"Asta, I never knew you had a side that liked to joke." Herta was first stunned when she heard Asta's words, and then asked with some confusion.
"No, Ms. Herta, I really saw the Destruction Aeon. Besides, even if I like to joke, I wouldn't joke with you, Ms. Herta," Asta said quickly.
Herta is not just an Emanator of Erudition with a noble status; for Asta, Herta is someone she respects who brought her out of her stifling Family. Asta certainly wouldn't deceive Herta.
"You really saw the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook? Could it be that you entered the Simulated Universe with Takagi and saw the Destruction Aeon in the Simulated Universe? Did he say anything else to you?" Herta asked with interest.
"No, it wasn't through the Simulated Universe that I saw the Aeon. I saw the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook in the real world," Asta said.
"Saw the Destruction Aeon in the real world? How could this happen? Could it be that not only did the Antimatter Legion invade the Herta Space Station, even the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook came to destroy the Space Station? Could he have come for Takagi?" Herta's voice clearly rose a notch. She recalled the scene when Takagi was experiencing the Simulated Universe before. The Destruction Aeon appeared before Takagi, seeming to want to burn him.
"It should be said... he wasn't just coming for Lord Takagi," Asta thought of the scene where the Destruction Aeon looked at Stelle and Takagi separately, and ignored herself and La Signora. Asta knew Herta would be interested in this matter and had already prepared her explanation. Now that she was able to talk to Herta, she poured out how she saw the Aeon and her speculation about Takagi.
"The person who integrated the Stellaron has the potential to attract a glance from the Destruction Aeon? And, you and La Signora saw the Destruction Aeon by holding Takagi's hand? That is to say, at the right time, you can see an Aeon by holding Takagi's hand? How can such a thing happen? This is not scientific at all! No, I must return to the Space Station immediately and test Takagi properly." After Herta finished speaking, she hung up the phone without waiting for Asta to respond.
However, Asta was not angry, but felt very happy. After all, this way, Herta would definitely return to the Space Station soon. Even if she didn't come herself, she would log in through the Herta Puppet left in the Space Station.
On the other side.
After Herta ended the communication with Asta, she looked at the projected panel in front of her, which showed Ruan Mei holding pastries and Screwllum holding a cup filled with high-grade machine oil.
Herta: "I'm going back to the Herta Space Station first, do you want to come together?"
Ruan Mei: "Regarding the Aeon, I naturally want to go."
Screwllum: "I didn't expect Takagi to have such power. If we were there before, perhaps we could have seen the Destruction Aeon."
Ruan Mei: "Takagi didn't mention this ability before, so we naturally wouldn't know. I also don't know if there will be such an opportunity again in the future."
Herta: "Never mind if there will be such an opportunity in the future, I need to properly research Takagi anyway. Well, I'll log off first."
As soon as her voice fell, Herta cut off contact with Ruan Mei and Screwllum.
"She's gone, then I should also prepare. Just got some pastries I just bought, I can send them to Lord Takagi. I hope Takagi will hold my hand when there's an opportunity to see an Aeon later, considering I waited in line for a long time to buy these pastries." Ruan Mei looked at the box of pastries she had placed on the table but hadn't had time to open.
"Seeing an Aeon by holding hands? It seems I also need to send some gifts. Ruan Mei, what do you think I should give Lord Takagi?" Screwllum asked.
"Well, you'll have to consider that yourself. Given that you possess the resources of an entire planet, I'm sure you can find something that would interest Lord Takagi. Then, goodbye, Screwllum." After Ruan Mei finished speaking, she also hung up the communication.
"A gift, huh..." Screwllum turned back to look at the collection in his room, his gaze slowly settling on the Curio the IPC had once given him, the Clockie.
"I wonder if Lord Takagi will like this gift," Screwllum murmured. The Clockie, symbolizing the IPC's friendship, given by him, could perfectly represent his friendship with Takagi. Thinking this, Screwllum stepped forward and picked up the Clockie.
...
Herta Space Station.
Aboard Himeko's Astral Express.
"Lord Takagi, the coffee is ready. Please have a taste." Himeko walked over with a tray of coffee, a smile on her face. Seeing this, Welt, Dan Heng, March 7th, and the others instantly looked extremely serious.
"Hmm, it smells quite fragrant," Takagi picked up a cup of coffee and said with a smile. Despite saying that, when he saw the black mud-like substance in the coffee cup, Takagi still felt a bit awkward inside.
"Is this really a beverage? Isn't it some kind of porridge?" La Signora looked at the black mud in the cup and said with a frown. For some reason, La Signora felt her instincts urging her to stay away from Himeko's coffee.
"What are you saying? This is clearly coffee, how could it be black mud? Himeko went to great lengths to bring you this coffee, don't waste it, La Signora," Takagi said meaningfully.
La Signora: "..."
"Thank you for the compliment. It would be even better if the taste could satisfy you, not just the smell," Himeko said with a smile.
Takagi nodded slightly and, under the gaze of March 7th, La Signora, and others, raised the cup and took a small sip. Instantly, an indescribable taste rushed straight to Takagi's taste buds.
"Hiss... that's something." Takagi raised an eyebrow and sighed.
March 7th: "Does it not suit your taste?"
La Signora: "Lord Takagi, are you alright?"
Himeko: "Does Lord Takagi not like the taste of coffee?"
Takagi smiled and shook his head, saying: "How could that be? I think this coffee is quite good. La Signora, Dottore, Nahida, Cloud Retainer, you can drink it without worry."
As if to prove his words, Takagi tilted his head back and poured the coffee in the cup directly into his mouth. However, no one noticed that the coffee did not flow into Takagi's stomach. Instead, it flowed into a small spatial opening in Takagi's mouth. At the same time, somewhere outside the Space Station, another small spatial opening appeared out of thin air. Some black mud-like substance flowed out of it.
"He, he drank it all in one go?!" March 7th's eyes widened, looking at everything before her in disbelief.
Takagi smiled and placed the coffee cup on the tray Himeko was holding. Everyone looked closely and saw that only some residual coffee stains were left inside.
"Amazing," Dan Heng sincerely praised.
"As expected of Lord Takagi, truly admirable," Welt said emotionally.
Pom-Pom nodded in agreement. As for Himeko, she showed an even brighter smile.
"Aren't you going to try it? Don't waste Himeko's kind intentions." Takagi turned his head, looking seriously at Dottore, La Signora, and the others.
Dottore, La Signora, Cloud Retainer, and Nahida, each holding a coffee cup, exchanged glances. Although Takagi had drunk the coffee, the reactions of Welt and the others let them know that this coffee was extraordinary. But even so, since Takagi, the Train Conductor, had already drunk the coffee, they couldn't find a reason not to drink the coffee in their cups.
Dottore, La Signora, and the other four all raised their coffee cups and took a sip. The next moment, expressions of considerable struggle appeared on all four of their faces.
Takagi: "What, is it not good?"
Cloud Retainer: "I... I feel like my esophagus is injured."
La Signora: "Lord Takagi, is this really not something used for interrogation?"
Dottore: "It feels like some kind of mysterious chemical research reagent."
Nahida: "..."
Takagi: "So, you're saying you think my taste is bad?"
Hearing this, Dottore was startled. He was currently planning to build a good relationship with Takagi so that he could get the chance to obtain the Antimatter Engine from Takagi later. At this moment, he didn't want Takagi to look down on him because of this coffee.
Thinking this, Dottore directly picked up the coffee cup and drank the "black mud" in the cup in one gulp. Seeing this, the others couldn't help but exchange glances. Immediately, as if having made some kind of decision, they followed Dottore's example and drank the coffee in their cups in one gulp.
Seeing the four of them act like this, Takagi felt surprised and curious. "How does it feel?" Takagi asked with interest.
Nahida, Cloud Retainer, and La Signora stood silently for a moment, opening their mouths but unable to say anything. Dottore, however, shrugged and said casually, "Just as I said earlier, the taste is pretty much the same as some reagents I used to mess around with."
Takagi raised an eyebrow: "Is that so? It seems you're quite suited to drinking Himeko's coffee. How about another cup? There's still some left?"
Dottore's body trembled, and he subconsciously wanted to refuse, but his rationality forced the words back down his throat. Just then, Takagi had already handed another cup of coffee to Dottore. Dottore's mouth twitched. Although he wanted to refuse, seeing Takagi's smiling face, he finally took the coffee and drank it in one gulp. Then, another cup of coffee was handed to Dottore.
...
"Wow, is he drunk? It seems Dottore needs to exercise more. You guys agree, right?" Looking at Dottore lying on the ground, Takagi smiled at Nahida, Cloud Retainer, and La Signora. These three had all previously drunk the coffee, and seeing Dottore's fate, they didn't know what to say. Fortunately, Takagi didn't make them experience Dottore's fate as well.
"It seems you are also speechless because the coffee was too delicious. Alright, Lisa, I'll trouble you to help them rest for a while," Takagi said, looking at Lisa beside him.
"No problem." Lisa's smile was extremely bright. She helped the seemingly unsteady Nahida and Cloud Retainer walk towards the sofa nearby, while feeling fortunate in her heart that she had escaped a disaster. La Signora, propping herself up, also staggered to the side with Dottore's body, found a seat, and sat down. As for Dottore, he continued to lie on the ground.
(Kaeya: This coffee... it's a bit strong. Apart from Lisa, the other 4 passengers are completely wiped out.)
(Venti: Looking at them, they seem drunk, especially Dottore. It makes me want to taste this coffee.)
(Zhongli: Then you are truly brave. Didn't you see even Nahida looking like that?)
(Tartaglia: Did Dottore really collapse because of a few cups of coffee? Isn't that a bit too weak?)
(Arlecchino: Himeko's coffee is clearly not something ordinary people can experience. Childe, if you don't believe it, you can ask Takagi later to try a cup of Himeko's coffee.)
(Xiangling: But Takagi can drink it, which means the coffee is drinkable, right? If I could get the recipe for this coffee, could I develop new dishes? I wonder if it's possible for Takagi to get some of the coffee Himeko made from her.)
(Xingqiu: I think you should stop thinking about using this coffee to research new products.)
(Barbara: Takagi shouldn't bring these coffees to Teyvat, right?)
(Rosaria: I think it might be worth getting some of this coffee. It might have miraculous effects during interrogations.)
(Diluc: Indeed, it's worth a try.)
(Ningguang: Even a Liyue Adeptus and an Irminsul clone are affected by the coffee. If this kind of coffee is used for interrogation... it should be very effective, at least it would deter some people who intend to commit crimes.)
(Beidou: You also want to get some of this coffee?)
(Ningguang: How about I invite you to taste it after I get it, Beidou?)
(Beidou: No, you should keep it and enjoy it yourself.)
"Himeko, can you provide me with some of this coffee? I think I can acquire some to give to some good friends to use." Takagi looked at Himeko with a smile. Hearing this, La Signora, Nahida, and others who had just drunk a cup of coffee and whose esophagus and stomach were severely uncomfortable, looked at Takagi in horror.
March 7th was even more direct. With a twitching mouth, she said to Takagi: "You, you're quite good to your friends."
Takagi: "Of course. March 7th, do you want to be my friend? I'll treat you to coffee."
March 7th: "I can't afford a friend like you!"
Takagi: "Is that so? That's truly sad. You agree, right, Himeko?"
Himeko: "It is indeed sad. I didn't expect March 7th to dislike my coffee so much."
March 7th: "Wait... wait, that's not what I meant, Himeko!"
Himeko smiled and patted March 7th's shoulder, then turned to Takagi: "If Lord Takagi wants coffee, I can provide it to you anytime. I'll give you the stored coffee beans, coffee powder, and the recipe first. After you use them up, you can come here to get more. Exactly, Lord Takagi, you have the ability to teleport to this Astral Express at any time."
Takagi's mouth curved upwards. He raised his hand and took out Himeko's exclusive Light Cone that he had put away earlier, handing it to Himeko. "So, as payment for the coffee, is there anything you want to get from me?" Takagi asked.
"It's just some coffee. Lord Takagi, you don't need to pay any fee..." Himeko was saying this when she suddenly saw Takagi extending a card in front of her.
"This is... a Light Cone? The Light Cone La Signora used earlier!" Himeko said in surprise, looking at the Light Cone engraved with her figure gazing at the shooting stars in the sky.
"How about it? Is this Light Cone enough to pay for the coffee?" Takagi asked with interest, looking at Himeko's expression.