"Could this be… the real Herta?" Stelle's eyes flickered slightly as she gazed at the beautiful girl who had fallen to the ground.
The black beret, the adorable puffy dress, the purple morning glory hair ornament… It was almost identical to the Herta puppet that had just gone offline. If there were any differences to point out, aside from the joints, it would only be their physiques.
The Herta lying on the ground was in her teenage form, while the puppet that had just disconnected was in her child form.
'There's a high chance this is Herta's real body, right?' Stelle silently speculated in her heart.
"How did you do this?" Herta frowned, then got up from the ground and dusted herself off.
Just moments ago, she had been curious about Yun Fan's actions, but the next second, Herta felt her real body being forcibly pulled. After a wave of dizziness, she found herself in the Herta Space Station.
To remotely capture another Emanator without knowing any coordinates—such power was something even the Destruction's Emanators couldn't achieve. Was this the authority of an Emanator of Causality?
"Simple." Yun Fan stepped forward and, under Herta's disgusted gaze, lifted her chin.
"I found you through the puppet." Yun Fan's breath brushed against Herta's ear, yet the latter showed no reaction, her expression unchanging.
"Hacking?" Herta raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Heh, it seems our dear Miss Herta's research on the Path of Causality isn't thorough enough. Ah, well, that makes sense. After all, you've only studied Asta's power."
At this point, Yun Fan paused.
"Asta is merely an ordinary Pathstrider of Causality. The power she possesses is limited, and the causality she can perceive is equally limited. But an Emanator of Causality is different—we wield true authority over causality. What we can do and the causality we can perceive are beyond ordinary comprehension."
"For example, just now, I analyzed the causality embedded in your puppet, then traced the threads of causality connected to it to pinpoint your location."
"As for how I pulled you here, that was even simpler and more direct. I used my authority to rewrite the causality of space, reducing the distance between us to virtually zero. Then, with just a little force—voilà, here you are."
After listening to Yun Fan's explanation, Herta fell silent for a long moment before finally sighing.
"That's such a cheating ability. I'm almost envious of you."
"Haha, there's nothing to envy. We just have different authorities. You're an Emanator of Nous as well, Herta. At the very least, we're equals in status."
The two exchanged words back and forth, occasionally sharing lighthearted laughter—though it was mostly Yun Fan laughing while Herta's expression remained as aloof as ever.
Stelle: "???"
Stelle, who hadn't been able to get a word in, blinked in confusion. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was completely superfluous here. These two were chatting away happily while she just stood there like a 300-watt lightbulb.
Huh? Why do I feel like a third wheel?
Stelle shook her head, dispelling the thought, then quietly made her way to the door.
Open the door—step out—close the door. Smooth and silent, without a single sound.
However, the moment the door closed, a flash of pink suddenly caught her eye.
"Asta, what are you…?"
Stelle stared in surprise at the pink-haired girl in front of her. At this moment, Asta was crouched halfway to the ground, her ear pressed against the wall, clearly eavesdropping—a far cry from her usual dignified and decisive self.
Caught red-handed, Asta gave an awkward smile. "Stelle, what a coincidence."
"Yeah, what a coincidence… my foot!" Stelle deadpanned. You're literally eavesdropping here, and you're calling it a coincidence?
"Sigh, since you've found me out, I might as well drop the act." Asta sighed helplessly, then mysteriously waved at Stelle, signaling her to come closer.
"Actually, I'm investigating a secret," Asta whispered into Stelle's ear.
"A secret?!" Stelle's eyes instantly lit up. She loved secrets!
"Tell me more!"
"Mhm, follow me. This isn't the place to talk."
Some time later…
"Uh… are you sure?" In the stationmaster's office, Stelle eyed Asta skeptically from her seat, her face practically screaming 'You've got to be kidding me.'
"I can't say for certain, but I trust my intuition," Asta replied solemnly, stirring her coffee gently.
"But this is way too far-fetched, isn't it? Yun Fan is the Aeon of Causality? That's just…" It wasn't that Stelle didn't trust Asta, but this was simply too unbelievable.
"Stelle, I need your help." Setting down her cup, Asta took Stelle's hands in hers. "I've already heard that Yun Fan will be boarding the Express with you. I want you to keep an eye on him for me."
"Isn't that a bit…? We're all—"
"I'll pay you 100 million Credits as compensation. 50 million upfront."
"I won't fail my mission!"
...
"Sigh…"
After Stelle left, Asta exhaled deeply, then stood up from her chair and walked to the massive star-viewing window.
Gazing at the boundless, endless sea of stars, a hint of confusion rose in the young girl's heart. Logically speaking, whether Emanator Yun Fan was the Aeon of Causality in the flesh had nothing to do with her. The will of an Aeon was beyond human influence, and the power of an Aeon was beyond human defiance.
And yet, for some reason, she couldn't help but want to uncover the truth. But… what would it change even if she did?
"So what if he is that Aeon?" the girl murmured. Then, she conjured a swirl of causal energy in her palm.
Watching the imaginary energy churning in her hand, Asta's confusion only deepened.
"Why do I care so much? What's wrong with me?"
Meanwhile…
"Have you had enough of groping me yet?!"
Slap!
Herta smacked away Yun Fan's "mischievous hand" that had been fondling her cheek, her voice laced with simmering anger.
"Tch, so cold." Yun Fan shook his head in exaggerated disappointment. "I was just expressing my affection for you."
"Hmph! So is this your idea of a confession, Aeon of Causality?" Herta snorted.
At those words, Yun Fan stiffened for a split second, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face—though it didn't escape Herta's notice.
After a brief silence, Yun Fan looked at the girl with newfound interest.
"Heh, fascinating. As expected of Herta, the 83rd member of the Genius Society. How did you figure it out?"