The Herta's gaze focused on the Fourth Mirror, which was still in the midst of AI program evolution and iterative upgrades. She stared at the strings of code constantly flashing across the mirror's surface—010101...
After the Fourth Mirror's AI completes its evolution, perhaps her functions won't be limited to ordering takeout, buying milk tea, or chatting with me about trivial matters. She might even be able to handle real work for me... like managing and operating a Herta factory!
No sooner had The Herta finished that thought than a line of text appeared on the Fourth Mirror:
Within the torrent of Erudition energy... AI Herta program self-iteration complete. Total iterations: 42. Fourth Mirror Version 4.2 rebooting... reboot successful!
"Madam Herta, to open my eyes again and behold you in person is truly the Fourth Mirror's honor!"
"Madam Herta is unparalleled in the world! Madam Herta outshines all others! Madam Herta possesses supreme intelligence!"
"Alright, alright, enough flattery." Herta waved her hand and posed the key question to the Fourth Mirror. "Tell me—after forty-two iterations, are you capable of managing a fully intelligent factory?"
"Of course, Madam Herta. I am now the smartest AI on The Blue—no, the smartest, smartest, smartest! Forget managing a mere intelligent factory. If you wished... I could even help you manage the entire Blue Federation and make you the empress of the Blue Federation!"
"I have no interest in becoming any empress." The Herta rolled her eyes. "If I wanted power, I would have accepted the Blue Federation's Supreme Leader's invitation over the phone and become Vice Leader long ago."
After saying that, The Herta paused slightly before continuing, "Now calculate this—if we establish a Soul Gem factory locally in the Blue Federation, how many Credits and materials would it require? And how long before it can officially begin operations?"
"Based on The Blue's current infrastructure capabilities, constructing a super-intelligent factory with a Soul Gem production line would require approximately two years. Of course, if the Blue Federation cooperates and provides full policy support, the timeline could be compressed to six months."
"Six months is still that long? The efficiency is far too slow." The Herta frowned faintly.
Seeing this, the Fourth Mirror hurriedly added, "That estimate only reflects The Blue's local infrastructure capabilities. According to interastral big data searches, there exists within the universe a group of super forces possessing extraordinarily powerful construction abilities!"
"—The Interastral Peace Corporation!"
"Within the IPC, there are seven core departments. Among them, the Building Materials Logistics Department originated as the Amber Lord's support team, responsible for transporting materials to the Aeon Qlipoth!"
"At the same time, this department oversees interplanetary material transport and even manages the company's ultraremote transmission network."
"But its greatest strength lies not merely in logistics between the stars—the true core capability of this department is construction itself!"
"According to interastral big data, in the past, countless worlds across numerous galaxies have applied to the company for infrastructure assistance through loans or other means."
"The Building Materials Logistics Department directly deployed large numbers of members from the Architects, helping many worlds establish practical architecture. For example, on Jarilo-VI, Belobog was constructed by the Architects to resist crises—and it remains in use to this day..."
"If the Architects take action to construct a super-intelligent factory, the main structure could rise from the ground in less than a week."
"Place the order with the IPC immediately. Contact them and have them begin preparations in advance." The Herta made her decision. "As for the cost, there's no need to worry. There are still one hundred billion Credits in the account. That should be sufficient to construct a factory."
"Understood."
The Fourth Mirror agreed at once, then dialed the official contact number of the Interastral Peace Corporation. It informed the customer service representative that it was the incarnation of Herta, 83rd Seat of the Genius Society, and wished to place an important order with the company.
!!
Upon learning that a member of the Genius Society was calling, the IPC customer service representative did not hesitate in the slightest. The matter was immediately escalated to a supervisor, who found it beyond their authority and escalated it further.
Layer by layer, the report climbed upward.
In the end, the Fourth Mirror's call reached the Minister of the Building Materials Logistics Department—an Emanator of Preservation—Taravan Keane.
The Emanator of Preservation straightened in his chair. A faint smile curved at his lips as he spoke into the receiver. "So—you are the Mirror of the newly ascended 83rd Seat of the Genius Society, Herta, and you wish to place an order with our Building Materials Logistics Department?"
The Fourth Mirror replied, "Correct. Madam Herta intends to establish a super-intelligent factory on The Blue. According to information circulating among the stars, the most formidable construction force belongs to the Architects faction within the IPC. Therefore, Madam Herta instructed me to make this call. Will you accept the order?"
"Of course we will accept it."
Taravan Keane gazed at the project file displayed on his screen—Herta · Soul Gem Cooperation Project—his expression turning serious. "Since it is a genius' project, I will handle it with urgency. The Architects' infrastructure forces will arrive at The Blue within three system-hours."
"May I ask—the price for constructing this super-intelligent factory?"
"Free of charge."
"Free?!"
"Yes. Consider it a congratulatory gift for Miss Herta's induction into the Genius Society. And Mirror—please convey my greetings to Miss Herta."
"Very well. I will record that. May I have your name?"
"Taravan Keane."
...
In Herta's dormitory, after ending the call, the Fourth Mirror reported all the information to The Herta.
After listening, a trace of astonishment surfaced on her usually aloof face. "Free infrastructure support? Since when is the IPC so kind-hearted?"
"Madam Herta, this is goodwill extended to you, a genius, by Taravan Keane."
"And who exactly is that?"
"The Minister of the Building Materials Logistics Department. His current internal rank within the Interastral Peace Corporation is P48, and he is one of the seven directors on the company's board."
"The goodwill of Director Taravan Keane of the IPC..." The Herta murmured. After a brief moment of thought, she quickly grasped the implication. "The Interastral Peace Corporation is capitalism made manifest—arriving in this world dripping with blood and filth from head to toe."
"For a company director to show favor to me, Herta, it is most likely because he hopes to obtain superior inventions from this genius in the future."
Hearing this, the Fourth Mirror immediately flattered her. "As expected of Madam Herta—your wisdom is unparalleled, shaking past and present alike!"
"Naturally." The Herta lifted her chin proudly.
At that moment, Herman spoke as well, revealing another piece of information. "Taravan Keane is far from a simple figure. He is not merely a company director or department minister—he himself is also an Emanator."
"An Emanator of Preservation?!" The Herta's heart stirred.
Herman replied, "That's right. Just like Diamond of the Strategic Investment Department, he is a foundation of Preservation placed within the company by the Amber Lord. He is also one of the cornerstones that allow the Interastral Peace Corporation to stand unshaken as a top-tier force across the universe."