Screwllum performed a noble's salute. "Miss Herta, I respect your stance."
Ruan Mei took a sip of tea. "I also respect your position, Herta. Since you're unwilling to pursue genetic modification, then once you've developed a method of longevity and formally begin the Simulated Universe project, may I join?"
"After all, I'm deeply interested in the future of the countless life-forms within the Simulated Universe."
"Of course." Herta smiled and nodded. "The Simulated Universe project welcomes more geniuses to join. Not now—but in the future!"
"Ruan Mei, then it's settled. This is our agreement, Herta." After speaking, Ruan Mei extended her hand toward Herta.
Herta nodded firmly and shook her hand. "Mm."
"In that case, I'll return to researching the connection between the Ruan Mei Magic Wand and the soul... Until next time!"
The moment her words fell, she seized the Ruan Mei Magic Wand floating in the air and activated the Society Ticket in her hand. In an instant, her entire figure vanished from this Society station.
"Wuuu..." The biological consciousness of the station itself, sensing the disappearance of its creator, let out waves of soft sobbing.
Naturally, the moment the sound reached the outside, it was swallowed by a black hole.
Seated at the dining table, Screwllum was not surprised that the station itself was a living entity. Instead, it was Ruan Mei's final words—Ruan Mei Magic Wand and soul—that astonished him.
"Miss Herta, you have already created the Soul Gem and even constructed it in the form of a wand?" Screwllum asked, looking at the purple-black wand that floated and circled in the low air.
"Yes." Herta nodded. "But it requires a blood contract and the user must possess a soul."
Screwllum replied, "Analysis: Intellitrons possess no blood. The concept of a soul is also excessively abstract. Conclusion: Intellitrons are likely unable to use the Soul Gem."
"At present, that is the case," Herta said. "In the future, once I've developed the Herta Puppets, I can design a version of the Soul Gem · Magical Girl Transformation Device that can be used by Intellitrons and puppets."
"Herta puppets—I understand. This exchange of technology was for the purpose of creating such special puppets." Screwllum extended his hand in invitation. "Miss Herta, in my capacity as the ruler of Planet Screwllum, I welcome you to Planet Screwllum to witness the Celestial Differentiator—and the moment Intellitrons come of age and awaken to intelligence."
"Please activate the Society Ticket and set the phase transmission location to Planet Screwllum. The Society Ticket created by the genius Elias Salas carries the ability—once two geniuses become friends—to phase transmit to the same friend's residence."
"Of course, this requires the consent of the friend in question."
"I see."
Understanding dawned on Herta as she activated the Society Ticket.
Her figure vanished from the Society station.
Seeing this, Screwllum lightly tapped the monocle at the corner of his eye. He too disappeared from the Society station.
...
The next instant, one human and one Intellitron crossed countless galaxies and arrived at Planet Screwllum.
That planet was completely unlike ordinary worlds. Its surface was wrapped in colossal gear structures and lever systems, the entire planet imprisoned within a cage composed of innumerable levers, pistons, and gears.
Its most iconic feature was a planetary ring riddled with square apertures, emerging from behind the celestial body. All civilized entities were situated upon band-like structures, completing their rotation under the drive of a central engine.
It was a planet where even the air carried the scent of machine oil. The vast majority of beings walking its streets were no longer humans, but Intellitrons of every imaginable shape.
There were robots gliding along on skateboards, robots twirling red handkerchiefs... Countless robots sustained the mechanical civilization of Planet Screwllum through a uniquely structured society.
Of course, what truly maintained the operation of Planet Screwllum was the Celestial Differentiator.
"Miss Herta, that is Planet Screwllum's Celestial Differentiator—the most useful tool in my research." Screwllum pointed toward the distance, at the immense mechanical megastructure that rotated endlessly, occupying immeasurable ground, linking heaven and earth, piercing even through the clouds.
"Magnificent," Herta evaluated before asking, "How many AIs will awaken to self-awareness—or reach adulthood—today?"
"Please allow me to check." As he spoke, streams of 010101 flashed across the lens of Screwllum's monocle. At last, he answered:
"One hundred AIs will come of age today. The fastest to mature is a humanoid machine entrusted by the Differentiator's mainframe to research human art. She is about to complete her self-awakening and become an Intellitron. Miss Herta, you may observe that moment."
"A humanoid machine researching art? Where is she now?"
"In Planet Screwllum's art museum."
Screwllum extended a finger toward the east.
Without hesitation, Herta seized the Herta Magic Wand, placed it beneath herself, and took flight.
Whoosh!
Riding the wand, she soared into the sky and, within mere seconds, arrived at the art museum. There, she saw a robot with a blue seashell affixed to her forehead, golden ornaments crowning her head, dressed in blue and white garments. Her long golden hair flowed as she held an enormous brush and painted.
Her brushstrokes resembled surging waves. She seemed to be painting water—no... it was more like she was depicting the ocean.
Quite beautiful.
Herta made the evaluation inwardly.
Within her mind, Herman's ritual sensed the girl outside and revealed a trace of astonishment.
Pearl!
One of the future Interastral Peace Corporation's Ten Stonehearts, chairman of the Pearluxe Corp—and yet she had not even become an Intellitron yet?!
And the image she was painting—it was Planarcadia, the World in Canvas... the Worldbreaker Waves. Moreover, it was imperfect, marred by numerous flaws in brushwork.
The current her was unexpectedly immature.
If that were the case, Pearl might be poached—there was a possibility she could be brought under Herta's command.
After all, in this era... that wealthy Asta had not yet been born. No one was providing Herta with an endless stream of research Credits.
And Pearl—an Intellitron feared even by the IPC—had, in the game, risen all the way to P45, becoming one of the Ten Stonehearts of the Strategic Investment Department and chairwoman of the Pearluxe Corp. She undoubtedly possessed extraordinary talent.
That talent might not be suited for research—but when it came to making money, it would absolutely be formidable.
After thinking this through, Herman spoke directly to Herta.
"Once the female robot before you awakens and becomes an Intellitron, Herta, you can try to recruit her."
???
A string of question marks popped up in Herta's mind.
Sensing this, Herman quickly explained, "After she formally awakens and becomes an Intellitron, she will be a valuable talent."
"A research genius? I don't need—"
Herman cut her off at once. "A genius at making money. She can earn research funding for you."
"Then I want her. I'll keep an eye on her and seize her the moment she awakens."
The instant Herta heard that the Intellitron could generate revenue, her interest ignited and she agreed immediately.
Herta understood deeply that Herman possessed special information channels. Moreover, everything that had just occurred at the Genius Society between herself, Ruan Mei, and Screwllum had aligned perfectly with Herman's words.
That meant the accuracy of Herman's intelligence was extremely high.
It also meant his intelligence was worthy of trust.