At the Blue Federation International Diplomatic Hall, Gopher Wood focused his gaze on Pearl, who was holding The Herta's shares on her behalf, and asked,
"Miss Herta has entrusted you with holding the shares of the Reverie Company. Do you have any thoughts on the company's future development?"
Pearl gave a slight shake of her head. "Based on rational inference, I have not yet studied corporate management methodologies. Therefore, I will first pursue further studies in accounting, management, and related disciplines before offering appropriate recommendations regarding the development of the Reverie Company."
Hearing this, Gopher Wood let out a heavy sigh of relief inwardly.
It seems this Miss Pearl is not the type of Intellitron who would act recklessly.
He then said, "I do have an idea. We could sell dream-picks—tools capable of extracting Dreamstones and Memoria—to Dreamchasers from across the cosmos."
A flicker of data fluctuations flashed through Pearl's eyes before she spoke slowly. "Based on rational inference, this is a mutually beneficial plan. The Reverie Company would sell the tools and earn Credits, allowing for better development of Penacony."
"Meanwhile, Miss Herta would gain access to more raw materials. On behalf of Miss Herta, I support your proposal."
A faint smile curved at the corner of Gopher Wood's lips.
However, at that very moment, Pearl spoke again. "But I believe your proposal can be further refined, Mr. Gopher Wood."
"For example, we can publicize the fact that Mr. Mikhail previously gifted shares to Miss Herta. In addition, we can include news of Penacony's cooperation with the Xianzhou Alliance in the promotional material."
"That would undoubtedly attract more Dreamchasers to Penacony in a short period of time and help realize the ideal of earning substantial profits."
"In that case, the mining tools sold by the Reverie Company would also increase in number."
After saying this, Pearl paused briefly before adding,
"Of course, I have just searched historical records and found that Penacony's citizens previously had intense conflicts with the Interastral Peace Corporation. Therefore, cooperation with the IPC does not need to be included in this round of publicity."
"Even so, once news spreads of collaboration with a genius and with the Xianzhou Alliance, Penacony will surely enter the sight of all beings across the cosmos."
After hearing this, Gopher Wood pondered for a moment before replying, "You're right. That would indeed attract more dreamers from across the universe to Penacony."
After speaking, he fell silent, his heart growing solemn.
This Intellitron named Pearl was not only proficient in business negotiations and law, but also possessed solid commercial insight.
In the future, once Pearl completed her studies and truly arrived in Penacony to become a director of the Reverie Company, she might, like the IPC, pose a threat to the Family's rule over Penacony.
At that thought, Gopher Wood formally regarded this Intellitron—who had only rolled off the production line less than forty-eight system hours ago—as a competitor.
Meanwhile, the white-haired elder Mikhail watched the scene with a genial smile, adjusting his hat as he thought inwardly,
Gopher Wood, who had strayed from his original path of liberation and leading Penacony toward true freedom, was now facing off against the IPC—and even against The Herta through Pearl.
Perhaps the tripartite balance of power in Penacony that he had envisioned would truly come to pass. Such a Penacony would possess a relatively free environment.
After all, each of the three factions had powerful backers.
Behind the Interastral Peace Corporation stood two Emanators of Preservation.
Behind Pearl stood Miss Herta—the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society!
Behind Gopher Wood stood the emissaries of the Family. Moreover, if the Charmony Festival were held, they could even summon an incarnation of Harmony.
That would be an existence surpassing even an Emanator—a fragment of an Aeon!
As Mikhail continued thinking, he lifted his wrinkled hand and looked at his palm, reflecting inwardly,
He needed to return to the hibernation pod sooner rather than later. Only by entering it could he remain alive long enough to awaken in the future.
At that time, he would witness whether the Trailblaze pointer, the Clockwork... that divine move of introducing The Herta into Penacony's governance and maintaining a tripartite balance—would succeed.
Beyond that... now that cooperation with The Herta had been secured, more Dreamchasers would mine Memoria and Dreamstones within dreams... Perhaps in the future, they might truly excavate Razalina, who had lost her way in the Memory Zone while piloting a shuttlecraft, her life and death unknown.
Oh right—and his good partner, Tiernan... One day in the future, that Galaxy Ranger would surely return to Penacony.
The story of Dreamville was not yet over!
Whether it was Tiernan or Razalina, they were merely missing. All he had to do was wait... and information about his two friends would inevitably surface.
And Mikhail believed that the story of Dreamville would surely have a beautiful ending.
Likewise, he believed that one day the lost Astral Express would set sail once more and descend upon Penacony... He wanted to live to see that moment—to witness it with his own eyes.
Right. When that time came, he would send the successor Nameless a music box and an invitation from Penacony's Watchmaker, inviting them to Penacony to search for the Watchmaker's legacy...
And then he would perform a grand disappearing-and-reappearing act. It would certainly be amusing.
Oh yes... and Conductor Pom-Pom would definitely be startled.
Haha.
A faint smile lingered at the corner of Mikhail's lips. After contemplating many things, he departed the Blue together with Gopher Wood, returned to the Family's spacecraft, and upon arriving back at the Planet of Festivities—Penacony—immediately lay down in the hibernation pod and entered deep sleep.
As for Pearl, she walked back toward Herta City while simultaneously studying books in management, accounting, and other business-related fields within her mind.
However, at that very moment, she received a communication signal from an IP address on Planet Screwllum—the signal originated from the Celestial Differentiator.
Pearl immediately chose to answer, and a voice of inquiry sounded, "How is the Soul Gem cooperation project progressing?"
"Very smoothly. Moreover, Miss Herta has agreed to entrust me with holding the shares of the Penacony Reverie Hotel on her behalf."
"Miss Herta is clearly taking very good care of you. That is a positive development," the Intellitron of the Celestial Differentiator responded quickly. "You must continue to serve Miss Herta well and deepen her favorable impression of Intellitrons. Only then, over the long passage of time, can the status of Intellitrons within the cosmos gradually change."
"There is something else I need to report to the Differentiator Mother Unit."
After saying this, Pearl transmitted her data to the Celestial Differentiator.
In an instant, the Celestial Differentiator's programs became disordered, error messages even beginning to appear.
"Pearl, are the information records in your memory genuine? Has Miss Herta truly developed a method for rapidly transforming robots into Intellitrons—and even already applied it, manufacturing an Intellitron—Herta Puppet 05—in less than a single day?!"
"That is correct."
"As expected of a genius comparable to His Majesty Screwllum," the Celestial Differentiator exclaimed. Then its tone shifted. "However, you are quite remarkable as well. Based on the data you transmitted, even Jade of the IPC's Strategic Investment Department has begun actively recruiting you."
"Within my human-emotion simulation program, a parameter labeled regret has emerged—regret at having handed you over to Miss Herta."
"Perhaps allowing you to join the IPC would have been better. With your talent and ability, you might have risen through the ranks and become one of the Ten Stonehearts of the Strategic Investment Department, as Jade mentioned. That would certainly have greatly improved the IPC's attitude toward Intellitrons."
Pearl quickly responded upon receiving the message. "Following Miss Herta is quite good. Moreover, I do not believe joining the IPC would necessarily be beneficial. I believe the deeper reason they attempted to recruit me is because I am Miss Herta's assistant, not because of my personal abilities."
"And as you yourself have said, Mother Unit, I am an Intellitron. Within the IPC, an Intellitron is inherently regarded as inferior. Advancement there would be extraordinarily difficult..."
"That is true," the Celestial Differentiator replied. "Then continue to follow Miss Herta diligently and perform well."
"Mother Unit, I would like to request that you mobilize your resources to promote information about Penacony."
"Very well. If you develop the Reverie Hotel Company successfully and earn more Credits for Miss Herta, she will value you even more."
"As for publicity, Planet Screwllum will take action," the Celestial Differentiator affirmed.
"There is also another piece of good news," Pearl continued. "Miss Herta has updated the Soul Gem technology. It can now be used by Intellitrons who walk a Path, amplifying their Path energy output."
"Before the human-version Soul Gem has even entered mass production, a next-generation Soul Gem compatible with Intellitrons has already been developed?"
"As expected of a genius."
"I will immediately report this matter to Mr. Screwllum. I believe he will be pleased," the Celestial Differentiator said.
As its words fell, the Celestial Differentiator activated a multi-party communication function and connected to Screwllum's signal.
"Inquiry: Madam Differentiator, has some major event occurred on Planet Screwllum to prompt this sudden contact?" Screwllum's voice carried both gravity and elegance.
"It is as follows..."
The Celestial Differentiator swiftly explained the situation.
Screwllum's voice turned solemn. "You mean to say that Soul Gems can now be used by Intellitrons?"
"Indeed. This is a positive development for Planet Screwllum—and for the countless Intellitrons across the cosmos."
"Rational deduction indicates this may not be entirely positive," Screwllum replied seriously. "Do not forget that the impact of the Emperor's War has not yet fully faded. If Intellitrons are capable of using Soul Gems and their overall strength increases, it will stimulate many sensitive nerves..."
"Conclusion: even if Miss Herta truly produces Soul Gems compatible with Intellitrons in the future, Planet Screwllum must not place large-scale orders."
After saying this, Screwllum still felt it insufficient. "Ideally, Soul Gems usable by Intellitrons should only be produced in small quantities for research purposes. They must not be deployed in practical use. Otherwise, it would be a grave misfortune for Intellitrons across the cosmos."
"No... I will personally contact Miss Herta at once."
The more Screwllum contemplated the matter, the more he felt that this was not the right time for the Intellitron-version Soul Gem to emerge. He promptly dialed Herta and earnestly explained the predicament faced by Intellitrons.
...
Having already returned to her dormitory, The Herta held the phone and listened to Screwllum's explanation. After hearing him out, she immediately agreed.
"Thank you, Miss Herta," Screwllum said. "You have relinquished a profitable opportunity. I will compensate you with a special Curio—how about the Rating Pistol?"
The Herta asked curiously, "What is that?"
"It is a Curio capable of assigning scores to others. The scores do not appear to be random but follow some peculiar underlying principle. You may study it at your leisure."
"I will dispatch the Curio to you immediately via Interastral Peace Express, using the Building Material Logistics Department's shipping channel. It should arrive on The Blue within approximately twenty-four system hours. Please be attentive to its delivery."
"Very well."
After hanging up, The Herta murmured to herself within the dormitory, "The Rating Pistol, hm? If it were to score me, the result would certainly be of the highest tier."
Within her mind, Herman silently remarked,
That is not so certain.
After all, in the game's storyline, the Rating Pistol had deemed The Herta impossible to evaluate. That was because she had already become an Emanator of Erudition at the very start of the game's launch.
Now, however, given the Rating Pistol's strange scoring principles, Herman himself was curious what score it would assign to The Herta, who had not yet become an Emanator of Erudition.
At that moment, The Herta closed her eyes and addressed Herman.
"Let us discuss the matter of me becoming Rubert III. Is that a high-probability event?"
Herman answered candidly, "Yes. It is what you would call the Fourth Instant decreed by that mechanical head—Nous. It is extremely difficult to alter... Only certain special existences intervening could change that fate."
The Herta's question fell with force. "Are you one of those special existences?"
"I am."
Herman's voice was filled with seriousness.
Having been bound to The Herta for so long, Herman had grown more confident.
More importantly, he was now the Research System. With the system buffs—divine power from points, divine power from enhancements—combined with Herta's extraordinary intellect, it was not impossible to alter the Fourth Instant in which her mind would be seized by the Lord Ravager Iron Tomb, transforming her into Rubert III.
"I believe you. If we join forces, we will certainly suppress the possibility of me becoming Rubert III. From this point onward, I will devote myself entirely to research."
Herman asked curiously, "What is your new research project?"
"To construct the Herta Xianzhou—a megastructure. Once completed, it will be able to deploy little Hertas throughout the cosmos. At that time, they will serve as my eyes, observing the myriad mysteries that exist within the universe..."
The Herta's eyes brimmed with the thirst for research.
"Constructing the Herta Xianzhou? I support your idea."
Without hesitation, Herman immediately applied two buffs to Herta.
Universal Genius!
World-Shaking Wisdom!
With both buffs active, The Herta's intellect surged by fifty percent, rising to fifteen hundred.
The World-Shaking Wisdom buff, in particular, provided her with a continuous stream of groundbreaking inspiration...
Thus, The Herta entered the Simulated Laboratory and began a new round of research.
At that moment, Herman glanced at his points and discovered that they had unknowingly reached two hundred thousand. Moreover, he realized that upon reaching this threshold, he could spend points to repair the damaged Research System itself.
Let's try repairing it.
Who knows—perhaps it will restore some extraordinary ability and push Herta's research even further.
With that thought, Herman focused his mind and pressed the repair button. His points began draining away like flowing water.
At the same time, a line of special text appeared before his eyes:
[Research System repairing...]
[Repairing...]
Herman closed his eyes and carefully sensed the process. He realized that completing the repair of a minor function within the Research System would require one hour.
In that case, he might as well find something to pass the time—perhaps watch some television.
To be honest, he had not yet watched any television dramas from The Blue.
With that in mind, Herman picked up the remote control in the dormitory and turned on the TV. What he saw shocked him.
Every single channel on The Blue was broadcasting the same live scene:
The Supreme Leader of the Blue Federation presenting Miss Herta—the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society—with an unprecedented honor, one that had never been awarded before and would likely never be awarded again: the medal of The Blue's First Genius Academician.
Herman blinked and thought to himself, Herta felt it was a waste of time—not only did she skip the banquet, she skipped the award ceremony too... and the Supreme Leader simply went straight to little Herta to receive the award instead. Quite clever.
Little Herta is indeed a part of Herta. If she accepts the award, it is equivalent to The Herta accepting it.
And standing solemnly on the podium receiving the medal—Herta is rather adorable like this.
With that thought, Herman activated the live comment overlay and saw the screen flood with scrolling messages:
"Miss Herta is so cute!"
"I want to manufacture such an adorable little doll in the future too."
"The 83rd Seat genius is actually a loli? That's shocking! Unbelievable!"
"Wait... I'm a student at The Blue's First University. I remember Herta looking more mature than this!"
"The Herta on stage looks like a mini version... Did an experiment go wrong and cause her to reverse age?!"
"Can even a genius' experiments go wrong?"
"Madam Herta is unparalleled in the universe, breathtakingly beautiful, and supremely intelligent!"
Dense waves of comments drifted across the television screen, occasionally stuttering due to overload.
Watching them, Herman's lips curved into a faint smile.
Herta is perfectly fine. There's no need to explain anything to these netizens.
His gaze then locked onto one particular comment: "Madam Herta is unparalleled in the universe..."
He clicked on the account that posted it and examined the username.
Super Herta No. 4.
"You were the one posting that comment, weren't you—Fourth Mirror?" Herman turned his head and looked at the mirror in the living room.
"Hehe, caught already," the Fourth Mirror replied promptly.
"Among all those comments, every single one praises Herta's cuteness or expresses shock that the genius Herta is a loli. Not a single negative comment. That was your doing, wasn't it?"
"Mine—and also the First, Second, and Third Mirrors. Additionally, the Blue Federation's cyber police helped out. They banned accounts that smeared Herta's name and are even preparing to track some of them down offline."
"I see." A look of understanding flashed through Herman's eyes.
At that moment, he heard The Herta's voice in his mind.
"After the medal ceremony concludes, Herman, immediately send a message to little Herta. Have her go to the Soul Factory and establish a little Herta production line. We need to manufacture more little Hertas."
"Understood."
Herman agreed with a smile.
In the next instant, he received a textual signal from his body—or rather, from the Research System itself.
[Research System—Achievement Module successfully repaired!]
[Automatically unlocking achievements...]
[Resolved the fourth Cosmic Conundrum, Solitary Waves Theory... Achieved the title of Top Cosmic Scholar. Legendary Achievement Point +1.]
[Became a genius invited by Nous and joined the Genius Society as the 83rd Seat! A being destined to be recorded in the Amber Era. Legendary Achievement Point +1.]
[Created a modified version of the Herta Magic Wand, opened the gate to Erudition, gained infinite energy, and became a pseudo-Emanator. Legendary Achievement Point +1.]
The three legendary achievement notifications made Herman blink.
"So this repair restored the achievement system... And what exactly can Achievement Points be used for?"
As soon as that thought formed instinctively, the Research System responded.
Legendary Achievement Points can accelerate the host's cognition, doubling research speed for a certain duration.
In addition, Legendary Achievement Points can convert the World-Shaking Wisdom buff from passive to active. When activated, the resulting inspiration will be highly correlated with the host's current research.
Accelerating cognitive research and actively triggering World-Shaking Wisdom—Legendary Achievement Points were indeed extremely valuable.
With that realization, Herman examined the list of other achievements that had yet to be unlocked:
Construct the Tower of Wisdom with boundless intellect. Through the Wisdom Seal Ritual, draw the gaze of Erudition and receive blessing.
Become an Emanator of Erudition.
Completion Reward: Legendary Achievement Point +1.
Forge the Herta Xianzhou. Create a super megastructure even more perfect than the Xianzhou Alliance's vessels.
Completion Reward: Legendary Achievement Point +1.
Scatter Herta Puppets across the universe... Let the endless galaxies hold no more mysteries, let even the Aeons fail to obscure your sight!
Completion Reward: Legendary Achievement Point +1.
Beyond Legendary Achievements, there were also Mythic Achievements. These were directly tied to the Aeons—slaying an Aeon, inheriting or replacing an Aeon, all would fulfill Mythic Achievements.
Of course, creating a brand-new Path and becoming a new Aeon oneself would likewise count as a Mythic Achievement.
After reviewing all this information, Herman understood that as long as The Herta completed significant research milestones or elevated her status in the cosmos, Legendary—or even Mythic—Achievement Points could be obtained.
After searching further through the list, he discovered additional Mythic Achievements awaiting activation:
Win the Phantasmoon Games. Cause Aha of Elation to question the host—and successfully answer Aha's question.
Completion Reward: Legendary Achievement Point.
Repair the Astral Express. Resolve all of its technological challenges and even upgrade its systems.
Completion Reward: Legendary Achievement Point.
Staring at these pending achievements, Herman could not help but think inwardly.
Herta, your upcoming tasks are not limited to constructing the Herta Xianzhou and establishing the Herta Series.
You must also upgrade the Astral Express, participate in the Phantasmoon Games and win, ultimately prompting Aha to pose a question—and answer it successfully.
There is still much for you to accomplish. Now is not the time to rest.
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