World Herta brimmed with confidence.
The growth efficiency of the Digimon was even better than she had anticipated.
Even more so because Zandar had also introduced the source code of Digimon into the Irontomb.
Once the data of Khaslana truly integrated with the Irontomb, the resulting chain reaction would be even more staggering.
With Demiurge providing assistance from the sidelines...
World Herta truly couldn't see how she could lose.
The golden blood of Destruction was still fusing with Khaslana.
Just as World Herta had said.
Khaslana's condition was clearly rather unique.
The power of Destruction was simultaneously stimulating the growth of the power of Light.
This was actually quite abnormal.
Because other Chrysos Heirs, after usually awakening the power of Light, would typically see the power belonging to the Destruction factor fade, with only a few like Mydei being able to accommodate both simultaneously.
But for Khaslana to become such a strange state of equilibrium...
It really didn't seem like something that could be explained away by 'coincidence.'
But World Herta didn't care.
As long as it was a good thing for her, that was enough.
"Speaking of which, where's Herta?"
"She's probably still trying to locate Zandar's main body right now."
Although World Herta and Madam Herta were cooperating, their division of labor was quite clear.
To be able to devour Irontomb, World Herta's focus was placed within Amphoreus.
She had even gone so far as to use the Thirteenth Titan as an entry point to forcibly establish sufficient connection with Amphoreus.
It was for this very purpose.
Naturally, Madam Herta's focus was on the Emperor's Scepter and Zandar.
"Still haven't found it."
"Honestly, I think this Thought Fragment called Lygus... his main body is eighty percent already destroyed. Pity I didn't get to see his condition before I died."
World Herta actually felt that Zandar's fragment probably wasn't in such perfect condition either.
But even so, if this news couldn't be confirmed, it would always remain a hidden danger.
That guy, because of Bai Ming, seemed to vaguely show signs of wanting to extend an olive branch.
But that's one thing.
Herta obviously wasn't willing to accept such a reason.
It's just a shame, now that the Irontomb conflict was reaching its finale, they still hadn't found Zandar's main body.
'Hertatomb' sat on a swing, listening to World Herta's explanation, and suddenly spoke up:
"Oh, right, this body of mine is almost at its time limit. I should be swapping it out in the next few days."
"Hmph... let's see, not even thirty system days yet, that's so short."
"Yeah, but I can always play the role again in the future."
World Herta stared at 'Hertatomb' with an inscrutable look.
This guy... even with time so tight, they always managed to stir up all sorts of trouble.
No wonder the Aeon of Equilibrium personally stepped in to give them an elbow strike.
If she were in that position, she'd elbow them a couple times too.
As for herself being separated from this body...
The question of whether she would still exist after the other's body dissipated...
World Herta wasn't particularly concerned.
Because when you got down to it...
She was just a 'Herta Program' that had evolved from an extracted fragment into a Digimon named 'World Herta.'
She had long since been separated from that body.
Even if the part belonging to 'Herta' was stripped away, her part as a Digimon would remain. No matter what, she wouldn't die.
And for World Herta, as long as she didn't die, it was fine.
"So, have you randomized your next identity yet?"
"Not yet, but it should happen in the next couple of days."
"That should coincide with the final battle then. Hopefully, you'll draw a combat-capable one."
World Herta nodded upon hearing this.
She wanted to devour Irontomb.
That definitely required letting Irontomb emerge into the world.
And after its emergence, during the time before she successfully consumed it, there were bound to be incidents like viral outbreaks, and Zandar would probably make his last stand then.
Although 'Hertatomb's' current body was certainly suitable for brawling with the Irontomb, the identity issue was always tricky.
Might as well switch to a combat-ready identity.
"Don't worry about that. I have Acheron's identity here that I can mimic. If I don't draw a suitable one, I can use this identity to assist."
"Her... well, I would indeed feel quite reassured then."
World Herta nodded.
This way, the odds of victory had increased considerably again.
--+--
World Herta chatted with 'Hertatomb' for a while longer before leaving.
'Hertatomb' was relatively free, so they stayed behind, waiting for Khaslana's transformation to complete.
Ever since they had used the Irontomb's IP to modify the rules of re-creation and reincarnation, once Khaslana became a Digimon, new Phainons would no longer spawn, preventing the scenario of two Phainons appearing together.
The same applied to everyone else.
During the wait, 'Hertatomb' also split their attention to monitor the outside world.
Because of Nanook's glance, the number of fleets outside had increased.
And under the direction of Herta and Screwllum, all parties were preparing for the final confrontation.
But calling it a final confrontation was a bit much; it was more about dealing with the spreading Irontomb virus and the Anti-Organic Equation.
Though, that might be the case for Bai Ming and the others.
But for those unaware of the inside story, they weren't so calm.
If it weren't for the extremely dazzling radiance of the Path of Hope shining brightly, many would probably think things were tilting in an unfavorable direction.
As for 'Hertatomb,' they looked at their nearly-full emotional value progress bar and decided to give that final 1% a push.
And so, a set of photo albums belonging to Celenova appeared on the account 'Director Sparkle.'
Of course, for the more ambiguous or somewhat provocative photos, 'Hertatomb' didn't post them; they kept them all for private viewing.
But even so, given Celenova's inherent charm, even ordinary photos sparked an extremely enthusiastic response.
Normally, news concerning a Lord Ravager would generally be carefully considered before release, especially at such a sensitive time.
But!
A certain Masked Fool far away on Pier Point, using their newly acquired identity as a P46 Vice-Director of the Strategic Investment Department, forcibly approved the review for this set of photo albums.
Sparkle was very curious how her other self had managed to obtain these photos.
The flavor of Destruction in the scenes, the degree of authenticity… it had to be either the person themself personally taking action or the result of close, careful observation.
Whichever it was, Sparkle admired the other her's abilities.
At the very least, she definitely couldn't get a Lord Ravager to cooperate with her in this.
Anyway, out of a desire to enjoy the spectacle, Sparkle not only got the photo album approved, but even gave it a major promotion.
Playing for the thrill!
Fortunately, Diamond didn't bother with Sparkle's antics, instead bringing up the matter of Oswaldo.
Because the situation on Amphoreus was growing increasingly strange, the IPC decided to dispatch additional fleets there as a precaution.
Oswaldo, who had recently skyrocketed several ranks using his 'Emanator' status to P47, equal in grade to the Market Development Department Head but without the real power, volunteered to lead the team to Amphoreus, even boasting about fully integrating Amphoreus into the IPC's trade network to make a huge profit.
"Amphoreus definitely has profits to be made, but if Oswaldo tries to develop it with his usual approach, he'll only bring trouble to the IPC. Sparkle, since you say your goal is to witness Oswaldo's self-destruction, I'll entrust the Strategic Investment Department's team to your leadership."
Diamond didn't know if Oswaldo had real confidence or was just overconfident.
A place watched by several Geniuses, a Lord Ravager, and even the Land of Light—and he still dared to go there with such ambition.
But regardless, this was an opportunity to suppress him.
Sparkle, now wearing a yukata-style company uniform, toyed with her red-and-white mask and giggled as she nodded in agreement:
"Heh, no wonder I feel such kinship with you, Director. I was just about to say I wanted to go, and here you are offering it."
"I have no intention of probing your purpose. As long as you don't harm the interests of the Strategic Investment Department, I will help you."
"Aiya~ such words. Love the job you're in, right? I'm very serious and responsible~"
Sparkle giggled and waved at Diamond, then put on her mask.
With a whoosh of flames, only a red-and-white mask remained on the expensive carpet.
Some time ago, Oswaldo returning to IPC headquarters with Emanator-level power had caused quite a stir.
Although, due to the old department head still being in position, he only got the rank and didn't actually take the department head's seat.
But even that was enough to put Diamond on alert.
Coincidentally, around that time, Sparkle also showed up, saying she wanted to witness Oswaldo's self-destruction.
And she similarly demonstrated the power of an Emanator of Preservation.
So Diamond overruled objections, using the pretext of 'leaving it to me to personally monitor,' to bring the suspicious Sparkle under his wing.
Then came the events on Amphoreus.
A perfect chance to see what this Sparkle was really up to.
--+--
Unaware for the moment of Sparkle's secret assistance,
'Hertatomb' happily watched the soaring Attention.
The good news was, thanks to the release of Celenova's photos, the missing bit of emotional value needed to fill 'Hertatomb's' gacha progress bar finally reached 100% half a day later.
The consequence, however, was...
"Die!!!"
Celenova, burning all over with flames and vision tinged with red, charged into the military camp where 'Hertatomb's' main body resided.
--+--