Kapitel 25: Fooling a Hacker at Her Own Game part 1

Continuing where we left off...

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I look at Jalena's expression as she tries to keep her composure, but without success because our faces are very close since I'm holding her chin.

Ritsuka: Heh. Looks like I won this round.

I say this while letting go of Jalena's chin, who is red-faced.

Jalena: I regret the day you met Aventurine. You've been hanging out with him for too long.

Jalena says this in an irritated tone and she refuses to look at me.

Ritsuka: Don't tell me you're disappointed that I didn't kiss you.

I say this, provoking Jalena, who immediately looks at me with anger in her eyes.

Jalena: I wasn't disappointed! I have no desire to kiss you at all!

Ritsuka: How cold. You offend me with those harsh words, Jalena. Here I am thinking that our relationship could evolve.

I say this dramatically with the full intention of provoking Jalena even more, who grits her teeth in irritation and she makes her gun appear in her hand and points it at me.

Jalena: One more word from you and it's a ticket straight to the infirmary!

Ritsuka: Hehe. Okay, I'll stop. Seriously now. We have to go to the base zone now to welcome Mr. Screwllum.

Jalena stops pointing her gun at me and she calms down, regaining her composure.

Jalena: You may have won this round, Ritsuka, but next time it will be different. You can be sure that I will destroy that mask of yours.

Jalena said this, feeling confident in herself that she will be able to beat me.

Ritsuka: We'll see about that, Jalena. Let's go to the elevator right now, we can't waste any more time.

With that, Jalena and I enter the elevator to meet Asta who is going to welcome Screwllum.

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Base zone

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Jalena and I met up with Asta, who was surprised to see that I couldn't expel Jalena from the space station.

I assured Asta that I would deal with Herta's complaints when this was all over and that the important thing was to welcome Screwllum even with Jalena present.

Arriving at the visitor elevator,me, Asta, Jalena, and Arlan saw the elevator open and the visitor we were waiting for arrive at the space station.

(Photo)

Screwllum:Hypothesis. Thought always precedes words....and yet I can't find the words for this moment. It's good to see you both, Ritsuka and Asta.

Screwllum said that while looking at the direction of me and Asta.

Screwllum: I'm sorry. I'm 4 minutes and 13 seconds earlier than the appointed time. I hope It's not a bother.

Ritsuka:Of course not,Mr. Screwllum. Welcome to Herta Space Station.

Screwllum: No need for formalities, Ritsuka. The Herta Space Station is where knowledge converges. Here, we have decided to celebrate the equality of thought. Such collaboration between lifeforms is magnificent and efficient. I must congratulate the work of both of you in managing to reconstruct the damaged space station much faster than I could have imagined.

Asta: We appreciate your high praise, Mr. Screwllum. Would you like for me to show you around? Since the last summit, we've launched several new research projects focused on silicon-based matrices.

Screwllum:That sounds lovely. But I do have a meeting with Herta,so let's put the new surprises on hold for now.

Screwllum said this declining Asta's offer and I use this as an opportunity to take him to Herta's office.

Ritsuka: In that case I'll take him to Herta's office.

Screwllum: Sure.

Before I could take Screwllum to where Herta is, Screwllum notices the presence of Jalena who is standing next to me.

Screwllum: Oh? I didn't expect to see a member of the IPC here. What is your name, miss?

Jalena: It's a pleasure and honor to meet you in person for the first time, Mr. Screwllum. My name is Topaz, and I'm a specialist in the investment department. I was just here doing my job when I heard about your visit and wanted to take the opportunity to see one of the famous researchers from the Genius Society.

Jalena said using her professional smile, not mentioning the fact that Herta herself doesn't want her at the station.

Screwllum: Ah. So you're the girl Herta says is really close to Ritsuka, huh? If I'm not mistaken, Herta said you're his "girlfriend."

Screwllum said this in a natural and calm tone, leaving me, Jalena, Asta, Arlan, and the rest of the researchers who came to see Screwllum surprised.

Jalena's face turns red and I'm a little lost for what to say to Screwllum, and I can feel Asta staring at me sideways.

Ritsuka: Ahem! Please ignore the nonsense that grandma says to you, Mr. Screwllum. My relationship with Mrs. Topaz is only professional.

I say this while maintaining my composure even though I'm a little embarrassed inside, and Jalena also has a professional smile, but it's obvious that she's forcing herself to maintain her composure.

Jalena: That's exactly what he said. Besides, my job doesn't allow me to have time to focus on relationships.

Jalena said this now Screwllum who stares at us for a few seconds until he responds in a certain tone of amusement.

Screwllum: Okay. If that's what you're saying, then I won't question it.

Ritsuka: I'll tell Herta that you've arrived and I'll take you to where she is.

I say this to change the subject and speed up this visit to avoid further embarrassment.

💭Thank goodness Bronya isn't here, if she were it would be a nightmare for me to deal with.

I use my communicator watch that I used to communicate with Chaldea to talk to Herta. I've done some configurations on the watch and now it serves as a communication device and a way for me to access data from my office without having to be there.

Ritsuka: Herta. Screwllum is already inside the station, I'm going to take him to your office now.

Herta: Did you manage to use your charm to send that IPC member out?

Ritsuka: No. Another thing, I don't have any kind of charm.

Herta: What?! How could you fail at something so simple and easy?

Ritsuka: You're complaining about something unnecessary. Screwllum isn't bothered and we won't be present at your meeting and I made a deal with Ja-Topaz to make her leave.

Herta:You know what? On second thought, bring her to my office after I finish talking to Screwllum.

Ritsuka: Strange. Why this sudden change in attitude?

Herta: Let's just say that something interesting I'm doing requires her presence. Go do what I'm asking without any delay.

With that Herta cuts the communication and I let out a sigh.

💭How this old woman is an Emanator is something I will never understand.

Ritsuka: I already told Herta, she's waiting for us.

With that, I take Screwllum to the elevator with Jalena accompanying us as expected. Screwllum entered Herta's office and we stood outside, letting the two argue.

Jalena: What does Madam Herta want from me if she needs me to be there?

Ritsuka: I have no idea what the reason behind this is. Well, we'll find out when the two of them finish talking.

After a few minutes, one of the employees responsible for the technology repair appears with a worried expression. His name is Leonard Calliwell.

Ritsuka: Leonard? What are you doing here?

Leonard: Mr. Fujimaru! I'm glad you're here. I have something to report to you that is very important.

Ritsuka: If it's about the problems in certain zones, I already said that I'm taking care of those problems.

Leonard: That's not it, sir. The problem is that I'm chasing clues that one of the Stellaron Hunters left here at the station on the day of the attack.

When Leonard said this, Jalena and I were surprised by the news and it immediately made me sigh.

💭Another problem for me to solve.

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Leonard told me that he has a device that can detect transmission signals coming from the graffiti marks that Silver Wolf had left the day she and Kafka broke into the station.

He has been following every clue that Silver Wolf left on purpose and the clues have led to Herta's office. Leonard is worried that this could put his job at risk because he is not doing a good job.

Anyway, the three of us enter Herta's office and we start to hear Herta and Screwllum arguing.

Herta seems to be very angry with Screwllum for suggesting that Herta shut down her big project, the Simulated Universe. Screwllum argues that the main purpose of the project is to find out more about the Aeons, but in Screwllum's view, Herta has strayed from the main objective and he asks Herta if this project is proving to be successful.

Herta is furious with Screwllum for doubting the hard work she is putting into this project.

Herta: The Simulated Universe never disappointed me. You are what disappoints me.... Screwllum. Do you really think yourself as someone so exceptionally amazing? Right now, you're more like....like...like someone from the Nitwit Society.

Herta said this trying to find a good insult to give Screwllum, but it seems that she didn't manage to make the impact she wanted.

💭 At least you tried, Herta.

Screwllum:Herta,I don't mean to question you,nor do I want to deny the hard work you've put forth for the Simulated Universe. I just want to give more room for knowledge and inspiration to grow freely.

Herta:That's enough. Leave If you don't want to be part of this. Go tell the other two yourself.... Oh, and take your tech with you. I don't need It. I can go and find Adrian Taylor, or the red-nosed old man from Epsilon, or even the Intelligentsia Guild at least they won't quit halfway!

💭Okay, she must be exaggerating. I highly doubt she should ask for help from the Intelligentsia Guild. If that happens my teacher won't stop blabbering for rest of the week.

Herta starts to walk to her office door, but she stops walking and decides to talk to Screwllum one last time.

Herta: Screwllum, we've known each other for a long time. This is the first time I feel that... You're nothing but a piece of ice-cold metal.

Herta finishes saying this and leaves the office with an air of discomfort in the air.

Jalena: Wow, that was...

Ritsuka:Not pleasant? You get used to it over time.

Seeing that Herta is no longer here, I decide to talk to Screwllum.

I tell Screwllum about Leonard's report on what Silver Wolf did and that seems to have caught Screwllum's attention.

Screwllum: Hmm. Search: Bonfire in the depths of the woods. A lone stone sword points to the stars.... "Punklorde Mentality"? That's no ordinary curio, my friend. That's a love letter a Galaxy Ranger has written for the Universe. Ritsuka, how much do you know about Punklorde?

Ritsuka: Isn't it a world of Harkers who are able to alter reality and transform their perception, turning the world into a video game? If I'm not mistaken, they use a special chip to do all this, the name of the chip is "Aether Cartridge", isn't it?

Screwllum: Yes. You're right, my young friend. It's a recording of the hacker's life and proof or their existence. The one on the space station belonged to someone truly legendary. He became a Galaxy Renger by accident and spent many long years traveling among the stars.

💭 Interesting...

Screwllum: He encountered countless fascinating individuals and saw wonders witnessed by few. Many of the records and details recorded therein are beyond the knowledge of even the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild. That is why It became part of the masses of calculation data for the Simulated Universe.

Jalena: I have to admit that it is impressive that you guys from the genius society have something so impressive in this project of yours.

Ritsuka: So the cartridge didn't leave the space station?

Screwllum: Yes. No need to worry, my friend. Herta was probably impulsive and added the cartridge into the simulation without telling anyone, resulting in the item being listed as lost.

Ritsuka: Even so, there is still the risk that Silver Wolf will want to hack the Simulated Universe since she managed to access Herta's office.

Screwllum: I understand your concern in this case, my friend. Therefore, please allow me to offer my limited skills to help you in this investigation, Ritsuka. As you already know, the Simulated Universe will be shut down temporarily. It will remain shut until Herta and I come to a clear conclusion.

Ritsuka:Well It is time to do my job in solving this case. Do you want to participate in this, Topaz?

I say this looking at her who is a little surprised to hear me mention her.

Jalena: I help you with this? I would love to, but don't I need permission to do that?

Screwllum: Please do not worry, young madam. You have my permission to enter the simulated universe to help Ritsuka.

Jalena: Wow, this will be my first time entering the Simulated Universe. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like.

Jalena said this, genuinely excited to have this opportunity.

Screwllum: I'm going to be sending you two to the Simulated Universe using an alternative method. It might feel a little different than usual. This will help us quickly locate the cartridge in the vast sea of data. We'll start with this data link. Now, please, I recommend that you prepare yourselves for a deep dive with your consciousness...

Screwllum said this, giving this warning to the two of us, and Jalena seemed a little nervous.

Jalena: I have to admit that I'm nervous about participating in this investigation.

Ritsuka: Don't worry about it. Think of it as a similar feeling to when you're dreaming, but a little more realistic.

Screwllum: Don't worry, Young Madam, if anything unexpected happens, I'll act immediately, and I'm sure Ritsuka will also help you inside the Simulated Universe.

Ritsuka: Exactly. It's not my first time entering the Simulated Universe. If you want help, you can hold my hand.

I say this in a casual tone and Jalena blushes when she hears what I said.

Jalena: Hold your hand? How will that help me?

Ritsuka: Entering the Simulated Universe for the first time can be a bit unpleasant, since it's your brain's consciousness that's connecting with the digital world, in addition to other details that I don't have time to explain. You holding my hand will be able to relax your mind, making the process less uncomfortable.

💭 Besides the fact that I'm a Servant and with Edmond Dantes' skills, I can get through difficult places very easily, but she doesn't need to know that.

I say this while offering my right hand to Jalena, who looks at me, not knowing what to do if she's going to accept my offer or not.

Screwllum: I recommend that you accept Ritsuka's help, young madam. We don't want your first experience to be a bad one.

After hearing Screwllum's encouragement, Jalena looks at me for a few seconds and then lets out a sigh and holds my hand, intertwining our fingers.

💭Oh? She didn't need to intertwine our fingers, but who am I to complain about that.

Jalena: Okay! You win. I shouldn't have come here...

Jalena said the last part mumbling, but I can hear it and a small smile appears on my face.

💭 Cute. And it's always a pleasure to see this side of Jalena that she keeps hidden because of her job.

With both of us ready, Screwllum activates the Simulated Universe and Jalena and I enter the digital world to solve this problem that Silver Wolf left for us to solve.

To be continued.....

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A/N: I have to admit that I didn't expect to see that Ciel is the new summer Servant, I was completely taken by surprise.

At the time where I live the anniversary servant has not yet been revealed.

I hope it is Arcueid's older sister, her name is Altrouge Brunestud.

I just want it to be her because I'm curious to see what she will look like and the reaction (AKA: Chaos) that the community will have when this character is revealed.

Now talking about the new story that is happening in Luofu, I am enjoying it and I have new ideas about how this story will happen, but I am waiting for the conclusion to have a final decision.