[Hahahahaha, Clara's really violent, Clara's really violent, Aha's got no face left, Aha's got no face left.]
Behind Clara, a crimson phantom slowly materialized, gradually solidifying into numerous masks. Behind the swirling masks, a headless black humanoid figure emerged...
[Little Clara, long time no see, I've missed you so much, hahahahaha.]
"Clara, quick! Talk to it, see if you can get any useful information." Watching the Aeon of Elation appear on the screen, Herta was practically vibrating with excitement.
"This is the biggest breakthrough in research on Aeons across the entire universe! I'm counting on you!"
Perhaps because Herta was too excited, or perhaps because her attention was fully focused on the Aeon of Elation, she completely missed the first thing the Aeon said after appearing.
Clara turned around, looking at the Aeon of Elation before her. Tuning out the incessant chatter from Herta in her mind, Clara offered a sycophantic smile:
"Well, if it isn't the deity I respect, adore, and worship above all others! The sovereign who embodies wisdom, beauty, and power combined! The lord whom all the Masked Fools pledge allegiance to! The Master of Elation, the Aeon of Elation, Aha himself!"
"To be granted an audience with you—it must be the fortune I've accumulated over tens of thousands of lifetimes."
Clara clasped her hands in a gesture of prayer, her entire being radiating reverence for the Aeon of Elation.
"Hahahahaha, little Clara, you are truly amusing. Aha knew he wasn't wrong about you." Watching Clara's act, a white-gloved hand materialized before the Aeon of Elation, a single finger pointing at Clara as it burst into unrestrained laughter, the sound echoing endlessly through the cosmos.
"But I still prefer your previous unruly, defiant self. Could you be a dear and change back for me?"
"Hahahahaha."
Hearing this, Clara planted her hands on her hips. The adoration and reverence vanished from her face in an instant, replaced by a fierce scowl.
"Jester God, what's so funny? Keep laughing and I'll rip every single mask right off your body."
Aeon of Elation: ?
Herta: ?!!!
Herta, who had been focused on the data, was instantly dumbstruck by Clara's words.
Herta knew Clara was bold and daring, but she had never imagined she'd be this audacious.
'Is Clara going to die in there…'
The thought made Herta uneasy. Her finger hovered over the button to force-shutdown the Simulated Universe. At the slightest sign of danger, even if it meant damaging the equipment, Herta would instantly terminate the simulation.
While everything inside the Simulated Universe was simulated by the device and not real, Aeons were far too mysterious. Herta wasn't willing to take that risk…
During the research and development of the Simulated Universe, the Aeon of Elation had caused more issues than any other…
And, whether it was an illusion or not, Herta always had a feeling that the Aeon of Elation within the simulation… had developed self-awareness?
No, perhaps it was more like it had been… possessed (?) by the real Aeon of Elation.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you. What are you staring at? Never seen the universe's number one beauty, Clara, before?" Seeing the Aeon's bewildered expression, Clara paid it no mind and pressed on.
"Let me tell you, as an Aeon, others might fear you, but I, Clara, do not."
"I, Clara, the thing I love most in this life is saying 'no' to self-important gods like you!"
"So, Clara commands you now, immediately, right this second! Hand over every single Elation Blessing in this Simulated Universe."
Hands on hips, Clara spewed one blasphemous remark after another, as if she hadn't a shred of regard for this deity.
"Hahahahaha, hahahaha." Though momentarily stunned by Clara's tirade, the Aeon of Elation quickly recovered. Every mask on its body contorted into a grinning face as it roared with laughter.
Even after being spoken to like that, the Aeon of Elation showed not a hint of anger. On the contrary, it seemed even more delighted.
"Little Clara, truly, you never disappoint. You always give Aha the most delightful surprises."
"Enough chatter. Hurry up, give me all the blessings."
"Hahaha, right away, Big Sis Clara! This humble one will bestow all the blessings upon you immediately." Two white-gloved hands appeared before the Aeon of Elation, clasping together in a gesture of fawning deference.
[Due to interference from an unknown power, you have obtained all Elation Blessings.]
[Due to interference from an unknown power, you have upgraded all Blessings.]
"Hahaha, a small token of my esteem, hardly worthy of your notice. I do hope Big Sis Clara will look favorably upon me in the future." The Aeon of Elation chirped cheerfully, without a trace of an Aeon's usual solemnity.
Hearing this, Clara patted her completely flat chest:
"Don't you worry. Once a sis, always a sis. From now on, you just follow your Big Sis Clara."
"Can't promise much else, but when it comes to food, I guarantee you'll miss nine meals in three days!"
"Miss nine meals in three days?" The Aeon of Elation scratched its head, somewhat confused by Clara's words.
"Exactly what it sounds like." Clara said with a beaming smile.
After all, Aeons don't get hungry. It'd save on food costs. Besides, Clara didn't actually believe Aha would seriously follow her around.
Hmm… probably not.
An Aeon ought to have at least a little dignity, right?
"Wahhh, Big Sis Clara, you're practically my second mother, hahahahaha." A piece of cloth appeared in the Aeon's hand, and it dabbed at the completely non-existent tears on its mask, crying and laughing simultaneously. While it should have been a ridiculous scene, on the Aeon of Elation, it looked perfectly fitting.
"Hahahaha, Big Sis Clara, your great kindness, this humble one will remember it always. One last gift for you." As the Aeon's voice faded, Clara's vision suddenly went black, and her form vanished instantly.
When she reappeared, she was already at the endpoint of the Simulated Universe.
[Due to interference from an unknown power, you have reached the endpoint without further exploration.]
Looking at the endpoint before her and the now-vanished Aeon of Elation, Clara paid it no mind and called out to Herta outside the simulation:
"So, how's the data collection going?"
"..."
"You… are you a Masked Fool?" Herta, who had witnessed the entire exchange between Clara and the Aeon of Elation, fell silent for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
Though her words were phrased as a question, in her heart, she was already certain of Clara's identity.
Clara was no Emanator of Remembrance. She was clearly an Emanator of Elation, and seemingly on very familiar terms with the Aeon of Elation at that.
Perhaps Clara was the person in the entire universe who knew the most about the Aeon of Elation…
…
Herta: Regarding the [Masked Fools]
They will go to any lengths in pursuit of amusement, often throwing everything they touch into chaos. Honestly, the only reason I don't despise them is that Clara is one of them.
…
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