Now, they could bask under the moonlight, enjoying peace and warmth.
"Feels like a dream, doesn't it?" Cocolia had somehow appeared beside her and spoke softly.
"Yeah." Bronya nodded slightly, her hands unconsciously gripping the window ledge tightly.
"To be honest, Mother, I'm a little scared. I'm scared this is all just a dream." Cocolia gently brushed Bronya's cheek, her hand running through Bronya's carefully groomed, silky hair, and said softly,
"Then let's make this dream last forever—until we turn it into reality."
"...Yeah."
----------------------------------
Across the universe, a spaceship flashed into view with a trail of sparks, drifting slightly after passing Jarilo-VI and landing steadily.
"That pissed me off! What the hell is up with that big guy!" Herta Puppet No. 53.
A puppet reactivated by Herta stared at the vibrant Jarilo-VI. Herta lightly bit her right thumb, her face filled with both frustration and curiosity.
Two seemingly contradictory emotions coexisted in Herta's eyes.
"Hmph, those guys must've messed things up again."
Herta had no self-awareness whatsoever, thinking that since they couldn't find her, Himeko must have assumed she had something to do and went back—ironically feeling much more at ease.
"But I need to figure something out. The moment I get close, my energy starts getting absorbed. This puppet is already useless. Whatever, guess I'll go meet up with Himeko and the others."
Gnawing her nails, Herta thought it over and realized she had no choice but to meet the giant beast with Himeko and the others first. She needed it to mark her, or she'd lose her energy as soon as they met.
Even though she was retracing her steps, Herta's excitement only grew.
Though the puppet wasn't her actual body, the power it carried could still dominate across the universe. With such strength, if she couldn't establish her presence on this beautiful and lively planet, how could she face others in the future?
These thoughts swirled in her mind as the spaceship sped toward Jarilo-VI at the same speed it came, piercing the atmosphere in the blink of an eye.
At that moment, the still-sleeping Godzilla twitched his tail slightly, its tip rising as a familiar aura returned.
"Huh?" Tingyun, catching up on days of missed work, was suddenly knocked off by the rising tail.
Her ears drooped slightly, and with her hands propped between her legs, she tilted her head in confusion.
...
"Himeko, when are we getting out of here!" March 7th lay sprawled over the railing, looking lazy.
"The next stop… yeah, it's about time we moved on." Himeko nodded thoughtfully, turning to look at Stelle and asked, "What do you think?"
"…" After thinking for a moment, Stelle said, "Can we bring the big guy with us?"
"…Unfortunately, the express doesn't have a carriage that big. Not unless we empty your room."
"Hey, stop mooching and freeloading already." March 7th put her hands on her hips, speechless.Without dwelling on whether that ridiculous idea was even possible, Himeko went over the recent events in her mind.
They had indeed spent quite a bit of time on Jarilo-VI—initially to help the planet overcome its crisis. Now, the threat of the Antimatter Legion was fading.
The Fragmentum was also gradually disappearing under Godzilla's influence, and the Fragmentum creatures were decreasing thanks to the Silvermane Guards' efforts.
Jarilo-VI was now bursting with life.
This version of Jarilo-VI no longer needed worrying about, and besides...
Himeko's gaze shifted toward Godzilla.
With Godzilla there, she couldn't imagine anyone foolish enough to bring trouble to Jarilo-VI. If there was anything to worry about—
"I just don't know where Herta went. She's not the type to give up so easily." Himeko muttered.
Just then, a familiar and unexpectedly distant voice came through, "Speak of the devil."
Emotionless, Herta stood in front of Himeko, looking up at her.
"Uh… Herta, long time no see."
"We met just a few days ago." A completely unhelpful exchange. Himeko's eye twitched as she nonchalantly asked where Herta had been.
"…Handled a few things, got delayed a bit. Now that it's settled, I'm here to find you. I want you to set up a meeting. I assume you know who I'm talking about."
Himeko squinted slightly. Her experience told her Herta wasn't someone who would ask for help so easily. Her gut told her Herta must've suffered a setback and was now turning to her.
At that thought, Himeko's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Wait, what's Herta doing here?" The two little ones finally reacted and aimed their suspicion at her.
"What? I'm not allowed to come? Pink-haired shrimp."
"!! Who are you calling pink-haired shrimp?!"
"You. Asta's not here, is she?"
Stelle stood silently at the side, afraid Herta might drag her into another experiment—but wait! She had someone to back her up now! Why should she be afraid?
With that thought, Stelle's whole aura changed. She stood tall and proud, her face filled with confidence.
Herta clicked her tongue in amusement. Although she was very interested in Stelle, who could host a Stellaron, she was even more interested in that giant beast right now.
"You don't mind taking me to meet that beast, right? I believe you call him Godzilla? If I'm not mistaken, Jarilo-VI's current state has something to do with him, doesn't it?"
Herta straightforwardly revealed the conclusions she had already deduced in space.
For Miss Herta, the 83rd member of the Genius Society, inferring such intel was child's play.
And the more she thought about it, the more excited she became. What kind of beast could influence the entire planetary ecosystem? After all, Jarilo-VI had been corrupted by a Stellaron for hundreds of years—its environment all but destroyed.
And yet now, Herta had detected the Fragmentum receding from Jarilo-VI. What had she discovered? A miraculous beast that could alter ecosystems and repair the Fragmentum!
Since Herta couldn't be stopped, she would get her wish no matter what.
Himeko let out a helpless sigh.
"Godzilla is the god of Jarilo-VI. If you want to meet him, you'll need the Great Guardian's permission. Also, once you meet him, don't be too reckless."
A lawless Herta versus the King of Monsters—Himeko was genuinely worried the two might fight.
Thankfully, Herta didn't object after hearing her out. She simply asked Himeko to hurry and take her there.
"It seems the Herta can be quiet at times after all," Himeko thought.
...
In Qlipoth Fort, Serval was working with Bronya on calibrating the Engine of Creation.
She considered herself best suited to be by Godzilla's side—she rarely took part in Belobog-style work unless absolutely necessary.
Now that the battle was over, once the calibration was complete, she would resume her previous routine.
"The Engine of Creation... gotta say, that prototype's distance calibration worked really well." Recalling the situation at the time, Seele commented.
"Of course, just look at whose handiwork it is," Serval chuckled, glanced around, and asked curiously, "Where's Yanqing? Haven't seen him around lately."
She had heard that Yanqing came with Gepard, but now neither of them were in sight.
"Yanqing and Gepard went to clear out the rift creatures. Said he wants to hone his sword and, once his swordsmanship breaks through, challenge the Beast Lord."
Thinking of how Yanqing fought time and time again, even after being thrown through a wall and still managing to stand up and keep fighting, Serval couldn't help but sigh.
Not everyone had a body that could handle that. Even Yukong was powerless when it came to someone like Yanqing.
After all, strictly speaking, they weren't part of the same system.
She was an aviator; Yanqing was part of the Cloud Knights. For frontline swordsmen like them, personal growth through challenge was a necessity.
She just didn't know... when would he finally reach that flying limit?
Or perhaps, once Yanqing can withstand it, Godzilla could be upgraded again—with plasma cutting?
Blades flashing, energy slicing through the air.
Just imagining that terrifying scene made Bronya shudder.
"So lively," came Himeko's voice as she arrived with the others.
"Everyone's here, huh? What a crowd?"
The small-statured, arrogant Herta immediately caught the attention of the three.
Especially when Serval noticed the obvious mechanical joints on Herta, her eyes lit up.
"This is Herta, a member of the universally renowned Genius Society and also the Emanator of Erudition."