"Then I'll get straight to the point—" Herta said. "I think it's time to find another partner for the Simulated Universe."
"...You want to kick Stephen out?" Ruan Mei asked.
"No, of course not. Stephen doesn't want to get involved in this and abstained from voting." Herta shook her head. "Fine, I respect everyone's lifestyle, but he won't have a chance to take part in this decision."
"Question: Introduce a fifth collaborator to the Simulated Universe?"
"That's right, a fifth Genius." Herta nodded. "Everyone here knows why we've gathered. Besides the 'answer,' what else could bring together members of the Genius Society?
"No one can resist the secrets of the Aeons. Even Zandar couldn't. Someone will answer our call."
"What if the one who comes is Polka Kakamond?" Ruan Mei asked.
"Wouldn't that be perfect? 'Lord of Silence'—are you listening? I'm #83 Herta, and I want to meet you. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about!
"What do you think of the current incarnation of the Aeon of Beauty? He's right here on the space station. I think you might be interested."
Herta directly sent out an invitation to empty air and casually threw Nero out as bait.
"Polka Kakamond probably won't respond. She has been out of contact for a long time." Screwllum said. "Probability: #64 Dr. Primitive may appear."
Herta blinked and rejected the idea without a second thought.
"Oh, absolutely not. Putting aside all of Dr. Primitive's notorious research, his feud with the Galaxy Rangers would definitely be blown out of proportion by the IPC. Forget it. I don't want the Simulated Universe getting mixed up in strange public controversies."
Herta clearly showed no mercy when speaking. Although Stelle didn't fully understand, she could tell it carried about the same meaning as that fish fan comparing Ruan Mei's creations to Nero.
Herta then looked at Ruan Mei again.
"What about Yu Qingtu? Ruan Mei, are you still in contact with her? Is she even alive?"
[T/N: Yu Qingtu is the #55 member of Genius Society.]
Ruan Mei glanced at Stelle, whose eyes were gradually losing focus as if she was already preparing to zone out.
"...If we're going to discuss this topic, could she leave first? The process will be very long... and boring. There's no need to take up someone else's time."
"Oh, of course. You brought her in anyway. Your decision." Herta didn't care.
Ruan Mei turned toward Stelle.
"Come. I'll walk you out."
At that moment, a data fragment of Ruan Mei from the Simulated Universe was brought out. Herta asked, "By the way, what is this thing?"
Ruan Mei's expression didn't change.
"It looks like a program error."
Stelle noticed every one of Ruan Mei's reactions. It reminded her of something Nero had said while telling stories on the Express, "The prettier the woman, the better she is at lying."
Herta raised an eyebrow and looked at this loyal Simulated Universe tester.
"Have you seen this Ruan Mei fragment in the Simulated Universe?"
"I have. Why? It's very fun. Very satisfying."
Since Nero had long since neutralized the anti-truth serum, this time she gave an unusually straightforward answer.
Ruan Mei turned her head and glanced at Stelle before continuing expressionlessly, "It should be an error event that appeared by chance."
Herta shrugged.
"Fine. Whatever. I'm used to turning a blind eye. It's less trouble. I'm just curious, Ruan Mei. Are you going to keep it?"
"I probably will," Ruan Mei said. "According to the records, Stelle likes this event quite a lot."
Stelle nodded in agreement from the side.
"Please keep this event!"
"Fine, I agree. As long as it's beneficial to research, do whatever you want." Herta said.
Although Stelle knew Herta was probably only allowing it because she didn't care, when the same kind of event happened repeatedly to the same person in a short period of time, it somehow created a subtle atmosphere that made it feel very shippable.
People who have thoughts like this at times like these are generally called scientists.
And to a certain extent, Stelle was exactly a scientist.
At this moment, this scientist felt that Herta was being a little too indulgent toward Ruan Mei and had a fleeting thought that these two scientists were a very good ship.
Someone else shared the same thought at this moment: Siberian Duck, who was currently doing a mission.
But that wasn't important.
What came next was a bit too much for her.
Because when they were leaving, Ruan Mei said, "Come, dear. I'll see you out."
"Ah????!" Siberian Duck let out an uncontrollable cheer.
"Hey, brothers, did you hear what she just said?"
[Ms. Herta Fan Support Club: Heard it. She said it to me too.]
[My Stomach Is Bad: Looks like I have no choice but to become a Ruan fan now.]
[Nero's Feet In My Mouth: I hope I can hear Nero say those three words. I hope HoYoverse knows what's good for them.]
[Glue Man: Impossible, Yellow-Pee Bro, you're overthinking it... though I'm kind of looking forward to it too.]
[Nero's Sword: Big sisters are great, but Ruan Mei always looks like she has no feelings at all. For a title like that, it should come with a shy and sweet feeling.]
[Golden Warrior: Oh, looks like it's peach season in the Peach Garden again.]
———
Stelle left with Ruan Mei.
Before they parted, she learned some additional things.
For example, there was the sealed-off zone in the space station that had been temporarily shut down because of the Legion's invasion.
Herta had once used it to receive visitors from across the galaxy. Even now, some of Ruan Mei's creations that needed to be recovered were still there.
According to Ruan Mei, some major troubles were stored there.
After that, she also registered Stelle's fingerprints into her command card and said that if Stelle encountered a danger she truly couldn't handle, she could send a signal. At that point, regardless of the consequences, Ruan Mei would personally step in.
However, Stelle didn't pay much attention to the whole "major trouble" thing.
As for why, it was because she planned to bring Nero along.
In her view, if there was something even Nero couldn't solve, then having the three Geniuses working together wouldn't make any difference either.
She admitted that Geniuses were smart, and she admitted they had many unexpected creations, but when it came to combat, she didn't believe there was anyone under this starry sky stronger than Nero.
Fuyan yawned from where she was hiding on Stelle and scoffed at Ruan Mei's words.
She clearly shared Stelle's opinion and was also extremely distrustful of Ruan Mei.
After parting with Ruan Mei, Stelle immediately found Nero and asked him to help deal with the trouble Ruan Mei had left behind. Nero did not refuse.
The two then took the elevator together toward the "legendary Seclusion Zone."
As the elevator continued descending deeper underground, the light gradually faded from bright to dim, and the atmosphere seemed to become oppressive as well. Stelle let out a breath and unexpectedly felt a little nervous.
Soon, the elevator stopped.
Then the doors slowly opened.
Outside was a dark and gloomy space. Only the light from inside the elevator stretched outward, illuminating a short stretch of the path ahead.
The corridor before Stelle and Nero was faintly visible, like a demon's lair extending an invitation to those outside.