Herta Space Station, Herta's Laboratory.
As soon as she returned to the space station, Herta immediately started working on a network security system for Lucian.
"With the whole superintelligent system connected to the IPC's virus database, it can quickly identify all kinds of viruses and precisely eliminate them."
In front of a supercomputer, Herta muttered with a confident smile as her hands typed without stopping.
"Hmph, with access to the IPC's virus database, I don't believe the Stellaron Hunters can break through my creation."
A few minutes later, Herta finally finished creating a super-intelligent network security system, strong enough to cover an entire planet.
"I'll send it over tomorrow and pretend this Madam Herta spent a lot of effort on it."
Right after saying this, Herta stretched and checked the time, then used the Fourth Mirror to video call Ruan Mei.
[Is there another glorious achievement you want to share with me again?]
As soon as Ruan Mei's figure appeared in the mirror, she asked softly, seemingly already used to Herta's antics of calling her randomly just to show off.
Unlike usual, however, Herta didn't show off right away but instead showed concern.
"Ruan Mei, has there been any progress with your research on resurrecting life?"
[Hmm? Not really, nothing substantial. Why are you asking about this so suddenly?]
"Nothing much, just wanted to exchange some ideas." Herta shrugged nonchalantly. "In your opinion, what would a perfect resurrected organism look like?"
[Of course, it should have the best condition it had in life—strength, appearance, consciousness, and memory—no different from before death. Only then is it valuable for research.]
"Alright, so how far have you gotten? Have you met that standard?"
[I found a fragment of an ancient beast's bone, then tried to extract its genes and reassemble them to restore the creature's former state. Alas, the results are always strange and only last about three minutes before they vanish. I still need lots of experiments, but maybe I'll make some progress.]
"I see..." Herta nodded thoughtfully. "So you're not that impressive after all..."
[Why do you say that?]
"Well, I made a friend who managed to resurrect a Xianzhou Arbiter-General who had been dead for almost thirty years, perfectly and full of life as if nothing had happened—and you know what's even more ridiculous? He's even dating her now. Isn't that wild?"
Herta stared at the beauty on the screen with a half-smile, hoping to see some unusual expression on her face, but unfortunately, the beauty was as calm as ever—though a hint of confusion did flash across her face.
[Tell me more. Describe the state of that resurrected lifeform.]
Herta told her everything she had heard and seen, while Ruan Mei silently listened, deep in thought.
Once the explanation was finished, the room fell silent for a moment.
Herta didn't mind—even if the two of them just stared at each other, it would never feel awkward.
[It does sound perfect. If it's truly a perfect resurrected lifeform, it's very valuable for research. Help me ask your friend if I can take a look at the research data and the specimen?]
"What do you think? Of course not!" Herta rolled her eyes. "Why would he just hand that over to me? Ask him yourself. I already told him I'd introduce you, and he's happy to meet you."
[Hmm... Fine... I'll meet him, then.]
Upon hearing this, a teasing smile appeared on Herta's face.
"I thought you'd refuse to make new friends, but turns out academics matter more to you, huh?"
Herta knew Ruan Mei didn't like socializing and was never quick to trust others, so this time, being willing to meet someone showed just how much she cared about resurrecting a perfect lifeform.
"Alright, I'll set something up when I have time and arrange a meeting for you two—that's all for today."
Herta ended the call, feeling delighted as she had once again succeeded in showing off in front of Ruan Mei.
Even though both geniuses admired each other, there was always some rivalry—though it was only Herta who thought this way.
'Heh, the things you can't do, my friend can do—that's what you call superiority.'
Of course, beyond just showing off, Herta genuinely wanted to help Ruan Mei.
Lucian was so talented, and even Nous had noticed him, yet he wasn't a member of the Genius Society and was not someone famous.
Even after pondering seriously about Lucian to the point her head felt like it was burning, she still couldn't figure it out.
===
Jarilo-VI, Belobog.
At this moment, Lucian had already moved Koolur beside Jarilo-VI, and now it orbited a shining star near Jarilo-VI.
Planet relocation was nothing new for Koolur's inhabitants—they were completely used to it and didn't care at all, so wherever their savior wanted them to go, they would go.
Cocolia was utterly shocked when she heard the sudden news.
In the Supreme Guardian's office, Cocolia sat sideways on Lucian's lap, reading through Koolur's information in her hand.
"So, another civilization under your command wants to ally with us? Only one?"
"For now, it's just one." Lucian replied while squeezing her thigh, enjoying the soft, cottony feel. "Well, there might be more in the future, though. Go meet Neergul first—she should be arriving here soon."
*Pa!*
Lucian patted Cocolia's butt, making a sharp sound.
"Keep it down, someone might hear…" Cocolia blushed, complaining softly.
"Alright, alright, gotta keep up appearances during work hours." Lucian chuckled and stood up. "Well, I'll go take a walk. You go welcome our new ally."
He had been running around nonstop since coming out of the script and hadn't had a chance to relax.
Now that he was free, he decided to take in the sights.
As she watched Lucian's figure disappear, Cocolia quickly fixed her hair and makeup in front of a big mirror.
From the information she had read, she learned that Koolur's leader, Neergul, was an intelligent beauty.
Knowing that, she definitely couldn't afford to lose her edge in front of another woman and had to appear at her best.
===
Casually walking through the streets with both hands in his pockets, Lucian overheard the crowd's chatter a few dozen meters away.
"I heard a new neighbor just moved in nearby. It's the Supreme Guardian's people, here to ally with us."
"My uncle works at the Qlipoth Fort and got some insider news. He said the whole planet's full of a race called foxians—they're basically humans with fox ears and tails!"
"Oh my god... this is awesome! I'm so marrying a foxian wife!"
"I heard their technology is also way more advanced than ours."
"Yeah, they have living vehicles—they can run, fly, and even their houses are alive!"
"Thank you, Supreme Guardian! If it weren't for him, we'd have frozen to death ages ago. How could we even dream of a future like this?!"
"All hail the Supreme Guardian!"
Hearing all their praises, Lucian was in high spirits.
'Not gonna lie, being admired feels so much better than being feared.'
===
In the blink of an eye, the next day came.
In the morning, just as Lucian finished dressing after taking a bath, Herta's message came.
[Herta: Come pick me up—the thing you wanted is done.]
As soon as he read the message, Lucian grinned.
[Lucian: Alright.]
Right after replying to Herta, Lucian immediately messaged Silver Wolf.
[Lucian: Send me your virus program. It'd be best if it had your signature, so Herta knows it's you.]
[Silver Wolf: Okay, I'll send it right away.]
[Silver Wolf: BTW, I'll put it on your phone so I can watch it live. I wanna see Herta cry and make a scene.]