"So, you really aren't going to intervene?"
"Sunday seems serious this time."
"Then, for the sake of your massive farming operation in Penacony, you'd better step in."
After a minor skirmish, Herta rested her chin in her hand, analyzing the situation on the field and ultimately concluding that even with Robin's help, the Astral Express Crew's chances of defeating Sunday remained exceedingly slim.
"Hmm... you're right, I probably should intervene," Lumina nodded in agreement, finding Herta's reasoning sound.
Hmm? Sound reasoning... really?
What utter nonsense!
"Hey! I've told you a million times, my relationships with them are completely normal—normal friends, normal besties, normal mother and daughter!"
"It's nothing like what you're imagining!"
Lumina earnestly reiterated her explanation.
"Mm-hmm, I believe you. Your relationships are as pure as lilies," Herta winked at Lumina, feigning complete belief.
But the moment she used the phrase "as pure as lilies," any semblance of believability vanished.
Lumina: ...
Lumina fell into stunned silence, at a loss for words to further explain herself to Herta.
"Hmm..."
But Lumina quickly devised a brilliant counterattack.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she gazed at the little black tower before her. "If you put it that way," she said, "our relationship is more like that of a master and fish in a farm, isn't it? Our bond is as pure as a lily, don't you think?"
Lumina delivered these words, preparing to deliver the final blow that would decisively defeat Herta.
However, Herta's next response defied Lumina's expectations, instead delivering the fatal blow to Lumina herself.
"Mm, yes, I think so too," Herta replied.
"I'm the master, you're the fish, and our relationship is as pure as lilies."
Lumina: ?!
Lumina had considered a thousand possible responses from Herta, but this one had never crossed her mind.
She actually agreed outright!
"Are you serious?"
"I'm just teasing you."
Herta's face remained composed, but the tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, flushed slightly.
"Good, good... You scared me half to death..."
Herta: ...
"Good...?"
"Scared you...?"
Hearing this, Madam Herta gritted her teeth, and a key-shaped staff materialized in her hand, as if she wanted to beat Lumina to death with it.
"Hey, wait, wait! What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so angry?" Sensing Herta's strange mood beside her, Lumina's beautiful jade-green eyes filled with confusion.
Did I say something wrong just now? No, right? I didn't say anything, did I?
Could it be that last remark?
No way, Herta was just joking, wasn't she? I'm glad she was joking, but why is she so furious?
Lumina's eyes were filled with bewilderment.
[ Tsk, tsk, tsk. I thought you were some kind of expert, but you're just like your name: Newbie. (Covers mouth to stifle a laugh) ]
What does that even mean?
Could it be that Herta's earlier words weren't a joke at all...?
[ Guess, guess, Newbie! You're all talk and no action, with zero real combat experience! ]
Lumina: ...
"It wasn't you who created all things; it was humans who created you!"
Thankfully, the battle had already reached a fever pitch, and Sunday had finished charging his ultimate move, preparing to unleash it without reservation.
"Um, Herta, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry. I'll definitely reflect on this later, figure out what I did wrong, and make it up to you."
With a sincere apology, Lumina stepped forward to help the Astral Express Crew and Robin withstand Sunday's ultimate attack.
She left a faint green glow on them before returning to Herta's side.
"Let's go. Ena's Dream is about to collapse." Having done all she could, Lumina nodded at Herta to prevent further questioning, opened the "door" to reality, and quickly slipped through with a flimsy excuse.
"Who even wants your compensation...?" Watching Lumina's retreating figure, Herta's anger had largely dissipated. With a resigned sigh, she stowed her key-shaped staff.
Herta finally understood—she had completely misjudged Lumina.
With Lumina's head as dense as wood, her only motive for interacting with beautiful girls truly was just to cuddle. There were no hidden depths to her actions.
But... others might not be so innocent.
Herta glanced at March 7th, then at Stelle and Robin, and scoffed disdainfully.
Dismissing further thoughts, she followed Lumina through the "door," stepping back into reality.