"That's the situation. Interested in joining?"
In Herta's room.
Opposite Herta's puppet stood Ruan Mei's projection—the two were engaged in a long-distance conversation.
"You've already asked me that once before."
The projected Ruan Mei, with a faint apologetic tone, once again declined Herta's offer.
"How can you be so indifferent to the Aeons? Aren't you even curious? What subject could possibly be more important than the Simulated Universe?"
The prideful Herta frowned in dissatisfaction at Ruan Mei. She had invited Ruan Mei once before, but Ruan Mei had refused, saying she didn't have the time.
So much time had passed since then—Herta had been keeping track. That project in Ruan Mei's hands should have been completed by now, shouldn't it?
And yet she was being refused again.
What kind of project could Ruan Mei possibly be working on that was more fascinating than the Aeons themselves?
Could it be she had obtained an Aeon's remains and was secretly studying them alone?
There could be nothing in this universe more captivating than the Aeons. Not only Herta—this was a belief shared by many others as well.
"Of course I'm curious."
Ruan Mei's voice remained as gentle as ever. "But just like last time, I'm afraid I don't have much time to spare for the Simulated Universe."
Was she curious about Herta's Simulated Universe?
Of course she was.
But after meeting Kiana, her focus had shifted—to the power within Kiana that opposed Nihility itself. Without Kiana's knowledge, she had already made some progress.
Progress in understanding Nihility.
Years of research had taken her further down the path of studying Nihility than she had ever imagined.
And the more she learned about it...
The more she became intrigued by the Honkai energy within Kiana—an energy unlike anything she had encountered before.
Until she could fully unveil that mystery, Ruan Mei found it difficult to muster interest in anything else, let alone devote her time and effort to the Simulated Universe.
"What exactly are you researching?"
Herta frowned deeply. She and Ruan Mei weren't close, but both were geniuses—and both extremely proud.
From Herta's expression, Ruan Mei could tell what she was thinking. Knowing how persistent she was about the Simulated Universe, Ruan Mei realized this wasn't a casual invitation.
Aside from her, Herta had invited two other members of the Genius Society to work on the Simulated Universe project.
All of them had agreed—except for Ruan Mei.
Had she not met Kiana, had she never encountered Honkai energy, Ruan Mei believed she would have joined the Simulated Universe project without hesitation.
After all, she had always wanted to understand what an Aeon truly was—what the essence of life was, and where its end lay.
It was a subject worth her time—but the timing was unfortunate.
"I have some reports on IX. If you'd like, I can send them to you."
Her calm face showed no unnecessary emotion as she looked at Herta.
"You're researching IX?"
Herta paced in front of her in disbelief. "That doesn't conflict with the Simulated Universe! If you want to research IX, go ahead—we're not stopping you."
Such stubborn persistence.
Ruan Mei thought absently. She had assumed someone like Herta, after being refused once, wouldn't bother asking again.
But clearly, she had underestimated how much the Simulated Universe meant to Herta.
Again and again...
As though she refused to accept a 'no.'
"My research on IX is just incidental. I'm actually studying an energy called 'Honkai.' I truly don't have the time to build a Simulated Universe with you."
"What did you say?"
Before Herta could question further, Ruan Mei had already cut the communication—the projection vanished abruptly.
"That infuriating woman!"
Herta slammed the table in irritation—not out of anger at being rejected, but because the word 'Honkai' had caught her attention.
She had invited Ruan Mei again and again precisely because she understood her capabilities. If Ruan Mei joined the Simulated Universe project, its completion would surely accelerate.
Herta could guess what Ruan Mei sought. Before extending the invitation, she hadn't believed Ruan Mei would truly refuse.
Yet here they were—with reality saying otherwise.
If she wanted to join, she would've said so directly—everyone here knew what kind of people they were. There was no need to make excuses to fool anyone.
So Ruan Mei truly didn't have the time.
From her earlier words, it was easy to deduce that most of her time and energy had been devoted to this so-called "Honkai."
For something to fascinate Ruan Mei to that extent, it must be quite an intriguing subject.
Even Herta couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity.
Just then, she received the batch of reports Ruan Mei had sent from another world. Skimming through them, she saw that they were all about IX.
"Byproducts of Honkai research?"
Just what exactly was that woman studying? What kind of discovery had she made?
Realizing these reports were merely byproducts only deepened Herta's curiosity toward the new energy Ruan Mei was researching. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
She'd have to find some time to visit Ruan Mei's secluded planet again.
One way or another, she would have Ruan Mei join her project.
...
After ending the transmission, Ruan Mei finished packaging over a year's worth of her Nihility research data and sent it to Herta. Then she sat at her desk, taking a small bite of pastry and savoring the tea in her cup.
Now that there had been a first and a second time, Herta likely wouldn't give up. She would definitely come asking again.
Ruan Mei wasn't fond of socializing.
A Simulated Universe was not worth being forced into social interaction. If not for the lively Kiana constantly testing her patience threshold, Ruan Mei probably wouldn't even have had the patience to entertain a conversation with Herta.
"Simulated Universe, huh..."
Joining it and gaining access to the latest data would certainly be beneficial—but doing so would mean putting aside her Honkai research for the time being, unable to devote herself wholeheartedly to her current pursuit.
She had just made some encouraging progress in her study of Honkai organisms and was at a critical point, ready to push forward in one continuous effort.
If only Herta had made her proposal a few years earlier—or a few years later.
She took another sip of tea.
At that moment, a new message popped up on her terminal, catching her attention during her brief break.
It was a message from the Interastral Peace Corporation—a billing notice.
For a moment, Ruan Mei froze.
Because the number was far too large.
The message was simple: it informed her that the card she had given to Kiana had just been used—for an even one hundred million credits.
"One hundred million."
Ruan Mei took another small bite of her pastry, frowning slightly before relaxing again, thoughtful.
Kiana rarely shopped.
And this trip wasn't for leisure—it was a journey to a place near Nihility.
A hundred million credits' expenditure was... unusual.
But she wasn't particularly concerned about where Kiana had spent it. Instead, she was thinking.
"That card only had a little over one hundred million on it."
Kiana should be on her way back now. In a few days' time, she would see her again.
"Looks like I'll have to prepare a bit more pocket money for her next time."
It was, after all, the compensation she owed Kiana.
"Do you know what the Honkai is?"
Sirin, waiting in the conference room for Herta's arrival, turned around as if she had seen a ghost. She had assumed the doll standing there was merely a decorative piece, yet it had suddenly come to life—and the first thing it said was a question about the Honkai.
The absurdity of the scene before her made Sirin wonder if this puppet had already been corroded by Honkai energy.
"Madam Herta."
Asta rose to greet the figure, subtly reminding the guest beside her—who had already stood up and placed a hand on her blade—to stay calm.
The speaking doll was indeed Herta.
Sirin's eyes flickered, but she did not lower her guard. "You're Herta?"
"That's right, I'm Herta. You're from the Izumo Trade Association, aren't you? If I recall correctly, your association originated from the Euphorion system. That's near IX. Have you ever heard of the Honkai?"
Asta, who hadn't yet left, pretended not to hear a thing and politely excused herself, leaving the conference room to the two of them.
Still asking about the Honkai.
Years of interstellar trade had given Sirin deep knowledge of this universe—where supreme Aeons existed above all, and mortals who walked the Paths they carved were called Pathstriders.
In all her years as a merchant, she had never once heard anyone mention the Honkai. When the association had first been founded, she had warned her crew never to share information about Izumo with outsiders.
A world devoured by Nihility—
That was nothing to boast of.
"I recall that Herta, member of the Genius Society, doesn't appear as a doll-like girl."
Sirin could find no trace of Honkai energy on this puppet, but she remained cautious.
"Building a few dolls and controlling them remotely isn't hard. Don't change the subject—have you or have you not heard of the Honkai?"
Herta was growing impatient.
She had no time for idle guessing games.
So, a remotely controlled puppet? That explained it.
With that, Sirin understood—the figure before her wasn't Herta herself, but her 'telephone.'
Realizing this, she lowered her guard slightly.
"Before I answer that, Madam Herta, may I ask—where did you hear the name 'Honkai'?"
"So you really have heard of it?"
Herta had asked on a whim, not expecting much—after all, she herself had only recently heard the name from Ruan Mei.
Sirin didn't respond, simply watching her.
She was waiting for Herta's answer.
She had a feeling that achieving her initial goal might turn out to be much easier than she had thought.
"Ruan Mei knows about it. Like me, she's a member of the Genius Society. I just heard it from her."
She didn't sound like she was lying.
A genius like her wouldn't bother making up something like this.
After a brief silence, Sirin asked, "May I be so bold as to ask—how did this Ruan Mei come to know of the Honkai?"
"How should I know? I just got the door slammed in my face by her. But I'd guess it's got something to do with IX. She said she's studying the Honkai while also researching IX."
"IX?"
Sirin's voice suddenly rose, her expression shifting. In that instant, she understood how that Ruan Mei woman could know about the Honkai.
She must have been near Izumo.
"What's on your mind? Tell me—I'd like to hear it too."
Herta noticed immediately. It seemed her question had indeed hit the mark.
This woman from Euphorion really did know something about the Honkai.
Sirin remained silent.
A genius, just like Herta, was studying the Honkai. She wanted to ask if Herta could help arrange a meeting.
"I do know of the Honkai," she said at last.
Her expression smoothed into calm neutrality as she spoke half-truths. "Izumo—our former homeworld. It has now become a forbidden zone for humankind, a place none can cross. That world... is saturated with a lethal concentration of Honkai energy."
"Oh? So you do know. Go on."
Herta leaned forward, intrigued. The veil was about to be lifted from the very thing that had so captivated Ruan Mei.
Was Herta interested in the Honkai?
Sirin chose her words carefully as she spoke: "This energy is extremely dangerous. Our world was once deeply affected by IX. Most of us have either directly or indirectly come into contact with Its power."
"Honkai is a force that can oppose the Shadow of IX. On Izumo, they wage an unending battle."
"That's it? Nothing else?"
The information was far too little. What could she possibly learn from this?
Should she take a trip to Euphorion herself?
Was it worth it?
Herta hesitated. She was curious, yes—but for now, her main priority remained the Simulated Universe project.
"Madam Herta," Sirin said, "you invited us here for the relics we brought, didn't you?"
There wasn't much more she could say. Everything Izumo knew about the Honkai came solely from Kiana's explanations.
Izumo hadn't had the time or resources to conduct research on Honkai energy.
Even if they had tried, it wouldn't have been fruitful in such a short span.
After leaving Izumo, they had considered analyzing the principles behind the equipment Kiana had given them—but, unfortunately, their efforts had yielded nothing.
Even dismantling those devices was nearly impossible.
Kiana's equipment had no disassembly option—only destruction.
But without question, the enhancements brought by the equipment and insignia were all thanks to Honkai energy.
"The relics you brought are connected to the Honkai?"
Herta raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Sirin remained silent.
"Name your price."
Seeing that things were going as she expected, Herta's interest flared. She didn't even bother negotiating and simply told Sirin to state her demand.
As a genius, the one thing she lacked least was credits. Anything she casually tossed out would fetch astronomical prices, and countless people were always trying to give her money just to curry favor.
Sirin studied the puppet before her. From its appearance, she couldn't gauge Herta's true attitude.
But this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
Taking a deep breath, she made her demand—bold and clear: "Help us reclaim Izumo."
Herta's puppet froze for a moment, then looked at her as though she were insane. "You want me to take back a dead planet from IX? You've got some nerve!"
The cost and the reward didn't balance in the slightest.
She had no interest in wasting her time on something so meaningless.
"Let me see what you've got," Herta said, unimpressed by Sirin's outrageous request. "If what you hold truly piques my interest, I wouldn't mind trading you a planet in return."
Most people began negotiations by asking for the impossible, hoping to bargain down later. Herta assumed this woman was no different.
But Sirin shook her head stubbornly. "We don't want a new planet—only Izumo!"