Blue Planet, Herta Space Station.
"Alright, kid. You're temporarily done here."
Herta shut down the Simulated Universe with a satisfied look on her face.
"We need to spend some time digesting the gains from this test and planning the next expansion and upgrade scheme."
"When we're done, we'll find you to test it again… Mmm… What are you doing?"
"What am I doing? Of course I'm pinching you!"
Stelle used both hands to pull at Herta's cheeks, gradually increasing her strength with clear displeasure.
"Did this puppet of yours get programmed with an impolite routine? You always treat me like an object—use me and then throw me away without even a single thank you!"
"And that's not all, you call me 'kid' every day. It's not like I don't have a name."
Herta patted Stelle's hands in dissatisfaction. "Fine, kid. Let go. I won't call you kid anymore, okay?"
"That's more like it."
"Now, should I send you back to the Luofu, the train, or that whatever-number-six place? You're the first 'kid' who makes me act as a shuttle driver… Mmm—"
Stelle rolled her eyes dramatically and started pulling Herta's cheeks harder again.
"You're clearly the one who looks like a kid!"
"In my eyes, you're just a little kid who hasn't been born for long. Have you thought about how many years I've lived?"
"…That's true, I guess."
"Aren't you going to let go already?!"
"No! Even then, only your real body standing in front of me has the right to call me that. What does a puppet clone count for?"
Stelle quickly came back to her senses.
What did she mean by "have you thought about how many years I've lived"?
Did Leon say that?
If they were really talking about living long, even if you added Nanook and Lan's ages together and put them in front of Leon, they would still pale in comparison.
Even an old senior like Leon had never called her "kid."
Sure enough, Herta's personality was still terrible. Although this kind of terribleness could only slightly annoy people and was far from reaching the level of making a big deal out of it.
But who told the Space Station to have a living contrast example?
Look at Screwllum—he was elegant and polite, a complete noble gentleman.
In comparison…
Tsk.
"Call me big sister, otherwise I won't help you test the Simulated Universe next time."
Herta: "???"
No way!
"Change the condition. Money or curios are fine, only this one is not allowed."
"After all, I'm also a beautiful woman who is loved by everyone, sweet and regal with style, yet I'm being called a kid."
"Hah? Beautiful, you?"
Herta had an expression like she was holding back laughter, her gaze sweeping over Stelle's body.
"Steamed bun, you're not convinced?"
"I admit you have some charm. The parts that should protrude protrude, the parts that should curve curve. But if you want to compare with me, you're still tens of thousands of light-years behind." Herta held back her laughter.
Stelle curled her lips in disdain. "Give up. In terms of beauty, you can't win against me."
"Yes yes yes, I can't win. Satisfied now?"
"Satisfied. First send me back to the train. I kind of miss the little March 7th who is prettier and cuter than you."
Herta barely suppressed the urge to pull out her hammer.
"Remember, next time I find you to test the Simulated Universe, don't make me wait too long."
Hearing this, Stelle smiled and bent down. "That depends on your performance."
"What performance?"
"Like this—"
Stelle reached out once again to pinch Herta's cheeks and made her request with a serious face.
"Next time have your real body come pick me up, and then let me pinch your face like this. I'll help you test the Simulated Universe immediately."
Herta was stunned at first.
Then, she also revealed the same kind of smile as Stelle.
Her small mouth opened slightly as she spoke in a somewhat incoherent manner.
"How big was the biggest diamond you've ever seen?"
"You might not believe it, but I've actually never seen a diamond with my own eyes. Why, do you want to give me a few hundred pounds of diamonds as a thank-you gift? You might as well just give me the cash equivalent."
Herta smiled brightly as she took out a giant hammer.
At the top of the hammer head, a large purple diamond sparkled with dazzling and captivating luster.
"Haven't seen such a big diamond before, right?"
"—This is for you!"
...
Master Control Cabin Section.
Asta temporarily put aside most of her current tasks and went to receive the Interastral Peace Corporation's partner.
"Miss Topaz, it has been a long time. I've missed you very much."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Asta. It has already been 375 days since our last meeting."
Two fair hands shook each other warmly and then released.
Asta: "Miss Topaz suddenly visiting the Space Station—is there some important business cooperation to discuss?"
Topaz maintained a proper smile on her face.
"Strictly speaking, no. May I ask if Lady Herta, who is convenient to meet, is here?"
"Please follow me."
Hearing that she was looking for Herta, Asta did not dare to slack off. She led the person to the Herta puppet that was permanently stationed in the Master Control Cabin Section.
"The Corporation's kid? The job rank is pretty good. What do you want from me?" Herta said casually.
Topaz's smile remained unchanged as she spun the gold coin in her hand and listed out a row of bills.
"Lady Herta, this is your bill from last month. Even a genius cannot delay payment past the due date."
Seeing that string of numbers, even Asta—who came from a wealthy family—couldn't help but show shock on her face.
"It's just this small matter. A few small coins. I'll leave it to you, Asta."
Herta left these words behind, took small quick steps, and left without looking back.
"Eh?!"
Asta subconsciously looked at Herta's departing back, her eyes filled with helplessness.
Herta slipped away, but Topaz did not mind. Instead, she looked toward her familiar business partner.
"Miss Asta, what do you think?"
"Sigh, just swipe it yourself."
Asta sighed and handed over two black cards that even high-level Corporation executives would have to treat with seriousness.
Taking the black cards, Topaz's smile became much brighter.
After clearing the debt, the businesslike expression on her face quickly faded, revealing some gentleness.
"To be honest, this is the first time Lady Herta has owed such a huge sum. What did she purchase recently?"
"It's most likely related to the Simulated Universe project that Lady Herta is researching. I'm not in a position to ask about the specifics."
Asta put away the black cards and changed the subject with a question.
"I see you brought the Corporation's fleet. It seems you came to the Space Station just as a stop along the way?"
Lady Herta was currently one of the few representatives of the Genius Society who had contact with the Corporation. Owing money on a bill was actually not a big deal.
After all, it was impossible for her to default. There were plenty of people willing to pay on Herta's behalf.
No matter what, Topaz had no reason to make a special trip just for Lady Herta's debt.
Unless this debt collection trip had another purpose.
Could it be…
"Miss Topaz, you wouldn't happen to be… using this as teaching material, would you?"
"Oh my, as expected of Miss Asta. You easily saw through my thoughts."
Topaz gave a charming smile, then slowly shook her head.
"However—this is only incidental. The destination of my trip this time is to head to a certain world."
"To handle a… bad debt that has spanned seven hundred years."
"Oh?"
This time it was Asta's turn to be surprised.
She was not an innocent young lady unfamiliar with the world.
She might not know the Corporation's methods of collecting debts from debtors in great detail, but she knew at least a little.
"There is actually a world that can owe the Corporation for seven hundred years. How did they manage that?"
Topaz, the Department Director