[The legacy of Elysium—you need to carry it forward. Not bad at all. Here's your flawless crystal fragment.] ♪
That ethereal voice echoed in her mind again. But Ruan Mei didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on Herta.
Truth be told, even she couldn't read Herta in this moment. The magic hat obscured her face completely.
Ruan Mei reached out to remove it. Herta pulled away, opened a [Mirror], and disappeared into it without a word.
Ruan Mei stood frozen, long after she'd gone.
A cold raindrop fell—and froze against the frost at the corner of her eye.
Herta gave no answer. Is she afraid this is just another "social experiment"?
Acceptance and rejection—both are impossible propositions. Even our friendship could shatter like glass, beyond repair.
An umbrella appeared overhead. A familiar voice spoke.
"Madam Ruan Mei. Madam Herta just needs time to process. Give her space, alright?"
Herta #99 shifted gears.
"After all, her personality—universally acknowledged as terrible—gets in the way sometimes. The excessive pride, the tsundere attitude, the constant self-praise. It does cause problems."
Ruan Mei turned to face her.
She couldn't tell if this was really Herta speaking. In all her memories, Herta had never admitted to a single flaw.
"Tell her something for me. This wasn't a social experiment."
Ruan Mei took the umbrella and walked away alone, silhouetted against the rain.
Herta #99 watched her go—a cold, lonely figure. Even a puppet's eye welled with a single tear.
She sighed to herself, a mix of joy and exasperation.
"Honestly!! Why would someone confess to a disaster of a personality like mine?!"
"Wasn't it supposed to go according to my plan? Wasn't I supposed to be the one confessing?!"
She smoothed her bangs.
"But I suppose it makes sense. Ruan Mei's personality is famously terrible too."
"Aside from Yu Qingtu, no one else has much to say about us. Or dares to."
"Number ninety-nine. Disengage remote operation. Take the others back to the space station. I need some time alone."
"Understood, Madam Herta."
---
At Herta Space Station, the real Herta appeared. Asta and a masked, sunglass-wearing woman with a halo approached.
Asta hurried forward.
"Madam Herta! Where's Madam Ruan Mei?"
Herta glanced at her, then looked around. The station was decorated with all kinds of feather motifs.
"She's in her lab. What's all this?"
Asta's smile faltered.
"I invited Miss Robin to hold a concert. A welcome party for Madam Ruan Mei."
Herta waved a hand.
"Cancel it. Clean all this up."
Asta nodded, crestfallen.
"Oh... alright."
Herta took five steps, then turned back. A new plan was forming.
"Wait. Keep the concert. But change the songs. And replace all these feathers with cat-cakes."
Asta and the masked girl exchanged glances.
Herta feigned composure with a cough. She had a plan—a surprise for Ruan Mei.
"Ahem. The new songs should be romantic. Elegant. 'White moonlight' vibes. Memorable. Credits are no object. Understood?"
Asta muttered under her breath.
"They're my credits. My whole month's allowance went to paying your bills and hiring Robin."
Herta opened a [Mirror] and vanished, leaving only her voice behind.
"Asta, the IPC owes me some credits. Patent fees, I think. Contact Jade directly."
"If this concert goes perfectly, I'll write your family a letter of recommendation."
Asta could only sigh.
"Honestly. She always dumps this on me. And Madam Ruan Mei isn't even here."
Peppy chimed in.
"Woof." (Asta, you forgot something important.)
Asta blinked.
"What?"
"Woof." (Madam Herta was supposed to give you Ruan Mei's contact info.)
Asta's eyes went wide. She grabbed her phone.
"Hello? This is Herta #99. Madam Herta is resting. She's not accepting calls."
---
Elsewhere, Ruan Mei still wandered the Luofu's streets, aimless.
In the distance, Feixiao held an umbrella over Yukong, helping her choose accessories.
Feixiao picked up a swallow hairpin.
"Sister Yukong, this would look lovely on you."
The IPC shopkeeper smiled obsequiously.
"Excellent taste, madam. We acquired this from a Yaoqing merchant caravan."
Feixiao scratched her head sheepishly. Yaoqing goods. And I, the Yaoqing General, didn't even recognize it.
"Fine. Pack these up."
Yukong tried to refuse, but Feixiao insisted. She relented.
Jiaoqiu and Moze approached, whispering urgently.
"General. General Huaiyan and his party have returned to the Zhuming. Shouldn't we return to the Yaoqing and continue the campaign against the Abundance?"
Feixiao shot them a cold glance.
"All my life, I've fought the Abundance. Can't I take one moment to spend time with Sister Yukong?"
"Besides, the Abundance remnants are no real threat. Even without me, Suyi and Qingying have it handled. The Qingqiu Guard alone can take on ten times their number."
Jiaoqiu and Moze exchanged glances. The General used to be different. Always about the next victory. What is it about this Yukong that changes her so much?
Yukong spoke gently.
"Feixiao. You are the Yaoqing General. Return to your post. Lead your troops. Destroy the Abundance. The greater good comes first."
Feixiao smiled sheepishly.
"Sister Yukong is right, of course. But I have my own plans. Of course, if you and Qingying could swap positions, I'd return to the Yaoqing immediately."
Yukong sighed helplessly.
"Such transfers require approval from all six Generals. Do not speak lightly of such things."
"Fine, fine. Whatever Sister Yukong says."
"You two go on ahead. I'll continue surveying the Luofu with Helmsmaster Yukong."
Jiaoqiu and Moze had no choice but to leave. Yukong spotted Ruan Mei in the distance and hurried over with Feixiao.
"Madam Ruan Mei? What's wrong?"
Ruan Mei's expression was blank, tinged with melancholy.
"Nothing. I'm leaving the Luofu."
"What? So soon? I haven't even properly fulfilled my duties as host. But... I respect your choice."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly. As she turned to leave, Yukong called out.
"Madam Ruan Mei. Please wake Tingyun soon."
Ruan Mei didn't turn around. But she knew—at the mention of Tingyun's name, Feixiao's eyes held a complex emotion.
"Farewell."