Another day had passed since then.
There were still a few days left before the Astral Express would set off. Felicity sat idly in her room, aimlessly scrolling through her phone with nothing better to do.
Asta was handling the purchase of furniture for the Astral Express. Himeko had offered to assist with the remaining formalities, and Herta hadn't summoned her for any experiments or collaborations.
For now, Felicity found herself at a loss.
Was dying of boredom... still dying?
Just then, a soft notification tone echoed through the room. Instinctively, Felicity glanced at her screen.
[Herta: Office. Come. Now.]
Herta's messages always arrived like this—abrupt and without context. Still, Felicity couldn't help but smile.
Finally, something to do.
She bolted out of her room toward Herta's office, and the moment she pushed the door open, she found Stelle looking puzzled and Herta brimming with excitement.
It wasn't often Felicity saw Herta like this. Come to think of it, maybe the last time was... the last time.
"What happened, Herta? What's got you all worked up?"
Felicity asked with a playful grin.
"I did it! Felicity, listen—Stelle's body is truly unique. She formed a connection with an Aeon in the Simulated Universe. She even spoke with THEM!"
Herta's eyes sparkled as she turned to Felicity and exclaimed,
"This is the breakthrough we needed!"
"Alright, alright, I hear you. So, what does this have to do with me?"
Felicity waved her hand, cutting through the excitement, and got to the point.
Now that she thought about it… wasn't there a project Herta and the other geniuses were obsessed with? It used to be called… the Metaverse?
"In short, the Akivili that Stelle impersonated was able to draw the attention of simulated Aeons. The reason's still unclear, but I suspect it's related to the Stellaron within her."
With one hand on her hip, Herta finally returned to her usual calm and continued:
"I need more data. One sample isn't enough. If an unawakened Stellaron can help someone pose as an Aeon, then an Emanator should manage the same."
"So you want me to enter the simulation as the Merciful Medicus?"
"No, you'll go in with Stelle. Her impersonation drew in the Aeon of Preservation—Qlipoth—and the Aeon of Remembrance—Fuli. If you impersonate Abundance, there's a good chance you'll catch the attention of The Hunt."
Herta explained without pausing.
"Fine, fine."
Felicity sighed. It wasn't her first time being roped into Herta's experiments. There were few who could manipulate the battlefield like she could. Of course Herta wouldn't let her off the hook.
Still, none of the previous tests had yielded solid results. No wonder Herta was ecstatic this time.
"Hey, Stelle. How are you holding up? Was it fun?"
Felicity turned to greet Stelle, who had been quietly listening.
Stelle blinked and gave a small nod.
"It was. Thank you."
She answered earnestly.
The lessons Felicity had given her were surprisingly effective—useful in negotiating with Herta, and surely useful for future journeys as well.
And before they parted, Felicity had even "warned" Herta for her sake. It wasn't just a trap—Felicity genuinely cared.
She really thought of me!
Felicity: ???
Now she was the one confused. She'd only tricked Stelle into showing up here, hadn't she?
...Was this girl secretly a masochist?
Felicity took a subtle step back.
"Don't waste time. Begin testing!"
Herta barked from the side, eager to get the results.
With no choice, Felicity stepped toward the Simulated Universe's terminal. Seeing her move, Stelle quickly followed.
The two stood before the device. Felicity glanced back and gave Herta a nod.
The world blurred.
When Felicity opened her eyes, everything had changed.
She was floating in the void of space, as if she had just arrived in this world. But now, she had become the Aeon she once revered.
[I hear the voices of the living, and I grieve for the flowers that fade. I grant my blessing so that life may thrive and paradise never fall.]
"Felicity? Can you hear me? Felicity!?"
Herta's voice echoed from beyond the simulation, sharp with worry.
Something wasn't right about Felicity's condition.
"Stelle! Help her! She really believes she's an Aeon now!"
Herta's voice rang out again, frantic.
"Why is this happening?"
Stelle was startled. She raised her bat cautiously and edged closer to Felicity, uncertainty in her voice.
"I'm not sure. Maybe the Aeon model Ruan Mei and Screwllum crafted is more complete than expected—and Felicity's impersonation was so convincing that she became the Aeon of Abundance!"
Herta's voice trembled with unease.
"I don't know where this leads, but it can't be good. Snap her out of it. If you have to—use your bat!"
Stelle gave a firm nod. She floated behind Felicity, lifted her bat, and prepared to strike her back to reality.
But suddenly, a hum echoed through the cosmos.
The darkness split into daylight. On the distant horizon, space cracked open—and a towering figure emerged.
"It's Lan of The Hunt. The mortal enemy of Abundance, and a true executor of vengeance."
Herta's voice came as narration, just in time.
Stelle looked up and saw THEM drawing THEIR longbow, stellar winds swirling around. The arrow was aimed straight at Felicity, the false Aeon of Abundance.
[An arrow loosed shall purge the unclean.]
The voice whispered—whether from Lan or the universe itself was unclear. Ethereal, it brushed gently past Stelle's ears.
Felicity lifted her head.
[Life is fleeting, like a flower that blooms once.]
[Seven curses. Seven plagues. Seven blessings.]
[Life is eternal.]
She faced The Hunt with composure. No fear. No retreat. Only a murmur:
[Reignbow Arbiter.]
Arrows shot forth—one became two, then many, blanketing the sky like rain and falling in a brilliant cascade.
And in the next instant, all was swallowed by white light.
--+--
T/N: DAMN SHE COLD AS HELL