Ruan Mei cast a cold glance at Herta.
Kick someone when they're down. And aim for the face. Only Herta.
Ruan Mei nodded slowly, her expression remaining remarkably calm.
"Though, compared to Navigator Cake's coffee, Yu Qingtu's Talah Wyrmflame is probably about the same."
The smile on Herta's face froze. Gradually solidified.
Because she suddenly remembered: a week ago, right here at Moon Star Pavilion, Navigator Cake had brewed that cup of coffee.
It had been absurd. Terrifying. Despair-inducing.
And while she had suffered, Ruan Mei had used a tasteless agent and escaped unscathed.
A memory she had buried deep now resurfaced.
Her brow furrowed. Her expression darkened. She was ready to flip the table again.
Herta took a deep breath. Calmed herself.
Herta and Ruan Mei stared at each other with cold, clear eyes. Neither would yield. Neither would retreat a single step.
Seeing them locked in this icy stalemate, "Yu Qingtu" quickly stepped forward, just as in her memories, to give them an out.
"A cup of coffee. A glass of Talah Wyrmflame. No big deal. Come, come. Let me drink three as penance."
She raised a glass of Talah Wyrmflame and downed it in one gulp.
Then she mixed two more and drank those too.
"Three drinks. Done. How about that?"
Her expression hadn't changed. Only that familiar, sunny smile remained.
Ruan Mei and Herta both stared at her.
She's immune to Talah Wyrmflame too?!
Ruan Mei pulled Herta aside.
"Herta. Who is this 'Yu Qingtu'? Where did you find this impersonator? She's too perfect."
Herta crossed her arms, half-closing her eyes. Ruan Mei doesn't have enough proof to confirm it's Sparkle. She can't give in.
She played dumb.
"Impersonator?! This is Yu Qingtu. You saw it yourself."
"She not only has our shared memories—she's completely immune to Talah Wyrmflame."
Ruan Mei frowned. Before she could press further, Herta spoke first.
"Ruan Mei. Yu Qingtu is a fellow Genius Society member. Why are you so suspicious?"
"Relax. She's Yu Qingtu. More Yu Qingtu than Yu Qingtu herself."
Ruan Mei stared at her coldly.
"Oh? More Yu Qingtu than Yu Qingtu?"
Herta smiled faintly, the expression spreading across her face.
"Even if Nous showed up, she'd still be Yu Qingtu."
"Now, Yu Qingtu was missing for a long time. She barely escaped with her life. Now that she's back, we should welcome her. Talk to her."
"Put yourself in her shoes. Understand her changes. Respect her wishes."
These words felt utterly surreal to Ruan Mei.
Since when did Herta care about anyone else's feelings?! Put herself in someone else's shoes? Have empathy?!
Ruan Mei stared at her in silence.
Herta, though guilty, kept smiling.
"What's wrong, Ruan Mei?"
Ruan Mei closed her eyes.
"Are you really Herta? Or is there some scheme behind this 'Yu Qingtu's' emergence?"
Herta summoned her magic key, rising in anger.
"If I'm not Herta, then who am I?! You?!"
"Scheme? Don't flatter yourself, Ruan Mei. If you don't want to see Yu Qingtu, fine. I'll take her and leave!!"
She turned, pulled down her magic hat, and grabbed "Yu Qingtu."
"Yu Qingtu" blinked.
"Ah? We're leaving already?"
"Enough talk. Come with me!!"
Ruan Mei watched their retreating figures. Unease gnawed at her.
What if Herta takes Yu Qingtu back to Herta City? What if they get together? Would I spend the rest of my life regretting it?
[Ruan Mei. Stay rational. Be yourself. She's bluffing. She's betting you won't let her take 'Yu Qingtu' back.] ♪
Ruan Mei took a deep breath. But watching them walk away, step by step, she couldn't fully calm down.
Four steps. No pursuit.
At the seventh step, Herta summoned a [Mirror] directly to Herta City.
Five steps. Six steps. Six and a half...
Ruan Mei grabbed her hand.
Behind her hat, Herta's face lit up.
"Herta. This is Asta's starry sleeve pendant. Please deliver it for me."
The world fell silent. Herta stood frozen.
Her smile hadn't faded. Half-smile, half-glare. She laughed in exasperation.
"Fine, fine!! I'll take Yu Qingtu back. And I'll deliver this pendant to Asta personally."
She snatched the pendant. Just as she took the seventh step, she gritted her teeth and asked,
"Ruan Mei. What about my sleeve pendant?"
"Compared to Asta's, yours requires more intricate embroidery. It needs more time."
Herta snorted heavily. "Yu Qingtu" started to speak—and was tossed into Herta City.
"It better. Ruan Mei. I'll be back. I will be back. For sure."