The search for the source code went smoothly.
Both 'Hertatomb' and the other Herta cooperated to their fullest. Naturally, there were no issues.
The process of modifying the other Herta's Digimon proceeded without a hitch as well.
After all, from the very beginning, the Digimon design was intended for merging with the people of Amphoreus.
Being compatible with other programs was, of course, a trivial matter.
And once the series of modifications was complete, the other Herta's first act was to shed her puppet body.
She materialized from data, standing before the group in solid form.
"This feeling of rebirth is truly wonderful."
"But why did you choose to appear looking like a little Herta?"
'Hertatomb' looked at this other Herta, who resembled a puppet but lacked the joint spheres, and voiced her curiosity.
"I needed to establish some distinction. And, though I'm reluctant to admit it, I probably don't quite qualify as a genius yet. We'll talk about that after I complete my self-coronation."
The other Herta was clear about her own identity.
She was the remnant of the deceased Herta, reborn through program evolution into a living being. In terms of lifespan, today was her true birthday.
She hadn't felt much before, but now, reborn, she keenly sensed the difference.
Transitioning from residual code to a living individual had indeed altered some of her perceptions.
"Enough idle talk," interjected Herta. "We've been dawdling here for over a dozen system days. When are we setting off to deliver our 'gift' to our esteemed senior?"
'Hertatomb' glanced at the others.
Ruan Mei shook her head. "I'm only responsible for technical support. Don't involve me in what comes next."
"Don't worry, Herta and I are enough," Herta chuckled, exchanging a look with Screwllum.
Screwllum nodded in agreement, then produced an item and handed it to the other Herta.
"A Chronocognitive Anchor?"
"Indeed. It seems my future self used it as well."
"Of course, without your help, Screwllum, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to infiltrate the Scepter and confront Irontomb directly."
Hearing this from her other self, Madam Herta picked up the Chronocognitive Anchor for a brief inspection.
"So this is what you spent half an Amber Era creating?"
"Yes. While searching for the origins of inorganic life, I once encountered a Scepter. Perhaps it didn't seem fortunate at the time, but clearly, that research is now bearing fruit."
After returning the anchor to her other self, Herta spoke up.
"Using this, Screwllum and I will provide external technical support. Other me, you'd better give it your all. Don't make me clean up your mess in the end."
"Heh~ Underestimating me is underestimating yourself. Do you really want to say such things now?"
"Speaking in riddles with me? From the moment you were born as a Digimon, you completed your rebirth. You're no longer the Herta of the past. How about I call you 'New Herta'?"
Because she was herself, Herta understood the other Herta's perspective.
She was Herta, yet not the Herta of the past.
Death, a line of code, then a new lifeform.
After completing the cycle of death and rebirth, she had transformed, becoming an entirely new individual.
Once she finished her self-coronation, she would be the universe's newest genius, New Herta.
As for why Herta, knowing the Emperor's Scepter offered a chance to link with the Droidhead, still let her other self continue meddling with Amphoreus instead of going herself—well, Herta had her own pride.
Winning through her own means, fair and square, was the way.
Sabotaging a rival was something beneath Herta's dignity.
"That title isn't bad, but it's a bit too casual. How about 'World Herta'? After all, you could say I'm from a different worldline."
"..."
Beside them, 'Hertatomb' watched the two Hertas, speechless, as they debated names.
"Can't this conversation wait? I'm the one going into the field personally."
Ruan Mei wanted no part of the subsequent struggle.
Herta and Screwllum would provide remote support via the Chronocognitive Anchor.
At most, they might deploy a large signal relay device.
Expecting them to camp out there long-term wasn't realistic.
So, in practice, the only one heading to the site was 'Hertatomb'.
Hearing this, Herta adjusted her hat and replied in a flat tone, "Alright, alright, thank you for your hard work~ I'll repay you properly."
'Hertatomb' shook her head with a sigh, then withdrew her consciousness from the puppet.
The colossal, dark figure that had been crouched in the Fourth Courtyard, motionless for a fortnight, finally stirred again.
The pitch-black skeleton spread its arms like a cross towering between heaven and earth.
Its tilted head even resembled Herta herself, nailed to that cross.
Madam Herta, who had gradually grown accustomed to this sight over the past half-month, felt a renewed instinctive revulsion upon seeing it move.
The other Herta, now a Digimon, transformed back into a data stream and returned to 'Hertatomb's' form.
All preparations were complete.
Phase Flames ignited upon the dark cross, then surged into a towering inferno that consumed the skeletal figure, vanishing from Herta City.
Madam Herta, uncharacteristically, rubbed her arms.
She felt goosebumps rising.
"...I know what's happening, but this scene still gives me the creeps."
Ruan Mei let out a soft laugh. "Then you'd better send a message to the people on Amphoreus. Otherwise, you won't be the only one frightened."
"Don't worry, AI Herta has already sent a notice to the front lines on my behalf."
--+--
Meanwhile, on the other side.
After finding conventional weapons utterly incapable of reaching Amphoreus's location, and with genius gadgets not readily deployable, the Interastral Peace Corporation, together with the Land of Light, took the lead.
They joined other factions in establishing multiple surveillance outposts within Amphoreus's star system to conduct searches.
As for the Garden of Recollection... they declined to participate in the joint operation.
It seemed they had their own agenda.
Then, at a certain moment, all detection equipment suddenly erupted in frantic alarms.
An entity of a magnitude exceeding that of an Emanator had arrived at Amphoreus's coordinates via some form of spatial leap!
And in that seemingly empty space—
BOOM!
Fierce flames erupted violently in the silent void.
A colossal, eerily skeletal cross-like figure, accompanied by countless puppet-like forms tethered by strings, descended just outside Amphoreus.
"What is that?!"
"That face... it looks like Madam Herta!!"
"Madam Herta? But what's with this ominous form?! Contact Madam Herta for confirmation immediately!"
"Wait, she's... she's moving!! Amphoreus! Amphoreus has appeared!! She's breached Amphoreus's external defenses!"
Right then, AI Herta's voice connected to the public channel shared by the Corporation and the Land of Light.
"Do not panic. That is part of the arrangement by the esteemed Madam Herta and her companions. I will share the Anti-Irontomb Equation with you shortly. Your task is to prevent any leakage of the Irontomb virus from the exterior."
--+--