"Ugh... damn it, since when did Otto become so decisive?"
Lynelle's eyes snapped open: "He's a complete stats monster! And he brought the Void Archives along too? That's both overpowered and straight-up cheating! If Otto doesn't pull some shady trick on me, I'll eat Kiana-chan's bomb... ouch!"
Before Lynelle could finish complaining, she felt a jade-like hand pinch her cheek hard, followed by a retaliatory assault of face-squishing.
"And you have the nerve to complain? Not only did you leave data traces in Babylon Tower, but you actually dared to wander out of Sirin's sight despite having no self-preservation skills whatsoever!"
Herta grumpily pulled Lynelle's cheeks to either side: "If I ever get diagnosed with high blood pressure, it'll be entirely your fault!"
"S-sorry, I was wrong, uhh..."
While Lynelle and Herta were having their "intimate interaction," Asta, standing nearby, was completely dumbfounded.
"M-Madam Herta?"
As Herta's student—the very one Herta had personally rescued from the whirlpool of family succession—Asta had always held profound respect for Herta, viewing her as an idol.
In her mind, even when controlling her puppet, the little Herta, Madam Herta always maintained a calm and composed demeanor, her every movement radiating natural elegance.
While cheek-pinching and head-patting weren't exactly outrageous actions, for the Herta she knew, such behavior was exceedingly rare.
Even after all this time together, Asta had never seen Herta engage in such "intimate" interactions with a girl she'd never met before.
But... but I was here first...
Of course, that thought was merely a fragment in Asta's mind. It wasn't going to develop into some classic white-screen drama scenario—after all, Herta was a member of the Genius Society.
The thoughts of a genius were simply beyond mortal comprehension.
Still, Asta couldn't help feeling extra curious about this adorable girl Herta had picked up from somewhere in the cosmos.
"Huh? There's someone else here..."
Hearing Asta's voice, Lynelle finally registered her presence: "Eh? Have we returned to the station already?"
"Yes, you've been asleep for a full day. But don't worry, I only just arrived myself."
Herta crossed her arms and waved a hand dismissively. "If you're not seriously injured, get up already. I've left the station orientation to Asta. During this time, you can direct any requests to her."
"What about you?"
Lynelle's eyes sparkled as she stared intently at Herta.
"Tch... don't look at me with those expectant puppy-dog eyes. I'll find you some powerful gear."
Herta felt slightly unnerved by Lynelle's childlike, Christmas-morning anticipation and turned her head away slightly.
"I need to meet someone first to retrieve a custom order I placed with her. Then I'll personally take you to select Curios... It's going to be quite the task. Since your abilities involve probability, the more Curios you're exposed to—while ensuring quality—the better. But some Curios have extremely cumbersome containment procedures due to their dangerous nature."
"Yay!"
"No 'yay'! You should be reflecting on your actions, you idiot!"
Herta rapped Lynelle on the head. "If you stay this clueless, even the best Curios won't save you from getting wrecked."
"Yes, Madam Herta!"
Watching Lynelle crouch down protectively over her head, Herta let out a soft sigh and turned to Asta. "I'll leave Lynelle in your care. Oh, and about her origins..."
"Don't worry, I've already prepared a cover story."
Asta stepped forward. "Regarding Miss Lynelle's identity, I asked my family for assistance and arranged a complete identity record with a solid evidence chain... Unless someone at P46 or higher in the Interastral Peace Corporation specifically investigates, no flaws should be detectable."
"Good. After all, identities are mainly for outsiders..."
Confirming there was nothing else requiring her attention regarding Lynelle, Herta waved her hand and instantly vanished from the spot.
"So convenient..."
Lynelle marveled quietly, but soon she noticed the gaze of another pink-haired girl beside her fixed intently on her.
"Um, hello...?"
"Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Asta, Madam Herta's student and also the station master of Herta Space Station."
Asta extended her hand and gave Lynelle's a light shake. "Madam Herta has already briefed me on your basic information. So, for the foreseeable future, I'll be your personal guide~"
"This is the dock area of the Support Zone. Madam Herta's starship is parked over there."
Asta pointed toward the docks, then asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I've never seen Madam Herta in such a hurry before... If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me how you two met?"
"Hmm..."
Lynelle thought seriously for a moment, then put on a solemn expression. "The scene back then... well, basically, the moment Herta saw me, I ended up spraying her all over?"
"?"
Asta seemed to have a visible question mark popping up above her head.
--+--
Elsewhere.
"Bella..."
"My Queen, I apologize. The situation was unclear, and I feared I couldn't protect you properly under those circumstances, so I..."
"No, I'm not blaming you..."
Perhaps because her injuries from the God-Slayer Lance hadn't yet healed, Sirin's voice was faint as a wisp. "In that situation, you did the right thing... Even if you had tried to seize Lynelle's body, you likely would have ended up like me."
"Lynelle won't die. Even if that man has taken her for now, one day, I will take her back... I will never forgive that man wearing the jester's mask."
Though Sirin's voice was soft, Bella, connected to her consciousness, could clearly sense the emotions swirling within her Queen—rage, self-blame, frustration, remorse... and many other feelings Bella couldn't even name.
"My Queen, where do we go now...?"
"To the moon."
Sirin answered without hesitation.
"The moon?"
"Yes. After Lynelle died, I could hear the Will of Honkai again. This time, I heard it clearly..."
"It beckons me to the moon, to receive its gift."
"And... to gain the power to protect Lynelle."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.