When Kafka sent that message reminding Madam Herta about Herta's movements, she didn't expect to receive a reply so quickly.
Black Herta: Problem solved. Ms. Herta should be preoccupied for the foreseeable future.
This slightly surprised her.
She elegantly crossed her legs, her fingertips lightly tapping on her knee a few times.
Madam Herta's methods and efficiency once again exceeded her expectations.
She didn't ask further, simply reporting the result concisely to Elio as usual.
However, Elio's reply was somewhat unexpected.
Instead of simply confirming as he usually would, he pressed further:
Elio: How was it handled?
A subtle ripple flickered in Kafka's rose-red eyes.
This didn't align with Elio's habits; he usually only cared about the nodes and outcomes of the "script," not the specific implementation process.
This inquiry into the "method" was itself a noteworthy signal.
Kafka: She didn't say.
She replied truthfully.
After a brief silence, Elio's new instruction arrived, and its content made her involuntarily sit up slightly:
Elio: Have Silver Wolf go to Herta Space Station to check it out.
Kafka's slender eyebrows subtly furrowed.
This instruction was also somewhat unusual. In Elio's "script," every action had its clear purpose and timing. To suddenly send Silver Wolf to investigate Herta Space Station now...
Kafka: What's wrong?
She directly expressed her question.
Elio's reply was quick, but its content sent a chill down Kafka's spine:
Elio: Herta's "plot" has disappeared.
"...Disappeared?"
Kafka repeated the phrase in a low voice, her languid expression gradually fading, replaced by one of caution.
Let's rewind time a bit.
Madam Herta put down the dark purple skull-shaped phone, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth screen surface.
Kafka's reminder still echoed in her ears, and Herta's delicate little face, synchronized and stained with black smudges, was filled with obvious anger, as if it would burn through the screen at any moment.
(Trouble...)
A trace of extreme irritation flashed in the depths of her purplish-black eyes.
The accidental spread of the data puppet and Xing's "stroke of Genius" had completely disrupted her low-key approach.
Herta's attention being drawn was like a huge rock thrown into calm water; the ripples would inevitably disturb potential predators in the deep-water zone—for example, the Lord of Silence, Polka Kakumu, who was currently hunting her.
"System,"
she called, her voice still steady, but the system puppet standing by immediately caught the subtle fluctuation, "Analyze the current situation. Without disrupting the main storyline and without exposing our existence, intercept the possibility of Herta going to Jarilo-VI."
Data streams flickered rapidly in the petite puppet's eyes. After a moment, it replied in its unique electronic voice: "Calculating... Calculation complete. Based on existing variables and available resources, the success rate for effectively intercepting Genius Society Member #83, Ms. Herta, without touching the two red lines mentioned above, is zero point zero seven percent. Conventional methods are no longer applicable."
Black Herta frowned slightly: "State the conclusion."
"Currently, only one feasible solution exists."
The system puppet looked up, its purplish-red inverted cross eyes directly meeting Black Herta's, "Utilize the standard Envoy-level power you are permitted to use."
Upon hearing this, Black Herta almost laughed in exasperation: "Utilize Envoy power? System, if I could use that power as I pleased, would I still be so cautious, hiding everywhere, terrified that Kakumu might catch a whiff of me and chase us down to reset everything?"
That immense power originating from Rupert III was now more like a sword hanging over her head, used very few times, and each deployment came with immense risk.
The system puppet was expressionless, as if completely oblivious to its master's exasperation, and continued to explain in a steady tone: "Not for direct combat or confrontation. Rather, it is to use one standard Envoy-level power output as a 'cost' to make a transaction with That Great One."
"...That Great One?" Black Herta paused, then reacted, her lips twitching uncontrollably.
(Aha is Aha, why 'That Great One'... System, when did you learn this tone?)
She couldn't be bothered to dwell on the address and asked directly: "How to handle it?"
"Based on current analysis: Ms. Herta's intention to personally visit Jarilo-VI cannot be prevented, but this action will introduce uncontrollable variables. Our core requirement is'she cannot appear on Jarilo-VI, at least not before the main thread event ends.' Therefore, the solution is not to 'prevent her from going,' but to 'change her destination.'"
The system puppet's logic was clear and cold, "This system possesses inter-world travel authority. With the appropriate assistance from That Great One, it is entirely possible to temporarily 'guide' Ms. Herta to another world completely unrelated to Jarilo-VI within a short period, until the relevant plot has concluded."
Black Herta was truly shocked this time, even doing a tactical lean back: "...What? Send her... to another world?"
This line of thinking was too wild!
Directly package and send away an Envoy?
"Yes, madam."
The system puppet's tone even carried a hint of imperceptible... pride? "Please don't forget, one of the core functions of this system is inter-world operation. With the drive of an Envoy-level power and That Great One's joy covering the path, it is enough to temporarily block Erudition's tracking and complete this 'world-class express delivery' service. It's that powerful!"
Black Herta fell into contemplation.
Her purplish-black eyes narrowed slightly, weighing the pros and cons.
The action was indeed too drastic, directly exiling a member of the Genius Society, a true Envoy, to another world, merely to clear obstacles for the script?
This move felt a bit exaggerated even to herself.
Moreover, it would consume a precious opportunity to use Envoy power... (But...)
She glanced at the frozen planet outside the window.
If Herta, the biggest variable, were to intrude, everything could spiral out of control.
More importantly, the incident did originate from her data puppet, so it was only right for her to clean up this mess.
(Anyway, there are still two chances... Using one to ensure the main plot's stability and an undisturbed period of development, perhaps... it's not a loss?)
A somewhat dark thought emerged:
(And, with Herta's main body temporarily 'lured away,' won't her Space Station and those puppets... have more 'room for manipulation'?)
Thinking this, she had already made her decision.
"Alright."
Madam Herta gently exhaled, sat up straight again, resuming her elegant and mysterious posture, her gaze turning to the system puppet, "Let's do it. Use one Envoy power and make a deal with that Fun God. Send our Genius lady on a 'vacation.'"
"Instruction confirmed. Linking to That Great One... Activating Envoy-level energy output protocol... Coordinates randomly screening... Executing 'World Express' plan."
Purplish-red light flared in the system puppet's eyes, and invisible energy began to surge throughout the carriage, yet it remained firmly contained within these hidden compartments.
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