*Chapter 19: Jizo Mitama? Herta, I Might Really Have to Control You !*

The slender, petite girl stood there. She sized up Jiang Liang, and Jiang Liang sized her up too.

A black beret sat tilted on her dark, long hair. Beneath straight-cut bangs, a pair of violet eyes gazed calmly over, refracting a cool, glass-like sheen. She wore a black dress of simple design, its cut clean and devoid of excessive embellishments, perfectly fitting her seemingly petite yet well-proportioned frame. The hemline, falling moderately just above her knees, revealed slender calves.

Beneath the skirt were matching black ankle boots. The heels weren't high, but enough to lend a touch of height to her already petite stature. The boots hugged her lower calves, creating a stark contrast against her equally pale and slender skin. One could imagine that beneath the boots lay well-proportioned feet with clearly defined bones.

If he wasn't mistaken, this was Herta.

Unlike a normal person, her joints resembled those of a puppet, making her look like an exquisite doll. With subtle movements, the joints emitted barely audible clicks, adding an uncanny layer of delicate artistry.

Jiang Liang's first thought upon seeing her was that she would look good in white stockings.

"Herta," Jiang Liang acknowledged.

"You've arrived? Why the questioning tone? I remember we met not long ago, although it was in the context of researcher and research subject," Herta replied.

Herta raised an eyebrow, the fabric of her dress rustling faintly with the movement, her ankle boots tapping lightly on the floor.

Why do I get the feeling interacting with this person will be troublesome?

Thinking this, Jiang Liang's gaze met Stelle's. Stelle understood the disdain contained in Jiang Liang's look but still gave a thumbs-up.

No need for words.

The meaning was clear: I don't want to take over either.

Herta stared at the seemingly vacant-looking Stelle, feeling something was strange, but didn't dwell on it.

"Frankly, the interval since your last appearance is too short," Herta stated bluntly. "So short it makes me suspect your train got lost outside the station and couldn't find its way back, hence returning."

How short was the time since the Astral Express left Herta Space Station?

Herta hadn't even finished analyzing the anomaly data from Stelle's last Simulated Universe test.

"The last research session on you just ended not long ago. The data is still warm. I haven't even had time to conduct in-depth analysis on some of the slightly interesting points, and here you are again. Such efficiency... should I praise you for being proactive, or say you're eager to contribute to my research?"

"I think it's the former. Go ahead and praise me. I'm ready," Jiang Liang replied, meeting her sarcasm head-on.

Herta choked for a moment. Facing the gaze fixed on her, she didn't know what to say.

Emotional intelligence was something completely unnecessary for her to ponder. Now, her words, originally carrying a hint of sarcasm, were directly thrown back by Jiang Liang, leaving her unsure how to react.

She hasn't even mastered passive-aggressiveness and wants to trade barbs with me? Is a genius's EQ really inversely proportional to their IQ? Jiang Liang's lips curled upward almost imperceptibly.

Uncertain if Herta was doing it intentionally or unconsciously, her tone was flat yet carried an unquestionable certainty and a faint mockery.

Even if she didn't mean it, her tone combined with her appearance resembled that sort of arrogant, superior "smug little brat." It really made one want to seize any opportunity to take her down a peg.

Just as Herta couldn't resist speaking again, a surprised cry came from the distance.

"Lady Herta ! I was just looking for you ! And Stelle, what are you doing here? Back at the space station again? Is there something special this time?"

Accompanying the slightly surprised call, a girl with fluffy pink hair jogged closer. She wore a well-fitting white dress adorned with delicate lace trim, a pretty bow tie at her chest, and elegant low-heeled leather shoes. She exuded the meticulously curated refinement of a young lady from a wealthy family, along with a scholarly air befitting a researcher.

She ran up close, hands on her knees, bending slightly to catch her breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly with her breathing. Her voice was slightly broken due to being out of breath, and her cheeks flushed faintly from the rapid run.

"This is the space station's Lead Researcher, Asta. We're friends," Stelle (invisible) nudged with her chin. Jiang Liang looked at Asta. She took out a handkerchief, wiped her sweat, then looked back at him quizzically.

The two stared at each other.

"Himeko asked me to examine her," Herta explained to Asta, gesturing towards Jiang Liang (in Stelle's body). "Said something happened during trailblazing, and this little thing became like a different person. But I think she's still the same, doesn't seem very bright. I happened to still be at the station, so I had her come over. Incidentally, I need to take him to the Simulated Universe for a few tests."

Herta's eyebrows raised slightly, conveniently using Asta's question to change the subject.

Asta paused for a moment upon hearing Herta, then her expression shifted to understanding. She sighed, somewhat resignedly yet habitually. "I understand, Lady Herta. I also had something to discuss with you."

Her tone became slightly more formal. "I just received a communication from Mr. Screwllum. He said his matters are concluded and he expects to arrive at the station soon. He specifically mentioned he's greatly looking forward to collaborating with you this time. I originally intended to inform you via message, but unexpectedly, here you are." [TN: Who is this guy?? ]

"Oh? That fellow's quite fast. A bit earlier than I expected," Herta merely gave a light 'hmm' upon hearing Asta, as if Screwllum's arrival was entirely within her expectations. "Knew about it already. I contacted him not long ago, told him to wrap up his boring chores quickly. The Simulated Universe still needs him."

In Herta's current plans, the Simulated Universe project was definitely a high priority.

With Stelle's appearance, the project's priority became even higher.

"Let's go. I'll run some diagnostics on you first, then take you to the Simulated Universe," Herta announced.

With that, Herta's puppet strode forward. From Stelle's perspective, she passed through Jiang Liang and headed towards another area.

Asta watched Herta's retreating figure, sighed helplessly again, then turned to Stelle with a slightly apologetic smile. "Sorry, Stelle, Lady Herta is just like that."

Stelle chatted with Asta, not noticing Jiang Liang stroking his chin, watching Herta's back.

As Herta passed through him, seeing that puppet-like body, he instinctively used the power of the Key of Erosion.

In just a moment, all information about Herta's puppet was known to him: including that the puppet was just a remotely controlled body, that there were many such bodies, that mastering the neural network allowed one to control them, and so on.

After the erosion was complete, the Jizo Mitama, obtained from the Stigma Space, began to stir restlessly, conveying a piece of information to him.

If he wished, he could hack into Herta's entire network through this very puppet.