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Elio, whose cat head was being pinched, let out two meows.
"I'll say it again: if you're willing to join the Stellaron Hunters, I'll tell you everything."
"You really are a stubborn one, aren't you?"
Elio licked his paw casually.
"In any case, I can guarantee you that I harbor no ill will. We both want Jingliu to recover, don't we?"
"..."
'Jingliu' remained noncommittal. Elio didn't seem to mind her silence.
"There are some instruments I've prepared in the house; they should be useful to you. I'll leave Jingliu in your care for a few days. As for this Stellaron, I'll help you dispose of it."
Elio's tail flicked toward the Stellaron tucked in 'Jingliu's' pocket. The Stellaron itself hadn't stopped its eruption; she was merely using the power of Harmony to safely manage the energy it bled out.
Come to think of it... it seemed like only the Astral Express and the Stellaron Hunters were capable of safely handling Stellarons. It was a mystery how they actually disposed of them. Even Herta had to construct a massive apparatus just to seal one away.
'Jingliu' herself had to carry the thing around, enduring its constant harassment. Yet, these two factions consistently took Stellarons away and sealed them, and they never seemed to take up much space. Was there some secret recipe?
"Elio, can the power of a Stellaron be utilized safely and effectively?"
As she handed the Stellaron over to Elio, 'Jingliu' asked the question out of curiosity.
"Strictly speaking... shouldn't that be a question for you? The name 'Zephyro' was brought here by you. Right now, she's the one most enthusiastic about throwing Stellarons across the universe."
It was unclear if Elio was unwilling to answer, or if there truly was no safe way to utilize them outside of the Path of Destruction.
"Fine. Speaking of Zephyro, I wonder what she thinks of me, her 'predecessor'~"
At the mention of Zephyro, 'Jingliu' realized that Nanook must have forged her long ago. She was likely out there now, working hard to spread Stellarons throughout the cosmos. Given the chance, Baiming wanted to see what the real Zephyro's personality was like. She was certainly less easy to talk to than herself, that was for sure.
With that, Elio's tail curled around the Stellaron and he departed. 'Jingliu' took the cube and retreated into the house to begin her research.
She took the opportunity to start a video conference, inviting Herta, Ruan Mei, and Screwllum. Being Geniuses themselves, they would undoubtedly be interested in Doctor Primitive's research data.
Ruan Mei was the first to join the call.
"Long time no see, Baiming. May I ask where you obtained Doctor Primitive's research data?"
"Long time no see, Ruan Mei. It's a long story."
Just as she finished greeting her, another voice—clearly sounding quite displeased—joined the chat:
"Oh~ Baiming. I was wondering who it was. Instead of coming to Herta Space Station like a good girl, you're out here roleplaying as a galactic bandit?"
"..."
Whoa, she's angry again.
'Jingliu' sometimes wondered if Herta just enjoyed sniping at people. Also, was she still dwelling on the fact that Baiming had initially impersonated her? Herta claimed it was in the past, but she was likely keeping a little tally in her head. With Herta's petty nature, it was entirely possible.
"Stop scolding, stop scolding. If you keep it up, you'll turn me into an idiot."
'Jingliu' chose to surrender with a chuckle.
"Hmph. Your attitude is lacking."
Herta sat with her arms crossed on the other end of the line, giving a soft huff, though a hint of a smile tugged at her lips.
Seeing this, 'Jingliu' cut the chatter. She produced the cube and began explaining while she attempted to analyze it. She gave a brief account of her experiences over the past two days and how she had ended up encountering Doctor Primitive.
"Elio's script? But why would he lead you to obtain Doctor Primitive's data here?"
"Inference: The Stellaron Hunters' actions are always elusive. Perhaps there is an answer we seek within Doctor Primitive's legacy."
'Jingliu' nodded at Screwllum's words. "That's why I contacted you. You know my background; trying to analyze a Genius's creation is a bit out of my league. I managed to pluck quite a few things from Doctor Primitive's hands—most are damaged, but the research value should still be there."
"I have some interest in Doctor Primitive's atavism experiment data."
Ruan Mei stated her goal openly. Ruan Mei was capable of such things as well, though she usually refrained as it didn't fit her aesthetic. However, if it were data from another Genius, there might be something unique hidden within those mundane experiments.
"I'm more curious about what will happen to Doctor Primitive himself. Aren't you afraid he'll escape again?"
Madam Herta scrutinized the pile of Doctor Primitive's inventions through the camera. It was hard to tell what she was actually thinking.
With Screwllum's assistance, 'Jingliu' quickly began bypassing the cube's firewall. She answered Herta's question in passing:
"I can't say for sure. I don't have a way to prevent such methods at this stage. I don't know why the Lord of Silence is helping him—perhaps she has her own agenda?"
"The Lord of Silence. Tch. That woman is an absolute lunatic."
The atmosphere around Herta shifted noticeably the moment the Lord of Silence was mentioned.
"Did she interrupt your inspiration again?"
"Yes. Ever since her 'Domain of Silence' failed to expand within Herta Space Station, she hasn't bothered to hide her intent to target me."
Hearing Herta say this, 'Jingliu' glanced at Ruan Mei and then at Screwllum. Both of them gave slight shakes of their heads. Whatever had happened, Herta hadn't shared the details with anyone.
"There. It is unlocked, Madam Baiming. The protection on this information storage unit was not particularly strong; it appears to be a device Doctor Primitive used frequently."
Just then, Screwllum's voice pulled everyone's thoughts back to the task.
"Thank you, Mr. Screwllum. I'll share the data now."
'Jingliu' smiled and thanked him for the remote assistance.
"Hold on. Let me add another layer of call encryption. Baiming, you're seriously using such a basic device to contact us?"
Herta shouted for her to stop while she began operating her console, not missing the chance to criticize 'Jingliu's' equipment.
"..."
What could 'Jingliu' even say? She had stated more than once that she wasn't a Genius, but Herta didn't seem to care. In Herta's eyes, being able to mimic a Genius's intellect probably made her half of one anyway.
"Alright, send it."
Herta reached up and flicked the brim of her hat. 'Jingliu' then shared all the data within the storage unit.
Ruan Mei was perhaps the most eager, given her expertise was the most relevant. "By the way, Baiming, are you planning to cure that Stellaron Hunter's Mara-struck condition?"
"Yes. After all... I can't just ignore her when she's become like this."
The fact that Jingliu's mind was filled with "yandere" thoughts about her was... a bit inappropriate. If there was a cure, she had to try.
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