"Madam Herta, this Masked Fool has something to tell you!! I believe bringing her to see you will do more good than harm."
Herta's gaze shifted directly to Herta Ninety-Nine.
"You've earned some merit. But to be so self-important that you'd bring a Fool before me? Isn't that a bit arrogant?"
"Or do you want to go back to the platform and count stars by yourself?"
Herta Ninety-Nine's mind went blank. She lowered her head, unable to meet Herta's eyes.
Sparkle, however, looked up with a smile, gazing at the proud, aloof Madam Herta upon her throne.
"Madam Herta. I received a divinely inspired dream from Aha. If I bring you and Madam Ruan Mei together, I'll become an Emanator of Elation."
Herta set her magic key aside. Even glancing at Sparkle felt like a waste of time.
"The Aeon of Elation? Emanator of Elation? Like that insect?! Not interested. Send this Fool away."
Sparkle's smile vanished. Thanks to Aha's last whimsical move, "Emanator of Elation" has become a universal joke.
But isn't that Aha's idea of Elation? It's just tough on whoever inherits that title.
But I, Sparkle, don't care about that. I only care about Elation!!
Herta Ninety-Nine turned toward Sparkle.
Sparkle pressed on calmly.
"Madam Herta. Would you rather I go help Madam Ruan Mei?!"
Herta glanced back, fixing Sparkle with a cold stare. A flicker of interest.
"Oh? I remember now. The Stellaron brat mentioned you in the Simulated Universe. Said you can transform into others. Right?"
Sparkle immediately shifted into Herta Ninety-Nine.
"See? Simple as that."
Then she shifted into Ruan Mei.
"And—"
Bam.
Before Sparkle could react, a stream of light from the magic key sent her flying.
From the rubble and dust, Sparkle staggered up, already back in her original form.
Damn. That fast. Didn't even see it coming. This woman is completely unpredictable.
Herta appeared before her, the light of her key converging once more.
Sparkle instinctively tried to flee. The space around her was sealed.
She closed her eyes. My life flashes before my eyes.
Why won't the Aeon of Elation just glance at me?!
"Next time you transform into Ruan Mei, I'll show you what stellar collapse looks like."
Herta turned, leaving Sparkle with an icy, absolute silhouette.
"You know Yu Qingtu?"
Sparkle paused. The name rang a bell.
"Oh, right! There are legends about her in the Tavern."
"Oh?"
"The Fools say that one sip of Yu Qingtu's cocktails can send you to heaven—and the next sip, to hell."
"If I remember right, she even made a special cocktail just for Ruan Mei. Can't recall the name."
Herta frowned, her hand gripping her sleeve. This Fool spouts nothing but nonsense.
But if even she knows the rumors about Yu Qingtu and Ruan Mei... A plan began to form.
"Can you transform into Yu Qingtu?!"
Sparkle blinked.
"Never met her. Hard to say."
Herta waved a hand. Yu Qingtu's photos, habits, personality, speech patterns—all of it flooded Sparkle's mind.
"Can you become her now?"
Sparkle nodded. In an instant, she transformed.
A woman of ethereal beauty appeared.
She wore a moon-white cross-collared robe, its hem flowing like clouds, paired with a blackish-green outer garment. Plum blossom carvings adorned her sleeves.
Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, held by an ancient hairpin carved with a sparse plum blossom motif. She exuded warmth, elegance, and timeless grace.
Herta stared at 'Yu Qingtu.' A cold, unreadable smile curved her lips.
Never thought I'd reunite with "Yu Qingtu" like this. Ruan Mei's white moonlight? Too bad. Ruan Mei is mine.
"Not bad. You do look like her. But Ruan Mei knows Yu Qingtu too well. She'd see through you instantly."
'Yu Qingtu' laughed awkwardly.
"Madam Herta. I have other ways to make Ruan Mei fall in line. I don't have to pretend to be her."
Herta shook her head slightly, picking up her magic key.
"I want you to bless me and Ruan Mei as Yu Qingtu. But before that, you must undergo various tests."
"The light in your eyes. The coldness when you frown. The focus when mixing drinks. Your eccentric personality... In short, you must become Yu Qingtu."
Sparkle forced a smile.
Last time I had to play Robin in Penacony. Now I have to play Yu Qingtu in Herta City?!
I'm a Masked Fool. Soon-to-be Emanator of Elation. Don't I have any pride?
"Madam Herta. I told you. I have other plans. I will bring you and Madam Ruan Mei together."
"I swear it on the Path of Elation I walk. In the name of Aha, the Aeon of Elation."