Black Herta walked to the center of the carriage and said calmly, "Judging by the sound, his sanity is still intact."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over Jack, who was slurping instant noodles, and added, "It's just... he might need some time to recover. After all, that stuff is already in his stomach."
Cyrene's mouth twitched as well, immediately understanding what Black Herta was referring to. A hint of sympathy appeared on her face, but more than that, she felt a sense of relief: "It's good that he's fine... it's good that he can regain his sanity."
Black Herta nodded slightly, her gaze turning to the view outside the window.
Outside the window was no longer the vast sea of stars, but a magnificent structure made of metal and glass—the docking port of Herta Space Station.
"Are we... back at Herta Space Station?"
Black Herta raised an eyebrow, looking at the system puppet.
The system puppet immediately stood up and reported in her emotionless electronic voice, "Yes, Master. The Astral Express completed its jump approximately one standard time unit ago and has now docked at Herta Space Station's docking port. According to intercepted public channel information, the purpose of this trip for the Astral Express is routine resupply, and... Miss Stelle seems to have a'special gift' to personally deliver to Ms. Herta."
Upon hearing this, Black Herta's lips curved into a knowing and mischievous smile.
She walked to the window, looking at the familiar scenery of the Space Station outside, a playful glint in her dark purple eyes.
"Understood."
She said softly, her tone carrying a hint of expected amusement, "It seems Stelle... really fell for'Sister Herta's' nonsense."
She could almost imagine Stelle, at this moment, holding that carefully wrapped black curtain puppet, her mind filled with touching stories about Herta's "tragic childhood" and "lack of love," eagerly preparing to give the Space Station's owner a "surprise" hug.
This impromptu play, full of lies and dark humor, was finally about to reach its most "exciting" part.
She wondered what kind of "delighted" expression Herta's delicate little face, always tinged with impatience, would show when she saw that puppet and heard Stelle recount the story of "sisterly affection."
Black Herta gently swirled a cup of black tea that had appeared in her hand at some point, her eyes full of anticipation.
"Truly... a delightful development."
Perspective shift.
Herta was walking down the Space Station's mirror-smooth corridor, her high heels tapping a rhythmic and crisp sound, much like her mood now that she had regained control of the situation.
Although she had been inexplicably banished and then inexplicably sent back, returning to her own territory was always a comforting thing.
Just then, a slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from ahead.
She looked up to see Station Master Asta jogging towards her, her cheeks flushed unnaturally red, and her breathing slightly hurried.
"Ms. Herta!"
Asta stopped in front of her, her tone carrying a hint of... nervousness?
Herta frowned slightly, just about to ask if something else had gone wrong with the Space Station, when Asta spoke first: "The Astral Express! The Astral Express Crew has arrived, they just docked at the platform!"
Astral Express?
Herta's mind instantly went into overdrive.
She immediately recalled the photo of the puppet she had received from Stelle before her banishment—that doll strikingly similar to her.
It was almost certain that her cross-world "trip" had something to do with that puppet.
And now, the Astral Express Crew happened to visit at this time... they banished me to prevent me from personally going to Belobog to investigate the puppet. Now that I've just returned, the Astral Express Crew follows closely... Is it a coincidence? Or did the Astral Express Crew encounter a major unforeseen event in Belobog, and this trip is to seek help?
Thinking of this, Herta's expression grew a few shades more serious.
Regardless of the truth, the Astral Express Crew's visit must be related to the core event.
She looked at Asta and asked directly, "Where are they?"
"Just... just got off the Astral Express, they should be on the platform leading to the Master Control Zone."
Asta replied, but her gaze flickered, not daring to meet Herta's eyes directly, and her cheeks seemed to flush even redder.
Herta keenly noticed Asta's abnormality.
(What's wrong with this girl? Her face is so red, is she sick?)
A hint of doubt flashed in her mind, but clearly, the Astral Express Crew's matter was more important right now.
She casually said, "Alright, I know."
And then stepped forward, intending to go to the platform.
After two steps, she still felt Asta's state was a bit off. She turned back and added, with a hint of not-so-gentle concern in her tone, "If you're not feeling well, don't force it, go back and rest."
"No, I'm not unwell!"
Asta hastily shook her head, her voice rising slightly, "I'm fine! Ms. Herta, you go about your business!"
She even subconsciously pressed her legs together, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
(Strange...)
Herta glanced at her, didn't think much more of it, dismissing it as occasional emotional fluctuation in a young person, and turned to continue forward.
Only subconsciously, she felt that Asta's gaze just now... seemed exceptionally bright.
(Probably an illusion.)
Not far along, at a fork in a connecting corridor, Herta ran into two familiar figures—Stelle and March 7th.
"Ms. Herta!"
March 7th, sharp-eyed, was the first to wave and greet her, with her usual energetic smile.
Stelle's reaction, however, left Herta even more bewildered.
The gray-haired girl's eyes suddenly lit up the moment she saw Herta. That look... was somewhat similar to Asta's just now?
A kind of... excitement filled with a sense of mission, sympathy, and a touch of "I've finally been waiting for you"?
(What's wrong with these two today?)
Herta complained internally, maintaining her indifferent facade. "Hmm, I heard you arrived. What's the matter?"
Stelle took a deep breath, stepped forward, her expression unprecedentedly serious and... solemn?
She looked at Herta, her tone sincere: "Ms. Herta, I have a very important matter that I must... must tell you alone."
She specifically emphasized the word "alone."
(Alone?)
Herta raised an eyebrow slightly.
She knew Stelle's thought process was unconventional, but this was the first time she had formally requested a private conversation.
(Could it really be something concerning the life and death of the Astral Express Crew, and she's afraid of eavesdroppers?)
Stelle's heart was actually pounding too.
(Sister Black Herta said that Ms. Herta is very, very shy, especially about her past! If there are too many people, she will definitely refuse outright, and might even get angry out of embarrassment! I must create an opportunity to be alone with her! Yes! To fulfill Sister's Entrustment, to make up for Ms. Herta's lack of affection!)
Looking at Stelle's solemn expression, as if "this matter concerns cosmic peace," Herta, though bewildered, still nodded.
She wanted to see what kind of trick this Stelle was playing.
"Alright, this way."
She gestured for Stelle to follow, walking towards a relatively secluded corner of the corridor.
March 7th was left behind, curiously standing on tiptoe to peek.
Upon reaching the corner, the light here was slightly dimmer, with only the faint blue glow from the indicator light strips on the wall.
Herta habitually placed one hand on her hip, slightly raising her chin, with a hint of impatience: "Alright, no one else is here. What is it, so mysterious?"
Stelle didn't answer immediately. Instead, she furtively glanced left and right, confirming there were truly no third ears.
Then she leaned in closer, lowered her voice, and with a mysterious smile that said, "I understand you," she asked, "Ms. Herta, recently... do you feel like you're missing a little... something?"
Herta: "???"
(Missing what? Energy? Funding? Or... did she discover traces of the Space Station being invaded?)
She couldn't follow Stelle's train of thought at all, and could only instinctively retort, "...Are you imitating those clumsy salespeople? Do you want to perform a talent show for me too?"
Stelle's attention, however, was not on the retort at all.
She saw Herta's elegant neck and slightly slender profile revealed as she turned her head to retort.
(Ah! Now's the time! Sister said that a hug must be unexpected to break through emotional defenses!)
No sooner said than done!
The instant Herta's words fell, Stelle's eyes sharpened. Like a Trailblazer who had spotted the best attack opportunity, she took a swift step forward, spread her arms, and with lightning speed, firmly and forcefully—
Hugged Herta!
It wasn't a friendly pat, not a polite embrace, but that kind of... tight, almost suffocating bear hug, filled with sympathy, comfort, and the belief of "I'm transmitting warmth to you!"
Herta: "!!!"
Time, as if, was paused at this moment.
Herta's entire being froze completely.
She could feel Stelle's arms tightly wrapped around her shoulders and back, that gray head even buried in the crook of her neck.
But all these sensory inputs couldn't disperse the booming sound in her mind, like the Big Bang—
Utter bewilderment.
Complete and utter bewilderment.
What... happened?
Why?
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