"I didn't expect them to have the Charmony Festival all set up so quickly."
"The Family's efficiency is quite impressive."
With Screwllum handling things in the Divergent Universe, they didn't want Herta and Lumina to worry.
Staying there any longer would have been unbearably dull, so Herta and Lumina cast a minor perception-altering spell on themselves and began exploring the Radiant Feldspar, the stage for the Charmony Festival.
Watching the entire grand celebration take shape in a mere hour, Lumina couldn't help but marvel.
"They're moving pretty fast. Seems like that little bird isn't just some sheltered fool hiding under her brother's wing." Observing the orderly scene before her, Herta tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes flickering with an inscrutable light.
She inwardly raised her guard against Robin slightly.
However, this heightened vigilance remained within an extremely low range.
After all, given the current situation on Penacony, as the newly appointed head of the Oak Family, Robin wouldn't be able to leave the planet anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Lumina was about to depart for the Xianzhou, and it was uncertain if she would ever return to Penacony.
No matter how extraordinary Robin's abilities might be, Herta wouldn't give them a second thought.
Herta's real concerns lay with the Astral Express, deeply connected to Lumina, and the Xianzhou Luofu, Lumina's next destination.
Lumina had visited the Luofu once before, but Herta knew little about the place and couldn't guess how many "hooks" Lumina had planted there...
I need to take the initiative and make my presence felt.
"Robin is an incredibly talented young woman. Don't underestimate her," Lumina replied after hearing Herta's words. As she spoke, she looked around with childlike curiosity, taking in everything around her.
Meanwhile, Herta's mind was already churning with thoughts of these "little chirp-chirps."
She truly is remarkable—no less capable than her brother. After a moment of reflection, Herta nodded in agreement.
"While I can't speak to other areas, at the Charmony Festival, under her guidance, she'll undoubtedly surpass Sunday's performance."
"After all, Robin truly believes in Harmony."
Herta's words seemed to carry hidden meaning, yet it was so deeply veiled that one couldn't guess her true intentions.
"I get the feeling you're implying something," Lumina said, detecting the subtext in Herta's tone. She shot her a speechless glance.
The brother and sister had always belonged to the Order faction. If anything, Robin was the one who had strayed from the path.
"It was merely an exclamation," Herta replied indifferently.
For remnants of the Order to infiltrate the territory of Harmony and even reach positions of power... in a way, wasn't this also a manifestation of Harmony's all-encompassing nature?
The price, of course, was Penacony and the near destruction of the entire Asdana Star System.
"The cosmos is vast, and strange things happen all the time."
"Perfectly normal, perfectly normal," Lumina repeated, her tone unwavering. Having known about Sunday and Penacony's affairs long ago, she felt no particular emotion toward Sunday.
Well... actually, there was one emotion.
Sunday, you're so weak.
"Hmm..." Herta lowered her head in thought, then looked up and asked, "You have such extensive knowledge. I have a question for you."
"Mm-hmm, what is it? Go ahead and ask."
"I'm absolutely certain I know more than 99.9% of the people in the entire cosmos!" Lumina declared, patting her chest with confident assurance.
"Have you ever seen a lesbian couple with your own eyes?" Herta immediately went for the direct approach.
Lumina: ?!
-
Short Scene 1:
System: This is breaking news related to Castorice.
Lumina: (Studies it closely, then her eyebrows shoot up) Aren't we a match made in heaven? (Or rather, a team made in heaven?)
Lumina: Castorice, I'm coming for you!
-
Short Scene 2:
System: This is breaking news related to Anaxa.
Lumina: (Studies it closely, then her expression turns grave) Dude, did I just get power-crept out of existence?
Lumina: I need a buff! I need a buff! I'm an OG character, I deserve a buff!