The mad thoughts emanating from Irontomb, though incapable of infecting Bai Ming, persistently disrupted her normal cognition.
It bore some resemblance to Acheron's character card.
Irontomb also possessed the ability to infect surrounding individuals—just as when role-playing as Acheron, the Nihility would seep through the connection, attempting to corrupt her.
After linking with Irontomb, this viral onslaught surged toward Bai Ming's consciousness.
Fortunately, the system's formidable intervention could even single-handedly fend off the Nihility itself; such a virus naturally stood no chance of infecting Bai Ming.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be nearly this calm now.
Maintaining her rationality, Bai Ming followed the trail of the viral infection and, amidst the chaotic signals, managed to extract some thought-fragments from Irontomb.
It wasn't entirely illogical madness.
This entity was, on one hand, resisting the urge to infect the entire world, while on the other, frenetically desiring to spread the Black Tide to every corner of the universe.
Contradictory and frenzied electrical signals ultimately evolved into a tangled mess of thoughts flooding Irontomb's form.
It was fine to ignore them, but the moment she tried to fish any useful data out—Bai Ming was immediately struck by dizziness.
But upon a moment's reflection, it seemed to her…
This was almost as if Herta had deliberately cast her own consciousness and will into it, merging with Irontomb willingly, then attempting to use her own mind to resist Irontomb's destructive impulses—thereby curbing the scale of the Irontomb disaster.
And the result of this contradictory struggle…
Was the degraded 'Hertatomb,' recalculated once more by the Erudition and reduced to Rubert III.
Bai Ming didn't dare probe further.
On one hand, the frenzied thoughts left her agitated;
On the other hand, the idea of witnessing Madam Herta's active sacrifice, locked in an endless conflict, while she herself lacked any means to resolve it… made Bai Ming reluctant to look.
Faced with Herta's questioning, Bai Ming, after some thought, offered a reply:
"Irontomb truly possesses the capability to destroy the Path of Erudition and consume Nous—to be honest, I only discovered this after assuming this form."
'Hertatomb' began relaying the intel in that peculiar tone of hers.
"And in a certain alternate future, Madam Herta, in a timeline where Irontomb was on the verge of actualizing, you chose to sacrifice yourself to save this world, causing Irontomb to fall back into the calculations of Erudition."
"Ha—absurd!"
Herta instinctively denied it.
But everyone present could detect the slight lack of conviction in her tone.
And precisely because Herta realized she might truly be capable of such an act…
That was why she was so furious.
After all, no one would feel pleasant seeing their own future end so… undignified.
Ruan Mei, who had remained silent all along, tilted her head to study this strangely configured Herta.
She didn't immediately join the discussion.
Instead, she observed this peculiar Lord Ravager.
Emperor's Scepter, Lord Ravager, Zandar… these keywords combined gave her a premonition—that the birth of Irontomb might be deeply connected to the lifeforms she wished to research.
Simultaneously, Ruan Mei realized why Bai Ming had gathered them all here.
Rubert III, the Irontomb that consumed Herta.
Such an identity indeed held significant ties to both Herta and Screwllum.
And 'Hertatomb,' after a moment's hesitation, still spoke what she understood:
"Moreover, even now, I can sense Madam Herta's will still within this body, continually resisting Irontomb's destructive impulses. Madam Herta, without a doubt, your willpower commands my respect."
This was the first time she had expressed such genuine, heartfelt respect toward Herta.
Only 'Hertatomb' herself could perceive, under Zandar's guidance, just how terrifying Irontomb's frenzied thoughts were.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Upon hearing this, the three geniuses present fell into complete silence.
They couldn't truly empathize, but if Irontomb indeed possessed the ability to permanently consume Nous…
Then they could well imagine the sheer terror of such willpower.
And that Herta had been resisting it all along—even as death approached, her will remained unbroken.
How could that not compel silence.
"Hah… hah…"
Herta's chest heaved violently. For a genius, Herta was actually using deep breaths to calm herself—enough to show how shaken she was.
"Calm down, Herta. Bai Ming also said it's just one possibility, not reality."
"Calm? You want me to stay calm about this? Ruan Mei, if it were you, could you stay calm?"
Herta raised a hand, pointing toward Bai Ming's direction, and turned to stare directly at Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei could understand Herta's current mindset.
Compared to her own reserved nature, Herta's emotions were indeed far more vivid.
However, if this agitation continued, they wouldn't be able to make any progress.
"She is Bai Ming, not the real Irontomb. The consciousness within her still has a chance, and you are not truly destined to die."
Herta took a deep breath.
She knew herself that she really ought to calm down.
So everyone remained silent, quietly waiting for Madam Herta to adjust her emotions.
The silence lasted several minutes.
Noa actively released their light, attempting to soothe Herta's turmoil.
"Hah…"
Herta glanced up toward Noa's direction, then let out a long exhale.
"Apologies, I lost my composure."
"It is no trouble, Madam Herta. We all understand your feelings. I once had the fortune to witness the kind of madness data can produce when an Emperor's Scepter is trapped in endless calculations."
Screwllum remained composed as ever, soothing Herta's emotions.
Then, he turned to look at Irontomb:
"Query: Is Lady Bai Ming's condition secure? Irontomb, derived from an Emperor's Scepter, its data should be exceedingly hazardous."
"Rest assured, this data cannot infect me. However, I truly cannot investigate its contents for extended periods."
"Please prioritize your safety, Lady Bai Ming. In the coming time, I believe we will require your assistance."
"I'll be mindful."
Hearing this, Herta fixed her gaze directly on her.
"Bai Ming, speak. What do you intend to do?"
"Research and decipher all of Irontomb's secrets. Irontomb's virus is more malicious than the Anti-Organic Equation—it's a virus utterly targeted at Erudition. And my current identity isn't suited for overt, large-scale action."
Screwllum nodded.
He couldn't deny that.
Two Emperor's Wars had already nearly triggered an Intellitron extinction.
If a third iteration were to emerge now, no one could say what the Interastral Peace Corporation might do.
Screwllum was grateful for Bai Ming's consideration and that she was willing to involve him in such a critical matter.
Herta observed the tall figure before her and suddenly spoke:
"So, we cannot simply go to Amphoreus and strangle Irontomb in its cradle?"
"I'd like to, but if we engage in direct combat, we cannot guarantee a swift resolution. If the Corporation catches wind of anything amiss, it would be troublesome. So my hope is to develop an Anti-Irontomb Equation, then have me deliver it into Irontomb's body."
Or perhaps create some special Seeds of Light and stuff them in along the way.
Things like memories to dissolve Erudition.
If Seeds of Light can enter, then surely a being of light could emerge from among the golden descendants, breaking through Zandar's prison.
Might even twist destruction-oriented calculations into something like 'rebirth within destruction.'
Data-lifeforms similar to Digimon could serve as a decent reference.
'Hertatomb' recalled how Phainon and Cyrene, to prevent Irontomb's birth, had trapped themselves in over thirty million cycles within the Scepter.
Phainon's consciousness had nearly shattered completely across those endless cycles.
But if these data entities could become something like Digimon—
Digimon that grow stronger based on data volume, paired with the data and sparks from over thirty million cycles…
'Hertatomb' couldn't guarantee Phainon would successfully rebel against Zandar.
But at the very least, possessing such traits…
Phainon's spirit should be able to endure… probably endure, right?
Whether an individual who self-identifies as human, turned into a data-lifeform, might develop strange deviations is also hard to say.
Better to verify before proceeding.
And then, there's still little Cyrene, locked out by Zandar.
'Hertatomb' still wasn't certain whether she was Demiurge, Cyrene, or someone else entirely.
But regardless of who she is…
That individual is clearly rather special. If she could get inside and act…
Zandar would probably start sweating.
--+--