"Huh...didn't you get that backwards?"
"Backwards? No, I don't think so. I'm here to help you guys take down Silver Wolf."
"Best to catch her on the spot, and then hehehe."
Clara's expression gradually took on a somewhat twisted edge before she quickly reeled it back in.
"Ahem." Clara planted her hands on her hips, cleared her throat, and declared once more:
"I, Clara, have come to the space station to help apprehend the Stellaron Hunter, Silver Wolf!"
Herta: ...
"If I'm not mistaken, Silver Wolf is your colleague, right?" Seeing Clara's utterly serious face, even Herta began to doubt herself.
"Yep."
"Then why are you..."
"She's my colleague. What does that have to do with me helping others catch her?" Clara tilted her head, asking with genuine confusion.
"Alright then."
Seeing Clara's stance, Herta didn't press further. Even if Clara was lying to her, it didn't matter. She hadn't planned to do anything drastic to that kid anyway.
At most, she'd just ban her accounts to teach her a lesson.
"Do you have a plan?"
Since Clara was willing to get involved, Herta decided to hear her out.
"What's your plan?"
"Well, here's the thing..."
Herta briefly outlined her plan to Clara. After all, dealing with just one Stellaron Hunter wasn't worth two geniuses laying down some elaborate, inescapable net.
Of course, a certain dark-haired brat was the exception...
"Ohhh~ I see. Teaching Silver Wolf a lesson is just a side objective. The Simulated Universe is the real goal for you two." Listening to Herta's plan, Clara mentally allotted a fraction of a second within the next minute to silently mourn for Silver Wolf. For the remaining time, she planned to laugh maniacally and mercilessly mock her.
You never lose when it comes to games?
Chuckle!
"Right, so..." Herta nodded, then looked at Clara with meaningful eyes.
"You get what I mean, right?"
Hearing this, Clara knew exactly what Herta was hinting at, but she pretended not to understand:
"What do you mean? I don't get it."
"The Simulated Universe."
Herta knew Clara was playing dumb, but she was the one asking for a favor here. So, when facing Clara, Herta found herself utterly powerless.
She could only hope that Screwllum, who would arrive later, might give her some backbone... though, in all likelihood, it probably wouldn't help much.
If Clara truly set her mind on doing something, even if she and Screwllum mustered every ounce of their focus and went all out against her, they'd probably still fail eight times out of ten.
"Don't understand. What Simulated Universe? I don't know what you're talking about." Clara shook her head.
"Could you please speak more clearly?"
Herta: ...
"Please... once the update is finished, come test the Simulated Universe." Herta said these words with a completely blank expression.
"Can't hear you." Clara shook her head again, offering a reminder.
"Did you forget to put something on?"
Herta: ...
Herta took a deep breath, shot Clara a glance, walked to a very hidden corner of the office, and pulled out a maid outfit.
Then, right in front of Clara, she slipped it on over her clothes.
"Master... please... once the update is finished, come test the Simulated Universe..."
Watching Herta's current state, a smile spread across Clara's face.
"Alrighty~"
...
"Aren't you going to greet Screwllum?"
"Unnecessary. He knows where my office is. That's all that matters."
"Well, if you're not going, I will?"
"Mhm, go ahead. Hope you can give him a little surprise."
"What level of surprise are we talking?"
"The more shocking, the better."
"Hmm..." Recalling the conversation she'd had with Herta before leaving the office, Clara fell into thought.
What kind of surprise would be good?
Might as well blow up the Simulated Universe. That surprise would definitely be shocking enough.
But then, that would be a surprise for Herta too, wouldn't it?
Hmm, speaking of which, Screwllum is a mechanical lifeform. What would happen if I replaced his lubricant with cola?
Ah, forget it. I'll think about that later. I'm not that familiar with Screwllum yet...
Clara shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. She found Asta in the Master Control Zone, who was nervously watching the time.
Clara walked over and greeted her:
"Hey there, Asta."
"Eek!" Every hair on Asta's body stood on end; she was clearly startled.
"Whew... it's Miss Clara." Asta quickly turned around, and upon seeing it was Clara, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Am I really that scary?"
"No, no, not at all!" Asta immediately waved her hands in denial.
Clara was an Emanator, after all. Even if it was her fault, you couldn't blame her, >.<
"It's mainly because I was too focused. A sudden voice would startle anyone."
Asta quickly pushed the responsibility onto herself.
Actually, it wasn't entirely Asta's fault. The main reason was that Clara walked without making a single sound.
"Okay then~ Since you say it's your fault, it's your fault." Clara didn't press the issue.
"So, what's got our esteemed Space Station Lead, Asta, so engrossed?"
"Can I be of any help?"
"Ah, that won't be necessary."
"It's just that one of Miss Herta's research partners is arriving at the space station soon. As the Lead, I must set a good example."
"So I absolutely cannot be late!"
Asta took a deep breath.
Hearing this, Clara looked at Asta, puzzled.
"If you absolutely cannot be late."
"Then why don't you go wait at the designated spot earlier?"
"As the Space Station Lead, I..."
Clara knew what Asta was about to say and very matter-of-factly cut her off.
"Then couldn't you just go there secretly?"
"Wait until the person you're expecting arrives, then sneak out and act like you just got there."
"Problem solved."
Asta: ...
Gasp... That makes so much sense.
"By the way, Asta."
"Does the space station sell cola?"
Clara suddenly asked Asta.
"Cola?" Asta thought for a moment.
"I remember there's a vending machine in that direction. It has cola."
"Great~"
...
Herta: Regarding Clara (3)
If you don't have absolute certainty, don't make deals or collaborate with her.
Because she might just see you as entertainment.
For the sake of amusement, she'd even set up her own long-time companions, let alone you.
Of course, this doesn't mean that if you don't make deals or collaborate with her, she won't mess with you.
What I'm saying is, staying far away from her is the best course of action.
…
T/N: Poor Screwllum, he is so chill, talking heat for no reason….
…
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