"I appreciate the praise, but save the flattery for later. Right now..."
World Herta planted her hands on her hips, tilting her head back to gaze at the thing that resembled an embryo.
By Herta's own aesthetic standards, she really couldn't say she fancied it.
But there was no helping it.
The sheer appeal of the numerical values was just too high.
"Let's wake up this big fellow who's been sleeping who knows how many years!"
With that, World Herta grabbed Khaslana by the collar, watching as the other transformed into a swirling mass of violet and gold light that settled into her palm.
Then she herself dissolved into the purest stream of data, charging directly into the body of the Irontomb.
The moment she entered, World Herta was met with that all-too-familiar sense of erosion and a frenzied, chaotic will.
And as the data of the two of them continuously released and merged with the Irontomb, a corresponding, gradually intensifying torrent began to assail their consciousness.
It was the first time Khaslana had experienced the madness of Destruction so viscerally.
He had to admit, he'd somewhat underestimated the ferocity of this rampant will.
"Urgh... Madam World Herta, are your... uh... systems holding up alright?"
"Worry about yourself. Don't end up unable to wake up even if we win."
World Herta gave a light hum. Compared to the complete version of the Destruction virus she'd experienced before, this modified, suppressed virus was undoubtedly much tamer.
That was one of the reasons World Herta dared to attempt this.
"Tch, a headless monster like you should just behave and listen!"
World Herta chided, fully integrating her self-awareness into the body of Irontomb.
She began attempting to manipulate its computational tendencies, alter its calculation results, to thoroughly 'tame' this unruly behemoth!
This served as the signal.
The previously placid Irontomb began to grow restless and agitated.
The progress bar for its 'birth', which had been forced into regression due to the altered computational tendencies, began to climb once more.
The data Khaslana poured in was substantial.
Right from the start of the calculations, it demonstrated formidable influence.
Especially that peculiar Equilibrium constitution, which, after fusing with Irontomb, began gradually affecting it.
--+--
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
At Herta Space Station, the colossal planetary fortress, fleets from the Interastral Peace Corporation and various factions from the Land of Light arrived in waves.
Having handed over full control of the space station's operations to AI Herta, Madam Herta and Screwllum once again accessed Amphoreus via the Chronocognitive Anchor.
"Hmph, that one moved quite fast. Clearly scared, had to get in before me."
Madam Herta flipped her hair with a light snort.
She had originally thought about accessing Irontomb's consciousness alongside World Herta, but that one just had to go and set up an automatic trigger program.
"...I believe the other Herta is expressing her concern for you in her own way."
In Screwllum's view, this was simply two inexpressive Madam Hertas caring for each other.
World Herta entered first to seize the advantage, hoping Madam Herta would back down from the challenge.
After all, World Herta had been operating on Amphoreus for so long; her head start was significant.
"Heh, don't I know myself? She just wants to win, that's all. Don't think you can clinch victory with just that bit of an advantage."
"..."
Screwllum shook his head helplessly.
He had already advised against Madam Herta's plan earlier.
After all, a living, breathing case of failure was right before their eyes.
To say he wasn't worried would be a lie.
And for Screwllum, the gathering of digital geniuses for mutual exchange was something he greatly enjoyed.
So, selfishly, he was reluctant to see Madam Herta gamble with her life.
But there was no helping it.
Madam Herta's willfulness was as famous as her talent.
Once she had her mind set on something, it was truly impossible to dissuade her.
"Alright, Screwllum. For now, just help me maintain the defenses. Even if that Kaka whatever fellow agreed verbally, there's no guarantee she won't pull something underhanded."
Just as Screwllum nodded, Zandar suddenly appeared from who knows where: "Regarding that, as your senior, I shall also assist in preventing any external interference with this experiment."
"Heh, you don't seem the least bit anxious, senior."
Faced with Madam Herta's sarcasm, Zandar merely smiled.
He admitted he had fallen into a disadvantageous position.
But it was far from time to give up.
He sought answers from Bai Ming, but that didn't mean he would outright deny Irontomb.
No matter what, he would still devote one hundred percent of his effort to have a proper debate with his juniors.
"In the name of a spectator of the divine rite, I shall bear witness. Please proceed, Madam Herta."
Zandar gestured in invitation.
Then, with a light hum, Madam Herta resolutely pushed forward with the plan, connecting herself to the body of Irontomb.
Only Screwllum and Zandar remained on the scene.
At that moment, Screwllum suddenly spoke: "Query: As one of Zandar's most obsessive segments, your demeanor shows no trace of impatience."
Given the current, undeniable major disadvantage, it was impossible that Zandar failed to see it.
If he was letting go of his fixation merely because of Bai Ming's existence, that clearly didn't carry enough weight.
"A story circulates in the Land of Light, saying their Aeon, with the combined efforts of other Aeons, delayed its own birth until the very end of the universe."
Considering the strange breadth of this Path, Zandar believed in the authenticity of this tale.
Then, could one thing be determined?
The moment the Aeon of Hope ascends would be the confirmed time for the fall of the Aeons.
"You seek to subvert Irontomb's computations. But for me, a result framed with 'Hope' as the proposition, achieved after traversing Destruction, can similarly overturn Erudition."
Zandar's two casual statements left Screwllum somewhat taken aback.
How could framing things with Hope accomplish his need to destroy Nous?
"Destroying Nous is the proposition preset by Zandar. But beyond the proposition, what Lycurgus desires is also knowledge and curiosity."
Zandar, or rather, Lycurgus, turned to look at Screwllum.
The individual Lycurgus was created for the very purpose of investigating the proposition of Destruction.
For him, inputting the subject of 'Destruction' into the staff was also a given.
So, while this debate might have victory or defeat for Zandar, for Lycurgus, he could accept any outcome, solely to satisfy his curiosity.
Screwllum listened to Lycurgus's words and fell silent.
He suddenly wanted to ask: who are you right now, Lycurgus, or Zandar?
If Destruction is Zandar's obsession, then for Lycurgus, could Hope be his ultimate answer?
In a moment of sudden clarity, Screwllum sharply realized:
The Lycurgus before him bore a striking resemblance to that reborn Madam Herta who called herself World Herta.
Prisoners.
If Zandar was trapped in a cave by Nous with no escape, then Lycurgus, defined by Zandar, created as an obsessive segment to input Destruction, was he not also a prisoner confined by Zandar?
And for World Herta, seeking self-coronation from Irontomb, was that not also a struggle to break free from a cage?
Screwllum suddenly felt that only now, just moments ago, had he truly come to know the individual named Lycurgus.
--+--