Chapter 17: Acquiring the Herta Puppet

Everyone stared curiously at the mask in Theresa's hand, its aura radiating profound wisdom. Despite their intense curiosity, none dared to touch it, not even Herta, Stelle, and March 7th.

"That mask is a manifestation of the Masked Fools' Path power," Dan Heng explained to the eager trio. "It's not a physical object; only other Masked Fools can interact with it."

The three sighed in disappointment as Theresa returned the mask to her Homu System.

"By the way, Theresa, what kind of abilities do you have now?" March 7th asked, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the adorable Theresa. The others were equally curious about Theresa's newfound powers.

"I'm not entirely sure myself," Theresa replied. "I suppose I'll have to test them in combat. But I'm too afraid to try the Simulated Universe again. I don't want to attract another Simulated Aeon, especially since I now carry the aura of The Permanence."

The others nodded in agreement. Reckless experimentation was unwise. Even if the Nameless could withstand such risks, the Herta Space Station might not.

"We've troubled the Space Station for quite some time now, Madam Herta," Himeko said. "It's time for us to continue our journey. The Astral Express needs to purchase Stellar Jade from you to fuel its warp jumps."

"Each warp requires 160 Stellar Jade. We'd like to purchase 16,000. Is the usual rate of 10,000 Credit Points per Jade still in effect?" Himeko asked Asta, who nodded instinctively.

However, Herta interjected, "The Nameless have gone to great lengths to assist the Space Station. As a personal gesture, I, Herta, will gift the Astral Express crew 16,000 Stellar Jade to repay their kindness. After all, the value of our staff, and Asta in particular, is immeasurable."

After a moment's consideration, everyone turned to Himeko and Welt to make the decision.

"In that case, the Astral Express would be remiss to refuse such generosity," Himeko replied. "Thank you, Madam Herta and Acting Head Asta, for your kindness."

"Then let's return to the Astral Express," Welt said, and everyone bid farewell to Herta and Asta.

"Oh, right, Stelle," March 7th called out. "Do you want to stay here, or join us on the Astral Express and become one of the Nameless?"

Stelle hesitated, her expression conflicted.

"I suggest you join the Nameless," Herta advised Stelle. "If you stay here until I lose interest, you'll end up as nothing more than a staff member. You'd be better off joining the Astral Express. Just come back occasionally to help me test the Simulated Universe."

Stelle nodded in agreement.

"Herta, may I ask you a favor?" Theresa asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Sure, as long as it's not something foolish. What is it?" Herta replied warily, still traumatized by Theresa's previous antics.

"Oh, don't glare at me like that! I won't bite~" Theresa teased with a serpentine tone. "I want one of your Herta Puppets as a huggable pillow—and to help Conductor Pom-Pom clean the Astral Express!"

Everyone assumed Theresa was just teasing Herta. But when they heard her request for a Herta Puppet, they realized it was actually a great idea. In critical moments, Herta could even connect remotely through the puppet to communicate with the group and share intelligence.

"Hey! I want one too!" *2

Stelle and March 7th exclaimed excitedly, prompting Herta to roll her eyes. Unlike the reliably serious Theresa, who knew what mischief they might get up to with their Herta Puppets?

"Only Theresa is getting one," Herta declared. "These lifelike Herta Puppets are incredibly expensive. Aside from the slightly unnatural joints, they're virtually indistinguishable from real people."

"You two wouldn't happen to be... harboring certain thoughts about the puppets, would you?" Herta asked, eyeing Stelle and March 7th suspiciously. Their awkward smiles tacitly confirmed her suspicions.

"Just as I suspected," Herta sighed. "Alright then, Theresa, I'm granting you, Miss Himeko, and Mr. Yang access to the puppet. What about you, Dan Heng? Any interest?"

Herta turned to Dan Heng, and everyone's gaze shifted toward him with curious amusement.

"..."

"I haven't sunk that low yet," Dan Heng retorted hastily, eager to dispel any suspicion of inappropriate interest in the Herta Puppet. "Besides, I'm currently preoccupied with other matters. Such... interests are the furthest thing from my mind."

"Good," Herta said, relieved. "Aside from Stelle and March 7th, the Nameless seem relatively well-behaved. That puts my mind at ease. I wouldn't want to log into your puppet one day and find it... experiencing strange sensations."

Herta smirked with the knowing grin of an experienced tease, and Asta chuckled in response, her mischievous mind conjuring up the image of the Herta Puppet with heart-eyes and a peace sign.

Y(♥▽♥)Y Something like that.

"Alright then, the Herta Puppet in this office is yours," Herta said, her voice dripping with mock sternness. "But don't get any funny ideas! I don't want to log in one day and find my puppet being 'tested' by someone."

Herta laughed, the sound of an old hand.

"Madam Herta, don't corrupt the children," Himeko scolded playfully, rolling her eyes before glancing at Stelle and March 7th.

Theresa, meanwhile, remained unfazed. She'd seen more than enough "educational" films to last a lifetime.

"Ahem, alright, Madam Herta, we should be leaving now," Welt said, sounding unusually enthusiastic. "Theresa, why don't you take the puppet? Sometimes, helping the Astral Express crew clean as a maid wouldn't be so bad."

Everyone raised an eyebrow. So, Old Yang's hidden fetish was... maids?

"I never thought Uncle Yang was into such kinky stuff," March 7th whispered to Stelle, who blinked in confusion, completely lost. After all, she was barely two days old.

"Oh right, right. The two-day-old, 1.7-meter-tall Stellaron Spirit."

"Come on, stop staring so longingly at the Herta Puppet Theresa's holding. She's not going to let you 'test' it, and besides, you're a girl—you don't even have the right equipment."

March 7th grumbled, tugging Stelle along. Stelle reluctantly tore her gaze from the beautiful, adorable puppet and trailed reluctantly beside March 7th.

"Goodbye for now, Asta and Herta!" Theresa called out to the Nameless as Arlan saw them off.

Some staff members watched in astonishment as Theresa brazenly carried the Herta Puppet away. They envied both Theresa and the puppet, unsure which one to envy more.

Back on the Astral Express, which had been resupplied and repaired, everyone equipped their Imaginary Storage Devices—spatial storage devices, Herta's latest invention for everyday convenience.

(Basically, it's the game's inventory.)

"Welcome back! The Astral Express is fully repaired. By the way, did you get enough Stellar Jade for the warp?" Pom-Pom greeted them excitedly.

The conductor was already tidying up, a habit born from its slight obsessive-compulsive disorder. This was unavoidable, as the Astral Express-born conductor couldn't leave the train and would be utterly bored without something to do!

"Ta-da! Conductor Pom-Pom, we completed all the tasks you assigned! Miss Himeko even received 16,000 Stellar Jade from Madam Herta as a personal gift—enough for a hundred round-trip warps!" March 7th exclaimed happily, hugging Pom-Pom.