'Cyrene' wasn't in a hurry to leave.
Even though she still needed to meet the team leader from the Land of Light, and Baiheng.
Sparkle had also left her a message saying they should meet up.
But seeing Herta like this—so unusually vulnerable, showing a hint of fragility—'Cyrene' decided to stay a while longer.
She picked a fruit from the platter someone had left, casually peeling it as she spoke: "Did you see anything else? Like what happened after the Fourth Instant?"
"Useless."
Herta tilted her head, watching the fruit rotate in 'Cyrene's' palm, and for some reason felt a faint appetite stir.
"Huh?"
"It's meaningless. Any vision calculated by Nous that involves you—aside from specific fixed moments—has basically no reference value."
"…"
'Cyrene' stared at the fruit in her hand and fell silent for a short while.
She'd heard from Elio before that they hated looking into their own future.
She'd thought it was just because the other was incompetent, lacking any sense of crisis, but now Nous THEMSELF had seriously confirmed that she was a completely immeasurable individual.
That made 'Cyrene's' feelings rather complicated.
Because for geniuses, Nous might be stifling their potential.
But for ordinary people…
Nous had worked very hard to steer the universe in a better direction.
Two successive emergences of an Aeon—if not for Nous' maneuvering, the Aeon of Destruction would have been born who knows how many Amber Eras earlier.
Of course, after stopping it twice, the third time it finally couldn't be held back.
The same with the Irontomb crisis—it guided things toward the most suitable path to allow the universe to endure.
For 'Cyrene', while she could understand the Geniuses' desire to rebel…
In her heart, she actually leaned more toward Nous.
And now someone was saying even the Wisdomwalker couldn't handle it anymore—
That suddenly made 'Cyrene' start to feel the pressure.
If she didn't know Noa was out there, she'd probably be scared out of her wits right now.
Just as she was tangled up and anxious—
"Ah~"
A simple syllable sounded beside her.
Undoubtedly, it came from Herta.
'Cyrene' had just used the fruit knife to slice off a piece and looked up—
Only to see Madam Herta, lips slightly parted, wearing an expression that said it was only natural, waiting for 'Cyrene' to feed her.
Honestly, it was kind of cute, and 'Cyrene' felt an impulse to tease Madam Herta a little.
But considering Herta's petty nature…
To avoid this woman holding a grudge and getting back at her centuries later, 'Cyrene' forcefully suppressed her death-wish ideas.
She raised her hand and delivered that slice of fruit into Herta's small mouth.
Crunch—
A crisp sound came from Herta, her slightly puffed cheeks moving as she chewed.
For some reason, 'Cyrene' had a subtle feeling that Madam Herta seemed unexpectedly… relaxed.
As the fruit and its juice slowly moistened her throat, Herta spoke again: "There's something you seem to have misunderstood. I should tell you."
"What is it?"
'Cyrene' cut another slice and, ignoring Herta's gaze, popped it into her own mouth.
"Tch…"
Herta clicked her tongue softly before saying:
"The Fourth Instant, strictly speaking, isn't an instant. This turning point in the galaxy's fate—it's a process, a collection of many events. Of course, judging by the calculation results, the opening act is written rather well."
At a time when the outcome was still uncertain, there was Noa from the future anchoring causality here.
Nothing was more reassuring than having an Aeon on your side.
Herta was very grateful for Bai Ming's appearance.
Because without Bai Ming, without Noa backing them up from the future…
Based on the scenes she'd seen from Nous, the future would have been unbearably bleak.
One misstep, and it would have been utter annihilation.
Just as 'Cyrene' was about to put the third slice into her own mouth—
Seeing Herta's gaze gradually grow dangerous, she could only give an awkward laugh and offer her hand over.
"So, this time… us pushing the opening of the Fourth Instant so far ahead—is that good or bad?"
Watching Bai Ming obediently feed her, Herta felt pleased. Licking the sweet fruit, she chuckled:
"Ahead? Why not say delayed?~ In that one's memories, the birth of Irontomb marked the beginning of Amber Era 2158. Why don't you count what year of 2158 it is now?"
"…We can calculate it like that??"
Hearing Herta's sophistry, 'Cyrene's' expression nearly cracked.
Why was it now 2158? Wasn't it clear? It was all because of that extra hammer strike from Noa's birth.
Remove that external hammer strike, and what difference was there between now and 2157 in Divine Herta's memory?
It was still the time when the Stellaron Hunters began growing active and the Astral Express set sail again.
"Why not? The Amber Era, to put it grandly, is a calendar system strongly tied to Aeons. You and I, by our own power, delayed many events by nearly an entire Amber Era. You should feel proud."
This time, Herta directly reached out and grabbed 'Cyrene's' wrist—pulling the dazed hand to her mouth and eating that slice of fruit.
"That's just pure bandit logic."
"You dummy, think for yourself."
Herta stole another slice from 'Cyrene' and shook her head with a sigh.
This person had clearly already experienced the huge problem of time-flow differentials firsthand.
In a galaxy with such vast differences in time flow, the Amber Era was actually a calendar system that could reflect the concept of time quite well.
Why did this woman still instinctively think in terms of linear chronological years when it came to things like this?
Typical mediocre thinking. She needed to find a chance to properly correct it.
Thinking this, Herta snatched away another slice 'Cyrene' offered.
--+--
Right then.
A very light knocking sound came from outside the room.
A puppet went to open the door—it was Baiheng.
"Sorry to bother you. I wanted to ask if Bai Ming is here?"
Herta, eating the fruit, raised an eyebrow at that.
This woman had people outside who knew her real name?
'Cyrene' turned and met Baiheng's gaze, raising her left hand to signal.
"Give me a moment, okay?"
"Sure, no rush."
Baiheng quietly retreated from the room.
Though she was very curious about Lady Bai Ming's relationship with Madam Herta—they seemed surprisingly close—she didn't dare speculate about the gossip of such important figures.
"I'll step out for a bit. Here, eat it yourself."
'Cyrene' handed the half-eaten fruit to Herta, but the other didn't take it at all.
"No."
"You're such a child."
'Cyrene' shook her head, put down the fruit knife, took a bite while holding it in her hand, then turned and walked out of the room.
Anyway, with the puppet here, she didn't need to worry.
Seeing Baiheng waiting in the corridor outside—
'Cyrene' gave her a once-over.
She looked pretty energetic.
"Did you need something from me?"
"We're about to leave, so I thought I'd come say goodbye."
"Leaving in such a hurry?"
Baiheng smiled:
"The members tracking Celenova sent word. They found a world corrupted by a Stellaron, close to Celenova's retreat route. I need to go support them. The other injured will still stay here, but my recovery is strong, so I'm heading out first."
"…"
Given the circumstances, 'Cyrene' decided not to comment on how the Galaxy Rangers were still going to keep harassing Celenova.
--+--