"So, you have no idea why Yaoshi descended, let alone why she left after just a glance?"
After a moment, Herta suppressed the urge to smash Lumina's head with a hammer. She glared fiercely at the screen, her voice icy. "Answer me!"
"Of course not! If our relationship weren't so special, I would have told you everything truthfully. I wouldn't keep anything from you, would I?"
Lumina used her Path power to fix her phone in mid-air, cupping her immaculate cheeks with both hands. She grinned adorably, her voice dripping with affection.
"Special relationship?"
Herta's breath hitched as Lumina's voice filtered through the phone and her image filled the screen. For a fleeting moment, her body stiffened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, masking the reaction from Lumina's notice.
Snapping back to reality and dismissing the inexplicable emotion that had surged through her, Herta snorted coldly. "Besides being business partners, what other 'special relationship' could there possibly be between us?"
Though Herta's tone was utterly flat, devoid of any aggression, it sounded almost like a casual joke.
Yet this seemingly lighthearted remark pierced Lumina's sincere heart like a frost-edged sword, causing her eyelids to droop and her lips to press together. Her mind reeled, as if she were on the verge of tears.
Observing Lumina's imminent breakdown, Herta regarded her coldly, making no move to comfort her.
Your act is unconvincing. Try harder next time.
Hmm... Well, Lumina didn't actually cry. Nor was her heart truly shattered by Herta's words. In fact, she felt absolutely no emotional reaction to Herta's utterly callous dismissal of their past camaraderie.
It couldn't be helped. Through countless Amber Eras spent on her path to redemption, Lumina had learned many things, including how to develop a thick skin as impenetrable as the Amber Lord's fortress walls.
With a sigh, Lumina said, "Little Herta, I know you're angry. I didn't mean to tease you earlier; I just wanted to lighten the mood. It's been so long since we last spoke."
"Don't be angry, don't be angry, anger brings illness that no one can take away~"
"Calm down, calm down, calm down and cultivate beauty and good temper~"
Lumina gazed at Herta's peerless face, her expression utterly serene, and spoke in a soothing, childlike tone, hoping to ease Herta's irritation.
"Calm down? Calm what down? Who's angry? Why would I need to calm anything down?" Ignoring Lumina, Herta feigned ignorance, adopting an indifferent facade.
I wasn't even angry in the first place, so why would I need to calm down?
Herta was only slightly speechless at Lumina's teasing earlier, not particularly bothered by it.
What truly captivated her attention was the smile Lumina had flashed at the end of their exchange—
So genuine, so stunning, so beautiful, so adorable, so beloved... These were Herta's silent praises for that smile. A love at first sight, etched into the deepest recesses of her heart. Though it lasted only a few fleeting seconds, Herta had already carved it into the very core of her being.
When Herta first met Lumina, the artificial smile on her face didn't exactly make her dislike her, but it certainly left her with some reservations.
Upon learning that Lumina, the renowned "Saintess" of the Cosmos, was visiting the Space Station, Herta immediately considered inviting her to join the Simulated Universe project.
However, their initial meeting left Herta conflicted about this idea.
As an Emanator of Abundance and someone who had communed with the Aeon of Abundance, Lumina possessed precisely the expertise the Simulated Universe needed. Yet her disingenuous smile left Herta deeply torn.
While Lumina's skills were valuable, they weren't indispensable. Adding her to the project would undoubtedly benefit its development, but her absence wouldn't hinder its progress. Herta hesitated to involve someone so disingenuous in the project.
These were merely initial impressions, though. Subsequent interactions gradually shifted Herta's perspective. After considerable deliberation, she ultimately decided to invite Lumina to join the Simulated Universe. (Chapter 17)
Herta was now deeply grateful for having made that choice back then. It allowed her to use the guise of researching the Simulated Universe to...
Recalling Lumina's genuine, beautiful, and dazzling smile from earlier, Herta found herself wanting Lumina to keep smiling just for her.
But such a request would be far too presumptuous. Herta chose to keep this desire hidden within her heart, never revealing it outwardly.
"Little Herta, you're not a child anymore. Don't get so sentimental, ha~"
"Promise me one thing, and I'll pretend that little tease earlier never happened?" Ignoring Lumina's remark, Herta's eyes darted around, as if struck by a sudden thought.
"What is it? Tell me what it is first, and then I'll decide whether to agree or not."
"I want to invite you to go somewhere with me."
"?" Lumina was taken aback. Herta was actually proposing something beyond the Simulated Universe—something beyond even the Aeons.
Lumina felt a surge of joy and excitement, but she kept her expression neutral, saying nothing as she quietly and eagerly awaited Herta to elaborate.
Herta, who had been observing Lumina's expression, saw her reaction and realized Lumina didn't mind her presumptuous remark. Relieved, she continued:
"It's a world entangled by three Paths, its destiny uncertain."
Lumina: ...
Upon hearing this, the flames of joy and excitement that had kindled in Lumina's heart were instantly extinguished.
What a letdown... It still has something to do with the Aeons...
A hint of resentment flashed across Lumina's face as she shot a displeased look at Herta, prompting Herta to tilt her head in confusion.
Did I... say something wrong?
A flicker of bewilderment crossed Herta's eyes. She couldn't tell if she'd misspoke or if there was some other reason for Lumina's reaction. Shaking her head, she continued:
"Amphoreus... It's a world where even Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze, has never set foot."
"I plan to visit it myself in a while, so I wanted to invite you to join me."
"Would you be willing?"
"..." Hearing this and seeing the faint anticipation on Herta's usually impassive face, Lumina couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation.
Lumina couldn't quite explain her irritation. Receiving an invitation from such a stunningly beautiful girl should have made her happy, delighted even...
Concealing her thoughts, she pondered for a moment before nodding.
"I can go, but only after the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony."
"Does that work with your schedule?"
"No problem. Our departure for Amphoreus is set for after the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony anyway." Herta paused, momentarily puzzling over what exactly this "Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony" was, but quickly recalled it and confirmed it wouldn't interfere.
"This trip to Amphoreus might not be peaceful. Use the Charmony Festival and the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony to get some rest."
"I'm hanging up now. Text me if anything comes up. Call if it's urgent."
"I'll answer."
With those final words, Herta abruptly ended the video call, giving Lumina no time to respond.
"Whew..."
After ending the video call, Herta let out a long sigh, casually tucked her phone away, stood up, pushed open the door, and gazed up at the azure sky. A complex emotion flickered in her beautiful eyes.
Am I being influenced by this "human" body?
Herta placed a hand over her chest, quietly listening to the beating of her human heart. This is the first time I've interacted with Lumina as a human, she mused inwardly, attributing all these inexplicable feelings to her physical form.
These were emotions her puppet body had never experienced, emotions Herta herself had never felt since birth—until now.
In truth, before ending the call, Herta had held back half of her sentence.
This journey to Amphoreus might not be peaceful. Take advantage of the Charmony Festival and the Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony to rest well.
The path of redemption you've walked for centuries must be exhausting. So please, rest well...