In the main control room.
After Zeig opened fire and dealt with the Antimatter Legion that suddenly jumped out, Leonard awkwardly touched his nose:
"See? I wasn't wrong, right? The traces that guy left behind definitely aren't that simple!"
"Heh heh."
"…"
Leonard cleared his throat, then looked at the main control room's screen and said:
"Ahem, we can finally check the curio's entry and exit records now… Huh? Why? It shows here that the curio never even left the space station?!"
Zeig—wearing a heavy camouflage helmet, one hand holding the anti-explosion shield, the other gripping the AK tightly—asked in confusion:
"What do you mean? You got played again?"
"Ahem, how could that be…"
Leonard rubbed his chin awkwardly:
"From the records, this curio was sent into Lady Herta's office, and then… it just disappeared…"
Zeig's eyebrow couldn't help twitching.
This water runs pretty deep—it's even connected to Herta now.
He silently glanced at Leonard:
"Since the records show it went all the way to Herta's office, then whatever happens next can give Herta the headache. Let's just take a break…"
"No can do, Brother Zeig! If we don't keep going, what use am I to the space station? I'm afraid my job's on the line!"
"Damn it!"
Even after receiving Zeig's suggestion, Leonard still said nervously:
"You have to see things through to the end. We should still head to Lady Herta's office."
Zeig said speechlessly:
"Bro, have you really never considered—if with your status, you go poking around in Herta's office like this right now and dig up another batch of Antimatter Legion causing massive destruction—you'd die even more miserably?"
"Uh… it won't be like that, right? Brother Zeig, you have to trust me…"
"I trust you my ass!"
…
In Herta's office.
The automatic door slowly opened.
Two fully armed special forces soldiers in heavy gear, AKs in hand, burst in aggressively!
Herta and Screwllum had originally been in conversation. The moment they saw the sudden intruders, they immediately stopped talking and turned to look at the two special forces members.
Herta's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she addressed the two holding AKs:
"What? Are you planning to carry out a decapitation strike on me right here in the space station?"
Screwllum also couldn't help casting his gaze toward the two.
Under Herta's questioning, one of the fully geared players hurriedly raised both hands (still holding the weapon) in a surrender gesture!
His body trembled as he stammered:
"Um, Lady Herta, really sorry, but right now…"
"Enough. I recognize that voice. You two, just stand off to the side for now."
"…"
After casually brushing them off with a few words, Herta turned back to Screwllum, her tone full of disdain:
"I'll say it one last time: shutting down the Simulated Universe? Not a chance!"
"Herta, this is my decision." Screwllum said gravely:
"Question: What have we invested in this project? Hundreds of system-hours, the resources of an entire planet, and the most advanced technology in the universe."
"And what have we gained? Unknowns, doubts, and an endless string of error reports."
The two seemed to be arguing over something, which left Leonard extremely awkward. The hand gripping his AK drooped powerlessly.
Why did it have to happen at such bad timing?
Two leaders arguing, and he just happened to walk right into it.
Staying here felt so awkward, but if he left now, wouldn't that be rude? Lady Herta hadn't told him to leave either.
What should he do?
So he turned to look behind him.
"TiMi——"
The crisp sound rang out so abruptly in the middle of the office.
Zeig had already taken off his gloves and was sitting on the floor, phone held horizontally.
"…"
Leonard gritted his teeth and had no choice but to lean against the corner wall like Zeig, trying his best to minimize his presence.
Compared to Herta and Screwllum who were actually arguing, Leonard's inner torment was the worst.
…
The argument between the two continued.
"Herta, think about it—how many surprises has this project given you? And now think about how many disappointments it has brought you?"
"There have been plenty of surprises. As for disappointments, the Simulated Universe has never disappointed me… The one who disappoints me is you, Screwllum!"
("First blood!")
"Do you think you're so great? Right now you're just like… some idiot from the Moron Club!"
"…"
"Herta, I have no intention of questioning you, nor will I deny the effort you've put into the Simulated Universe."
("Triple kill!")
Leonard: "…"
("Defend the high ground!")
"Enough!"
"If you don't want to do it anymore, then quit! Go explain it to the other two yourself… Oh, and take your technology with you—I don't want it!"
("Protect our crystal…")
Leonard: "…"
Soon, the argument between Herta and Screwllum reached its end.
Leonard watched helplessly as Herta stormed out of the office in anger, leaving only a helpless-looking Screwllum behind.
"This… what do we do now…" Leonard said anxiously.
"Damn it, what a bunch of ultimate idiots." Zeig stared at the screen as the crystal exploded, fuming with rage.
At this moment, Screwllum slowly walked over to the two and said apologetically:
"I'm sorry for letting you witness such an embarrassing scene."
Zeig—still sitting on the ground—silently lifted his head, glanced at Screwllum, then said to Leonard:
"Well damn, the boss ran off. So what's your plan now? I advise you not to go looking for her right this second—she's still pissed. Be careful she doesn't take you out too."
Leonard: "…"
Hearing Zeig's words.
Screwllum could only give a helpless, bitter smile:
"This matter started because of me. It was I who unilaterally proposed to Herta the hope of terminating our academic cooperation. Please don't misunderstand—I hold no grudge against her or this project. The Simulated Universe is a grand experiment, and Herta is an absolute genius."
"But we have developed some differences in our views on the long-term direction. Differences often breed stubbornness, and stubbornness hinders the formation of knowledge."
Leonard nodded awkwardly and said:
"I… I think I get it roughly."
"Right." Zeig chimed in:
"Different paths, no need to walk together! Break it off with her! From now on, never speak again—piss her off to death!"
Screwllum: "…"
"Brother Zeig, what are you even doing… Oh right! Didn't the station master tell you to perform well? Hurry up and change out of that gear back to your usual outfit! Have you forgotten your mission?!" Leonard said anxiously.
"Huh?" Zeig was stunned for a second, then reacted.
Right—he was supposed to show off properly in front of Screwllum.
He silently lifted his head and locked eyes with Screwllum for a long time.
Screwllum: "…"
Zeig: "…"
Screwllum: "…"
Zeig: "…"
Screwllum: "…"
Zeig: "Forget it. A loser can't become a tall-rich-handsome anyway."
Clearly, Zeig had already given up.
Screwllum: "I'm very sorry for letting you two see such a scene. If there is any issue, perhaps I can provide some answers on Herta's behalf."
Hearing this, Leonard's eyes immediately lit up.
Yes!
Although Lady Herta had stormed off in anger, maybe Mr. Screwllum could still help?
So Leonard explained the whole situation to Screwllum from beginning to end.
After listening, Screwllum nodded slightly:
"Hm. Search: Campfire deep in the forest, the lonely stone sword pointing toward the stars—Punklorde Mentality? That's no ordinary curio, my friend."
Seeing that Screwllum actually knew about it, Zeig immediately stood up excitedly and said:
"Awesome! Finally someone reliable! Friend, surely you already have some ideas in mind?"
Leonard looked at Zeig, dissatisfied:
"Brother Zeig, actually I'm also pretty—"
"Get lost."
"…"
…