Herman said, "Taravan Keane, that Emanator, has extended goodwill to you. Since you've accepted it, then the next time you produce any research results, you will need to prioritize—perhaps even be obligated—to cooperate and share them with the IPC."
"If you don't, Taravan Keane may very well take action."
"After all, you said it yourself—when capitalism comes into this world, every pore drips with blood and filth. He will not allow something like freeloading to happen."
"Not even for a genius."
Hearing this, Herta tightened her grip on the Herta Magic Wand. "Perhaps right now I am not Taravan Keane's opponent. But in the future, I certainly will be."
"Because genius is not my limit. I am Herta. One day, I will ascend to the very peak of genius and become an Emanator of Erudition."
"And I believe that day is not far off."
After saying this, a strange sense of urgency welled up within The Herta. Without hesitation, she handed control of her body over to Herman, while her own soul entered the Simulated Laboratory, attempting to use various materials to manufacture Herta puppets.
Herta launched into intense research, striving to take another step forward on the path toward becoming an Emanator of Erudition.
Seeing this, Herman immediately had the Fourth Mirror pull up the satellite map of the Blue Federation to select a factory site. Once the location was finalized, he contacted the highest levels of the Blue Federation at once, requesting that industrial land be approved at maximum speed.
When the Blue Federation's Supreme Leader, Minister of Land, Minister of Commerce, and other top officials learned that Miss Herta intended to construct a super-intelligent automated AI factory prior to formal cooperation—and had already contacted a construction team from the IPC's Building Materials Logistics Department, specifically the Architects faction, who would arrive on The Blue within eleven system-hours—they were overjoyed.
The reputation of the Architects was well known among the Blue Federation's leadership.
In the past, across innumerable worlds in the universe, the Architects had left their mark.
More importantly, many of those worlds had suffered from the Cancer of All Worlds—the Stellaron disaster—or even invasions by the Antimatter Legion, losing vast swaths of territory.
Yet even under such catastrophes, the city walls and infrastructure constructed by the Architects of the Preservation faction remained the strongest structures in those worlds. Some even endured until the very end of the calamity, helping the people of those worlds survive.
With the Architects overseeing construction, Miss Herta's super-intelligent factory would possess near-indestructible qualities.
Even more crucially, the Blue Federation could seize this opportunity to establish contact with the Architects team—perhaps persuading them to assist in constructing defensive infrastructure for the Federation itself, building a fortified city capable of withstanding future disasters.
The Blue Federation's top leadership stamped their approval immediately. Green lights all the way.
Special matters were handled with special urgency.
In just three hours, ownership of an enormous industrial plot in the Federation's core industrial district was transferred directly to Herta.
...
While The Herta immersed herself in research, twelve system-hours later, a transport starship bearing the Interastral Peace Corporation logo passed through the star rail forged by the Aeon of Trailblaze, and arrived at the Blue Federation's starport on The Blue.
The Architects construction team descended—and immediately received from the Fourth Mirror, acting on Herta's behalf, the architectural blueprints for the super-automated Soul Gem factory.
Along with the precise coordinates of the industrial zone where the factory would be built.
"Begin work."
The captain of the Architects team immediately led his crew and the IPC's construction robots into action. Without wasting a second, they unloaded materials from the starship and began construction.
Each Architect was not only a Pathstrider but also a super engineer. Working together to construct the Soul Gem factory, their efficiency reached its absolute peak.
Weeds and debris were cleared, foundation piles were driven, the ground was leveled...
The factory rose from the earth at a speed visible to the naked eye.
At the same time, Lanvelle contacted the Architects' captain, attempting to persuade him to construct additional facilities within the Blue Federation. Credits would not be an issue.
"Our schedule is tight. In another planetary system, we have a new engineering assignment awaiting us," the Architects captain declined directly.
Lanvelle grew anxious and pressed further. "The Blue is not absolutely safe. One day in the future, it may encounter a natural disaster. The Blue Federation wishes to prepare in advance—that is why we are requesting the Architects' assistance."
"..."
After a brief hesitation, the Architects team replied, "We truly do have other tasks. Once we complete Miss Herta's commission, we must depart immediately for the next planetary system."
Miss Herta's commission... that's right—Herta...
Perhaps Herta herself could intervene!
After considering this, Lanvelle first communicated her idea to the Federation's top leadership. Upon receiving their approval, she immediately called Herta.
"Miss Herta, the intelligent automated Soul Gem factory is currently under construction. However, after evaluation, the Federation believes that having only a factory—only production capacity—without defensive capability against external threats is too unsafe. What if we ask the Architects to construct a city around the factory as well?"
"That way, even if a crisis arrives on The Blue, the factory can continue operating."
"Would you consider it?"
On the other end of the line, Herman understood instantly that the Blue Federation intended to leverage Herta to advance its own interests.
However, the Architects' reputation was renowned. It was only natural that the Federation would want their help with infrastructure.
More importantly, constructing a city around the Soul Gem factory would indeed protect its operations.
And during the time since The Herta became a genius, the Federation's treatment of her had been nothing short of excellent.
They had granted industrial land free of charge, provided security services, and even launched a strict internet purification campaign to eliminate negative public opinion about her.
In that case...
After a brief moment of thought, Herman spoke into the phone, "Lanvelle, hand the phone to the Architects' captain. I'll speak with him."
"Alright."
Lanvelle's spirits lifted. She handed her phone to the Architects' captain and waited.
After only a short while, she witnessed a dramatic change in the captain's attitude.
"Our Architects construction team is willing to build a city for the Blue Federation. The city's walls will better protect the soon-to-be-born Soul Gem factory production line."
"Furthermore, that city will be named Herta City. What does the Blue Federation think?"
"Good—excellent!"
Lanvelle was overjoyed. Inwardly, she exclaimed: Genius Herta—you are incredible!!
With just a few words, you accomplished what I could not persuade them to do despite exhausting all my arguments.
Lanvelle acted swiftly, immediately reporting the news to the Federation's top leadership.
The leadership erupted in excitement.
"Good, good, good!"
"With a city built by the Architects, even if the Blue Federation faces an existential crisis in the future, we will be able to rely on that city to survive!"
"With just a few words from a genius, the Architects' stance was reversed. Truly, having Herta in our Federation is our fortune!"
"Herta City is an excellent name! A city named after Herta, the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society—if we promote it even slightly across the universe, it will undoubtedly attract countless scholars and even tourists curious about a genius."
"A perfect way to boost GDP!!"