After Yan Huan muttered a few words and pushed the door open to leave, the room fell quiet again.
Herta walked to the window and stood there silently for a while, gazing out at the stars.
A few minutes later, light, rhythmic footsteps sounded outside the door.
Cyrene stepped into the room.
Today, she wore a casual light-pink outfit. Her long hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and a gentle smile rested on her face.
She carefully closed the door behind her, looked at Herta's back, and softly greeted her. "Ms. Herta."
Herta turned around, her gaze settling on Cyrene with a hint more scrutiny than when she had faced Yan Huan.
Only the faint hum of machinery and the sound of their breathing remained in the room.
"Cyrene, Demiurge." Herta spoke steadily.
"I wasn't in good condition before. Just dealing with everything related to Amphoreus had left me exhausted."
She returned to the desk and gestured for Cyrene to sit. "Which is why I only have time to speak with you face-to-face now."
Though Cyrene did not know what Herta wanted to say, she smiled politely and sat in a nearby chair, her posture upright.
"Thank you, Ms. Herta. Without you, victory would have been impossible."
Her tone was sincere. "But what did you wish to speak to me about?"
Herta did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked once more at the lotus and lance on the desk. After several seconds of silence, she spoke concisely.
"Before I closed my eyes, I saw some troubling images inside that machine-head's mind."
She raised her eyes to Cyrene, her gaze deep.
"[Fourth Moment]—the turning point in the galaxy's fate, anchored by [Erudition]... It is not a single instant, but a process. A collection of many events."
Cyrene tilted her head slightly,