"Then, you'll participate in the Simulated Universe one more time," Herta closed the door to the containment room.
Having spent "half a day" modifying this temporary room, she had, as usual, placed one of her puppets inside.
Convenient for observing the situation with that little one.
"Based on my analysis, I believe that Black Shadow cannot manifest in the real world when others are present, at least not before entering the Simulated Universe," Dan Heng looked at Herta's back, seeming to seek confirmation.
"So her primary goal in attacking her in the Simulated Universe was indeed possession?" Herta seemed to anticipate Dan Heng's speculation.
"Perhaps. The possibility of wanting to manifest independently in reality cannot be ruled out." Ultimately, Dan Heng himself couldn't be certain.
"Speculating here is meaningless. Once I send Theresia into the Simulated Universe again, we'll see, won't we?" Herta reiterated the main point. "The previous situation won't happen again. I specifically applied a patch."
"Um, Herta, while I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but... the Express crew is almost at our departure time," Himeko, who had originally been walking last, had now moved beside Tian An.
"No way, leaving so soon? Can't you delay a little?" Herta looked disappointed.
"I'm very sorry, but our crew has already been delayed at the space station for too long," Himeko stated.
"Then at least finish this test. You wouldn't want the other energy source inside this child's body to be a lunatic like that little one, right?"
"As for that little one, let's keep her locked up here for research temporarily. If she reveals any information, or if I discover anything, I'll inform you via message," Herta was still very confident in her abilities.
"Or we can discuss it when you return next time. Anyway, I'm very good at taking care of people, as long as she behaves." Herta's expression was unreadable, but anyone who knew her personality understood: anyone daring to cause trouble on her turf, let alone threaten her 'test subjects,' was walking a very narrow path.
Tian An, however, wasn't thinking much about it.
In my mind, you are my alternate self from the same time, I should definitely care about you... but you want to kill me...
Then it's better to leave it to the professionals.
Besides, you can't die here anyway, right?
"That works too. Then just ask Theresia for her opinion," Himeko... or rather, the members of the Express crew, while not fond of Herta's personality, certainly wouldn't question her capabilities.
"I have no objections," As long as it wouldn't kill her, she had no objections (lol).
"Then you all go wait for me in the office first. I need to prepare," Herta instructed.
After Herta headed off in another direction, March 7th sidled up.
"Theresia... did you really not have any enemies before? I remember you said that person came from a very pitiful family?" March 7th activated her curious baby ability.
"What enemies could I possibly have?" Even if Tian An combed through every memory of her life, she wouldn't find any.
Unless it was her parallel universe self simply wanting to cause trouble.
"Let's do the experiment first, and consider other things later. There's still a long road ahead," Himeko interrupted March 7th's questioning.
Some things couldn't be sorted out in a short time.
Himeko put down her typing hand and turned off her phone.
"Regarding that strange space, I also just entrusted Miss Herta with looking into it. Your Big Sis Himeko still has a bit of clout," Himeko said with a smile.
Click... Beep...
The office door automatically opened upon detecting someone approaching.
"Clearly, it wasn't automatic before!" Star said resentfully.
"?"
"Hurry up, hurry up, I've been waiting ages for you. Same as before, just step into this light circle. Star, you don't need to go in this time," Herta's voice came from the office communication system, but her figure was nowhere to be seen.
The group looked towards the source of the voice but saw no one.
"Stop looking for me, I'm not in the room," Herta knew what they were wondering.
"Miss Herta, forgive my intrusion, but this Simulated Universe of yours can simulate scenes from the participant's memories, correct?" Uncle Yang, who hadn't spoken much, suddenly asked.
"Yes. Why, what's the purpose of asking?" Herta replied.
"No, it's nothing," Uncle Yang adjusted his glasses. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes shifted slightly.
It was a look of nostalgia and regret for the past.
"I'm ready," During their conversation, Tian An had already stepped onto the light circle. This place she had just stood on, the one that nearly scared her soul out, she had to try again after just an hour or so.
"I guarantee on my reputation, there absolutely won't be any accidents this time. If any special circumstances occur, you'll be immediately ejected."
"So..."
Herta's voice gradually faded. Tian An slowly closed her eyes. Inside the light circle, she sank into the space of the Simulated Universe.
"...So, I'll display the images from the Simulated Universe for your companions to see, understand? ... How did she enter so quickly?" Herta was mid-sentence when she realized Tian An had already gone in.
"Forget it. Let's begin too."
——
Unaware of the subsequent events, Tian An was still immersed in the transition. Although she had experienced this feeling of her brain being continuously impacted once before, it still felt very strange.
Before she could fully recover, she felt solid ground beneath her feet.
"Arrived?" Tian An opened her eyes, only to freeze on the spot.
Isn't this the Rhodes Island landship? And at night, too?
Oh no, don't tell me it's assassination attempt round two?
Tian An scanned her surroundings, trying to spot any differences.
Fortunately, this wasn't the bridge of the previous Babel landship, but the bridge after Rhodes Island was established.
But isn't this crossing the streams a bit? How could my memories contain such a clear image of Rhodes Island? Even if it's Her Highness Theresia's memories, they wouldn't include the later Rhodes Island... right?
While Tian An was still spacing out, she felt something touch her shoulder. She turned around and saw an unexpected person.
Little Bunny?
"Miss Theresia, we meet again in a dream," Before Tian An could react, the Little Bunny before her began speaking on her own.
Listening to her gradually maturing tone and seeing the pure white dress, Tian An finally realized which time period this lovely Little Bunny, who brought warmth to so many, came from.
"In a dream..."
"Miss Theresia... Although I know the you in the dream won't answer me, I still want to say, everyone at Rhodes Island is doing well. The Doctor has been busy running around again lately. Even though I always tell her not to slack off, I still can't bear to see her so tired." The Little Bunny before her was like a little girl confiding in her mother, pouring out her thoughts into the ears of the person before her without any reservation.
"Amiya?"
...