The Tarak Federation, due to the emergence of the Giant of Light, has now plunged completely into civil war.
Even if the Interastral Peace Corporation wanted to step in, reshaping such a vast territory and establishing a new way of life would take decades, if not centuries.
Several generations might not even be enough to erase the impact.
'Ruan Mei' wouldn't be around to see the final outcome of the Tarak Federation.
As for Zero and the others, they'd probably leave Tarak once their initial guidance was done, heading off into the cosmos to reconnect with their companions.
All in all, regarding the matter of the Giant of Light, the three of them had silently agreed not to disturb Zero and her group.
They simply watched from the shadows.
When it came to claiming credit as the creators of the Giant of Light, Herta was quite enthusiastic.
After all, forging a new Path was a monumental feat, and she never shied away from letting the universe know about her accomplishments.
Ruan Mei, on the other hand, was indifferent. As long as she didn't have to make public appearances, she was fine. Besides, the main credit wasn't hers to begin with.
"I could help you publicly claim the Giant of Light together, but Bai Ming, are you going to use your real name?"
'Ruan Mei' pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"It's not impossible, but would anyone actually believe it? Two geniuses and a complete unknown? And you want to put my name first?"
"With my endorsement, who would dare doubt it?" Herta scoffed. Her guarantee was the most authoritative certification in the universe.
If anyone wanted to challenge her, they'd better earn a spot in the Genius Society first.
Ruan Mei nodded in agreement.
"Without a doubt, your contributions to this project were the greatest. Your name should be listed first. Otherwise, Herta certainly wouldn't be pleased."
"Tch, don't act like you know me so well. But yes, your name deserves the top spot."
Herta crossed her arms, staring directly at Ruan Mei until she grew slightly uncomfortable.
"Alright then, I'll follow your lead."
"Now that's more like it. Next time a new genius pops up, or if you feel like impersonating me again, remember to come find me. I'd welcome you 'getting back at me,' you know~"
Herta enthusiastically slung an arm around 'Ruan Mei's' shoulders.
Having already 'taught her a thorough lesson,' she considered the matter settled.
From now on, she looked forward to enjoyable brainstorming sessions with various geniuses.
"..."
'Ruan Mei' gave Herta a speechless look, her eyes briefly drifting to the other's rather modest chest. "I'm really starting to think you're a troublesome little girl."
"That's just part of my charm."
As Ruan Mei, who was packing up and preparing to leave the lab for a well-deserved rest, suddenly turned to her other self and asked, "What will you do next?"
"Me? I haven't decided yet. I might take a few days off." 'Ruan Mei' glanced at her system panel:
--+--
[Role-Playing System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Ruan Mei)]
[Lifespan: 300 years (paused) + 5 days (Role-Playing)]
[Transformable Roles: Big Herta (Energy: 100%), Acheron (Energy: 84.1%), Celenova (Energy: 42.9%), Ruan Mei (Active)]
[Available Draws: 1 (42.5%)]
--+--
The progress bar was climbing steadily as usual. The influence of the Giant of Light hadn't fully spread yet; she expected noticeable feedback in a few days.
She hadn't used her draw yet, but the Big Herta card had also finished its cooldown.
Although Lady Herta had told her to come find her next time she could impersonate her, Bai Ming decided to play it by ear.
Besides, she really wanted a couple of days off.
With a lifespan of three hundred years now, she'd finally caught up to the Foxians.
Recently, it had been all brawls and brainstorming with geniuses—it was mentally exhausting.
Ruan Mei wasn't bothered by this answer.
She took out her phone, sent a friend request, and smiled at her other self.
"If you have free time, or come across any interesting research topics, feel free to contact me. You can reach me directly through this account."
Looking at the new contact—Ruan Mei's private account—on her phone, Bai Ming silently marveled.
So this is what connections feel like. A genius's promise. She could reach out if she ever ran into trouble.
"Okay, I understand."
Herta, overhearing this, raised an eyebrow.
What was this? Failed to poach her last time, and now trying to steal her right under her nose?
This Bai Ming character had chosen to impersonate her, Herta, on her first try.
Didn't that mean she was clearly her biggest fan? When you thought about it, didn't that basically make Bai Ming one of her people?
After Ruan Mei temporarily left with a Herta puppet to rest, Lady Herta grabbed Bai Ming by the back of her neck. "You come to me first from now on, got it?"
"..."
'Ruan Mei' turned her head, a puzzled look on her face as she stared at Lady Herta.
But seeing her utterly unashamed expression, as if this was the most natural thing in the world, she was momentarily at a loss for words.
Were they really competing over something like this? Herta, you...
"Hmm? Your answer?"
"Fine, fine, I'll come to you first, you first." 'Ruan Mei' felt like she was humoring a child.
Herta, however, seemed satisfied with her response.
She released her grip with a smile and said, "Speaking of which, I'm planning to move. I'll send you the new address later."
"Move? Why?"
"Why else? Just think about what happened here a few days ago. I figure we might as well leave this place to Zero and the others to found their Land of Light."
Herta pulled out her phone, seemingly texting someone, and offered a brief explanation.
A new Aeon had been born, multiple Aeons had cast their gaze this way, and a slew of Aeonic blessings had descended.
The entire area was now saturated with traces of their presence.
Though remote and undiscovered for now, the IPC's investigative reach would eventually find this place. She had no desire to deal with a bunch of troublesome adventurers later.
'Ruan Mei' blinked, understanding Herta's point. "So, where will you go?"
"Still deciding. I'll let you know once the new Herta City is ready."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Herta added, "It's done. I've just claimed credit for the Giant of Light in the names of Herta and Ruan Mei. In a couple of days, the whole universe will be wondering, 'Who is Bai Ming?'"
She cheerfully showed a chat screen—it was a conversation with AI Herta, who had apparently been ordered to contact the Corporation.
'Ruan Mei' saw the screen and her mouth twitched. "Your efficiency..."
"What, dragging my feet over trivial matters isn't my style."
"And how do you plan to handle the IPC's inquiries?"
"Let AI Herta deal with it, of course. No need for me to get involved." Lady Herta stated this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
No wonder AI Herta was so eager to find a proxy station manager.
--+--