Cerydra had long been convinced by Herta's knowledge and capabilities.
Though initially, there had been a few clashes due to differences in personality and status.
But Cerydra wasn't one to refuse kindness.
It was just that, after all, this involved the future of Amphoreus.
So, on behalf of Amphoreus' king, she sought final confirmation from World Herta:
"Then, in the name of Cerydra, I ask for your final confirmation: Amphoreus will exhaust all we have to seize the will of the Irontomb for you. After victory, Amphoreus will stride toward the true starry skies. Is that correct?"
"Naturally. Irontomb is merely a stepping stone for my own self-coronation. Afterward, wherever you wish to go or whatever you wish to do, I will not interfere."
World Herta waved a hand, clearly a bit impatient.
But she also knew that Amphoreus was essentially entrusting their entire existence to her as a transit point.
It was only normal for them to be this cautious.
Herta had not the slightest interest in becoming Irontomb.
Let alone the fact that long ago, this Emperor's Scepter had been glanced upon by Nanook.
The power of Destruction had long since seeped into every corner.
World Herta had little interest in such a thing.
When the time came, the Irontomb's physical shell would also be left to Amphoreus.
"Oh, right. If you seek knowledge, Anaxa, you can come to the Herta Space Station to give it a try."
"Nothing would please me more."
Though not quite a genius, Anaxa's qualities were rather decent, especially after transforming into a living being—it was enough to catch Herta's eye, at least.
So World Herta didn't mind extending an invitation.
As a scholar, Anaxa, who loved questioning things the most, was ironically the earliest of the Chrysos Heirs to be convinced by the two Hertas.
One might even say he couldn't wait to leave Amphoreus.
To witness the knowledge of the cosmos, to pursue that highest proof of genius.
Each of the Chrysos Heirs had their own wishes.
Not all of them were so grand.
Like Phainon, who just wanted to go home after the fight and be a country boy.
Hyacine wanted to see the seas beyond this world.
Castorice wished to live with her sister in a house with a garden and become a writer on the StarNet.
And so on, and so forth…
The rest, too, held their own varied hopes for the future.
Awaiting the final new world.
And these expectations—whether ordinary or arduous—made the light of hope upon them shine all the more brilliantly.
"Then, step forward. Return the Coreflames, become a Titan, and in the name of the Titans, bear the hopes of all living beings in Amphoreus to vanquish Irontomb!"
World Herta raised her hand.
A Coreflame appeared in her palm.
Following her lead, the other twelve Chrysos Heirs also withdrew their Coreflames, one by one.
Watching as the Thirteen Coreflames were cast into the pool.
After this day, with the arrival of the new world, Amphoreus too, under World Herta's guidance, would transcend the threat of the Irontomb and stride toward the true starry skies.
Amphoreus, stuck at the same stage for thousands of cycles.
Had finally stepped towards tomorrow.
The old deities laid down their burdens, the new Titans ascended to divinity.
As Amphoreus began to turn once more, a brand-new era descended upon it.
And that abruptly appearing thirteenth Titan, the incarnation of light.
Was finally inscribed into the epic of Amphoreus.
--+--
One day later.
Bai Ming was finally released by Herta.
Climbing down from that experimental platform.
Then, using Cyrene's character card, pink long hair and an extravagant gown manifested in the room, a tall figure coalescing into form before Herta.
And Bai Ming's status panel refreshed accordingly:
--+--
[Character Role-Play System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Cyrene)]
[Lifespan: 600 years (paused) + 30 days (role-play)]
[Transformable Characters: Big Herta (available), Acheron (available), Celenova (Charge: 95.4%), Jingliu (Charge: 82.4%), Ruan Mei (Charge: 65.4%), Sparkle (Charge: 55.2%), Hertatomb (Charge: 13.4%), Cyrene (in use)]
[Available Draws: 0 (8.1%)]
--+--
[Reward Settlement: With a downgraded form, reversed Irontomb's Path inclination, resurrected one Genius, obtained partial talent and ability of Rubert III.]
Talent and ability from Rubert III.
It sounded pretty impressive, but to Bai Ming, it felt a bit odd.
Because that guy's talents came from a sophont machine, after all.
That exquisite computational power and logical deduction were indeed formidable.
But the operational logic of a carbon-based brain and a silicon-based brain just aren't quite the same.
On top of that, Bai Ming wasn't directly replacing her way of thinking—instead, the two thought logics coexisted in parallel.
Meaning Bai Ming currently had no physical brain at all.
As a soul entity, her mode of thought was inherently capable of accommodating any thought logic.
Otherwise, her mind would probably be smoking right now.
Even so, that uniquely sophont-machine-like exquisite computational ability still felt strange to Bai Ming, who was used to the fuzzy processing of carbon-based life.
Impressive, yes, but it would probably take quite some time to adjust.
'Cyrene' put on a pitiful, delicate expression, rubbing her temples.
Herta looked her over with interest.
"And who is it this time? Dressed up like a fruitcake."
Why did this face look so much like that little girl in Amphoreus, the one called Cyrene.
Grown up, she's quite pretty.
Though some parts are a bit too… ample.
"Cyrene, right? Or… Demiurge?"
'Cyrene' tried using this body to recall.
Then discovered that both Cyrene's and Demiurge's memories were within this body.
And not jumbled together chaotically, but a natural, harmonious fusion of the two.
"What do you mean? Are Demiurge and that little girl Cyrene somehow connected?"
Herta asked offhandedly.
She wasn't particularly driven to investigate.
"Oh, right. Zandar just sent something over, I think."
The flow of time inside and outside Amphoreus differed, but it wasn't as extreme as in the original game.
So although a full day had passed outside, Amphoreus' new world hadn't quite reached the final showdown yet.
Zandar was probably deliberately waiting for Bai Ming to be present to witness it.
For that, he'd specially sent an invitation.
"Here. An invitation from Zandar, for you."
Herta turned, looking at Bai Ming sitting beside her, clearly trying to keep some distance, and couldn't help but want to laugh.
"Why send it to me?"
'Cyrene' reached out and took the invitation.
The content was nothing unexpected—just hoping Bai Ming could come witness Irontomb's final chapter in person.
Just then.
A pair of hands reached out from behind 'Cyrene.'
Fingertips gently touched 'Cyrene's' skin, cupping her face from behind.
Ruan Mei's voice came from over her shoulder:
"Zandar clearly wants to collaborate with you very much. And Herta told me that, because of you, Zandar held back considerably. They even exchanged words as fellow geniuses. She's grateful to you."
"Hey! Ruan Mei! When did I ever say anything like that?"
"You didn't say it in those words, but wasn't that what you meant?"
"Tsk."
Herta clicked her tongue, turning her head away to ignore them.
Ruan Mei, meanwhile, began arranging 'Cyrene's' hair and accessories with interest.
All dressed up like this, so splendid—almost like a bride. Quite novel.
And compared to the Digimon now all over Amphoreus, 'Cyrene's' body was clearly completely different.
Perhaps it was an individual from another worldline again.
'Cyrene' enjoyed Ruan Mei's fussing, then suddenly asked: "The final battle is about to begin. Will you all go to the scene?"
"Go? Of course, I'll go! I'll just warp the Herta Space Station over there to stretch its legs. Better than having it keep circling The Blue."
At this point, how could Herta not go personally?
She was still planning to contest World Herta for Irontomb's coronation rights, after all.
She definitely had to go.
"Mmm, I'll go take a look as well."
Ruan Mei wasn't hugely interested, but for the sake of a few friends, she decided to go and see.
"Conclusion: I shall dispatch Planet Screwllum's brand-new planetary-class warship. This will be their debut in the galaxy."
Even the ever-calm Screwllum seemed unable to resist showing off the newly iterated fleet.
Screwllum entered from the doorway.
Seeing 'Cyrene's' appearance, he also paused slightly—it really did look a lot like little Cyrene.
Seeing that the three geniuses had all stated their intentions 'Cyrene' didn't say more.
The silver ring was once again placed on her finger.
As for the original ring on her left hand, it was swapped out—wearing two rings would just be strange.
'Cyrene' swiftly escaped Herta City, returning once more to Amphoreus.
Arriving again at Aedes Elysiae, 'Cyrene' sat on the swing, lost in thought.
Coming here this time in the identity of a Pure Child of Anāsrava.
The abnormally abundant Memoria caught 'Cyrene's' attention.
Speaking of which… before the fight, shouldn't we clear out these ill-intentioned Memokeepers first?
--+--