Chapter 40 : Chapter 40 This is what Lady Black Tower is like; this is what tsundere is like.
Wait.
Is he some kind of pervert? Why does everyone think he's installed cameras in their homes?
However, it seems he really did take things a bit too far.
He revealed some information he wasn't supposed to know.
Ms. Herta sized up Xu Qiong with a scrutinizing gaze. Her expression was exceptionally calm, but her eyes, as magnificent and clear as purple gems, emitted a different kind of brilliance.
It seemed capable of piercing through, clarifying, and mastering the essence of all things.
However, after a moment of silence, Ms. Herta ultimately did not press for details.
Just as when they first entered Amphoreus, she hadn't asked why Xu Qiong got off the Astral Express early or how he happened to find the scepter.
She had even helped him fight against Iron Tomb.
Xu Qiong thought for a moment and simply changed the subject, "I prepared these two promotional short films for later release."
"If we're talking about using your image, shouldn't that be considered a positive effect?"
The video quality was high, and players were raving about it, so it certainly wasn't defaming Ms. Herta.
Ms. Herta pondered for two seconds, her thoughts unknown.
But in the end, she nodded her head: "Barely acceptable."
"And there's also the matter of Machine Head. That's a big deal. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Although Xu Qiong created the plot under the guise of a fan-work, and players might not think it's real...
But some people...
Exactly, some people might not see it that way.
Using such important things to generate hype was truly excessive. It was quite rare for Ms. Herta to remain calm now.
Xu Qiong knew this, of course, but the plot required it; he couldn't just change the story.
So he planned to make it up to Ms. Herta.
"Regarding the research on the simulated universe." Xu Qiong suddenly shifted the conversation. "Actually, I've recently mastered some special abilities that might be of more help."
"Maybe we can add another DLC or something?"
As he spoke, Xu Qiong casually opened his palm.
A mass of ethereal white energy bloomed vigorously in his hand.
Noticing this, Ms. Herta's interrogative expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of surprise.
Xu Qiong wasn't stingy either.
He only had a mobile phone nearby, so he moved the light toward it.
In the blink of an eye, the mobile phone turned into a lump of decayed, scrapped, and rusted iron, even the screen was cracked.
Then, in another blink of an eye!
Indubitably, Xu Qiong's mobile phone instantly returned to its original state.
Ms. Herta couldn't help but lean in closer, focusing her gaze on the mobile phone: "Hmm? What did you do to it? Something like rejuvenation?"
Ms. Herta could do this too, so it didn't seem like much.
Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple.
Xu Qiong just smiled and spread his hands: "I didn't do anything, Lady."
"I just lightly flicked its clock—the clock regarding time."
This wasn't a physical addition, but a conceptual regression.
In fact, Xu Qiong really hadn't done anything, because the phone was still the phone; no parts were added, repaired, or damaged. He had simply placed it at a different point in its own time.
Hearing this, Ms. Herta stared thoughtfully at the light in Xu Qiong's hand.
Then, as if she had understood something, she gave a faint smile.
She shifted her gaze back to Xu Qiong and said somewhat playfully: "Strange, every time I'm about to lose interest in you, you always manage to come up with something new."
"You're not doing this on purpose, are you? You certainly know how to keep things interesting."
With that, Ms. Herta turned around and waved her hand:
"Forget it, I won't hold this against you, considering you're willing to work for me for free from now on."
"But there's one thing I must remind you."
Ms. Herta's tone seemed to soften slightly, and her voice became more serious: "Regardless of whether your plan to elevate Amphoreus succeeds or not."
"That little pink-haired girl by your side—uh, big pink-haired girl, you know what I mean—she actually won't change because of the elevation."
Xu Qiong blinked.
He knew more than Ms. Herta, so he was well aware she was giving him a heads-up, a kind warning.
After all, the current closed loop belonging to Iron Tomb was being deceived by the Path of Enigmata.
Xu Qiong indicated his understanding.
But there was one thing he thought he might as well mention: "The IPC and the Space Station will probably boycott the game."
Although it wasn't a huge deal, since Ms. Herta was already here, he might as well have her handle it.
Besides, the game wasn't going to shut down or anything.
But if rumors kept spreading outside, making players afraid to spend money, that would be the biggest problem.
In response, Ms. Herta turned her head and stared at Xu Qiong with a speechless expression.
She pressed her hand to her forehead: "You... forget it, I'll contact Asta remotely later."
"Thank you."
Xu Qiong said very seriously.
Ms. Herta: "..."
Ms. Herta parted her lips as if to say something, but paused and finally just let out a breath.
"Oh, right."
Just as the communication time was about to run out, Ms. Herta suddenly curled her lips, "You'd better not let Ruan Mei see that short film. I'm afraid she'll slice you up for research."
"That's all."
With those words...
The holographic projection vanished, and Ms. Herta's figure was completely gone.
Xu Qiong still had things to say; he didn't expect her to hang up so quickly.
But recalling her last sentence, Xu Qiong just shrugged helplessly.
Sigh, Ms. Herta is like this.
In fact, through Xu Qiong's observation, after he explained to her that using her image and even spreading important rumors about her was to help Amphoreus's rebirth...
Ms. Herta's originally angry stance had basically vanished.
Her subsequent demand for an explanation was most likely out of habit, or rather, it was an act.
After all, wouldn't it hurt a Genius's pride to just say "use it as you like"?
Ms. Herta is like this.
Tsunderes are like this.
Like how she agreed to help save Aha Star and fight Iron Tomb without asking much.
Even though she constantly talked about important intelligence and Nous, she immediately dropped the matter when she heard it was for Amphoreus's rebirth.
Even though she claimed to be a Genius who didn't care and was indifferent, as soon as Iron Tomb appeared, she jumped in without hesitation for the sake of the entire galaxy.
"I'm moved by Lady Hat-Tip," Xu Qiong shook his head.
Of course, eliminating Iron Tomb also saved Ms. Herta, preventing her from having to take a blow for him.
But Xu Qiong really did have more to say, which was why he had been trying to find Ms. Herta for so many days.
[Xu Qiong: Ms. Herta, are you there?]
[Ms. Herta: ?]
[Your friend has come online...]
[Ms. Herta: Wait, you can contact me via mobile phone?]
[Ms. Herta: Then I...]
[Xu Qiong: Uh...]
Actually, Xu Qiong forgot to tell Ms. Herta.
If a face-to-face meeting wasn't strictly necessary, Aha Star's mobile signal can currently get out.
But he should let Ms. Herta process things for a bit; after all, they were about to face a major event.
You see, theoretically, in the real-time line, Mr. Yang should have gone to find Ms. Herta, while Dan Heng, Stelle, and even March are still trapped on Aha Star without communication.
Which Aha Star?
Awkwardly speaking, it's likely the Aha Star in the past timeline, just like the cycle Cyrene walked into.
But there are too many bugs in this, involving Elio's script and the birth of Fuli.
Xu Qiong had felt before that it was necessary to completely correct it, otherwise everything would fall into chaos later!
Considering the scepter is long gone and Iron Tomb has been blown up.
Then there's no other way.
He didn't want to pull this kind of stunt, but after thinking it over, there seemed to be only one move left.
"It's time for Enigmata to exert its power!"
Xu Qiong planned to follow the original storyline, fabricating it in reality and reenacting it once more, at least to make the Astral Express and even the entire galaxy believe it's real!
For this, he naturally needed Ms. Herta's help.
...
Meanwhile.
Amphoreus in another timeline.
Beside the crashed Astral Express, Stelle looked at Dan Heng, then at the Cephalo Colossus flickering like a lightbulb on the horizon.
Rubbing her chin, she couldn't help but look thoughtful: "Hey Dan Heng, is Amphoreus a bit short on electricity?"
Dan Heng: "Uh..."
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100 POWER STONE = BONUS CHAPTER
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