"That's pretty much the situation as I just explained it. Well... if things in your world haven't changed too drastically by the time you get back, then the methods I taught you should come in handy."
An electronic pen spun deftly around Herta's fingertips. Beside her, a semi-transparent screen was densely packed with a list of analysis results Herta had compiled for Lynelle regarding various potential difficulties.
Honestly, even though Herta claimed she wasn't great at these kinds of intricate social maneuvers, when you're a genius, even your weak points outstrip an ordinary person's best efforts.
At the very least, for someone like Lynelle, who had almost no experience with conflict, it was all rather eye-opening.
"Why so surprised? I did say I'm not particularly fond of studying this sort of thing, but humans as a species... their virtues vary, but their vices are all much the same."
Herta poked Lynelle's cheek with her pen.
"I'm not entirely clear on who this 'Bishop Otto' of yours is supposed to be, but since you said it's unlikely you'll cross paths with him anytime soon, I didn't include him as a variable."
"From an experimental rigor standpoint, that's admittedly not ideal. However, thanks to your resurrection ability, your margin for error is naturally much larger than most... So, let's leave the pre-battle preparations at that."
"As for logistics... I've stripped this ship of everything that could be removed without impacting the propulsion systems. Considering your physical condition, there's nothing left here that would be of much use to you."
"However, the ship will return to The Herta Space Station in one day. I've already notified Asta in advance to prepare some items for me. By the time you return next, we should be able to significantly expand your arsenal."
"Woohoo!"
As the saying goes, fear not the god-like opponent, but the pig-like teammate. Herta, however, clearly fell into the 'god-like teammate' category.
Officially, Lynelle was Herta's lab assistant, but judging by their current division of labor, it was more like Herta was the diligent wife, managing every aspect for Lynelle with perfect efficiency.
So this is what it feels like to be carried by a pro...
Lynelle suddenly felt that drifting in space for so long beforehand wasn't so hard to accept after all.
"Madam Herta is a peerless gem. Madam Herta is an unrivaled genius. Madam Herta is an inimitable beauty!"
Watching Lynelle, who had her hands raised high with an expression of 'eternally indebted to Herta's grace,' Herta silently snapped her fingers. A magic wand materialized mid-air and bonked Lynelle squarely on the head.
"What's with you, got an auto-praise module installed or something?... Whatever, just lie down now. I'll send you back."
Hearing this, Lynelle promptly laid herself down in the life-support pod Herta had prepared earlier, then blinked up at her.
"I'm all ready~"
"..."
Observing Lynelle lying there so obediently, waiting for death, Herta's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She then asked, seemingly offhand, "By the way, for you to travel back, you need to be in a state of death, right?... Would a deep coma work?"
"Hmm, I'm not really sure. Even sleeping can sometimes trigger the crossing mechanism... but death is definitely more reliable."
Lynelle blinked, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Herta, are you worried about me? Or can't bear to do it~"
"Who'd worry about a mere lab assistant..."
Herta pursed her lips, then walked over to Lynelle's side and gently placed her hand over the girl's chest. "What a hassle... Fine, close your eyes. Don't worry, I'll try to control the output."
Before Lynelle could reply, imaginary energy, guided by Herta's will, surged through Lynelle's body.
The girl, who had just been teasing Herta so vivaciously, stiffened for an instant, then went completely limp.
"Tsk..."
Looking at Lynelle, who now appeared to be merely asleep, Herta jerked her hand back as if shocked.
She let out a soft sigh, pulled out a terminal, paused in silence for a moment, then quickly composed a message and sent it to one of her pinned contacts.
[Ruan Mei, I need a small favor. I'll send you the subject's somatic data later. Please prepare a reagent for me that can induce a state of suspended animation in this subject. The closer it mimics true biological death, the better.]
--+--
"H-help! Don't kill m—"
"You didn't listen to their pleas when they were your test subjects, did you?"
Pulling the Void Lance out of the researcher's body, Sirin's gaze swept over the last person left in the laboratory.
Or rather, the last person in the entire Babylon Labs still alive who belonged to Schicksal.
"Hello there, Director..."
A slightly unhinged smile curled Sirin's lips.
"Could you tell me... how to wake Lynelle up?"
"I-I-I-I..."
Under the immense pressure, the Director, who had been so smug just hours before, could barely form words. "I already told you, just inject her with, with Honkai energy and she'll... Agh!"
Before he could finish, another sharp Void Lance severed his remaining hand.
"Yes, after receiving the Honkai energy supplement, Lynelle's injuries did heal..."
Sirin's face was expressionless. "That's the only reason you're still breathing."
"But, why hasn't she woken up? I want to know... are you hiding something else?"
"I-I'm not!"
The Director was on the verge of tears now. "If I knew how her resurrection worked, why would I even experiment on you people? Besides, that girl is so full of tricks, who knows if she's just pretending on purp—"
"Silence!"
An intense killing intent flashed in Sirin's golden eyes. The tip of the Void Lance pressed against the Director's chest.
"What would a scumbag like you know about Lynelle?!"
"Lynelle is my conviction! Lynelle is my answer!"
"Lynelle is different... Only Lynelle is different—!"
"Lynelle... isn't like anyone else."
"Y-you..."
Witnessing Sirin suddenly shift into this intensely possessive mode, the Director was terrified nearly to the point of losing control of his bladder.
After all, the deeper her feelings for Lynelle, the smaller his chances of survival.
Of course... he never stood a chance anyway.
Because he saw the anger on Sirin's face suddenly freeze, replaced by an expression of unconcealed joy.
It was the last sight he would ever see.
"Lynelle... has resurrected?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Sirin drove the Void Lance straight through the Director's heart. Her eyes practically lit up, and she vanished instantly from the top floor of the Babylon Tower.
--+--
T/N: Yall read that one fanfic where the Kiana stigma despises Sirin? I mean yeah its understandable but if I was sirin I lowk would have crashed out
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.