Herta Space Station
With Silver Wolf gone, Herta's cold, piercing gaze swept over the remaining group before settling on Herta Ninety-Nine.
"Deputy Chief Herta. Tell me—have you finished your work? And yet here you are, slacking off and playing games?"
Herta Ninety-Nine shrank under her stare, stammering nervously.
"Madam Herta, 'Yu Qingtu's' memory assimilation is complete, and you haven't assigned me any new tasks. I merely thought—perhaps the ever-understanding, ever-magnanimous, and utterly unparalleled Madam Herta had graciously granted me a few days of leave."
Herta's brow twitched. Clever. First she reminds me of her usefulness, and then she flatters me. This one knows exactly how to play me.
"And you think a little flattery will get you off the hook?"
Herta Ninety-Nine's heart plummeted. She must have had a miserable time with Ruan Mei and 'Yu Qingtu.' Came back furious and needs someone to take it out on.
Silver Wolf surrendered—useless as a punching bag. Sent packing.
Now it's our turn.
"Madam Herta, please! Have mercy! Just this once!"
Herta snorted.
"Too late. Off with the hand. Ah-choo."
Herta Ninety-Nine gasped. Off with my hand?! For playing games?!
But an order was an order.
She raised her magic hammer. Asta and Peppy watched in horror.
Bam.
Herta Ninety-Nine's eyes welled with tears. Who says puppets can't feel pain?!
Herta casually adjusted the station's air conditioning, then turned back.
"Why did you hit your left hand?"
Herta Ninety-Nine blinked, forcing a smile through her tears.
"Madam Herta... didn't you tell me to... 'off with the hand'?"
Herta yawned.
"I said, 'off to the platform.' Honestly. Go rest. Recover."
Herta Ninety-Nine felt as though she'd been struck by lightning. Demoted again. After everything I've achieved.
She nearly fainted. Asta and Peppy caught her.
Her eyes went dim. Hollow. Despairing.
Herta #3156 was right. Serving Herta is like living with a tiger. Finally became Deputy Chief, and now—back to the platform. Injured, too. Have to spend credits on recovery.
I, Herta Ninety-Nine, hope Ruan Mei finds her white moonlight. Make Herta regret it for eternity. Alone forever.
Asta sensed Herta's mood. Best to leave quickly.
"Madam Herta, I'll take Herta Ninety-Nine to rest and tend to her injuries."
Herta shook her head. She stepped forward and, with a casual touch, healed Herta Ninety-Nine completely.
"Herta Ninety-Nine. Don't misunderstand. You're still Deputy Chief. I'm just acknowledging your service. Take a few days off."
Hope blazed back to life in Herta Ninety-Nine's eyes. She was ecstatic.
"Madam Herta! Unmatched in the universe! Long may you reign!"
"Herta Ninety-Nine wishes you and Madam Ruan Mei a swift and happy union!"
Herta nodded, pleased.
"Fine. You may go."
Asta moved to leave with Herta Ninety-Nine.
"Asta. Stay. I need to talk to you."
Asta froze. Peppy and Herta Ninety-Nine tried to speak—Herta teleported them away.
Why does she want to talk to me alone? Is she angry about the limited consoles I bought Silver Wolf?
Asta took a deep breath, ready to explain.
Instead, Herta produced a starry sleeve pendant.
Asta stared, utterly transfixed.
Exquisite. Ethereal. As if crafted by the heavens themselves.
Who could possess such skill?!
"Stop gawking. Take it."
Asta carefully, reverently accepted the pendant. Afraid to drop it. Afraid of even a speck of dust.
"Madam Herta... my birthday isn't for another month."
Herta's brow furrowed, jealousy seeping into her voice.
"It's not from me. It's from Ruan Mei."
Asta remembered. The promise. The person. The moment.
Ruan Mei kept her word. Such craftsmanship. Only she could.
Herta shot her a cold, envious glance.
"Treasure it. A pendant hand-embroidered by a genius would fetch a fortune at auction."
Asta shook her head softly.
"To me, this pendant is worth more than ten—no, a hundred—Starcrushers."
"It's priceless. I'll always carry it and protect it. Never leave it and will never abandon it."
Herta felt as though her lungs might burst. Jealousy burned in her chest.
"It's just a pendant. No need for such reverence. Lose it, and I'll customize you ten. No, a hundred."
Asta looked at her, serene.
"Madam Herta, this pendant... it's like seeing Madam Ruan Mei herself. Every stitch is of her own hand."
"This is the best, most perfect gift I've ever received. There is no second."
Herta clenched her fists. Gritted her teeth. Her amethyst eyes blazed with unspoken fury. She snorted heavily.
"Hmph. Ruan Mei will make another pendant. Even more perfect. More unparalleled than this one."
Asta smiled and shook her head.
"In my eyes, this pendant is already perfect."
Herta said nothing. She summoned her magic key, opened a [Mirror], and vanished without another word.