Regardless.
The objective had already been overachieved.
Now, it was time to let these space-farers witness the persuasive power of the Giant of Light.
'Ruan Mei' looked at the group of shrunken Giants of Light standing before her.
They had taken on human forms, imitating human postures.
Only, their faces bore a noticeable resemblance to both Ruan Mei and Herta.
"Mothers, what should we do next?"
Newborn lives are always full of uncertainty. After all, up to this point, they had only theoretical knowledge—no real combat experience.
Leaning instinctively on their creators was only natural.
Especially when their creators were geniuses.
'Ruan Mei' noticed that neither Herta nor the real Ruan Mei seemed inclined to speak up.
So she took the initiative:
"We are your creators, but not your rulers. We won't command you directly—we'll only offer advice. What to do and how to do it… I hope you'll follow your own hearts in making those decisions."
Zero and the others exchanged glances.
Truth be told, they already had plenty of ideas.
Over the past few days, while 'Ruan Mei' and the others had been buried in research, they had been eagerly absorbing knowledge, learning about this world.
Even so, Zero felt they ought to consult their mothers' opinions—after all, these were geniuses recognized by Nous.
But to her surprise, the very first words they heard were an encouragement to act on their own.
Seeing their hesitation, 'Ruan Mei' thought for a moment, then added:
"Would you tell me what you have in mind?"
Zero glanced at her companions, then stepped forward:
"Mother, we've discovered a… deeply troubled nation—the Tarak Federation. It was once an empire ruled by a royal family, controlling multiple star systems."
"But after two successive regime changes, the entire nation has only gotten worse. We want to change that."
(T/N: I'm pretty sure this nation was mentioned in ONE voiceline in chinese)
Zero found it almost unbelievable.
A vast nation, two regime changes, three successive ruling classes—and yet, ordinary people's lives kept deteriorating.
Under the original empire, the nobles were fond of absurd extravagances and heavier taxes, which stirred public unrest.
Then came the constitutional monarchy: the prime minister seized power with self-replicating machine armies, only to replace all labor with automation, forcing ordinary people to mine stellar coronas.
And now, under the current federation—after ousting both the prime minister and the king—everything must be purchased. The president was even planning to charge for air, requiring citizens to buy the right to breathe from the federation.
She couldn't comprehend the mindset of those in power.
She only knew one thing:
This wrong needed to be set right.
'Ruan Mei' had no particular impression of the Tarak Federation.
But if the Giants of Light were willing to set aside other chaotic threats to focus on it, then surely this federation must have… something uniquely "impressive."
"My advice is this: take action. Don't blindly trust us. On this new Path, you are the pioneers. Just do what you believe is right."
She reached out and gently patted Zero's head.
"I believe in your abilities and strength. And I also believe that within the Tarak Federation, there are still people worth saving."
"…I understand."
Her words soothed Zero's lingering uncertainty.
Herta, leaning back in her chair with her head tilted and propped on one hand, lifted her other hand slightly—several replicated Phase Flames drifted toward the group.
"Take these. When you act, remember to use your heads. Don't be like her, leading armies and only knowing how to charge straight in."
Herta didn't hold back, critiquing her own earlier campaign against Zulo.
'Ruan Mei' had no retort.
She'd claimed she'd picked up too much from Acheron, developing a preference for frontal assaults—no doubt Herta would mock her for that again.
Zero smiled gratefully, absorbing the flames into her body.
As for Ruan Mei, she didn't have much to add.
Strictly speaking, her interest in the Giants of Light wasn't even as strong as her curiosity about Bai… Ming.
In the beginning, she'd come mostly because she was drawn to that individual, Bai Ming.
Of course, things were different now.
That nascent Aeon stored in Herta City was plenty enticing to her as well.
Soon after, Zero and the others transformed into spheres of light and departed from Herta City.
Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, and started wondering whether she should spend the remaining seven days vacationing on The Blue to relax, she noticed Herta and the real Ruan Mei stand up and walk toward her.
"…"
A faint sense of foreboding washed over her as she watched them approach.
She instinctively shrank back into her chair.
"What are you two up to?"
"Up to?"
Herta let out a derisive snort, as if she'd just heard a hilarious joke.
Mirrors silently materialized on all sides.
Herta adjusted her hat, looking down at her with a condescending gaze:
"I'm not one to hold a grudge overnight—but for you, I made an exception. So now… it's time we had a proper chat about you impersonating me."
"I thought you said you weren't holding it against me?"
"Ha, when did I ever say that?"
"…"
Ruan Mei was momentarily speechless.
Oh no.
She'd walked right into Herta's trap!
Meanwhile, the real Ruan Mei reached out, lifting her alternate self's chin.
Her eyes, half-lidded, studied the other's face.
"I don't mind you imitating me. But since you've borrowed my appearance, I think it's only fair I collect a little interest."
Ruan Mei stared directly into her double's eyes, the 'desire' for Bai Ming in her gaze completely undisguised.
Gulp!
'Ruan Mei', seeing her escape routes blocked by Herta and Ruan Mei, felt a giant "DANGER" sign flash above her head.
Run!
She immediately decided to tap into the Nihility, to sink into its shadows and make her escape.
But this time, the method that had never failed her before… didn't work.
'Ruan Mei' realized in horror that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't summon the shadows of the Nihility.
Then Herta laughed: "Save your energy. Did you really think I wouldn't prepare for the Nihility after you impersonated that lady Acheron?"
Though not entirely certain, Herta had worried this copycat might inherit the abilities of those she mimicked.
So even though she'd designed a device specifically to suppress Nihility erosion, she'd held back until now.
But now—"Don't forget—we currently have an Aeon representing hope and miracles right here. Hmph, you think you can borrow the Nihility's power to escape?"
Herta raised a hand, pointing toward the giant luminous sphere currently serving as Herta City's artificial sun, and let out a contemptuous snort.
"…"
It's over!
'Ruan Mei' felt her heart sink into despair.
She never imagined that the ultimate creation she'd worked so hard to produce would end up trapping her like this.
"Hic—Can we talk this out?!"
'Ruan Mei' forced a smile, looking up at Herta and Ruan Mei while batting her eyelids innocently.
But alas.
Herta and Ruan Mei had no mercy!!
Each of them seized one of 'Ruan Mei's arms, smiling in unison.
"Right now? You must be joking."
--+--