With a heavy heart, Phantylia thought to herself:
This won't do. The issue of my Warp soul projection being too conspicuous must be resolved.
If it isn't, then wherever I go next—no matter where I deploy schemes of destruction within regions enveloped by the Warp—there's always a chance others will see through me!
After all, if I can observe Warp projections, it means others can do the same.
And I can't stay here either... little Herta already said that a general from the Xianzhou has arrived in Herta City.
If it's one of the Xianzhou generals, and they join forces with Herta—an Emanator of Erudition—then I'm very likely not their opponent at all.
I must endure. Avoid the edge for now.
Having reached this conclusion, Phantylia swiftly carried out a strategic relocation, hiding her true body even deeper.
...
Meanwhile, the little Hertas continued their operations. They sought out more dangerous elements within Herta City and issued warnings.
For example, the Fictionologists who were fabricating Herta's past experiences were quickly located by them.
Of course, the moment they were found, the Fictionologists immediately used Enigmata to conceal what they had been doing, then cried out in protest:
"We didn't do anything."
"Miss Herta, are you sure you've got the right people?"
Hearing this, Herta 10086 let out a cold snort. "Everything you've done is laid bare before the vision of the great Miss Herta. Stop making excuses, Fictionologists."
At these words, the group of Enigmata-aligned Fictionologists were all shocked. At the same time, the various ornaments they used for disguise lost their concealment effects, revealing their true appearances.
"How did you see through us?"
"We hid ourselves perfectly."
Herta 10086 snorted again. "Don't forget where you are. The star system where Madam Herta was born—this entire star region is already under her control. Everything you do is under her watch."
Although Herta 10086 had only recently come off the production line, she already knew that from the moment the Dark Plane · Super Herta Platform was created, it had been continuously expanding. More importantly, every area it expanded into became a region covered by the Eye of Insight.
It was precisely by mobilizing the Eye of Insight that Herta 10086 had detected the Fictionologists' movements upon entering The Blue star system, as well as their concealed identities.
The Fictionologists exchanged looks. None of them had expected Herta to have noticed them long ago. In that case, how were they supposed to fabricate history?
After a moment of frustration, they sighed and said to Herta 10086, "We won't fabricate Miss Herta's history anymore, nor will we fabricate the history of the Blue Federation."
Little Herta reminded them seriously, "There's one more thing. You're also not allowed to fabricate histories for the major factions of the cosmos. I don't want them starting wars in this star system because of your nonsense."
"Understood. We understand everything."
"Good."
After saying that, little Herta turned and left. Of course, she kept the Eye of Insight active, watching the area at all times to prevent the Fictionologists from causing trouble.
Soon after, through the Eye of Insight, she saw the Fictionologists gather together to discuss. The first to speak was a masked Fictionologist:
"Brothers, we can't stir up trouble in The Blue star system. That one is clearly watching us the whole time."
A second Fictionologist objected, "Are we really going to behave? If we behave, are we even Fictionologists anymore?"
Another frowned slightly. "Then... how about we hide and continue fabricating history in secret?"
Among them, the one who had progressed the furthest along the Path of Enigmata, known as "Construct History," spoke slowly:
"Don't! I just used Enigmata's power to sever cognitive recognition. Under normal circumstances, that Herta 10086 should have forgotten us in that instant, and we could've escaped easily!"
"But the problem is, even after we used Enigmata, she still recognized us and could converse with us."
"Hiss! The only thing that can affect Enigmata is a higher level of mystery—or... a higher level of intelligence!" one Fictionologist gasped.
"Could it be that Herta is no longer an ordinary Pathstrider of Erudition, nor merely high-tier, but has already become an Emanator?! Only then could she break through Enigmata's cognitive severance and concealment!"
Another Fictionologist suddenly understood. "If that's the case, everything makes sense... No wonder when we used Enigmata before to write that Herta had already become an Emanator of Erudition, that fabricated event had no effect at all."
"—So it turns out Herta had already become an Emanator."
One Fictionologist complained, "Becoming an Emanator of Erudition in less than two months is absurd. Honestly, Herta's real life is even more outrageous than the histories we've fabricated."
"Still, since Miss Herta is already an Emanator, we really shouldn't cause trouble in her home turf. If we're discovered... it'll be very hard for us to escape."
"But after gaining this boost in intelligence, are we really going to do nothing?"
"My hands are itching... itching so badly... I really want to fabricate history..."
Construct History seemed to think of something. His eyes lit up as he spoke slowly:
"Although Herta warned us, if we truly stop acting because of that... that's the mindset of trash."
Hearing this, all the Fictionologists turned their attention toward him.
He straightened his posture and said seriously, "That Herta 10086 only said we cannot fabricate histories for the major factions of the cosmos within this star system, nor can we fabricate the history of the Blue Federation.
"—But you should know, The Blue has more than just the Blue Federation."
"Boss Construct History, you mean... the Eastern Federation?"
"Exactly. Miss Herta is a resident of the Blue Federation and has nothing to do with the Eastern Federation. This is our opportunity."
"Let's do it, boss!"
The Fictionologists grew excited, rubbing their hands together, preparing to cause trouble.
All of this was observed by Herta 10086 through the Eye of Insight. She quickly reported it through Herta's Stigmata to Herman, asking how to handle the situation.
"The Eastern Federation? No need to interfere... give those overly energetic people an outlet to vent," Herman replied.
Seeing this, Herta 10086 did not pursue the matter further and allowed the Fictionologists—who hurriedly left Herta City— to head toward the Eastern Federation.
Then, within the next twenty-four system hours, the Fictionologists began writing frantically, wildly altering the history of the Eastern Federation.
More importantly, under the power of Enigmata, the histories they fabricated successfully transformed into a kind of alternate reality.
For example, one Fictionologist wrote that on a certain island, there existed a group of yaoguai, and that they were no longer satisfied with the island—they were preparing to leave and wreak havoc across the entire Eastern Federation.
Another Fictionologist wrote that every capitalist in the Eastern Federation—every pore, every drop of blood—was filthy, that they were hopping zombies. And so, they began to crave blood, growing sharp fangs and claws, and developing a fear of sunlight.
Yet another Fictionologist wrote that when a Taoist priest performed exorcisms on a young boy in a shrine, the demon within the boy would resist and instead exorcise the Taoist priest.
Thus, on that day, the boy joined forces with the demon inside him, resisting the Taoist priest and expelling him from his own body.
In short, the Eastern Federation began to descend into chaos.
More importantly, Phantylia—the Lord Ravager who had already left Herta City—also noticed the Fictionologists wreaking havoc in the Eastern Federation.
She even overheard their conversation with the little Hertas, learning that Herta did not care about the fate of the Eastern Federation.
Thus, this Lord Ravager also made her move. She cooperated with the Fictionologists, using the Path of Destruction to amplify the zombies, yaoguai, and other entities fabricated through the power of Enigmata.
As the Eastern Federation plunged into dire straits, the Doctor of Chaos, Virex, could no longer stand by. He began researching medicine to cure the afflictions spreading across the Eastern Federation.
Even more crucially, the Bewitching Swarm King—hidden extremely deep—was also present in the Eastern Federation. Its instinct was Propagation, and unable to restrain itself, it scattered seeds of propagation. Soon, insects began appearing throughout the Eastern Federation.
All of this was quickly reported to Herman by the Fourth Mirror.
Hearing the report, Herman was not surprised. He murmured:
"As expected, not a single one of these people is well-behaved. If I hadn't issued a warning in advance, things would have spiraled out of control long ago."
"But with Fictionologists of Enigmata, Doctors of Chaos of Nihility, and a Lord Ravager of Destruction... so many factions serving the Eastern Federation at once—it's almost a blessing for them."
The Fourth Mirror asked, "Then, Second Madam Herta, what should we do?"
"No need to interfere. They haven't violated my warning. As for the Eastern Federation, let it serve as a temporary dumping ground."
After saying this, Herman was about to end the communication with the Third Mirror when he heard it report:
"Madam Herta, many people have recently requested to meet you. Would you be willing to grant them an audience?"
Herman nodded slightly. "Of course. But one at a time. First, I'll meet General Yao Guang of the Xianzhou Alliance, as well as her junior sister, Fu Xuan. Arrange the meeting in my dormitory."
"Yes."
The Fourth Mirror immediately executed Herta's command and contacted Yao Guang and Fu Xuan.
As for Herman himself, he took a step forward and used his Emanator-level teleportation ability to return to the dormitory at The Blue's First University. Sitting on the sofa, he glanced at the Herta Magic Wand behind him.
Whirr.
The wand instantly flew beside the kettle, using Honkai magic to boil a pot of water. Then, using gravity manipulation, it lifted the kettle and poured the water into cups.
Finally, it used wind magic to rapidly cool the water, delivering it to Herta.
By the time she picked up the cup, the water had already become warm. Then she heard a series of heavy footsteps.
Looking up, she saw that Yao Guang and Fu Xuan had arrived.
"Distinguished guests from afar, please, have a seat," Herta said. With a snap of her fingers, the kettle floated into the air and poured water into two cups.
After sitting down, Yao Guang spoke to Herta with a serious expression, "Herta... I have something important to discuss with you this time."
Herman smiled slightly. "Go ahead."
Fu Xuan, who had just taken her seat on the sofa, listened to the conversation and began thinking seriously:
It's normal that Yao Guang knows Herta. According to previous information... Yao Guang had already cooperated with Herta to upgrade the Fortune Hexagram calculations. In addition, items like the Soul Gems used for Honkai Beast companions on the Xianzhou Yaoqing—tools that enhance Path energy—were all transactions she handled on behalf of the Xianzhou Alliance.
And now, Yao Guang has come to discuss important matters with Herta... could it be, like me, she wants to determine whether the fate of this world is fixed or not?
At that moment, Yao Guang spoke seriously, "Herta, what I want to understand is this: the plant-based technology you recently developed—the Devil Fruit system—can it truly extract humanity's deep subconscious, their imagination of the Vidyadhara and dragons, and condense it into Devil Fruits? And once such fruits are developed to the awakened stage, can they truly influence reality?"
Hearing this, Herman's heart stirred. He raised his hand and opened a small Warp gate, directly pulling out a Devil Fruit.
It was azure in color, shaped like a dragon, engraved with draconic patterns—a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, the Fish-Fish Fruit · Azure Dragon Form.
"This is a Devil Fruit formed after the Devil Tree absorbed humanity's imagination of the Vidyadhara," Herman said, then added, "That answers your first question with evidence. As for the second—you should have already felt it the moment you entered The Blue star system."
Yao Guang's heart trembled. "So that means... if someone consumes this fruit and develops it to the awakened stage, they could truly influence those around them—for example, transforming the subordinate species of the Vidyadhara from fish into dragons?!"
"No." Herman shook his head slightly. "In my view, when this fruit reaches awakening, it would grant the user aspects of humanity's imagination of the Vidyadhara—such as large-scale water manipulation, control over lightning, and electromagnetic forces."
Yao Guang's brows furrowed slightly. Then Herman's voice continued:
"But... the Devil Tree has only absorbed emotional power from a million galaxies so far—meaning the collective perception of the Vidyadhara and dragons from those worlds."
"If it continues absorbing the imaginations of more worlds, more people... it's possible that a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit—the Immortal Dragon Form—could be born."
"And if that fruit is developed to awakening, it might truly influence the surrounding environment—perhaps even creating something like a Dragon Gate... a phenomenon that allows any being who crosses it to ascend into a dragon."
Hearing this, Yao Guang's heart shook violently. Unable to restrain herself, she summoned the manifestation of the Reignbow Arbiter within Herta's dormitory—the Kālacakra Skyplume, representing "The Hunt" among the Seven Aspects, symbolizing foresight, judgment, and self-discipline.
In that instant, countless peacock-like feathers unfurled behind her. Within those feathers were countless eyes, merging into the Eye of Īśvara.
Under the power of an Emanator of The Hunt, those eyes gazed toward the future.
The Fortune Hexagram activated at full power!!
Calculating the future—to determine whether what Herta said could truly come to pass...