Herta continued to study Ruan Mei, a hint of hesitation in her expression.
Geniuses always had earth-shattering ideas and experiments strike them by chance.
But "family" and research on human nature? To be honest, that fell squarely within the realm of philosophy!
"Ugh, fine, fine. It's just a title. Do you have any framework to support this experiment?"
Ruan Mei lowered her head in thought.
Herta studied her intently, silently wondering: Let's see what you're really thinking.
They regarded each other in silence. The very atmosphere grew heavy.
The silence between two geniuses seemed to manifest an invisible Path, separating them from everything around them.
"Woof woof!" (Something terrible!! Something terrible!! Madam Herta! Madam Ruan Mei! Asta has disappeared!)
Peppy's voice suddenly came through the synesthesia beacon, shattering the silence.
Herta looked down, her tone unhurried.
"Disappeared like the other researchers?"
"Woof!" (Yes! Asta disappeared just like the others—a flame burst forth, and she was gone!)
Herta shifted her gaze from Peppy back to Ruan Mei.
"Leave it to that Stellaron brat. Five hundred Stellar Jades—I'm sure she'll handle it."
"If there's nothing else, you may go."
Hearing this, Peppy's ears drooped. A trace of sorrow crossed her face. She sighed deeply.
"Woof!!" (Asta is your station master! Her disappearance means nothing to you?!)
(Those researchers were right. Even the real you has no humanity at all! You're nothing but a heartless mad scientist!)
With that, Peppy turned and ran off without looking back.
She had received the kindness of biscuits. She would repay it with her life.
Even if she was alone—no, even if she was just one dog—she would find Asta herself!!
Wisteria Cake watched Peppy's retreating figure from afar. She seemed to understand the dog's sorrow.
"Meow. Peppy just said you have no humanity."
Herta gritted her teeth, brushing it off with disdain.
"What does a dog like Peppy know about humanity? Besides, that phase flame is just some wretch's scout. Can't the Stellaron brat handle it?"
"You know everything—but you do nothing?"
Faced with Wisteria Cake's accusation, Herta closed her eyes and crossed her arms.
"And I'm supposed to intervene in such a trivial matter? Ruan Mei, have you figured it out yet? How exactly are we conducting this experiment?"
"I'll give you three more minutes."
Ruan Mei turned to look at Wisteria Cake.
The little one's expression... yes. She clearly wanted to help Peppy find Asta, but Herta was completely indifferent.
So even between similar individuals, there could be vast differences.
"Herta. I still have no framework for understanding 'family.'"
"Perhaps it's mutual support. Mutual trust. Making home a safe harbor—letting the beauty of humanity shine within a family."
Herta stared intently, retorting directly.
"You don't even have an experimental procedure, and you want me to go along with this?"
"Come on. Human nature is inherently selfish. Greed, betrayal, conflict over inheritance—brothers turn against each other, marriages fall apart. You see it every day on the blue planet."
"So, Ruan Mei. What exactly are we supposed to prove with this social experiment?"
Ruan Mei gently stroked Wisteria Cake's head and sighed softly.
"Asta. What kind of person is she in your eyes?"
Herta opened her eyes and snatched Wisteria Cake away.
"She herself is fine, of course. But her family behind her—that's another matter."
Wisteria Cake struggled slightly. Ruan Mei was so much nicer. The gap between her and Herta was enormous.
Herta looked down and glared at her. The pressure of lineage made Wisteria Cake quickly change the subject.
"Meow. Madam Herta. Tell us about Asta's past."
"Hmph. I'll say a few words, then."
Herta couldn't help but recall the first time she met Asta. Back then, she was like a bird in a cage.
Wealthy family, but trapped by fate.
[Endless aristocratic etiquette. Absurd family traditions... All of it was slowly dragging Asta into an abyss.]
["Madam Herta. Meteor showers follow their own path across the stars. Can people control their own destiny?"]
[Herta turned to look at the pink-haired girl who had asked the question.]
["Who is she?"]
[The scholar who had been looming over the pink-haired girl, demanding she submit to fate, immediately shifted into a fawning posture.]
["This is Asta, the young lady of our family. Madam Herta, you...?"]
["Her. Within one day, she will have a place in the space station."]
["But—but she belongs to the family—"]
["Her. Are you deaf?"]
[Herta's words brooked no argument. The scholar could only lower his head and accept her decision.]
"So I saved Asta, just as you saved Tingyun. As for good and evil, human nature—I've never cared about any of that."
Wisteria Cake looked up and called out softly.
"Meow. Madam Herta. You saved Asta once. You can save her a second time."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly.
Seeing these two working in tandem, Herta could only summon her key with one hand, using magic to tear through the space station's barriers.
Even as she did so, she couldn't help complaining.
"Ugh! So annoying! Never again. I'll just step in and bring Asta back."
At that same moment, on the platform at the other end of the space station.
Magic mirrors appeared before the phase flame, sealing all space.
And within each magic mirror stood Herta's confident, composed figure.
In an instant, the phase flame was sealed. Herta extracted all information about it.
"The Ever-Flame Mansion? Some clown I've never heard of. An ant trying to shake a tree. Wasting precious Madam Herta time."
When all the magic mirrors faded, space returned to normal.
Dr. Ratio and Stelle stood frozen, staring at everything in disbelief.
So this was the real Herta's power. Truly terrifying.
Back in the laboratory, Asta emerged from a magic mirror.
Without hesitation, Herta stepped back.
Thump.
Asta hit the floor. She rubbed her head, dazed, slowly opening her eyes.
"Madam Herta. Could you choose a different spot to drop me next time?"
Herta snorted lightly.
"There won't be a next time!"
Ruan Mei stepped forward gently and reached out to help Asta up.
"Thank you."
Asta instinctively said thank you—but when she looked up and realized it was Ruan Mei, she immediately straightened up and bowed repeatedly.
"I'm so sorry! Madam Ruan Mei. Please forgive my embarrassing display."
Ruan Mei simply shook her head slightly. She gently touched Asta's knee—injured from the fall.