelle spotted a peculiar, rabbit-like creature, only a few dozen centimeters tall, sweeping the floor.
"Oh, it's Passenger Lynelle, Pom!"
The instant Lynelle stepped into the car, Pom-Pom, as if sensing her, immediately turned its short body around.
"Hello, Passenger Lynelle! I am Pom-Pom, the conductor of the Astral Express! Welcome aboard the Express! If you have any problems, you can tell me. Pom-Pom will help you solve them, Pom!"
"Conductor, I have a question right now!" Lynelle immediately raised her hand high.
"What is it?"
"Can I hug you, Conductor? You look so adorable!"
"Ah?"
Clearly, Lynelle's "unconventional" request gave Pom-Pom quite a shock.
However, having just boasted about solving any problem, Pom-Pom was reluctant to refuse Lynelle outright.
After glancing left and right and confirming no other passengers were around, Pom-Pom reluctantly agreed.
"O-okay, but not for too long... W-wait, what are you starting already for!"
Before Pom-Pom could finish speaking, Lynelle, her eyes sparkling, had already scooped Pom-Pom up for a lift-high.
"So this is the adorable conductor both Mr. Welt and March talked about? You're seriously so cute! All fluffy everywhere, you feel so nice to pet, Pom!"
"Eh, why did I add a 'Pom' too?"
"P-put Pom-Pom down now!"
After struggling for a good while, Pom-Pom finally managed to escape Lynelle's clutches. "Shaken," Pom-Pom momentarily forgot about maintaining the conductor's dignity and quickly took a step back, maintaining a safe distance from Lynelle.
"P-Passenger Lynelle is too enthusiastic! Really, I must find you a more suitable guide... Passenger March 7th, come here quickly! The conductor needs you for something, Pom!"
And so, March 7th, who happened to be passing by, was promptly enlisted by Pom-Pom.
"Show Lynelle around the Express? Easy peasy! I'm the best at being a guide!"
Though curious about why Pom-Pom looked so terrified, for March 7th, touring the Express with the mysterious Lynelle was clearly more appealing.
"Come on, Lynelle! I'll take you to the Parlor Car first!"
--+--
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.