After Asta's medical team finished treating Silver Wolf, she stood nearby, quietly observing her.
Truth be told, Silver Wolf was absolutely ridiculous.
Smart, yes. But also way too vengeful. Who gave her the courage to directly confront Madam Herta herself?
Seventy-six game accounts getting banned—was that really worth repeatedly going up against one of the universe's geniuses?
Peppy commented from the side.
"Woof!" (This Silver Wolf is from Punklorde. My cousin lives there.)
"Woof!" (The fact that she's provoked Madam Herta multiple times and hasn't been erased yet? That story alone will make her legendary in her homeland for ten thousand years.)
Hearing this, Asta felt she understood something. Leaving a mark on history, holding a grudge—Silver Wolf has her own burdens too.
While Peppy and Asta talked, Silver Wolf woke up.
"Where is this? The space station?! And these two?"
"Forget it. I'll just Aether Edit my way out."
A wave of dizziness hit her. Her Aether abilities were sealed. Again.
"Woof." (Asta, Silver Wolf's awake.)
Asta approached and knelt beside her, speaking gently.
"Are you alright, Silver Wolf?"
Silver Wolf's expression darkened. Her voice was ice cold.
"I'm not alright!! Where's Herta?"
"Madam Herta left the space station. She went back to the Luofu."
Silver Wolf blinked. Perfect. Time to escape.
"Asta. Help me break this seal. When I get out, I'll reward you handsomely!!"
Asta smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry, Silver Wolf. Madam Herta told me to keep an eye on you. But... to keep you from getting too bored... here."
The room suddenly blazed with prismatic light.
When Silver Wolf opened her eyes again, Asta and Peppy were gone.
In their place was a mountain of universe-limited edition gaming consoles. Silver Wolf rushed forward, examining them.
"Isn't this the Moon Shadow limited console I couldn't buy last time?!"
"And this?! The Phantom Feather—only ninety-nine in the entire universe, released three hundred years ago?!"
"This is the limited edition I've wanted since I was a kid! I never found any leads on it!"
She looked around. The gloom and despair on her face had vanished.
So many limited consoles. So many. This is paradise. A dream come true.
I've completely forgotten about being a Stellaron Hunter!!
On the monitor, Peppy watched Silver Wolf's ecstatic reaction and commented.
"Woof." (Madam Herta didn't tell you to prepare all these consoles for Silver Wolf.)
Asta shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Just a little pocket money."
---
On the Xianzhou Luofu, Herta personally sought out Wisteria Cake and launched into a tirade about that terrifying foxian.
"Wisteria Cake, that's the situation. That Tingyun is so eloquent, even Nous itself would lose to her in an argument."
Wisteria Cake accepted a cup of tea from Ruan Mei Cake and flicked her tail smugly.
See, Herta? Ruan Mei Cake is with me today. And where's Ruan Mei?
Herta frowned and pretended not to notice.
Wisteria Cake finally responded.
"Currently? Without using Path power to 'persuade with reason,' no one can out-argue Tingyun."
"Also, you teleported me away the moment things got tough. Lost the first round and lost them all."
Herta gritted her teeth. Arrogance. I thought Tingyun would be like Lingsha. They're not even in the same league.
"Wisteria Cake. I'll listen to you this time."
Wisteria Cake turned away dismissively.
"Forget it, Madam Herta. There's nothing I can do. Find someone else."
"This little shrine can't accommodate an absolute genius like you. An Emanator of Erudition."
Herta blocked her exit.
"Wisteria Cake. Do you remember the first time we met?"
"Hmm? What about it?"
Herta took a deep breath, organized her thoughts, and declared with confident composure.
"Wisteria Cake. You asked me who was "father" and who was "mother"—me or Ruan Mei."
"Now, because of Tingyun's endless meddling, Ruan Mei has left me. I'm alone and miserable in the space station."
"You don't want Tingyun to become your ■■, do you?!"
Wisteria Cake, Ruan Mei Cake, the fighting Navigator Cake, and Stellaron Hunter Cakes—every single cat-cake turned to stare at Herta.
They began murmuring among themselves.
"Meow! Did Madam Herta just say something?!"
"Meowmu... unbelievable!"
"I think Herta's personality is terrible, sure. Way too tsundere and confident. But she and Ruan Mei are both geniuses. I support them."
"Right, right. I support them too."
Almost every cat-cake sided with Herta.
Seeing the consensus, Wisteria Cake felt helpless. None of them have actually dealt with her. They have no idea how absurd her personality is.
"Fine. I'll help you again. But I'm warning you—I might not beat Tingyun."
Herta breathed a sigh of relief.
"Once that foxian is gone, I'll give every cat-cake thirty million credits. And one curio each."
Wisteria Cake shook her head.
"We don't need those. Credits are just worldly possessions."
The Topaz Cake and Jade Cake immediately grabbed Wisteria Cake and pulled her aside.
"Madam Herta! Topaz Cake would be delighted to assist you!"
"Yes, yes! Please prepare thirty million credits and one curio for us."
Herta recognized those two immediately. Especially Topaz Cake.
"Fine. All cat-cakes, come with me. We're going home."
Ruan Mei Cake blinked.
"Herta Space Station?"
Herta shook her head.
"Ruan Mei's lab at the edge of the universe. You're all coming with me to find her."
Elsewhere, Ruan Mei placed the finished starry sleeve pendant in a gift box. She planned to give it to Asta next time they met.
As for the other sleeve pendant—the one for Herta, already embroidered—she didn't know how to deliver it.
"Benefactor, wait a little longer. Madam Herta should return soon."
"Yes."
Tingyun brewed a cup of tea and offered it to Ruan Mei.
"But Benefactor, when Madam Herta arrives, you shouldn't give her the pendant right away."
Ruan Mei took a sip, then set down the cup.
"Why?"
Tingyun flicked her tail gracefully.
"There's a concept called 'reciprocity.' Madam Herta should have a return gift for you."
Ruan Mei sighed softly.
"She can't embroider."
Tingyun smiled and shook her head.
"That's not what I meant. Madam Herta's return gift can take many forms."
Ruan Mei looked at her with those cool, clear eyes. When it comes to social graces, Tingyun far surpasses us.
"I'll listen to you."
Tingyun inclined her head gratefully.
"Thank you for trusting me, benefactor. Before anything else, I want Madam Herta to learn mutual respect."
"Mutual respect?"
Tingyun walked to the medical bay and covered her smile with her fan.
"Madam Herta is excessively tsundere. But sometimes that pride turns into one-sided arrogance."
"If you keep conceding to her, benefactor, she'll only become more demanding."
She lowered her fan and continued.
"Mutual respect requires equality. The ability to see things from the other's perspective."
"So let me help you, benefactor. Let me cure Madam Herta of this excessive tsundere behavior. What do you say?"
--------------------------------------
TL Note
Bonus Chapter Progress: 118/125