"Thirty-one seconds..." Daziel murmured, fingers unconsciously tracing the bedsheet, his eyes shining with disbelief. "How is that possible...?"
He wasn't doubting Herta's word, merely finding the result too mind-boggling. After all, even Daziel, using Cocolia and Topaz, needed some effort to win against Herta's carefully constructed lineup. For Sparkle to defeat Herta with such astonishing speed – this went beyond mere skill.
A shadow clouded Herta's delicate features. She lightly bit her lip, seemingly still processing the unacceptable defeat. "Her Aether Spirits..." Herta began slowly, a hint of confusion in her voice, "were indeed rare, but... not special like yours. They were types available on the market, the kind you can get by spending money. They weren't even as expensive as Asta's setup."
"Then how did she beat you so quickly?" Daziel asked curiously.
"That's precisely the problem." Herta's tone shifted, her eyes sharpening like blades flashing with cold light. "There's something wrong with her Aether Spirits' data. Logically speaking, even if you pushed those spirits' potential to the absolute limit, they couldn't possibly reach that level."
Daziel's heart sank. Just as expected. "She hacked, didn't she?" A cold sneer touched his lips, his tone dripping with undisguised mockery. "Sounds exactly like something the Masked Fools would pull. The Corporation probably had a hand in this too, otherwise, spirits like that shouldn't have bypassed abnormal data detection."
Herta sighed softly, her tone softening slightly, as if comforting him, or perhaps herself. "Don't worry too much about it. Losing isn't a big deal. Since the opponent resorted to modifying data, there's no need for us to stick to conventions. There are ways to win that aren't confined to the chessboard... they can happen off the board too."
Daziel nodded thoughtfully. Herta's words eased some of the tension coiling within him. Right, if the opponent doesn't play by the rules, why should I be bound by them?
"Off the board..." he repeated softly, a subtle glint flashing deep within his eyes. No woman can withstand my fire poker. If they can, then I'll just add my baseball bat!
Asta, who had been silent, spoke up now, her voice soft and tinged with worry, "Master, what... what do you plan to do?" Although Asta's corruption value hadn't been raised much, being captured as an Aether Spirit effectively made her similar to an intimate companion, trainable as a little pet.
Daziel gently patted Asta's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He turned to March 7th beside him. "Little March, we have proper business tomorrow."
March 7th immediately understood Daziel's meaning. She nodded vigorously, her clear voice tinged with excitement. "Mhm! Let's sleep first, it's getting late! Tomorrow, we'll go get that last qualification badge!"
Daziel nodded too, temporarily suppressing his unease. The group lay down again, cuddling together. The room gradually quieted, filled only with the soft sound of even breathing. Though Daziel appeared calm, waves were already crashing within him. Sparkle's appearance and her illogical strength filled him with unease. He had a nagging feeling that a larger conspiracy lurked behind this.
The night deepened. The Astral Express drifted like a lone boat in the sea of stars, silent and still. Inside the room, March 7th and Asta breathed steadily, already deep in slumber.
However, in the darkness, a pair of eyes slowly opened.
Daziel carefully got up, not disturbing the three beside him. Walking to the window, he gazed at the vast, boundless river of stars outside, his eyes deep and complex, much like the starry sky itself, full of unknown variables.
Masked Fools... The Corporation... Memes... Keywords flashed through his mind, weaving into an intricate web. What was Sparkle's goal? Why did she appear so abruptly at Victory Paradise? Was it really the Corporation's doing, granting her such illogical strength? Countless questions surged, and Daziel felt an inexplicable pressure. This seemingly simple Aetherium Wars game might escalate into a storm sweeping the entire universe. And he, undoubtedly, was at the center of that storm.
Lost in thought, a faint trace of worry creased Daziel's brow. Suddenly, a gentle touch on his shoulder broke his reverie. He turned his head. Herta's petite figure stood quietly behind him. The Herta puppet looked particularly exquisite in the dim light, starlight gently bathing her flawless face, coating it in a hazy halo.
She watched Daziel, her voice soft, yet carrying a barely perceptible sigh. "When you're feeling lost, don't gaze at the stars late at night."
"Staring too long only magnifies your own insignificance. How can individual strength compare to the vast, boundless universe? That's a truth I only understood after obtaining my extraordinary lifespan."
Daziel was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Herta to say such things. He looked at her with mild surprise. "Don't you need to rest?"
Herta shook her head gently. The precise mechanical joints of her body reflected the cold metal glint in the faint light, creating a strange contrast with her soft tone. "Sleep is meaningless to me now." She paused, then continued, "You should get some rest."
Daziel gave a wry smile, shook his head helplessly, and admitted frankly, "Can't sleep."
Herta tilted her head, her eyes studying Daziel with curiosity. "Can't sleep? Then what do you want to do right now?"
Daziel's gaze swept over Herta, from her delicate face to her petite body, then to those eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people. Finally, his gaze settled on the newly modified components on the puppet's lower body.
Haven't tried it yet...
Herta seemed to notice the strangeness in Daziel's gaze, and two faint blushes crept onto her cheeks. She asked softly, slightly uncomfortable, "Is it okay? You've already... done it so many times today." Her tone held a hint of barely concealed shyness and reproach.
A slightly wicked smile touched Daziel's lips. He murmured lowly, "It's fine. It doesn't matter how many times." Ever since receiving that mysterious anime-level amount reward, his physical condition had improved across the board. Not only had he become stronger in that aspect, but his stamina had also become exceptionally abundant. Right now, in terms of performance, he was more like an Emanator of Propagation than an actual Emanator of Propagation!
A flicker of hesitation and conflict crossed Herta's face. She bit her lower lip lightly, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle. "..." Finally, she nodded gently, letting out a tiny sound of assent like a mosquito's buzz, her face tinged with undeniable embarrassment.
Daziel leaned closer to Herta, his warm breath brushing against her small, delicate ear. He whispered beside her ear, "Then you'll have to try and be quiet later, okay? Don't wake March 7th and Asta."
Herta's cheeks instantly became even redder, almost looking like they could bleed. She glared at Daziel, her tone laced with indignant anger. "You...! You're really pushing your luck!"
"Fine! I'll just turn off my voice system temporarily!"
But Daziel reached out, gently covering her lips, stopping her words. A strange light glinted in his eyes. "Turn it off? Why? Don't turn it off, Lady Herta!"
"Making a little sound is fine, it adds to the special mood. Otherwise, my 'bat' won't be able to swing." Some things really required special methods to make them truly intense.
A flash of annoyance crossed Herta's eyes, but it was overshadowed by an unspeakable shyness. She clenched her teeth as if having made a decision, speaking with a hint of reckless abandon, "Alright then, do whatever you want!" With that, she pushed Daziel's hand away with a touch of defiance and turned her back to him. Her small body trembled slightly, perhaps out of fear, perhaps anticipation.
Daziel smiled softly, then moved towards her.
The night quietly receded, and the eastern sky showed the first fish-belly white, heralding the arrival of a new day. Morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled patterns on the floor. On the soft bedsheets, besides the existing wrinkles, were several new marks, deep and shallow, like silent brushstrokes recording the previous night's romance and frenzy.
"..." March 7th let out a lazy murmur, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and groggily poked her head out from the warm covers. She sat up, drowsy eyes scanning every corner of the room with some confusion. Finally, her gaze landed on Daziel and Herta sitting on the edge of the bed.
Daziel was looking down intently, seemingly fiddling with something. Herta sat with her arms crossed, head slightly tilted, her delicate profile looking exceptionally serene in the morning light, as if contemplating some profound problem. Their postures seemed subtly odd, but what struck March 7th as even stranger were the noticeable wet stains left on the white sheets...
March 7th blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her mind. She tilted her cute little head, her voice thick and soft with sleepiness, "Daziel, Herta... didn't you two sleep at all last night?" Before the words were fully out, she suddenly sensed a strange scent lingering in the air, one she knew all too well. She subconsciously raised her hand, lightly touched her own face... the familiar sticky feeling, combined with the faint scent in the air, instantly told her what it was.
"...!!!..." March 7th's voice instantly started trembling. Her already fair face flushed visibly, turning scarlet partly from unspeakable embarrassment, partly from incredulous shock and anger. She extended a trembling finger, pointing at Daziel and Herta, then at the suggestive stains on the sheets, and finally looked down at the sticky, familiar substance on her own finger, utterly unable to believe what had happened.
Daziel sharply sensed the subtle shift in the room's atmosphere. He quickly stopped touching Herta and tried to explain, "Sorry, Little March, uh... I really didn't mean to get it everywhere." The side effects of the anime-level amount were still hard to control... Sometimes, carelessness led to... It was really hard to prevent, one slip-up and the whole room could get messy... He tried to diffuse the awkwardness, but the moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to bite his tongue off. This explanation sounded worse and worse, even more suspicious!
Sure enough, March 7th's face turned an even deeper shade of red, looking like it might actually start bleeding. She glared furiously at Daziel, her voice rising an octave, filled with grievance and anger, "No! I... I'm not upset about that!"
"I'm just mad that... why didn't you call me too?!"
"What, couldn't I join in?"
"Huh? What did you say?" Daziel was completely愣住 (stunned/frozen). He hadn't anticipated this reaction from March at all. This development was completely unexpected.
...Though it sounded absurd, thinking about it, it did seem like something March, in her current state, might say. After all, she was his intimate companion now, so saying something like that wasn't entirely out of character. But still...
He scratched his head awkwardly, stammering an explanation, "Well... wasn't it... because I didn't want to disturb your sleep?"
March 7th planted her hands on her hips, saying huffily, "Don't let it happen again! Next time, remember to call me!"
Daziel: "..." He was speechless, unsure how to respond.
Herta remained silent throughout, arms still crossed, her exquisite face showing no emotion, as if it had nothing to do with her. Only the restless fidgeting of her finger joints betrayed her inner turmoil.
"..." Daziel cleared his throat twice, trying to shift away from the suffocatingly awkward topic. "Um... where's Asta?"
"Mmm... I'm awake too..." A faint voice came from under the covers. Asta sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, looking groggy. She didn't seem fully awake yet, her gaze somewhat unfocused, still hazy with sleep. "Sorry, Master. As the station master, I'm really not used to waking up early."
Daziel looked at Asta's dazed, cute appearance, carefully examining her rosy cheeks for a moment. After confirming his anime-level amount hadn't affected her, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Asta's corruption value isn't maxed out yet. If this pampered young lady woke up to find that sticky stuff on her face too, she'd probably let out a scream loud enough to attract everyone on the Express. If the Conductor saw this mess, he'd probably be angry, right? That would be hard to smooth over.
Maybe I'll have March secretly wash the sheets later. After reaching 100% corruption, she should be used for chores like this!
He looked at Asta and said gently, "Alright, Asta, we should head out to get the next qualification badge."
Asta nodded drowsily, replying obediently, "Oh... Okay, Master..." According to the plan, Asta would participate in the upcoming battles as an Aether Spirit. With a thought, Daziel recalled Asta into the specially made Aether Coin.
Daziel took a deep breath, glanced at March 7th and Herta, and said calmly, "Let's go. To the Great Mine."
March 7th nodded in agreement, but her gaze towards Daziel still held a lingering trace of reproach. Herta remained silent, lost in thought, merely following silently behind Daziel out of the room. The three left, setting off towards the final Victory Paradise – the Great Mine.
Belobog, the Great Mine.
Unlike its usual dilapidated state, the Great Mine was now completely transformed. The previously mountainous piles of slag had been cleared away, replaced by level ground and brand-new facilities. Huge floodlights illuminated the entire area as bright as day. Various machines operated methodically, emitting low rumbles. The Interastral Peace Corporation had turned this place into a perfect competition venue, completely erasing the previously chaotic environment of the mine.
"Wow, this place has changed so much!" March 7th exclaimed, amazed by the sight.
"Yeah, looks like the Corporation spared no expense for this competition," Daziel said, looking around.
"Hmph, just superficial work," Herta scoffed dismissively. "Herta Space Station has better facilities, so they just slapped something together there. They didn't spend any money properly decorating my Victory Paradise."
Just as Daziel's group was about to move on to find the champion candidate here...
"Hahaha! Just as we expected, you guys really showed up!" A somewhat familiar voice, yet laced with arrogance and smugness, suddenly echoed across the open mine, reaching the ears of Daziel, March 7th, and Herta.
The three looked towards the sound. Two employees in IPC uniforms emerged from the nearby shadows.
"Hehehe... Our guess was correct!" the aggressive-looking IPC employee grinned triumphantly.
"You definitely came here to challenge the last champion candidate!" the fierce-looking IPC employee added, the two playing off each other.
March 7th looked at them, her initially curious expression shifting to confusion. She tilted her head. "Are you guys nuts? You ran away with your tails between your legs last time, how dare you show up again?"
Daziel also frowned at the pair. Did these budget Team Rocket members serve any purpose other than wasting their time? Good thing this is the Aetherium Wars event chapter, otherwise, these two wouldn't have survived this long. Only in a setting like Pokemon or card games do plots resolve through battles instead of actual fighting.
"It's all your fault! You made our company lose face in front of the Xianzhou natives!" the aggressive employee snarled through gritted teeth. "Speak of the devil! Since we ran into you here—"
"—We must take back that Trotter!" the fierce employee finished. "Director Topaz loves those small animal-type Aether Spirits! We'll surely be rewarded!"
Daziel shook his head helplessly. "You're too late. That Trotter isn't with me anymore. Besides, you two can't beat me anyway, so why bother coming?"
"What nonsense, the Aether Spirit is gone? You think we'd believe that?" the aggressive employee clearly didn't buy it.
"Of course, we didn't come unprepared! Just wait until that person arrives, then you'll know you were wrong!" the fierce employee added menacingly.
March 7th frowned, stepped forward, and said impatiently, "Daziel is telling the truth, that Trotter really isn't here anymore. Besides, I highly doubt you two bootlickers even actually know Miss Topaz. Stop dropping Director Topaz's name all the time. Be careful you don't suck up to the wrong person and end up in trouble."
"Damn it! How dare you question our loyalty to Director Topaz! Simply unforgivable!" The aggressive employee seemed struck a nerve by March's words, instantly flying into a rage, his already fierce face twisting menacingly. "Since you sincerely asked—"
"—Then I will mercifully tell you..." the fierce employee also struck a classic villain pose, attempting to deliver his prepared line.
"Alright, alright, you lot, stop embarrassing yourselves and making a scene here," just then, a clear, pleasant voice, yet tinged with exasperation and reproach, interrupted the filler villains' clumsy performance.
"Hahahaha! Even though we couldn't finish the classic lines, it doesn't matter! Our boss is here! You guys are totally finished this time!" Hearing the voice, the aggressive employee was instantly energized, his fierce expression replaced by a fawning and triumphant grin.
Daziel, however, frowned slightly upon hearing the voice. His initial confusion was instantly replaced by surprise. Why did that voice sound so familiar? He had a feeling the newcomer was likely... his second fully corrupted hot weapon! Someone was missing from last night's party... who could it be? So hard to guess!
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