"The space station was only built eight Amber Eras ago," Herta said dismissively. "It's not even as big as my wardrobe. Nothing worth mentioning."
Asta stared at her, baffled. "If not the space station, then where? Herta City? Would Madam Ruan Mei even agree to that?"
Herta shook her head. "If we hold it anywhere, it'll be across the entire blue planet. The space station can't accommodate that many people at once. By my estimate, the guest list for our wedding will number in the hundreds of millions. Do you understand, Asta?"
Asta sighed inwardly. Only Madam Herta would think so far ahead when she hasn't even won Ruan Mei over yet.
"Weren't we going to Aurum Alley for the Lovers' Locks? What are you two still talking about?"
Ruan Mei's cool voice cut through the conversation. Herta and Asta quickly ended their discussion and followed.
---
Ten minutes later, they arrived at Aurum Alley. The Lantern Festival had made the place even livelier than usual. Locals mingled with travelers from across the cosmos—mechanical species, Yaoqing natives, Penaconians, and Fanghu natives. Lanterns painted the night in shifting colors.
Among the vendors was a lone wolf—Scotty. After his last encounter with Herta and Ruan Mei at the cinema on the blue planet, the IPC manager had sent him back here to avoid any fallout. Now he was selling festival goods, scraping by.
This was his third time in Aurum Alley. The first time, he had been arrogant, provocative, and dismissive. He had come looking for trouble, challenging Sushang, Stelle, and the merchant guild leader. He had lost badly.
The second time, he had come for revenge. He had picked a fight with Meme. Then March 7th, Yunli and Yanqing had shown up. He thought he would finally have his victory. But March 7th had no sense of fair play—she had called in two geniuses.
Who could have predicted that an IPC employee would face two geniuses at once? But I walked away. Defeated, yes, but still standing. I am the lone wolf. I will rise again. I will return to my former position. I will become a key IPC official. I will join the Ten Stonehearts.
"How much for this Lovers' Lock?"
The voice was light and melodic. Scotty looked up, his face blooming into a practiced merchant's smile.
"Madam, this lock is forged from Yaoqing dark iron by a master smith from the Zhuming. Not 990,000 credits. Not 660,000. Just 100,000."
Asta gave a soft "Oh." The amount was trivial. "I'll take it."
She handed over a card.
Scotty stared. No haggling? Don't Xianzhou people haggle? Is she not from the Xianzhou?
She looks familiar. Wait—that's Robin, the interstellar superstar. But pink hair? Of course, she's in disguise. Avoid attention.
If I could get her help, maybe I could return to my old position.
His smirk returned. "Miss Robin, you're here for the festival too?"
Asta looked at him like he was insane. "Robin? How much do I look like Robin? Are you blind? Our hair color isn't even the same."
Scotty adjusted his glasses, confident. "Don't bother pretending, Miss Robin. A little makeup won't fool me."
Asta pulled out the magic hammer Herta Ninety-Nine had left her.
Bam.
She reasoned with him. Scotty hit the ground, dazed.
Robin must have learned some self-defense after her last tour. Good for her.
"Miss Robin, I just need a small favor—"
Bam.
He hit the ground again. Still, he wasn't angry. She's hitting me, so I must be right.
"Asta, what's taking so long?"
Herta's familiar voice. Scotty turned slowly. His eyes filled with shock, fear, despair.
One thought consumed him: Run.
He took a step—and couldn't take another. His life began to flash before his eyes.
Herta glanced at him. "Who's this?"
Asta shrugged. "Some vendor who refused to sell me the lock and insisted I was Robin."
Herta and Ruan Mei both studied him.
"He looks familiar," Herta murmured. "Who is he?"
"Scotty," Ruan Mei said.
Herta's memory stirred. "Right. That short pink-haired girl asked us to handle him once. What, you think you can refuse to sell to us now?"
Scotty stammered. "No... I was wrong... I'll sell... no, I won't sell... I—"
He couldn't even speak coherently.
Herta crossed her arms. "You won't sell?"
He nodded. A reflex.
Herta's gaze chilled.
He collapsed, unconscious.
Asta scratched her head awkwardly. She knew Madam Herta was terrifying, but this was something else.
She picked up the lock, handed it to Herta, and left enough credits for a dozen normal Lovers' Locks.