"It seems the business of selling Honkai Beasts has great potential." The Herta paused after speaking, then asked Herman how the Family felt about the Honkai Beasts.
"The Family also wants to purchase Honkai Beasts. However, unlike the Interastral Peace Corporation and the Xianzhou Alliance, who intend to buy them as war pets or companions, the Family's purpose is different. They wish to have this new species of the cosmos—the Honkai Beasts—join the grand universal system of Harmony and become a part of Harmony."
After finishing, Herman's expression turned slightly strange. "More importantly, the Family specifically requested unmodified Honkai Beasts—those untouched by your alterations, still possessing their innate corrosive properties toward all things. They claim that purchasing the original Honkai Beasts will allow them to create even more harmonious music."
Upon hearing this, a similarly peculiar expression appeared on The Herta's exquisite face. "Do the people of the Family believe that through tuning, they can wash away the beastly nature of Honkai Beasts—even their corrosive traits?"
Herman spread his hands. "Who knows? In any case, since they're willing to buy, we can't exactly refuse to sell, can we?"
"Fair point." The Herta nodded in agreement before continuing, "I've further simplified the Honkai control runes of the Will of Honkai within the Honkai Origin Crystal. Now it's possible to produce runes capable of controlling one Honkai Beast—or even ten. So the sale of Honkai Beasts can officially begin."
"Wait. If that's the case, who will produce these simplified control runes?"
"Of course it will be the little Hertas led by Herta 05. Do you think it would be me?" The Herta placed one hand on her hip. "A genius' intellect should be used for pioneering inventions—not wasted on repetitive labor."
"Besides, I created the little Hertas with Herta's unique wisdom. I'm confident they can learn the method of engraving simplified control runes from Herta Stigmata Space."
"After all, I've already placed the knowledge there. Even though the little Hertas have been out of the factory for less than forty-eight system hours, they will certainly manage it."
"You really trust them that much."
"Naturally. They are also part of Herta."
Her tone carried an unquestionable certainty. Immediately afterward, she plunged headfirst into research on her other projects.
The Soul Gem project still required further refinement—such as integrating it with Honkai energy and Delve technology to create a Honkai Valkyrie battlesuit version of a magical girl.
Then there was the Herta Xianzhou, the Dark Plane, Galactic Shipgirls...
She was truly busy—far too busy to personally teach the little Hertas, and with no time to handle mundane affairs of daily life.
Thus, she entrusted all external matters to Herman. Though somewhat helpless, Herman nevertheless called Herta 09 on Mars to check on her.
"Little Herta, how have things been on Mars?"
"It's Madam Herta's call! Madam Herta personally called me! Herta 09 is so touched!!" came Herta 09's extremely excited voice from the other end of the line.
"You sound energetic and full of spirit. That's good." Herman asked, "How is your study of the knowledge I uploaded to Stigmata Space regarding stripping the corrosive traits from Honkai Beasts?"
"I can't understand any of it." Herta 09 sounded utterly aggrieved. "Madam Stigmata speaks as if it's some divine scripture. Of course, little Herta's intelligence isn't low—after all, I was created by Madam Herta!"
"And I believe that if Madam Herta herself personally taught me, I would definitely learn how to strip the corrosive traits from Honkai Beasts very quickly—removing the corrosiveness from every Honkai Beast on Mars."
Her voice was filled with sincerity. In her understanding, Madam Herta was omnipotent.
After hearing her words, Herman found himself at a loss for a response.
After all, The Herta was indeed extremely busy at the moment, with numerous research projects awaiting her. More importantly, only when The Herta personally conducted research would the Research System continuously generate research points.
Herman neither wished nor intended to interrupt her research.
Yet educating the little Hertas was imperative. If they failed to grasp the procedure for stripping corrosiveness in a short time, then aside from the Family, neither the Xianzhou Alliance nor the Interastral Peace Corporation would place orders.
After much deliberation, Herman made a difficult decision. Slowly, he spoke to Herta 09 on the other end of the line.
"Little Herta, I can teach you. Hang up the phone now, close your eyes, and carefully sense... enter Stigmata Space. I will appear there to instruct you."
"Really? Yay!"
Cheers erupted from the other end of the line, leaving the surrounding Honkai Beasts utterly confused—though none of them dared disturb this little ancestor.
Soon, after hanging up, Herta 09 closed her eyes. Her Intellitron consciousness entered the Stigmata space, where she saw Stigmata Herta.
"Little Herta 09, quite motivated to learn. Smallest serial number, greatest enthusiasm." Stigmata Herta praised her.
Herta 09 nodded, then shook her head hurriedly. "Madam Stigmata, I truly did come to study—but not from you."
"Within this Stigmata space, I am the most knowledgeable Herta. If not from me, would you learn from the real Madam Herta?" Stigmata Herta shook her head. "The real Madam Herta cannot possibly teach you. She has far too much to handle."
Herta 09 puffed out her cheeks, hands on her hips. "Who says so? Madam Herta herself just promised to come to Stigmata Space to teach me personally. It's our agreement! And I believe that being taught by Madam Herta herself—the true genius—will allow me to advance by leaps and bounds and master far more knowledge."
Stigmata Herta tilted her head, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Madam Herta was coming to teach Herta 09?
Impossible... Before beginning her research, Madam Herta had clearly instructed her to properly teach Herta 09 how to resolve the corrosive nature of Honkai Beasts toward living beings.
Tap. Tap.
At that moment, abrupt footsteps echoed within the Stigmata space.
Stigmata Herta and Herta 09 turned their heads—and saw Herman.
Herta 09's eyes lit up instantly. With hands on her hips and brimming with pride, she turned toward Stigmata Herta. "See? Madam Herta is here."
Stigmata Herta fell silent for a moment before addressing Herman.
"Madam Herta, to set aside your research projects and personally come to Stigmata Space to teach Herta 09—you truly treat her specially."
!!
Upon hearing their exchange, Herman realized that in their eyes, he currently appeared to be The Herta herself.
He surmised that the Research System he had transformed into likely possessed a form of cognitive distortion—warping the perceptions of both Stigmata Herta and Herta 09.
However... this was convenient.
It was also time to test whether the Research System's points could enhance Herta 09's intellect—allowing her to rapidly acquire knowledge from Stigmata Herta and complete the awakening of Herta's Stigmata.
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