The Destruction Legion assault heavily damaged the Space Station, but fortunately, casualties were minimal.
Repairs on the Space Station had already begun. Thanks to Miss Asta enormous wealth, what would normally take a long time was completed in a surprisingly short span.
Station Master Asta personally extended her thanks to The Trailblazer from the Astral Express. She even promised that if she managed to secure a supplier in the future, she would give two Star-Destroyers to The Astral Express.
...
...
Once things had settled, Herta directly approached Ena and Stelle.
"I've decided" Herta said. "You two will come with me for an examination."
Stelle tilted her head. "I'm fine… I think."
Ena immediately frowned and turned toward her.
"You are absolutely getting checked! No arguments, young lady!" Ena pinched Stelle cheek.
"Mom, that's not fair…" Stelle protested weakly, rubbing her cheek.
Herta cut in without hesitation. "It is very fair. 'I think I'm fine' is scientifically meaningless. And you are carrying a Stellaron, little girl~"
"Now follow me" Herta said, already turning away.
Ena and Stelle exchanged a glance, then followed her.
After a while, Ena opened a conversation.
"Miss Herta… I've heard you are a research enthusiast. Someone who studies people rather… intensely" Ena said, giving Herta a lingering gaze from behind.
Herta gave a soft, amused laugh. "was that was meant to be humor?"
She continued walking. "Still… not entirely inaccurate. So what are you asking me for?"
"I just want assurance that Stelle won't be harmed during the examination" Ena gave Stelle a glance.
"Heh~ naturally. I have no intention of damaging a rare subject. Both of you are currently very valuable, you know~" Herta replied with a faint smile.
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Herta" Ena nodded politely.
"No need. A mother should worry about her child safety, after all" Herta said, continuing forward without once turning around.
Stelle didn't say anything, but her hand subconsciously moved closer to Ena sleeve.
The three them then stopped in front of a door
"We've arrived" Herta said, sounding almost excited.
She led them inside toward a full-body scanning device.
"Step in" she instructed. "This is a complete scan."
"…This is it?" Stelle muttered.
"Yes" Herta answered simply.
Ena eyes narrowed slightly at the machine. "No harm."
Herta glanced sideways at her. "Naturally. That was our agreement."
Ena entered first, followed by Stelle.
Moments later, the results were displayed.
"…Fascinating" Herta murmured, studying Ena data first. "Abundance blessings at an extreme level. Far beyond normal thresholds."
Her attention shifted.
"And you" she said, looking at Stelle data, "a body compatible with a Stellaron. That alone makes you highly valuable."
Stelle frowned slightly. "That doesn't sound like a compliment."
"It is a compliment, little girl~" Herta replied with a little smile.
Ena immediately reached for Stelle hand. "Is there any harm or complication?"
Herta didn't look away from the screen.
"No. If anything, her condition is unusually stable. Far more than expected."
Her gaze finally lifted, straight toward Ena.
"Both of you will be included in my latest project" Herta said, as if it had already been decided.
"…Project?" Ena frowned.
"The Simulated Universe" Herta said calmly.
Stelle tilted her head slightly.
"Will this endanger Stelle in any way?" Ena asked, tightening her grip on Stelle hand.
"Of course not. This project was developed by four geniuses. Safety is guaranteed."
"Participation will also be appropriately rewarded" Herta added, already turning back to the notes in her hand.
Ena glanced at Stelle.
"Uhm… Mom, it doesn't sound dangerous..." Stelle said, unsure but curious.
"We will consider it" Ena said, her eyes briefly locking with Stelle before returning to Herta.
"Excellent. You are free to go now. I need to continue my analysis" Herta waved them off slightly.
"And don't worry your little one is perfectly fine, of course~" she added with faint amusement.
Ena held her gaze for a moment.
"Once again, thank you for your help, Miss Herta" Ena nodded respectfully.
"Mm" Herta responded, still focused on her work.
"Let's go, Stelle" Ena gently pulled her away.
Stelle followed without resistance.
Once outside, Stelle looked up at her.
"Mommy… are we going into that… Simulated Universe thing?" Stelle asked.
"Not yet. Let's wait for a while, baby" Ena said calmly.
They made their way to the Master Control Zone.
"I still have a few patients left" Ena said, releasing Stelle hand.
"It will take a while. Baby, go play for a bit on your own" She lightly patted Stelle head.
"Okay" Stelle nodded.
Ena then resumed treating the Space Station staff. Even though she had already healed the fatal injuries from the Legion invasion, many still had minor wounds from the Doomsday Beast attack. She carefully tended to each of them until the last person was done.
(Mission Progress: 100/100.)
(Mission completion detected.)
(Skill obtained: Ode to Hundred Herbs. Restores 30% HP to allies, target limit: 100.)
"Sigh… I've finally unlocked this group heal. Although the power of Abundance is convenient, treating people one by one takes a lot of time."
"Now that everyone has been treated… I should call Stelle and tell her to head back."
Ena reached for her phone, then paused.
"Right... Stelle didn't have one."
"…I'll need to get her a phone next time" she murmured with a slight frown.
She then briefly thought about how much a phone would cost.
Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, and a hand covered her eyes.
"Guess who~"
Ena flinched, then quickly relaxed as she recognized the voice.
"…You're getting predictable."
"Mommy! you're supposed to struggle!" Stelle protested.
"Oh?"
Stelle tightened her hold slightly, still covering Ena eyes.
"It ruins the game if you guess immediately."
"Haha~ okay~"
Ena reached up, gently holding the hand over her eyes.
"…This feels very familiar…" she sighed lightly.
"Ohh! it's my little baby!" Ena said excitedly with a smile, clearly amused.
Stelle huffed softly behind her.
"Then next time I'll make it harder."
"I look forward to it~" Ena replied without hesitation.
A brief, comfortable silence settled between them.
"Hehehe, someone taught me how to do this!" Stelle said, letting go of Ena.
She rocked slightly on her heels, then looked up at her.
"…Aren't I amazing, Mommy?" She said it a little softer this time, eyes slightly expectant
Ena paused for a moment, then smiled.
"You are my little star~" Ena patted her head.
"Hehe…" Stelle blushed, looking a little bashful.
A comfortable warmth lingered between them.
Ena reluctantly let go of Stelle hand, her fingers sliding away slowly.
"For now, let's go to the Astral Express. Today was very tiring, and my little baby needs a good amount of sleep so you can… grow taller?" Ena said, a little unsure.
She wasn't even certain if "taller" was the right word anymore.
Stelle giggled "Okay, Mommy."
Ena took Stelle hand and headed toward the Astral Express.
The Space Station lights dimmed behind them, settling into quiet once more.
"…I will confirm what 'grow taller' means later" Ena murmured to herself.
Stelle giggled beside her.
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Hey, hey reader, Nilvan here.
Writing this chapter has been way more enjoyable than Chapter 17.
Honestly, it feels like a vacation.