Amphoreus, Entrance.
"Hmph, this place again."
"They call it an entrance, but it's just a spot that Intellitron uses to block people."
Arriving here once more, Herta didn't hesitate. Knowing the Intellitron would reappear, she strode toward the jar of water in the center.
"Madam Herta, please turn back."
"No matter how many times you come, whether as an Illusion or in your True Body, Amphoreus is not a place you should meddle with."
Just as Herta approached the central jar, preparing to analyze it for clues to enter Amphoreus, an Intellitron materialized before her.
From the moment it appeared, its gaze remained fixed on Herta, completely ignoring Lumina's position beside her.
It seems he really can't see Lumina.
At this realization, a glint flashed in Herta's eyes, her thoughts unreadable.
But before Lumina could dwell on it, she crossed her arms and addressed the Intellitron. "What was your name again...?"
"Ah... Lygus, right?"
Herta's tone was haughty, as if she held the Intellitron before her in utter contempt.
"To be remembered by Madam Herta is an honor," Lygus replied, performing a gentlemanly bow before repeating his earlier words.
"Madam Herta, please turn back. Amphoreus is not a place you should meddle with."
"Heh, is there anywhere in the cosmos that I, Herta, cannot go?" Herta scoffed, dismissing Lygus's warning.
"Madam Herta, I trust my judgment, and I trust your 'humanity,'" Lygus calmly continued, unfazed by her retort.
"If you insist on proceeding, you will break the shackles of a Lord Ravager."
"When that happens, His fury will engulf the Galaxy."
"Ooh, how terrifying! I'm so scared," Herta mocked.
Previously, she might have actually left.
But now, with Lumina by her side, Herta had no intention of backing down.
She highly doubted that the Lord Ravager's fury within Amphoreus could be greater than the palm of Lumina's hand.
So, right in front of Lygus, Herta declared her intentions: "Bring out that... Engulfing Guy or Engulfing Gal. I'd like to see just how His fury will engulf the Galaxy."
Herta's words dripped with contempt and arrogance, laced with absolute confidence in Lumina's power.
"Heh heh." Hearing this, Lygus understood her resolve.
He crossed his arms and chuckled lightly, seemingly unfazed by her taunts.
"Madam Herta, I assure you, our destruction will be mutually assured."
"Simultaneously, a Lord Ravager will break free from His shackles, bringing Destruction upon the entire Galaxy."
Lygus repeated his warning.
While he wasn't afraid of Herta, her reckless disregard for the consequences would be a major headache.
If this conflict could be resolved peacefully, that was the best course of action.
Unless absolutely necessary—unless his bottom line was crossed—Lygus had no intention of clashing with Herta.
"Uh-huh, and then? Go on," Herta nodded, her face practically screaming "I don't care." She gestured for him to continue, pretending to listen.
"What's this about 'mutually assured destruction' in extreme circumstances? A Lord Ravager breaking free, fury engulfing the Galaxy... I've heard all that. Anything else you want to say?"
Lygus: "..."
Herta's casual dismissal made Lygus begin to doubt his calculations about her. Was she simply overconfident, or...?
He couldn't understand.
But since she had spoken, Lygus decided not to dwell on it.
He repeated the same warning one more time: "Madam Herta, I will remind you one last time."
"If you insist on acting recklessly and enter Amphoreus without authorization..."
"You will shatter the shackles of a Lord Ravager, and His fury... will engulf the Galaxy!"
"When that happens, how many lives will be lost in the initial onslaught?"
Lygus sounded like a broken record, repeating the same threat as if it were his only argument.
"Oh, right." Herta responded with another dismissive hum.
Tired of arguing with the Intellitron, she shot a glance at Lumina.
Lumina nodded, then pulled out the Phantylia Kitten.
"Go on, Phantylia Kitten! Let your fury engulf all of Amphoreus!"
With that, Lumina tossed the Phantylia Kitten forward.
Lumina naturally took Herta's small hand and leaned close to her ear. "Herta," she whispered, "you were so cool just now. I was completely captivated."
"Once this Amphoreus business is settled, I'm joining the Madam Herta Fan Club!"
"The Madam Herta Fan Club? Why would you join something like that?" Herta raised an eyebrow, looking at Lumina in confusion. "I'm right here beside you. What's the point of joining a fan club?"
"If you have any words of support, just say them directly to me."
"I can't help it! Madam Herta was just too awesome. I couldn't control myself," Lumina said, spreading her free hand in a gesture of helplessness, her stunning face tinged with resignation.
"If we didn't have to stay hidden, I would have pulled out a light stick and started waving it behind you."
"Hmph. If you want to support Madam Herta, show me something substantial. Don't waste time on useless gestures." Hearing this, the corners of Herta's lips curved slightly upward, betraying her immense delight.
Even so, she still let out a haughty, tsundere snort.
"Then what kind of substantial support do you want?" Lumina leaned even closer. This time, she was near enough to catch the distinct, sweet fragrance wafting from Herta's body.
Herta could feel the fragrance wafting from Lumina's body and the warm puffs of air from her breath...
Her ears flushed a faint red, but the color quickly faded. Taking a deep breath, Herta adopted an "Are you kidding me?" tone and said, "Huh? As a 'Heritor,' you don't even know what kind of substantive reward Madam Herta wants?"
"As punishment, you'll copy 'Madam Herta is supremely brilliant, Madam Herta is...' ten thousand times."
"Alright, alright." Lumina readily accepted the demand.
Then she asked, "And when does Madam Herta require this 'punishment' to be submitted?"
"When that Intellitron is beaten to death." Herta glanced at the Phantylia Kitten currently facing off against Lygus and set the deadline.
"Okay~"
Lumina wasn't bothered in the slightest.
Just ten thousand repetitions? For a powerhouse of my level, that's a trivial task.
But I wonder...
Lumina glanced at Herta's face.
What gift does Herta truly want?
The thought lingered in Lumina's mind. She genuinely wanted to give Herta something substantive...