Under normal circumstances, Ruan Mei might have felt a flicker of joy or surprise. But now, she had no way of knowing whether the Herta before her was Sparkle or the real Herta. Sparkle had inherited all of Yu Qingtu's memories and received Aha's personal blessing. Truly, it was impossible to tell who she really was.
Just as Ruan Mei was gazing into the amethyst eyes of the Herta in front of her, the other Herta strode over, raised her magic key, and struck.
"Sparkle! You're absolutely lawless! Using my, the great Madam Herta's, identity to spout nonsense! Outrageous!"
That Herta crossed her arms, her tone cold. "What nonsense? I simply told Ruan Mei my true feelings."
"You! Shameless!"
The two Hertas once again raised their magic keys to "persuade with reason." Herta Ninety-Nine approached Ruan Mei and asked softly, "Madam Ruan Mei, how did it go?"
Ruan Mei relayed the result.
Herta Ninety-Nine stood thoughtfully. "So one of them said she would deal with Sparkle first, then confess—that sounds like avoidance. And the other Herta confessed directly?"
Ruan Mei nodded ambiguously.
Herta Ninety-Nine looked at the two Hertas in the distance, who were using their magic keys and [Mirrors] to teleport and displace space back and forth. "Can you still tell which one was avoiding and which one confessed? Madam Herta said she would change little by little, learn to see things from your perspective. But with Sparkle in the picture, the real Herta would want to deal with Sparkle first, then confess to you."
Ruan Mei paused, then looked again at the two Hertas. By now, because of their constant use of spatial powers, it was impossible to distinguish who was who.
Frost gathered, cooling both of them down.
"Which one of you confessed to me just now?"
The left Herta crossed her arms and glared at the other. "Sparkle! You're digging your own grave! Using my identity to confess to Ruan Mei?!"
The right Herta glared back. "Don't slander me! I didn't confess! I said I'd deal with you first, then confess to Ruan Mei!"
"You're lying! I didn't confess either!"
"Hmph, Sparkle, I've underestimated you! If I'd known it would come to this, I would have taught you a lesson right away and sent you to Herta City."
"You're the fake Sparkle!"
The two Hertas refused to concede, each accusing the other of being Sparkle, and neither admitting to confessing.
Herta Ninety-Nine and Ruan Mei exchanged helpless glances. How did Sparkle manage to imitate Herta so perfectly? Was it truly just Yu Qingtu's memories and Aha's blessing, with no acting talent of her own?
Just as they were at a loss, Asta arrived with Peppy. "Madam Ruan Mei, all preparations for the audience with Nous are complete. The researchers have all left the space station."
Ruan Mei nodded. Asta looked at the two Hertas and thought to herself: if, after this, Madam Herta decided to have someone take care of Sparkle... she would volunteer. Sparkle's abilities were impressive indeed.
A flicker of hope crossed her eyes.
Herta Ninety-Nine quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Asta! Don't even think about it. Madam Herta won't let Sparkle off this time. Do you want to accompany Sparkle and spend the rest of your life in Herta City?"
Asta snapped back to reality, her expression grave. She led Ruan Mei and the two Hertas to the Fourth Mirror, the gateway for an audience with Nous.
"Madam Ruan Mei, Madam Herta, you may now seek an audience with Nous."
The two Hertas gritted their teeth, their expressions dark. Both were unhappy.
The real Herta was embarrassed. Because a Masked Fool had impersonated her so well that she had no choice but to seek out Nous—a blow to her pride. If this got out, her reputation would be ruined, and she would become a laughingstock across half the universe.
The other Herta, Sparkle, was also on edge. Even with Aha's blessing, if Nous exposed her, she would be doomed. But she gambled that the Aeon of Elation would show up. The amusement value of this farce was rare in the universe. If Aha didn't come, she could still accept the end of the show.
No Memokeepers dared to interfere this time. An audience with Nous was now just a matter of time.
Ruan Mei looked at Herta Ninety-Nine and Asta. "Stay here. I'll go with these two."
They both nodded, watching as the three departed.
---
A beam of Erudition illuminated the entire universe from the space station.
When the light faded, Ruan Mei slowly opened her eyes. Everything around her had changed.
Endless stars whispered predictions. Vast computations calculated the beginnings and ends of worlds. At the farthest edge of this sea of stars stood an indescribable tree and an indescribable sea. On the tree's crown, a familiar figure was faintly visible.
Was that the Imaginary Tree? The Sea of Quanta? That figure... could it be...?
Just as Ruan Mei was lost in thought, an absolute pressure descended. A mechanical murmur began.
She looked up with difficulty. There, in the void, Nous had arrived, scrutinizing the three of them.
"Ruan Mei, are you alright?"
Both Hertas asked with concern.
Ruan Mei shook her head. "Don't worry about me. Ask Nous directly: which of you is the real Herta, and which is Sparkle."
"Yes!"
Both Hertas raised their magic keys and walked through the void.
"All-knowing Nous, we ask you: who is Herta, and who is Sparkle?"