Screwllum: "Analysis: It has been less than a week since Miss Herta researched the answer to the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum, Solitary Waves Theory, and was invited by Nous to join the Genius Society."
"How, in such a short span of time, did you begin a second research project and already produce tangible results?!"
"Conclusion: Even for an inorganic lifeform such as myself—a mechanical aristocrat—after enduring high-intensity research, water cooling is still required. Let alone a human of flesh and blood such as you."
"It can't be helped. Herta is just that much of a genius." (hands on hips.jpg)
After sending that message, Herman murmured inwardly: Herta now has my cheat, and on top of that, she's been strengthened by Universal Genius.
With 1500 research points, that equated to research capability 1,500 times beyond that of an ordinary person.
With such a value, it would most likely surpass every genius in the Genius Society—except for the late Zandar One Kuwabara Slice Lygus.
Of course, that boost alone might not have been enough for Herta to consecutively design the Soul Gem blueprint after pouring immense effort into solving Solitary Waves Theory.
But the key was that the buff on Herta wasn't limited to Universal Genius alone.
There was also World-Shaking Wisdom.
That fleeting flash of inspiration strengthened by World-Shaking Wisdom was enough to allow a Herta with 1500 research points to create a scientific miracle.
Herman thought through many things. Then he saw Screwllum's reply:
"Analysis: A genius beyond geniuses? Conclusion: Perhaps Miss Herta truly possesses such potential. May the development and manufacturing of the Soul Gem be entrusted to Planet Screwllum?"
"Planet Screwllum possesses vast industry and complete production chains. Whatever materials are required, I can assemble them swiftly."
Herman: "The materials required to manufacture the Soul Gem must be obtained through entering dreams. As far as I understand, robots cannot easily enter dreams, can they?"
"Memoria?!"
Screwllum immediately realized something and typed.
"Correct. That is only one of the materials. The other materials are also related to dreams and must be excavated by humans who enter them. My ideal partners are the Garden of Recollection, the Interastral Peace Corporation, or even the Family."
Herman continued typing: "Moreover, one of the usage restrictions of the Soul Gem is that it can only be used by female lifeforms dressed in female attire!"
Screwllum: "Analysis: The more powerful the artifact, the stricter its usage conditions. For example, the Crimson Moon of the Borisin can only be inherited by their Warhead. Light Cones are also restricted by Path. The Soul Gem merely requires dressing as female—this condition is not harsh."
"Conclusion: On Planet Screwllum, there are female mechanical lifeforms who have stepped onto a Path."
"Once the Soul Gem is commercialized, Planet Screwllum will certainly place an order."
"Note: Miss Herta, I have followed your account. Please follow back. I hope we will have opportunities for communication and cooperation in the future."
Herman: "Of course."
After that, Herman opened other private messages and discovered that an account named Destiny's Cat—suspected to belong to Elio—had sent him a message:
"Looking forward to commercialization. Will definitely place an order!"
In addition, there was another private message from an account named Stop Teasing Your Boss Yao:
"I cast a divination. Your new project will sweep across the universe. May the Xianzhou Alliance take a share? Allow me to introduce myself—General Yao Guang of the Xianzhou Yuque!"
Herman: "Of course. However, I require the Xianzhou's Delve technology in exchange."
The reason Herman sought Delve technology was simple. Since The Herta intended to perfect the Soul Gem · Magical Girl Transformation System, spatial outfit-switching technology was essential—and the Xianzhou happened to possess it.
Yao Guang: "Ah... this... I must first contact the Marshal and convene a meeting. Please wait, Miss Herta."
Seeing this, Herman checked other private messages and found one from the Lady Bonajade account. She introduced herself immediately as Jade of the Strategic Investment Department, one of the Ten Stonehearts of the Interastral Peace Corporation:
"May I ask, Miss Herta, have you truly developed a Path amplification device? What raw materials would it require, and what would be the approximate cost of commercialization?"
Herman: "It is naturally true. The Path amplification device is called the Soul Gem. As for raw materials, the IPC does not lack them. They need only be obtained from Penacony."
Jade: "Materials related to Memoria? Then raw materials are indeed easy to acquire—though they require manual excavation within dreams. However... labor is the cheapest resource for the IPC."
"Ahem... Miss Herta, would you consider cooperating with the IPC to develop Soul Gem technology? Profits would be split fifty-fifty."
Herman: "Certainly. In return, the IPC must open its material warehouses to me."
"That is naturally no issue. It is merely the provision of materials... Our great Interastral Peace Corporation has long been gathering materials across the cosmos for the Chairman, the P50 Amber Lord."
When Jade sent that message from the Strategic Investment Department, she thought inwardly:
At present, the quantity of materials the IPC supplies to the Amber Lord for constructing the Celestial Comet Wall is sufficient to fill the space of hundreds of planetary systems.
Unfortunately, the Amber Lord has not even spared them a glance...
As for other materials, the quantities are even greater... spanning entire galaxies whose planets have been converted into vast warehouse worlds.
After reflecting on this, Jade began asking various technical details about the Soul Gem. Upon confirming that it could only be used while wearing female attire, she was momentarily stunned.
But after thinking it over, she found it... reasonable. After all, this was a device designed by a genius to amplify and magnify Path energy. What was wrong with having certain usage restrictions?
At that moment, Jade saw a new message from Herta:
"By the way, there is something I should remind you of. You are not the only one seeking cooperation. The Xianzhou Alliance also wishes to collaborate with me."
Jade: "I see. In that case, I shall also bring in a collaborator—one capable of assisting us in developing raw materials. The Oak Family Head of the Alfalfa Family, Old Oti of the Family. They are administrators of a vast dreamscape and can provide raw materials for our cooperation."
"With raw materials, Miss Herta's technology, and the IPC's distribution channels, the Soul Gem project will surely earn a substantial sum of Credits!"
Herman: "I have no objections."
Jade: "Very well. I will contact the Family of Penacony."
Five minutes later.
Yao Guang and Jade both sent messages:
The Xianzhou Alliance and the Family agreed to cooperate.
Herman gazed at the two messages and let out a slow breath.
It's done.
The Soul Gem production plan had secured cooperation with the Xianzhou Alliance, the Family, and the Interastral Peace Corporation.
And this meant that he and Herta would gain access to the Xianzhou's Delve technology, as well as the IPC's endless supply of materials for developing new projects.
In addition, he had gained Screwllum's goodwill, laying the foundation for future cooperation.