Herta Space Station.
Herta's Office.
"Speaking of which, have you never considered entering this Simulated Universe yourselves for a simulation?" Takagi looked at the entrance before him and curiously asked Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei.
"As the designers, we naturally conducted corresponding tests. However, precisely because we were the testers, there were many limitations," Herta said. "But you are different; your arrival will undoubtedly reveal something new. If you, as a Trailblazer, were to enter and conduct a simulation... perhaps it could even help us understand why Akivili disappeared." Herta said to Takagi with interest.
"Are you planning to have me play Akivili and experience a death in the Simulated Universe?" Takagi said, sweating.
"Playing Akivili? That might be a good plan. But for now, just play yourself. With your identity as a Trailblazer, perhaps you can directly show us the Aeon," Herta said.
"Or, as a Trailblazer, can you directly tell us the reason for Akivili's disappearance?" Ruan Mei asked.
"I'm afraid I cannot answer that question, even I," Takagi said.
"In that case, let's try it through this Simulated Universe. Hurry up and test it, Takagi," Herta's voice was filled with excitement.
"Alright, if I have to test it, I will. Consider it playing a game," Takagi shrugged and activated the Simulated Universe.
In just a blink of an eye, Takagi felt himself arrive in a mysterious cosmic space. "Huh? Shouldn't I be fighting monsters? What does this mean? Herta, is there something wrong with your Simulated Universe?" Takagi looked around strangely.
"Nothing's wrong, I'll check... Huh, this is Aeon data! As expected of a Trailblazer, the Aeon was drawn in right at the start. Wait, this isn't the Trailblaze Aeon's data, this is... the Abundance!" Herta's surprised voice echoed in Takagi's ears.
A familiar figure appeared before Takagi. It was Yaoshi the Abundance, whom Takagi had met once before.
Good heavens, the first one I met in reality was you. The first Aeon I met in the Simulated Universe was also you. We really are fated, Abundance, Takagi grumbled inwardly.
At this moment, Herta's astonished voice rang out: "How did the Abundance appear? Aren't you a Pathstrider of Trailblaze? Ah, ah, ah, I can't worry about that now. Takagi, quick! Try to talk to Yaoshi. Let me see how it reacts."
Takagi nodded; he also wanted to know how the Abundance in the Simulated Universe would interact with him. "Um... hello there, Abundance, would you like some tea? Herta, can you conjure some tea?" Takagi asked.
Herta: "..."
The Abundance opened its six arms and slowly descended before Takagi. "Trailblaze, I rejoice in your return. How can a finite body cross an infinite sea? May you cast aside your burdens, be free from future existence, and attain liberation." The Abundance reached out and gently touched Takagi's cheek, smiling with utmost tenderness.
Takagi had seen these words when playing the game. Those were the words the Abundance in the Simulated Universe spoke to the Trailblazer. However, what puzzled Takagi was that at the time, the Trailblazer was playing the role of Akivili. But he wasn't playing that role now. What was even more perplexing was that the Abundance before him didn't leave after speaking. It just kept staring into his eyes with a smile.
Herta's voice rang out again: "The Abundance mistook you for Akivili? Strange, I didn't set you as Akivili. What exactly is going on? Takagi, do you have any idea?"
Takagi: "...Isn't this the Simulated Universe you developed? If you have no clue, how would I have one?"
Just as Takagi, Herta, and even Screwllum and Ruan Mei were puzzled, the Abundance spoke again. "Regrettably, this place is not real. No matter, I will find you in the real world, Trailblazer." After Yaoshi finished speaking, his figure transformed into a brilliant light and disappeared.
Takagi: "..."
Herta: "..."
Screwllum: "..."
Ruan Mei: "..."
"Shouldn't you guys say something? How did Yaoshi know that the Simulated Universe wasn't the real world? Also, what's with him saying he'll find me in the real world?" Takagi asked.
"You're asking me? Who should I ask? That's strange. This has never happened before," Herta said, frowning tightly.
Ruan Mei: "It's normal for an Aeon's power to detect the anomaly of the Simulated Universe, but it's a bit concerning that Yaoshi keeps identifying Takagi as the Trailblazer."
Screwllum: "Indeed! I've checked, and Lord Takagi's data is still his own. Yaoshi shouldn't be identifying you as the Trailblazer. Unless..."
Herta: "Unless... Takagi, are you... perhaps Akivili?"
Takagi raised his hand to touch his forehead, sweating with embarrassment: "Do you think someone with humanity like me would be an Aeon?"
Screwllum: "Although Aeons are generally far from humanity, according to records, Akivili did possess a considerable amount of humanity."
Herta: "Takagi, are you really Akivili?" Takagi could feel the excitement in Herta's voice.
"How could that be? I'm not the Aeon," Takagi shook his head.
As soon as he finished speaking, Takagi felt a sense of weightlessness. He fell into a sudden vortex beneath his feet. He looked up and saw a figure flowing with golden blood appearing above. Who else could it be but Nanook the Destruction?
Herta: "Another Aeon has appeared! This time it's Nanook!"
Screwllum: "Attracting the attention of two different Aeons in a row... Lord Takagi is truly remarkable."
Ruan Mei: "And neither of them is the Trailblaze Aeon. However, if it's the Destruction, it might be a bit unfortunate."
As if to prove Ruan Mei's words, Nanook slowly cast his gaze upon Takagi. The next moment, Takagi felt the surrounding air begin to burn fiercely. A strong heatwave surged into his heart. This is bad! Takagi clearly remembered that when the Trailblazer first met Nanook in the Simulated Universe, he was directly eliminated.
Just at this critical moment, another violent data fluctuation surged in the space. Another flash of light appeared before Takagi's eyes.
"Qlipoth the Preservation?!" Takagi looked at the scene in surprise. Accompanied by the roaring sound emanating from the Preservation Aeon, the flames around Takagi instantly extinguished.
Herta: "I... I didn't see wrong, did I? The Preservation is protecting you, Takagi?!"
Screwllum: "An incredible phenomenon!"
Herta: "Takagi, quickly, talk to them. Two Aeons appearing at the same time is a very low-probability event."
Takagi: "Talk about what?"
Herta: "You're asking me? Who should I ask? You figure it out!"
Takagi rubbed his chin, looking at the two Aeons before him. "Um, would you two like to come down for a cup of tea?"
Nanook looked down at Takagi: "I will find you in reality..." With those words, the Aeon of Destruction disappeared without a trace.
"Uh, he left just like that." Takagi turned to look at Qlipoth. "Do you want some tea, Amber Lord?"
Golden light erupted from Qlipoth's eyes, and a magnificent voice echoed throughout the entire Simulated Universe. "Trailblazer, I look forward to meeting you in the real world." After saying that, Qlipoth also turned into light and disappeared.
At the same time, a powerful data stream erupted throughout the entire Simulated Universe. Then the entire world plunged into darkness. Seeing this, Takagi no longer had the desire to continue playing and directly willed his consciousness back to his body.
"I say, your Simulated Universe isn't up to par. The data is unstable at this level. How can I let my passengers play this?" Takagi turned around and saw Herta, Ruan Mei, and Screwllum all staring intently at him. "Hmm? What are you all looking at me like that for?"
"The appearance of the three Aeons earlier caused some issues with the data. We will debug it as quickly as possible. But more importantly... Takagi, you still say you're not the Trailblaze Aeon?" Herta's eyes widened in surprise.
"Where did that come from? How did I become the Aeon?" Takagi said, sweating.
Herta: "If you are not the Trailblazer, why do the Aeons you've seen all refer to you as such?"
Takagi: "I want to ask you that! Could it be that you set my identity as the Aeon?"
Screwllum: "I've checked, Herta did not set your identity incorrectly."
Ruan Mei: "Perhaps this is because the Destruction was born later and doesn't recognize Akivili, so he didn't refer to your identity in the Simulated Universe."
Takagi: "No way, you guys actually think I'm Akivili? Look at me, where do I look like an Aeon?"
"Then how do you explain the Preservation and the Abundance saying they want to meet you in the real world?" Herta asked curiously.
"What do I have to explain? These reasons should be researched by you, the scientist," Takagi shrugged. Having said that, he probably knew why they appeared. The reason might be that Takagi had already met them in the real world before through the System. Originally, Takagi thought it was a joke that these Aeons would come looking for him. But now Takagi felt that it was very likely. Thinking of this, Takagi felt a bit of a headache.
"I've tested the Simulated Universe as you said. Remember the request you promised me, Miss Asta. If there's nothing else, I'll go find the passengers who came with me first." Takagi waved his hand, intending to leave.
"Wait, I still have many questions," Herta quickly chased after him.
"I've said everything I needed to say. You need to maintain the Simulated Universe again. I don't think I have any reason to stay here," Takagi shook his head.
"In that case, would you like some seasonal pastries, Takagi? I've prepared some pastries made with newly pickled plums," Ruan Mei said softly.
"Hmm? Eating Ruan's food?" Takagi turned his head back.
Ruan Mei: "Soft rice?"
Takagi: "What I mean is, I'd be happy to try your pastries."
Ruan Mei led Takagi towards the lounge. Herta and Screwllum also followed. Unfortunately, even though they had many questions, Takagi couldn't answer them. It wasn't until Takagi was ready to leave with Serval, Hook, Clara, and Svarog that Herta and the others realized they couldn't get much information.
The only clear thing they knew was that the people Takagi would bring to Herta Space Station in the future were from a very remote world.
"So, you're doing this to let the people from this remote world see the outside world and change their perception of themselves?" Ruan Mei asked curiously as they walked to the dock.
"That's right!" Takagi nodded slightly. "Due to their limited perspective, some people there are arrogant. I thought that letting them see the situation outside the universe might cure the 'ignorance' of these arrogant blades. Especially those who call themselves 'geniuses'."
Herta: "Curing ignorance? Isn't that the same as Dr. Ratio?"
Takagi smiled: "It's not entirely the same. Speaking of which, you are all true geniuses in this universe. If there is an opportunity, I would like to ask a few of you to let the 'geniuses' of that world see the achievements of true geniuses."
Herta: "Okay, but after I've debugged the Simulated Universe, I hope you'll come and test it again."
Ruan Mei and Screwllum both nodded in agreement.
"It depends on the situation. I think there's a high possibility that testing your Simulated Universe will once again overload the data. Besides, you don't really want an Aeon to come looking for you through the Simulated Universe, do you? Abundance, Destruction, and Preservation have all said they would come to the real world to find me. The Preservation might not be a big problem, but if the Abundance and the Destruction appear here, Herta Space Station will be greatly affected, right?" Takagi said.
"Regarding this, I will find a way to handle it. As long as I put more restrictions on the Aeon's data, it should be fine," Herta said solemnly. With Takagi being someone who could easily let her see Aeons, how could Herta give up?
"Let's talk about it after you've debugged it. Next, it's about time for me to leave." Takagi looked at the Astral Express not far away.