The music of Elation resounded across the entire Xianzhou Luofu.
Elsewhere on the Luofu, 'Yu Qingtu'—who had been drinking—froze. A portion of Sparkle's memories quietly resurfaced.
Impersonating others. Loving death-defying acts. Accepting Silver Wolf's commission in Penacony. Pretending to be Robin...
In an instant, over a thousand years of Yu Qingtu's memories crushed Sparkle's.
"Am I Yu Qingtu? No... am I Sparkle, the Masked Fool?!"
"No! I am Yu Qingtu."
She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had Yu Qingtu's face. How could she be Sparkle?
"I am Genius Society member #55, Yu Qingtu. Friend of Ruan Mei and Herta. I can't possibly be Sparkle!!"
"I am a genius!!"
She looked up, glaring at the Aeon above. That Aeon of Elation must have damaged her mind. That damned Aeon!!
---
Meanwhile, Herta, Ruan Mei, Asta, Herta #3156, and Lingsha all looked at "Nanook."
The space around him began to shift. The laughter stopped. "Nanook" transformed into Aha.
No—more precisely, Aha had dropped his disguise, enveloping the entire Luofu in the power of Elation.
Fu Xuan became General. Qingque became Grand Diviner. Yanqing defeated Yunli—and Stelle, Blade, Dan Heng, and Jingliu—to become the Sword Champion of the Xianzhou. Bailu finally grew up, but with several fox tails. Lingsha defeated Herta and won Ruan Mei...
Strange visions of Elation spread across the Luofu. Even Asta's eyes lit up with a strange light.
Herta, with proud aloofness, offered her a violet orchid cake. "Asta, try this pastry. I made it especially for you."
Ruan Mei quickly offered her a plum cake. "Asta, try this instead. You must have heard from Herta Ninety-Nine about Herta's cooking skills."
"What?! Ruan Mei, what did you say?! What about my cooking?!"
"Herta, know thyself."
As Herta and Ruan Mei argued over her, Asta smiled and waved her hands. "Don't fight! I won't let down either of you, Madam Herta, Madam Ruan Mei!"
Just as she spoke those words in the Elation dreamscape, a cool, clear lute note cut through—snapping her awake.
She looked around. Herta wasn't paying attention to her. Ruan Mei's cold gaze wasn't on her either. It was all a dream created by the Aeon of Elation. Though... it was rather nice.
Herta raised her magic key and forcibly shattered the Elusion dreamscapes of Herta #3156 and Lingsha.
Both of them froze. Especially Herta #3156—she couldn't accept reality. If Nanook had truly appeared, she might have had a chance to become a Lord Ravager and escape. But this Aeon was Aha... unreliable at best.
Having guarded the Simulated Universe, she knew how unpredictable the Aeon of Elation could be. Which meant she was almost certainly done for.
Herta studied Herta #3156 from a distance. The hope that had flickered in her eyes moments ago had already dimmed. She seemed to know her fate.
Herta smirked and yawned lazily. "Herta #3156, why don't you keep advancing through the power of Destruction?"
Herta #3156 turned and silently set down her magic hammer—still radiating the intertwined power of Erudition and Destruction. Expressionless, she spoke coldly.
"Madam Herta, I, Herta #3156, accept my punishment. I will die without regret. I only ask that you spare Lord Lingsha."
Everyone present—including Lingsha herself—was stunned. They hadn't expected Herta #3156 to say such a thing.
Herta smiled faintly. "Whether I spare Lingsha depends on my mood. Tell me why I should."
Herta #3156 took one last look at Lingsha, nodded to her, took a deep breath, and answered.
"Madam Herta, Lord Lingsha was manipulated by me. I alone am responsible for what I've done as a puppet. Besides, Lord Lingsha showed me kindness—a kindness you have never shown me in all these Amber Eras. One repays kindness. A scholar dies for one who appreciates him. That's common in Xianzhou stories."
Herta raised an eyebrow. Even Ruan Mei and Asta exchanged glances. Was Herta #3156 acting more human than Herta herself?
Her impassioned speech made Herta look like the villain.
Yanqing, listening, looked at Herta #3156 with admiration. He applauded. "Well said! A scholar dies for one who appreciates him. You've taught me a lesson today, Herta #3156."
Herta's face darkened again. She shot Yanqing a glare. Fine, you disrespectful brat. Just wait. I'll find a way to make Yunli stronger, and in the next Luminary Wardance, she'll take care of you. Then no one can say I'm bullying a child.
Yanqing felt Herta's hostile gaze and sensed trouble. Even the General said not to provoke her. Had he offended her with a few casual words?
"Madam Herta, I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me."
Herta snorted and ignored him. Next time they met, Yunli would deal with him.
She turned to look at Ruan Mei and Asta. She wanted to hear Ruan Mei's opinion on Herta #3156.
If Ruan Mei said to spare her, then she would take Ruan Mei back to Herta City with her. And Ruan Mei would never leave.
But Ruan Mei remained silent. She showed no intention of pleading for Herta #3156.
Herta spoke first. "Ruan Mei, what do you think I should do with this one?"