The leader of the Blue Federation was more than happy about the idea of Herta becoming the Federation's Vice Leader.
After all, she was a genius of the Genius Society—someone on the verge of forming partnerships with three superpowers of the cosmos.
If Herta joined the Blue Federation, the Federation would truly soar into the heavens. By then, it might even unify the still-fractured world of The Blue—bringing those nations that refused to heed the Federation under its banner.
Countless thoughts ran through the Blue Federation leader's mind. After ending the call, he immediately contacted the various ministers within the Federation—the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Security, and others—to convene an urgent meeting.
...
At the entrance to the dormitories of The Blue's First University.
Lanvelle's hand trembled as she held her phone, her face filled with shock.
Although she had long expected the Federation to value Herta highly, she had never imagined it would value her to this extent.
Free industrial land. Permanent tax reductions. Policy support pushed to the absolute limit.
And most crucially, the Federation leader had said—whatever Herta requested would be granted.
They were even willing to give her the position of Vice Leader.
It was almost as if the Federation were begging Herta...
Only now did Lanvelle truly understand the weight carried by a member of the Genius Society.
Taking a deep breath, she strode back into Herta's dormitory and sat down on the sofa again, her posture noticeably more restrained and nervous as she relayed the leader's proposal.
Herman showed a hint of surprise. "The Blue Federation is being this generous? Not only free industrial land, but tax exemptions as well? All just to have the Soul Gem production factory established in the Blue Federation?"
He had not expected the Federation's attitude to shift so dramatically. Combined with the earlier honorary title of The Blue's First Genius Academician, their goodwill was practically overflowing.
At that moment, Lanvelle continued, asking the key question:
"Miss Herta... may I ask whether you have any interest in the position of Vice Leader of the Blue Federation?"
Herman raised an eyebrow and looked at her with mild surprise. "What do you mean by that?"
"If you are interested, you can directly assume the role of Vice Leader. This is a promise from the Federation's highest authorities."
'Reject it!'
'Herman, reject it. I have no interest in dealing with politics. That's far too boring and tedious!'
The voice of The Herta rang clearly in Herman's mind.
"Understood," Herman responded inwardly before lifting his head and replying calmly, "Herta has no interest whatsoever in becoming a politician. Please convey to the Federation's supreme leader that I understand his sincerity."
"As for establishing the Soul Gem factory on The Blue, I will discuss it carefully with the envoys of the Xianzhou Alliance, the Interastral Peace Corporation, and the Family when we negotiate the cooperation details."
Lanvelle let out a long breath of relief. "Thank you, Miss Herta!"
Footsteps echoed softly.
At that moment, Patavia emerged from the restroom and spoke with sincere admiration.
"A genius' wisdom should not be wasted on administrative affairs. There are still countless mysteries across the cosmos awaiting Lady Herta's solutions."
"By the way, Miss Herta, I have already contacted the company. The Strategic Investment Department of the IPC will be sending one of the Ten Stonehearts—Miss Jade, P46—to The Blue in three days to discuss the cooperation in detail."
Patavia added, "As for the Family, they will dispatch Gopher Wood, along with his close friend Mikhail, to negotiate the specific terms of collaboration with you."
Herman nodded in acknowledgment, but a flicker of surprise rose within him.
Mikhail Char Legwork... the Watchmaker of this era...
He was still alive.
Soon after, Herman heard Patavia and Lanvelle bid their farewells.
He nodded to them, then took out his phone. A message had arrived stating that General Yao Guang of the Xianzhou Yuque would personally act as envoy and arrive on The Blue in three days as well.
Three days later, huh?
That works.
As Herman was thinking this, another notification popped up on his phone.
[Your interstellar delivery has arrived at The Blue's First University Station. Please retrieve it from the parcel locker.]
The Memoria from Penacony—Dreamstones, Memory Bubbles, and dozens of other materials—had all arrived?
That meant he could immediately begin crafting the Soul Gem.
Good. Producing a finished sample would further solidify the cooperation negotiations in three days.
With that thought, Herman's eyes lit up. He left the dormitory to collect the package.
Along the way, countless gazes followed him. It was his first time experiencing such attention. But upon reflection, he was currently using Herta's body—and Herta was the most beautiful girl at The Blue's First University. Being stared at was only natural.
With that in mind, Herman walked calmly to the parcel locker.
However, as he retrieved the delivery, he overheard hushed whispers nearby—and the subject of discussion was Herta.
"Have you heard? Scholar Patavia from the Intelligentsia Guild tried to recruit Herta, but she turned her down."
"You mean that aloof flower from our university? The one who's ridiculously arrogant? She even rejected Patavia's offer. She really does think she's above everyone else."
"I heard she's been researching Solitary Waves Theory, trying to solve the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum."
"Dream on. If the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum were that easy to solve, it wouldn't have stumped so many scholars in the Intelligentsia Guild."
"She thinks far too highly of herself. Acting like she's some kind of genius. She'll regret rejecting Lady Patavia's offer someday."
"No need to wait for someday. She's probably already regretting it now."
"Exactly."
Herman, holding his package, felt a spark of anger ignite within him.
Regret rejecting Patavia's offer?
What kind of joke was that?
He stepped forward, intending to address them.
But at that moment, The Herta's voice echoed in his mind once more.
"Don't get angry. If you get angry over mediocrities, you become one of them—trapped in meaningless irritation."
"And they're not worth wasting time on. Retrieve the package and return. I can't wait to see the birth of the first Soul Gem."
Herman frowned slightly. "So we just let them gossip about you without doing anything?"
"Who said we're doing nothing? Give the authorities a subtle hint. If the Blue Federation officials are smart, they'll handle it properly."
"And if they're not smart... then we'll need to reconsider whether the Soul Gem factory should really be established on The Blue..."
"Fair enough."
Herman nodded and sent Lanvelle a brief message, hinting that the university's public discourse might require management.
Then he carried the package of materials back to the dormitory.
But that short message from Herta would soon trigger a massive upheaval within the Blue Federation—a true political earthquake.