Bab 18: Chapter 18: New Beginning
The next day, I woke up with Herta beside me, without strength.
-I was mercilessly squeezed....
Seeing Herta sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't help but smile fondly.
-Forget it, I couldn't hate you even if I wanted to.
I proceeded to get dressed and rejoin the Astral Express group. My goal in joining them and the war against Nanook, I will need to explain everything to them.
But first, off to breakfast.
-Asta, what a coincidence.
-Nadie, it's good to see you... Well?
-Yes...
-By any chance, did you lose weight?
-A little bit...
The night with Herta was hectic... very hectic.
Looking at the person having breakfast next to Asta, I greeted.
-Himeko, good morning. So early and you're already awake.
-Good morning, Nadie. You're up early too. Although... is it just my imagination or do you look more tired than yesterday?
-Don't worry, I'm completely fine.
In front of Himeko I don't want to talk about more, I guess she must already know what happened. She can't be that innocent, can she?
-Thank you for accepting me on the Astral Express, Himeko, I've been wanting to explore the universe for a long time as I once did in the past.
-Not at all, we're always open arms to new crew members. Especially you, Nadie, I've heard of your exploits on numerous worlds; it's good to have someone so trustworthy with us.
-Is that so?
Himeko's praise made me smile unconsciously. Is it that easy to curry favor with me?
-I understand that Herta is taking care of my room arrangements. Knowing her, she surely occupied the best position and the largest room. I apologize in advance.
-Don't be so modest, Nadie. It's still an empty room, rather, it's nice to have someone finally occupy it and stop collecting dust. Herta even offered to compensate us for that, so don't worry.
-I'm glad to hear that. By the way, when are we leaving?
-According to Herta, your room arrangements will take at least another day to complete. In the meantime, we plan to leave the Space Station in two days, so take your time packing.
Two days, that should be enough time for Stelle to beta test the Simulated Universe and complete the side missions.
-How are the other members of the Astral Express? Are they still feeling any ailments?
-Fufufu. Thank you for asking, we are perfect and it was all thanks to your healing skills, Nadie. It's good to know that we are now dependent on a doctor. March is still asleep, Dan Heng and Welt finished breakfast a little while ago and went to deal with their own business. And Stelle, she was dragged away by Herta for some experiment.
-I see... Wait, what?
Herta... is she awake? Don't tell me that bastard was faking. Did you hear me?!
I quickly finished my breakfast and proceeded to leave.
-I'm sorry but I'll leave first.
-It's good to be young.
Letting out those words, Himeko waved her hand at me.
I quickly made my way to Herta's office, where the Simulated Universe is located.
Upon entering, I find Stelle lying on the floor exhausted and a doll of Herta by her side with an indifferent look on her face. When they both noticed my presence, they each had their own reaction. Stelle saw me as her savior and Herta, she smiled mischievously.
She heard me!!! How embarrassing!!!
-Nadiee... help me. Your wife is mistreating me, this is labor exploitation....
Stelle almost looked like a living corpse....
-What an exaggeration, it was only the beta version, it wasn't that big of a deal. Look on the bright side, I gave you a lot of rewards after the great success of the experiment. You should feel grateful.
-What a lack of empathy! How inhuman!
I see that my Herta is much more demanding of Stelle than in the game.
-And yet I'm Nadie's wife, keep dreaming of that position, you oaf.
-*Cough!*
How does she manage to stay alive after vomiting so much blood...?
Whatever.
-Stelle, we need to talk.
-Oh, okay.
Seeing me speak to her in a serious tone, Stelle came towards me without complaint and Herta didn't stop her, she just disconnected from that doll and went off to deal with who knows what.
As we strolled through the corridors of the Space Station....
-Have you decided what to do?
I asked, getting straight to the point.
-You mean Himeko's proposal?
-Un.
I nodded my head.
-I want to be with you.
She answered decisively.
-I see... Then, if I join the Express, will you come with me?
-Yes.
Stelle affirmed instantly, to which I smiled.
-Well, it's settled.
-Un.
-After the fight with the Doomsday Beast, I already made arrangements with Himeko and Herta while you were asleep. From now on, I will travel the cosmos with the Astral Express. Of course, we will also return to the Space Station regularly for supplies. If you're coming with me, I guess we're partners now.
-We are partners...
-Yes, partners.
Stelle smiled softly at my affirmation.
-You should go and choose a room. Herta has already personally arranged mine. According to Himeko, we'll be leaving in 2 days so you still have time to get ready.
-I want to share a room with you.
-Stop joking. Go on, go tell Himeko that you're getting on the Express too.
-Un.
Excitedly, Stelle runs off and I watch her back disappear from a distance.
-*Sigh*. That girl really took a liking to me.
-And to a surprising degree I must admit.
-Silvie.
Next to me, an ultra-realistic hologram of Silver Wolf materialized.
-Yoh. Nice job dealing with Nanook, Nadie. Only you could give him a fight like that.
-I wouldn't call that " giving him a fight". I was completely beaten, I had to use cheap tricks to scare Nanook away.
-But it's still a great feat, an achievement never seen before. Imagine, to be known as the one who tricked an Aeon and managed to make it back down. I bet the Masked Jesters would revere you as a second Aha if they knew this.
-I guess you're right.
Silver Wolf is right, I shouldn't discredit my accomplishments. Even if I always act confident on the outside, I hate to boast incomplete and false achievements; I don't like to enjoy successes that are not mine.
-By the way, are you already on your way to the Xianzhou Luofu?
-Not so fast, we are just preparing the route. We still have many operations to deal with first.
-I see. Good luck with whatever you're going to do, Silvie.
-You too, Nadie. Take care of yourself. Call me if anything comes up and you need my help, you know I always have time for you.
With that said, Silver Wolf's hologram unraveled.
-Two days then... I'll spend time with Herta then.
Without even bothering to knock on the door, I entered Herta's private room and met the real one. Of course, the only ones who have authority to access this room are Herta and I, without that authority the door won't open even if they bomb it.
-Nadie?
Herta looked at me in confusion. It wasn't long ago that we saw each other.
-Herta, let's spend time together.
-Why so affectionate out of the blue?
-... Well, I'll go with Asta then.
-Wait! I just asked out of curiosity, if you don't want to answer, it's fine with me.
Herta's private room is huge, besides a king size bed, there is also valuable furniture everywhere.
Herta is sitting on the couch. She is wearing only a robe, revealing a lot of skin, her hair is also somewhat damp; she looks like she just got out of a hot shower.
I sit down next to Herta on the couch and she puts her smart tablet aside. My unexpected behavior seems to have taken her completely by surprise.
-Do you have work to do?
I ask.
-I still have to make several adjustments to the Simulated Universe as it is only in beta version, I also have several projects pending. Why do you ask?
-So, don't you have any free time?
-Well, I could make some space in my schedule now.
-Hm... Do you want to watch anime with me?
Herta opens her eyes in surprise for a moment but immediately nods.
-How unexpected, I never thought the day would come when you would invite me to hang out like this. But of course, why not?
-I never invited you because you're always busy.
"Besides, I know you're not interested in the entertainment world." I kept those words to myself.
I made myself comfortable on the couch and Herta gently leaned her body against me. I turned on the big screen hologram and played one of the most interesting current anime in the universe: Genshin Impact. (It's a nod towards the anime that was announced but no longer comes out.)
As I suspected, at a glance I could see that Herta had no interest in the anime; but, there was something else that clearly entertained her, her eyes strayed to me from time to time. Herta accepted my proposal with only one goal in mind, to spend time with me.
The fact that Herta is willing to make room in her busy schedule for such a stupid request as mine shows how much she appreciates me. Even though Herta may have done a lot of questionable things to me (nothing harmful of course), she proved to value me more than anything.
-I know it will be selfish of me to ask this of you, but is it okay if you spend the next few days with me until I leave on the Express?
I felt shy to ask this question. It's the first time I've ever asked something like this of Herta.
-You look weird today.
Even though Herta said that, her smile looks happier than ever.
-Your performance yesterday just made me a little emotional, nothing more.
My reason for coming to her had no special meaning, I just wanted to remind myself of the fact that I am NOT fighting this war alone.
Although a war against Nanook is an interesting idea, he actually has the power to defeat my immortality. Deep down, I still feel a little scared... but very little, is that clear?
-You matured.
Herta murmured as she caressed my body.
-Although I went through many fun adventures, I also experienced tragedies that I don't even want to remember. Although it is not to my taste to say it, yes, I matured... I think, but only a little. My soul will always be that of a child.
-Whatever you say.
This visit had no special meaning, I simply wanted to spend some quality time with my partner. Nothing more.
.
Note from the author:
I finished the main mission of 2.6 yesterday and I must say it was entertaining.
I especially loved the revelation of Rappa's past, even though it was already hinted indirectly what happened, when she was found by the Galaxy Watcher, the combination of that illustration plus that dialogue gave me goosebumps.
.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone