"I refuse."
"Eh?"
In Herta's Office, aboard the Herta Space Station.
The moment Lumina finished stating her request, before the echo even had a chance to fade, Herta crossed her arms and flatly rejected it without a second thought.
Lumina, who had been smiling expectantly, froze. She blinked, as if to say, This isn't how I imagined this would go.
"Why?" Lumina asked, regaining her composure, unwilling to give up just yet.
Has Madam Herta grown up? she wondered. In the past, she would have at least heard my conditions before deciding whether to refuse.
"Who knows what kind of outrageous condition you'd propose?" Herta scoffed, her arms still crossed.
In the past, Herta would naturally have listened to what this so-called "unconditional command" entailed.
But the past was the past, and the present was now. Herta was no longer the same person she used to be.
The current Herta knew Lumina all too well. She knew Lumina would use this "command" to force her into doing something that would become lifelong embarrassing material.
Then, Lumina would use that embarrassing material to "threaten" her, plunging her into an eternal abyss of darkness...
Compared to having embarrassing material fall into Lumina's hands and being cast into an eternal abyss of darkness, letting Polka Kakamond's photos circulate throughout the cosmos was a trivial matter.
So, the moment Lumina uttered those words, Herta immediately stamped out any thought of getting revenge on Polka Kakamond.
Besides, Lumina had already given Polka Kakamond a thorough beating.
Just knowing that was enough to make Herta quite happy.
That arrogant woman who barges into others' experiments and destroys all their equipment got a severe beating from my person. How could I not be happy?
Rounding up, isn't that practically the same as me beating Polka Kakamond myself?
In that case, is there any reason for me to keep "thinking" about Polka Kakamond?
Hmm... Speaking of which...
As Herta mulled this over, she noticed something wasn't quite right.
Why did I call Lumina 'my person'?
Herta muttered inwardly in confusion, sizing Lumina up and down before temporarily burying the thought deep in her mind.
"In your eyes, am I really the kind of person who would unscrupulously use a condition to do something inhuman?" Hearing Herta's words and feeling her scrutinizing gaze, Lumina feigned anger as she explained.
"Since I'm stating the condition upfront, it will definitely be within a range you can accept. I won't let it exceed that."
Realizing her "fake anger" had little effect on Herta, Lumina's expression gradually turned serious. "My condition will absolutely not—"
"What about during the condition, and after?" Herta knew Lumina well.
This so-called "condition within an acceptable range" was merely bait, a smokescreen.
What Lumina truly wanted to do was something during and after the condition was fulfilled...
For example, making her wear a maid outfit.
Herta could accept that.
But what if Lumina secretly took photos and videos of her in the maid outfit?
Clearly, making her wear the maid outfit was just a smokescreen.
What Lumina really wanted were the photos and videos of her in the maid outfit...
Not only that, based on Herta's understanding of Lumina, she knew it wouldn't end there.
Obtaining the photos and videos was merely the first step—the first step in leading her into the Abyss.
At that stage, she would only have one foot in the Abyss, not fully submerged, still with a chance to turn back.
But Lumina was clever; she wouldn't give her that chance.
Then, she would use the threat of leaking the photos and videos to make Herta "serve" her properly while wearing the maid outfit.
Of course, this "service" would be normal—probably just giving her massages, serving tea, and pouring water, nothing too outrageous.
But just as Herta had thought earlier, this was another of Lumina's smokescreens.
Because the condition was so simple. While you were already in the maid outfit, threatening you with the photos and videos to make you give her massages or serve tea was merely a way to extinguish any thought of a mutually destructive struggle.
After all, she held leverage over you, and her demands were incredibly simple. You would surely hesitate for a moment, but to prevent the photos and videos from spreading across the Cosmos, you would grit your teeth and agree.
Without a doubt, the moment you agreed to this simple condition, you would have fallen completely into the Abyss...
Because she would film you serving her while wearing the maid outfit...
The photos and videos of you in the maid outfit could still be explained away as "trying a new style" or "just trying on the clothes."
But wearing those clothes while giving Lumina massages and serving her tea? That could never be justified by the excuse of "trying a new style."
If she truly used that video as a threat, Herta would be utterly powerless...
After all, once that video spread across the Cosmos, the power dynamic between the sisters would be irrevocably set...
And Madam Herta would become the loser in this struggle for dominance.
Herta would absolutely not allow that to happen.
So, instead of a head-on confrontation, countering Lumina's moves one by one, Herta chose a different strategy: temporarily retreat to avoid the brunt of the attack, then strike for a decisive, one-hit kill.
As for Polka Kakamond?
Who the hell was she?
There would be other opportunities to expose Polka Kakamond's scandals. But if Lumina got her hooks into Herta, her future would be plunged into endless darkness...
"What 'during the condition'? What 'after the condition'?" Hearing Herta's words, Lumina's heart tightened, but she maintained a facade of confusion and bewilderment.
She acted as if she had no idea what Herta was talking about.
But inwardly, a storm raged in Lumina's mind.
No way, Herta actually figured it out? Seriously?
Does she have mind-reading powers or something? Are all the Genius Society members this ridiculously OP?
No, that's not right. They're geniuses in terms of intellect, not social skills or dealing with people.
Isn't Ruan Mei a living example of that?
Lumina sighed inwardly, finding the situation utterly absurd as she began formulating a new plan.
In truth, Lumina was misjudging the Genius Society.
Herta simply knew Lumina well—understood her, saw through her petty schemes. It had little to do with the Genius Society or her intellect.
Well... okay, maybe her intellect played a tiny part.
After all, without a high IQ, how could she have seen through Lumina's true nature?
-
"I truly have no ill intentions. The conditions I'm proposing will certainly be within your acceptable limits."
"Besides, with Madam Herta's intellect, how could a mere Little Lumina like me possibly stand against you?"
Knowing her previous method had failed, Lumina switched tactics, preparing to flatter Herta into submission. She planned to immerse Herta in praise, then slowly guide her into a trap...
"Oh? So you do know your name is Little Lumina?" Herta ignored everything else, automatically extracting the keyword [Little Lumina]. The corners of her lips curled up as she crossed her arms, watching Lumina with a smile brimming with satisfaction.
She seemed extremely pleased with Lumina's self-address.
In Madam Herta's eyes, calling herself "Little Lumina" was no different from calling herself "little sister."
Both were symbols of "showing weakness."
"Of course. After all, in Madam Herta's presence, I'm hardly anything special," Lumina nodded, offering a deferential smile.
"Hmph, don't go that far." Herta snorted lightly. Observing Lumina's expression, she instantly understood the purpose behind her words.
But Herta didn't mind. If Lumina was going to flatter her, Herta would naturally be pleasant in return.
Hmm... though Herta would have been nice to her even if she hadn't flattered her...
So, Herta waved a hand at Lumina, deciding to go along with her plan.
"Alright, spit it out. What do you want me to do?"
"I want to see you in a maid outfit!"
"Oh?" Herta raised an eyebrow at the request but said nothing.
She knew Lumina would immediately add some reassurances to put her at ease.
Sure enough, just as the thought crossed Herta's mind, Lumina quickly added, "Herta, don't worry, I have no other intentions. I just genuinely want to see you in a maid outfit."
"I won't do anything to you during that time. I'll just look—just to satisfy my curiosity."
Lumina was still unaware that Herta had already seen right through her thoughts.
"Oh~ Is that so? Well, that sounds quite reasonable," Herta said, fully aware of Lumina's true intentions. Instead of exposing her immediately, she decided to play along.
She feigned a look of sudden understanding and nodded.
"Compared to the photos of Polka Kakamond getting beaten up, this request seems a bit too simple, doesn't it?" Herta asked, her expression carefully crafted with a hint of suspicion.
"What can I say? We're good sisters, after all," Lumina replied with a sigh, her expression so sincere and earnest it was as if she were genuinely offering Herta a massive discount out of sisterly affection.
"Oh? Is that so? Then, dear little sister, you wouldn't be planning to secretly take photos and videos while your big sister is in a maid outfit, would you?"
The moment Herta called herself "big sister," her desire to tease Lumina vanished completely. Her expression softened slightly as she directly exposed Lumina's hidden intentions, simultaneously asserting her own seniority.
"How could you think that? Don't overthink it, little sister Herta. As your big sister, why would I ever do something you dislike?"
"Unless, of course, little sister Herta, you like the maid outfit and want me to take photos and videos as a memento."
"Then your big sister can reluctantly use her phone to properly commemorate this for you."
Just like Herta, the moment Lumina heard the other's self-proclaimed title, her desire to tease vanished in an instant.
It seemed both Herta and Lumina cared deeply about the titles of "big sister" and "little sister."
However... Lumina was also quite bothered by the fact that Herta had seen right through her intentions.
After a moment of observation and recalling Herta's earlier words, Lumina instantly understood.
Herta already knows what I'm planning. She's just teasing me, playing with me, wanting to see me put on a show and make a fool of myself!
Hiss... This was trouble.
Why can't Herta be as easy to handle as Ruan Mei?
Comparing Herta to Ruan Mei, Lumina suddenly found Ruan Mei much more agreeable.
No matter what you did or said, Ruan Mei would never object; she would simply comply.
Though compliant, she wasn't mindlessly obedient. She had her own principles.
She was completely Lumina's ideal type.
Hmm... maybe a little too compliant...
Recalling what Ruan Mei had said to her back in the room on the Xianzhou and at the Starskiff Jetty, Lumina shook her head, quickly pushing all thoughts of Ruan Mei from her mind.
The priority now is figuring out how to deal with Herta...
"Hehehe, if you want to threaten me, you can just say so directly," Herta said, her patience worn thin by Lumina's constant "Little Sister Herta" remarks. She decided to lay her cards on the table, making it clear she'd seen right through Lumina's intentions.
"No need to beat around the bush."
"However..." Before Lumina could respond, Herta drew out the word, pausing dramatically.
After a moment, she continued, "If you call me 'Big Sister Herta' a hundred times, I'll agree to your request. I'll put on the maid outfit and let you take all the photos and videos you want. How about it?"
Herta chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
If Lumina actually called her 'Big Sister Herta' a hundred times, she thought, then everything I do afterward can be framed as the "kind Big Sister Herta" indulging the "curious Little Sister Lumina."
"Heh," Lumina sneered in response to Herta's offer. "How about you call me 'Sister Lumina' a hundred times, and I'll give you the photos of Polka Kakamond? How does that sound?"
"..."
"Hehe, since we're at an impasse, let's just drop the subject," Herta said after a moment, crossing her arms and studying Lumina.
Neither was willing to back down, so continuing the stalemate was pointless. It was better to just end the conversation.
"Fine," Lumina said. "But if Polka Kakamond ever screws you over again, my offer to share her embarrassing material still stands. You're welcome to ask anytime."
"Hmph," Herta snorted, offering no further reply.
Even if Polka Kakamond did screw me over again, she thought, I wouldn't ask Lumina for help if she keeps acting like this.
Unless, by then, Lumina has become completely dependent on me...