[Herta Space Station]
When "Ms. Herta," accompanied by her miniature "attendant" (the system puppet disguised as a small Herta), appeared in the Space Station through a special access channel as if returning to her own home, the entire Master Control Zone seemed to fall silent for a moment.
Immediately after, there was a more suppressed commotion and gazes of awe.
The staff members stopped their work one after another, respectfully saluting and watching as the absolute owner of the Space Station (as they believed) walked past with elegant yet slightly lazy steps.
Station Master Asta, having received the news, practically jogged over: "Ms. Herta! You're back? Did you… finish your business?"
She cautiously observed "Herta's" expression, finding that the other party seemed to be in a good mood, with even a hint of pleasure in her purple eyes. This made Asta secretly sigh in relief.
Black Herta stopped, tilted her head slightly, and said in a somewhat casual and proud tone, "Mm, a small problem, already resolved."
Her gaze swept over the orderly Master Control Zone, as if a monarch inspecting her territory. "Was there any problem with the Space Station after I left? Did those researchers blow up the lab again?"
Asta quickly replied, "Everything is operating normally, Madam. The researchers are all well-behaved… uh, relatively speaking."
She recalled a minor incident where a certain biology department almost let an experimental mushroom beast escape, and decided it was best not to mention it.
"That's good," Black Herta nodded, making a move to leave, seemingly just returning for a routine check.
"Ah, right, Ms. Herta!"
Asta suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Ms. Ruan Mei sent a message earlier, saying she might visit the Space Station soon, seemingly for some experiments."
Ruan Mei!
Genius Society #81!
An expert in the field of 'Life'!
Black Herta's heart suddenly tightened.
(Why would she come at this time?)
The real Herta had been "shipped" to another world by her. If Ruan Mei arrived, with her keen perception as a fellow Genius, her impostor act would probably be exposed in minutes! (Would it?)
But on the surface, she merely waved her hand casually, her tone still calm, even with a hint of impatient "I know, it's a small matter": "Alright, I know. We'll talk when she gets here."
Without another word, Black Herta walked directly towards Hertas Office, with the system puppet following closely behind on its short legs, expressionless.
Asta watched the departing back of "Ms. Herta," tilting her head slightly in confusion.
(I feel like… Ms. Herta, she seems a little different? Her way of speaking seems… a bit more 'lively'?)
But she quickly shook her head, attributing it to Ms. Herta being in a better mood after dealing with troublesome matters.
[Hertas Office]
Passing through the familiar corridor and entering the office suspended with countless light screens.
Black Herta let out a soft sigh; although she maintained her composure on the surface, the pressure from Asta and the Space Station personnel was not small.
Her gaze immediately fell upon the massive instrument in the center of the office, radiating mysterious light—the simulated universe.
A glimmer of interesting light flashed in her amethyst-like eyes.
She walked to the control panel, her fingertips gently brushing the cool interface.
"System,"
she commanded in a low voice, her tone returning to Black Herta's usual calm, "Access with highest authority. Begin a comprehensive scan of the simulated universe's entire data architecture, operational logic, and… all personal imprints and encryption protocols Herta left within it. We need to gather as many 'souvenirs' as possible before the true owner returns and that expert arrives."
"Command confirmed."
The system puppet, in its small Herta form, had data streams once again flashing wildly in its eyes, silently beginning to infiltrate this core research area for Herta.
Black Herta leisurely sat down in a nearby chair, crossing her long legs clad in black stockings, her fingertips gently tapping the armrest, as if enjoying a good show about to begin.
The feeling of usurping another's nest… it didn't seem bad at all?
[Belobog · Goethe Hotel · Morning]
Jack calmly opened her eyes, with no trace of morning grogginess in her golden pupils.
She got up, first walking to the wardrobe and gently pulling open a gap to check on the condition of the genuine Stelle inside—breathing steadily, face rosy, sleeping like a hibernating cave bear, and the bump she had knocked on her head seemed to have grown larger.
(Condition stable. To ensure no interference during the mission, an additional maintenance dose will be administered.)
She thought calmly, once again taking out the small syringe and accurately and quickly giving the Stelle in the wardrobe another shot of a potent sleeping agent.
Stelle's breathing seemed to deepen even further.
"Stelle! Wake up! The sun's already shining on your butt!" March 7th's energetic, somewhat impatient knocking and shouting came from outside the door.
Jack expressionlessly closed the wardrobe, tidied her clothes, which were identical to Stelle's, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Great! We…" March 7th's brilliant smile faltered slightly the moment she saw Jack's face.
(Huh? Her eyes are so dull… is she not fully awake?)
But she quickly attributed it to morning grumpiness, and cheerfully linked arms with Jack. "Come on, come on, Teacher Danheng is already waiting for us downstairs!"
Jack merely gave a faint "Mm" and let March 7th pull her downstairs.
When they met up with Danheng, he only gave Jack an extra glance and said nothing more.
After all, this Stellaron host was erratic, and fluctuations in her state were normal, so being unusually silent today wasn't too strange.
The three walked out of the hotel, and the morning chill of Belobog was biting.
However, before they could breathe in a few gulps of cold air, a squad of Silvermane Guards quickly surrounded them. Leading them was the capable and serious-faced Bronya Rand.
"Guests from the Astral Express," Bronya's voice was cold and official, "We have received intelligence that you are suspected of plotting against Supreme Guardian Cocolia. Please cooperate with us and return for investigation."
"What? Plotting against her?" March 7th immediately jumped up. "We only met the Supreme Guardian yesterday! This must be a misunderstanding!"
Danheng also said in a deep voice, "Ms. Bronya, do you have any evidence? We mean no harm."
Bronya shook her head, her attitude firm: "It's my duty; please come back with us. If it's confirmed to be a misunderstanding, your innocence will be cleared."
The Silvermane Guards behind her stepped forward, and the situation instantly became tense.
Jack frowned slightly.
(Conflict. Does not comply with the 'low-key participation in the plot' directive. Optimal solution: evasion.)
While March 7th was still trying to argue and Danheng was secretly on guard, Jack had already made a judgment.
"Run," she whispered, her voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
March 7th and Danheng were startled, but based on their trust in their companion, they instinctively followed Jack, turning and rushing into a small alley!
"Stop them!" Bronya immediately ordered.
A sudden chase unfolded in the upper district streets of Belobog.
Jack seemingly casually chose her path, yet always found the most tricky angles and temporary cover, leading March 7th and Danheng through the Silvermane Guards' encirclement, darting left and right.
Her movements were astonishingly efficient, as if she had an optimal escape route map of the city built into her mind.
However, the Silvermane Guards were familiar with the terrain and quickly forced them into an alley that appeared to be a dead end.
A high wall in front, pursuers behind.
Jack gripped her baseball bat, her eyes slightly cold, calculating the possibility and consequences of a forced breakthrough.
Just at this critical moment—
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
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