Multi-Ship Operation

"No other factors interfered with the judgment throughout the entire process."

"Since that's the case, then whatever the outcome, I, Heratia, should have no regrets... Every regret now is a denial of the past... and those who deny the past cannot grow..."

"Besides... more than regret, I actually wanted to invite you to dance... but I probably don't have much time left."

Heratia said, extending her hand with a smile.

"After tomorrow's trial, I expect to be dispatched for punitive operations... But before that, we have a little time to talk and get to know each other?"

Heratia was still very Maria's origins and identity.

However, Maria did not speak.

She remained silent for a moment before looking at the woman in front of her.

Seeing her leaning back on the sofa with her legs crossed so relaxed, I shook my head slightly.

"If there's a chance later... I'll invite you to dance."

"... Hmm, this is the third time you've rejected me... To be honest, I'm a little frustrated."

Heratia's words remained nonsensical, but Maria didn't care.

She simply rubbed her temples and took a deep breath.

"I think our attention should be focused on your current problem..."

"Um?"

Heratia blinked and looked at Maria.

"You really want me to continue in the role of Chief Scientific Officer?"

"Yes..."

"... Why?"

Heratia asked the question, but a moment later she came to her senses.

"You... are you hoping to use my identity for something?"

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Maria.

Only after Maria's eyes flickered slightly did a genuine smile appear on her lips.

She felt... she was truly beginning to connect with Maria...

398

Chapter 398 Multi-Ship Operation

Maria was not a person without desires...

At least, that's how she felt inside.

Heratia looked at Maria in front of her and blinked.

In reality, her statement that she would be dismissed from all her positions was only a possibility.

After all, she is one of the very few scientific governors in Aegir. Even if this operation was not entirely in accordance with the rules, most of the tasks have been completed.

Even if there is to be punishment, at most it would be a suspension for a few days; being dismissed would be the worst-case scenario.

Moreover, even if she were dismissed, it would only affect Heratia; Maria would not be affected at all.

If that's the case, why would Maria want to help herself?

"Do you want me to continue as a science administrator?"

Heratia raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with curiosity.

But this time Maria didn't give a vague answer; instead, she nodded seriously.

"Really."

Whether it's for advancing the Hunter Plan in the future or for understanding the direction of time, Maria needs Heratia to maintain a high position.

At least with her, Maria had another channel to understand the internal situation in Aegir.

"You're rarely this frank... It's clear you're very passionate about what you want to do?"

Heratia raised an eyebrow, slightly twisted her legs, and looked at Maria in a different posture.

"But you probably won't tell me this, will you?"

"I don't really like constantly testing the waters... Sometimes, maintaining a tacit silence is a good thing in a relationship."

Maria exhaled and slowly began to speak.

So far, Maria's impression of Heratia has been very positive.

Of course, this is inseparable from the fact that the other party has helped him on multiple occasions.

But if you look at Heratia from someone else's perspective, you'll feel that strange, subtle feeling.

In some ways, Heratia and Maria are very similar.

Both of them are completely willful; they'll do or try whatever they feel is right.

The only difference is that Maria was powerful enough to change everything, while Heratia was in a high position and therefore could change many things.

"You're so cold-hearted... If I have children in the future, I definitely won't let them know you."

Heratia shook her head slightly, her lips pouting slightly.

Seeing that Maria had no reaction at all, she straightened her posture again.

"Although I don't know exactly what you want to do, if it's really important, I wouldn't mind helping you..."

Heratia pondered, her hands slightly clasped together, revealing a sharp gaze.

"The trial of Court of Minds will take some time... If possible, I really hope you can do me a favor, and it seems that only you can help me with this..."

"... Um."

Maria sat in the chair, her hands folded and resting on her knees, neither denying nor affirming...

A few days later.

The trial of Heratia proceeded as scheduled.

This time, almost everyone in Jiake Nanle came to the Court of Minds to witness this unprecedented trial.

Just a few days ago, Heratia was leading the entire Aegir forward, but now she's the one being judged... Everyone is curious about what exactly happened.

And who brought these accusations against him?

Maria also mingled in the crowd just before the show started, standing quietly among them.

The structure of the entire Court of Minds is not much different from that of the Colosseum. It has the same circular structure, the same special space for the Inquisitors, and the same permission for ordinary people to visit... The difference is that there are no wild beasts and ferocious gladiators, no sand and weapons. There are only cold platforms and those Inquisitors.

Everything here is made of cold, dark blue metal, and the shimmering water reflects dazzling yet tranquil light and shadow as it falls onto the ground.

Quiet and peaceful...

There was no announcement, no notification.

Just as everyone was wondering how all this had happened, Heratia slowly walked out from a corner of the passage and, in the gradually calming environment, slowly walked to the very center of the platform.

She still wore a smile, seemingly full of confidence in the trial, and looked at everyone present with a smile.

Then, he bowed slightly.

After getting up, there was no further sound.

Soon, the coral-shaped machine rose from the ground, surrounded by points of light. After a few moments of resonance, these points of light began to move, floating in the air and forming a seemingly breathing ring...

Sometimes big, sometimes small...

Aegir's trial was different from what Maria had imagined.

This trial had no protagonist... or rather, this trial did not have a presiding judge who could deliver the final verdict.

Some people only have a similar function.

A woman temporarily acting as a substitute.

"Gentlemen..."

Her voice rang out, carried by the halo in the sky.

"I believe that through the terminal, everyone should already understand the purpose and reason for this meeting... As for the various questions raised, Consul Heratia will answer them for us..."

After she finished speaking, she silently took a few steps back, distancing herself from the center of the trial.

Meanwhile, the other people present were attentively looking at the documents being transmitted from their machines.

It contains many details of the recent reconnaissance operation.

Maria glanced at it a few times and then frowned slightly.

Heratia... has she hidden her details?

However, Maria didn't have time to think much about it, and soon the trial began.

But although it was called a trial, it was more like a question and answer session.

The beginning was not complicated; it only contained questions about resource point observation for Mantle Exploration and site selection for new city construction.

None of these matters.

In just half an hour, Heratia finished her appointments one by one.

Soon, the second question arising from this Mantle Exploration was raised...

"Regarding Ms. Heratia's report, she wrote that the relics of the Precursor Civilization are relatively well-preserved and have high research value... To what extent do you think their value specifically lies?"

One person stood up and asked a question.

Heratia was well aware that this issue would determine how many problems she would encounter when issuing the subsequent retreat order.

In theory, the smaller the scale of her withdrawal, the less damage she would suffer.

But...

"Based on what I knew of all the Precursor Ruins that Aegir had investigated before I left, none were as complete or as large as this one."

Heratia told the truth after all.

These words stirred up a ripple in what had been a relatively calm Court of Minds.

Everyone started to lose control of their volume and began discussing with their companions.

Soon, another person stood up.

"Given that, Ms. Heratia, knowing its value, why did you choose to return early?"

As soon as the question was raised, everyone fell silent again.

It must be said that the people under the Aegir civilization were indeed quite rational.

This also prevents such large-scale interrogations from turning into a squabble among a group of mediocre people.

Maria blinked and turned her head as well.

Right next to her, a slightly younger man was intently looking at the document in his hands.

His face was cold and his body was thin. Beside him was a roll of draft paper, decorated with patterns and curves that Maria could not understand.

He noticed Maria's gaze and turned his head slightly as well.

Is there a problem?

He spoke, his voice somewhat forceful, but it sounded quite good, as if he had specifically trained someone to speak with a good voice.

Maria shook her head, turned back, and continued looking at the trial scene.

The man remained silent for a few moments before returning to studying the documents.

His gaze was thoughtful.