Herman quickly opened the electronic notepad on his phone and wrote down the tasks that needed to be handled next.
Without wasting a moment, he sprang into action. He found Pearl, informed her that the trip to Penacony would be postponed, and entrusted her with a mission—to contact the Celestial Differentiator and negotiate a technological exchange.
"Yes, leave it to me." Pearl clasped her hands at her abdomen, bowed to Herman, then closed her eyes to establish contact with the Celestial Differentiator.
Communication between Intellitrons was always swift. It did not take long before Pearl reopened her eyes and reported:
"Miss Herta, the Celestial Differentiator's mainframe has fully agreed to exchange the old-era Celestial Differentiator technology with you. However, she stated that the specific details of the exchange must be discussed directly with Planet Screwllum's true sovereign—Mr. Screwllum."
As soon as Pearl finished speaking, Herman's phone rang. He picked it up and saw the caller ID—it was the sovereign of Planet Screwllum, the 76th Seat of the Genius Society, Screwllum.
Herman promptly pressed the answer button. From the other end came Screwllum's elegant voice, layered with a metallic timbre:
"Miss Herta, good afternoon. I have already learned the specifics from the Celestial Differentiator. My answer is that I am willing to exchange the Celestial Differentiator's technology with you."
Herman spoke bluntly. "So what technology do you want in exchange? Let's keep this transaction simple."
Screwllum replied, "Rational analysis in progress..."
Herman coughed lightly. "I can make a recommendation. How about the mechanical version of the Soul Gem technology? With it, you could install Soul Gems into Intellitrons."
"Impossible. Absolutely not!" Screwllum answered with utmost seriousness. "Intellitrons are already regarded with hostility by many forces. If we further enhance them with Soul Gems, the position of the Intellitron race in the cosmos will become even more precarious."
Herman blinked and asked, "Then what do you want to exchange for? Forget it... I'll give you a list. I have Soul Gem technology, Honkai-related technology, even Dark Plane technology... and more."
"Whether it is Honkai or the Dark Plane, these are entirely unheard of," Screwllum said in a tone of curiosity. "Miss Herta, what exactly are Honkai and the Dark Plane?"
Herman did not hesitate. He turned his head and glanced at the Fourth Mirror, instructing it to display the information Herta had compiled regarding Honkai energy and the Dark Plane.
After receiving the data, a flicker of human-like astonishment passed through Screwllum's mechanical eyes.
"Honkai... imaginary energy beyond the Paths—another possibility?"
"And the Dark Plane is even more extraordinary—a strange dimension opened through dark matter!"
"Miss Herta, in such a short span of time, you have once again created inventions capable of shaking the cosmos!—Rational deduction indicates that if these inventions were written into academic papers and published in the cosmos's most prestigious scientific journals, they would shock every scholar in the universe."
Herman replied, "Both Honkai energy and the Dark Plane are new concepts I proposed. The research is not yet complete, so publication will have to wait."
"I see... I understand." Screwllum spoke solemnly. "I wish to exchange for Honkai energy. I also want to explore another possibility of the imaginary."
"Agreed." Herman accepted immediately. "You may come to Mars in The Blue star system. A large number of Honkai Beast experimental specimens are stationed there. Capture a few for your research. As for Honkai energy, you may extract some as well."
"Understood."
After nodding, Screwllum sent the latest construction blueprints of the Screwllum-model Celestial Differentiator to Herta's mailbox and added over the call, "Miss Herta, the materials you requested have been sent. I will board the Screwllum and travel to The Blue star system shortly. I hope my visit will not cause inconvenience."
"Not at all."
Herman nodded, instructed the Fourth Mirror to download the Celestial Differentiator blueprints and begin procuring the required resources, then ended the call.
...
Planet Screwllum.
Screwllum adjusted his tie and prepared to board his ship for The Blue.
"Mr. Screwllum, the version of the Celestial Differentiator you just sent to Miss Herta is the most advanced model. Why did you do that?" The Celestial Differentiator itself voiced its confusion. "The agreement was to exchange only the old-generation model."
As he walked, Screwllum pressed his hat down lightly and replied,
"This time, our exchange with Miss Herta concerns Honkai energy—another possibility of the imaginary."
"More importantly, according to the information she provided, Honkai energy can act as a scalpel to modify biological genes. She calls this type of operation hypervariable surgery."
"If Honkai energy can alter biological genes, it may also be able to alter the governing laws of machines and Intellitrons."
"Mr. Screwllum, do you mean... you intend to use Honkai energy as a blade to completely eradicate Emperor Rubert's influence over robots and Intellitrons?"
"Correct. Only by eliminating all organic and inorganic life equations can we compel the various cosmic factions to cease their hostility toward the Intellitron race."
With those words, Screwllum boarded the Screwllum.
Vroom—
The ship launched, rapidly ascending onto the star rail and streaking toward The Blue star system.
Meanwhile, on The Blue, after ending the call, Herman heard the Fourth Mirror report:
"Miss Herta, I have completed the technical review of the materials sent by Mr. Screwllum. Confirmation: the Celestial Differentiator technology he provided is the latest generation."
"The latest?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Herman was momentarily stunned before sighing inwardly.
Screwllum truly is a sincere Intellitron genius.
Originally, they had only negotiated for the old-generation Celestial Differentiator. Yet Screwllum had shown such goodwill by sending the newest version.
With this, Herta would soon fully master the complete Screwllum-model Celestial Differentiator technology. When the time came to construct the Herta Xianzhou, it would undoubtedly be even more perfect.
After thinking it over, Herman quickly typed a message of thanks to Screwllum: "Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks. Rational deduction suggests that since Honkai energy can modify biological genes, with suitable adaptation it may also affect inorganic Intellitrons and machinery. If so, it may eradicate Rubert's lingering influence over the world's machines."
"In that case, even if Rubert were to live a third life, there would be no need to fear another Anti-Organic War."
Hearing this, Herman fell into deep contemplation.
Can Honkai energy truly modify Intellitrons? Reason told him no.
But the one about to research Honkai energy was Screwllum—a genius of the Genius Society, an Intellitron who excelled at creating miracles.
If it were him... perhaps it truly was possible.
After thinking this through, Herman typed seriously:
"Mr. Screwllum, I look forward to your arrival on Mars. I hope you can uncover even more possibilities within Honkai energy."
"I will."
With that final message sent, Screwllum went offline.
Herman then asked the Fourth Mirror whether the materials for constructing the astral computer had been purchased.
The Fourth Mirror answered promptly, "The order has already been placed. In approximately twelve system hours, the Interastral Peace Corporation will deliver the materials."
"Excellent."
Herman nodded slightly, then glanced at his notepad. The next task was clear—contact scholars from the Intelligentsia Guild and attempt to borrow fragments of the Emperor's Scepter.
That would be somewhat difficult...
After all, in Herman's understanding, Herta did not maintain particularly good relations with the scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild. More precisely, she was acquainted with only one of them—Patavia Adler Sommerville.
After some deliberation, Herman called Patavia and explained his intention to purchase or borrow the fragments of the Emperor's Scepter from the Guild.
On the other end of the line, Patavia's voice was filled with confusion. "Miss Herta, what do you need the Intelligentsia Guild's Emperor's Scepter fragments for? To be frank, those scepters were already rendered useless during the factional wars."
"I intend to build an astral computer. For that, I require inspiration. The fragments of the Emperor's Scepter will undoubtedly provide a great deal of it."
"I will attempt to contact the scholars within the Guild. Please wait for my message."
"Very well."
After waiting quietly for several minutes, Herman received a return call from Patavia. She delivered unfortunate news.
"Miss Herta, I am sorry... the old scholars of the Guild are unwilling to lend out the Emperor's Scepter fragments that have been gathering dust in storage for years."
"More precisely, upon learning that you—a genius—intend to borrow the shattered fragments, they have suddenly initiated renewed research on them, attempting to uncover hidden mysteries."
Herman laughed in irritation. "So they studied the fragments in the past and found nothing. Now they intend to prevent me from researching them as well?"
"That is correct."
"No wonder they cannot join the Genius Society," Herman remarked.
"They naturally cannot compare to you, Miss Herta."
Patavia's tone carried absolute conviction. In her view, every genius was defined by relentless obsession—and Herta embodied that trait to the extreme.
At just eighteen years old, Herta had begun researching the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum—Solitary Waves Theory. During that period, she faced discouragement from the upper echelons of the Blue Federation, from various sectors of society, and even from Patavia herself, a scholar of the Intelligentsia Guild.
Layer upon layer of resistance confronted her—students, federal authorities, one of the highest academic institutions in the cosmos...
And yet none of it deterred her. She continued her research unwaveringly.
With such extreme focus and unparalleled talent, she ultimately solved the Fourth Cosmic Conundrum and derived the solution to Solitary Waves Theory.
The scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild lacked that kind of unyielding resolve.
If they possessed it, the fragments of the Emperor's Scepter would not have remained neglected in storage for so many years.
After reflecting for a moment, Patavia spoke earnestly, "Miss Herta, I will continue persuading the Guild's leadership to lend you the Emperor's Scepter fragments."
"Very well. I leave it entirely to you. If you succeed, then once I complete the Herta astral computer, I can share a portion of its computational power with you for research."
"Then I thank you in advance."
With that, Patavia ended the call and began lobbying the scholars of the Intelligentsia Guild.
...
Meanwhile, Herman moved on to the next matter—contacting Dahlia.
"Are you there?"
"Miss Herta! You've finally replied! Have you considered my proposal? Are you willing to let me follow you—to record everything about you, even the wisdom that belongs solely to Herta?" Dahlia's response came swiftly, her text brimming with excitement.
"You wish to observe me, join the Genius Society, and even record my memories to transform them into Light Cones?"
"!!"
"You actually know I'm a Memokeeper?"
Herman shrugged lightly. "Tell me—was my guess wrong?"
"It wasn't. I want to join your faction, and through you attempt to enter the Genius Society. Do I still have a chance?"
"I can allow you to join me," Herman said, pausing briefly. "But I have one condition. You must provide me with Black Swan's contact information."
"Black Swan? You even know that she and I were once close friends?!" Dahlia sent a voice message, her tone filled with astonishment. "That was a long time ago. I'm starting to suspect you possess extraordinary hacking skills—perhaps you've infiltrated the interastral network and uncovered my past."
Herman chuckled softly. "Let's just say I know. So what is your answer?"
"Of course." Dahlia agreed without hesitation. "As long as you are willing to let me join you and serve under you, I will give you Black Swan's contact information."
She paused before continuing, "Though I still don't know why you are looking for Black Swan. Could you tell me?"
"If possible, I might be able to assist you. After all, as you know, I am also a Memokeeper—and in certain aspects, even stronger than Black Swan."
As she said this, a confident smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"I need to use the Garden of Recollection's Mirror to observe a special world," Herman replied calmly, glancing at Dahlia, whose body had stiffened. "You likely cannot re-enter the Garden of Recollection. But you can help me operate the Garden of Recollection's Mirror to reflect that special world. After all, to my knowledge, you betrayed the Garden of Recollection and were once hunted by other Memokeepers."
Dahlia's expression grew even more rigid. She stared at the pointed-hatted Herta before her with complicated eyes.
"I am increasingly convinced that you possess hacking skills of the highest caliber—perhaps legendary even in Punklorde."
With that, Dahlia sent Black Swan's contact information to Herta and said, "Miss Herta, I've sent the contact. I will head to The Blue to join you. I hope you will welcome me."
After ending the call, Dahlia lifted her gaze to her surroundings.
She stood within a star cluster consumed by flames and ruin, where shattered planets drifted like broken embers in the void.
Voidrangers of the Antimatter Legion littered the expanse, alongside Doomsday Beasts and even more terrifying legion monsters.
In the distance loomed an immense Warforge, devouring all matter within the devastated star cluster—its pull even stronger than a black hole.
Each inhalation obliterated the world's very essence, and each exhalation birthed vast numbers of Antimatter Legion monsters.
With every cycle came a strange sound—like weeping, yet suffused with despair.
It was the sound of celestial bodies being drawn in and devoured—and of antimatter creatures being born.
Celenova.
Not far away stood a young woman crowned with a stellar halo. Bathed in starlight, she appeared radiant and beautiful. Yet in truth, she was one of the Lord Ravagers under Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction.
Her eyes were closed. As she sang, she also conducted—tuning the melody of destruction, selecting the next star cluster to annihilate.
Dahlia observed everything and murmured inwardly.
The scenery of destruction has already been recorded and memorized.
If I remain within the Legion, the images I capture will likely be nothing but endless variations of destruction.
It is better to leave for a time—to go to The Blue... to witness that genius who walks among the stars, and through memory, learn enough to join the Genius Society myself.
With that thought, Dahlia employed her incineration method, burning away her active records within this devastated star cluster. Her body dissolved into memetic form, leaping through the memories of beings across the cosmos.
All of this was naturally perceived by Celenova—the sovereign of the Antimatter Legion and one of the universe's greatest calamities.
She did not intervene.
For she had already sensed within Dahlia a faint harmony of Destruction.
In Celenova's eyes, Dahlia possessed the potential to become a Lord Ravager—a future colleague.
Thus, from the moment she accepted Dahlia, she had neither harmed her nor prevented her from observing the birth of the Antimatter Legion.
After all, the Legion's monsters were born from the Warforge.
Each rotation and each breath of the Warforge consumed immeasurable matter. In a single cycle, it could swallow the substance of an entire planet and convert it into billions upon billions of Legion monsters.
This was her melody of destruction—the symphony of Lord Ravager Celenova—unstoppable across the cosmos, destined to annihilate all.
In the future, her goal was clear.
At the destined moment, she would compel Xipe, the Aeon of Harmony, to devour even greater numbers of Antimatter Legion forces—using endless destruction to tear apart Xipe's divine Harmony.
—to drag Them down beneath the will of annihilation itself.