Even Herta had helped Ruan Mei keep that secret. Lin Yi looked at Herta and asked, So after all that explanation, the real issue is this memory concerning the birth of the Aeon of Destruction?
Herta nodded. Yes. The third reason I came to see you—the most important one—is connected to that memory. After researching the information inside it, I discovered something incredible.
As she spoke, genuine excitement surfaced in her expression. The Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, actually exists in two aspects. The current Nanook is only one outward manifestation of that existence. Do you know what that means? Destruction is not purely destruction.
Lin Yi frowned. He searched through the fragments of lore and story records he remembered from the old game timeline, but nothing matched. So you mean Nanook is a dual-aspected god? Or that the Path of Destruction hides another Path within it?
The possibility surprised him. Could the old lore have been incomplete? Or had he simply missed something? As for the chance that Herta's research was wrong... the probability of a Genius Society member making such a basic mistake was lower than Aha refusing amusement.
Herta nodded. Then shook her head. It is both... and neither. If you're interested, come to my laboratory later and review the research logs yourself. I'm not referring to the space station. I mean the tower at the edge of the known universe. You know the place. I've been conducting a special experiment there. And now that experiment requires something you possess.
Lin Yi already had a guess. What do you need?
Herta answered without hesitation. The Origin Cell.
Lin Yi immediately shook his head. That's impossible. I've spent years working on the Origin Cell. You, of all people, should understand how important it is to me.
Herta rose to her feet. Her expression turned serious. I guarantee it in my own name. In the name of Herta of the Genius Society. I will only borrow the Origin Cell. I will not damage it. When the experiment is complete—or when it is no longer needed—I will return it immediately. If any accident occurs and it is lost or damaged, I will compensate you with something of equal value.
Her tone remained calm, but her resolve was unmistakable. She intended to obtain the Origin Cell no matter what.
Herta continued, If you lend it to me... from now on, everything I possess will be at your disposal. If you ask for something within my ability, I will do it. I remember you once said you were searching for the road back to your homeland. With the full support of a Genius, that goal will be reached far faster.
She pressed both emotionally and logically. You're currently using the Origin Cell for an experiment. But the probability of success doesn't look high. And pausing it temporarily won't hinder your progress. During that time, you could focus on improving your Destruction adaptation training. Compared to your experiment—which may take hundreds or thousands of years—the time I need to borrow the Origin Cell will be short.
Her gaze lifted to the crown of thorns above Lin Yi's head. And besides... you've already become an Envoy of Abundance. Do you truly still need that experiment?
Lin Yi fell silent and began to think. He poured tea for Herta as he considered her offer. The terms were tempting. And from everything he had learned recently, his Ascension Experiment indeed contained many flaws. Temporarily halting it to revise the design might not be a bad idea.
After all—his lifespan was now extremely long. The experiment was always going to require immense time. Time itself was no longer the issue. And as Herta said—he was already an Envoy of Abundance. Not an ordinary one, either. Unless the Ascension Experiment reached its perfect intended outcome, it would offer little practical value to him now. And that perfect result seemed nearly impossible.
After touching a fragment of the Path of Abundance, Lin Yi had realized something crucial. A body alone meant nothing. The true power of an Aeon came from the Path. Even if Tayzzyronth returned in flawless condition—its shattered Path would prevent it from reclaiming its former might. The Ascension Experiment suffered the same limitation. Even if he created a body identical to Nanook's—without the corresponding Path, it would still amount to nothing.
Lin Yi was already leaning toward agreement. You make good points. You've almost convinced me. But what exactly do you plan to do with the Origin Cell?
Herta replied, Something similar to what you were doing. I want to use it to recreate Nanook's body. A vessel capable of holding the other half of Destruction. The Aeon of Destruction exists in two aspects. But Nanook has only ever shown one. I suspect the other side appears only after all things are destroyed.
Her eyes shone brighter with excitement. I want to test something. If I reconstruct a body equal to Nanook's... can it serve as a vessel for that hidden aspect? Can it cause the other side of Destruction to appear ahead of time?
Lin Yi stared at her in disbelief. You want to tear Destruction apart? That's even crazier than my idea. It's impossible.
Herta immediately corrected him. I'm not tearing Destruction apart. I'm giving Destruction a choice. I want to see whether that other side chooses to appear early. The decision belongs to Nanook, not me. All I'm doing is creating a trigger. Adding one small straw to the balance.
Lin Yi asked, Even if that's true... how long would this experiment take? Hundreds of years? Thousands? I've studied the Origin Cell for years. I know how inefficient it is.
Herta answered calmly, I don't need to create a complete body. I only need to create the trigger. If Nanook wishes to appear early, the rest will be completed by His own divine power. If He does not wish to appear... then even a perfect body would be useless.
Lin Yi drew a slow breath. He was stunned by the scale of Herta's ambition. But if she dared attempt this, then she must have some basis for it. Without understanding all the details, he couldn't judge her theory.
To tear open the hidden side of Destruction... to force that aspect to manifest before the end of all things... even if it succeeded, the consequences would be unimaginable. But if it worked—it would amount to creating a god. Herta would stand on the same level as Zandar One Kuwabara.
Lin Yi looked at her for a long moment. Then he made his decision.
You can have the Origin Cell. But I will personally participate in the entire experiment. And I'll observe everything.