Star Rail: Can't I Just Peacefully Do Commissions? Chapter 40

"I wonder if Herta has invented any good item-finding gadgets."

"I'll head to Herta Space Station first to finish the weekly bosses."

Returning to the Star Rail universe from the ninja world, the Aurora Curtain's landing destination this time was Herta Space Station. As soon as I appeared on the platform, my phone immediately received a message.

[Herta: Hurry up and come test!]

[I really can pole vault: Don't rush, I'll be there soon to test it thoroughly.]

[Herta: Never mind, no need to rush now. Screwllum from #76 and Ruan Mei from #81 will also be coming to the space station today. As one of the main testers for the Simulated Universe, they're also curious about your situation.]

[I really can pole vault: Two members of the Genius Society? Perfect, I also have something I need your help with.]

[Herta: Then come over first, I'll be waiting for you in my office.]

Seeing the 'Do Not Disturb' bubble appear over Herta's avatar, Shirou Emiya put down his phone and lightly stroked his chin, murmuring softly, 25

"Ruan Mei arrived at Herta Space Station early?"

"I wonder if the little fox from the Sparkle Merchant Group has managed to pick her up yet."

After the Trailblaze journey in the ninja world concluded, the original plan for the Star Rail universe was to prepare to head to Penacony in the next few days.

Of course, The Stellaron Hunters would definitely be on the train. We need to find a way to get them to the Luofu Xianzhou first.

And if nothing unexpected happens, On the Luofu Xianzhou right now, that little fox from the Sparkle Merchant Group should have already been replaced by Phantylia.

"Ruan Mei picked up the little fox, knows Jingliu and Luocha's objectives, and is even the driving force behind their plan."

"Through Ruan Mei, perhaps I can make contact with these people in advance."

If I could get commissions like "ally to kill Abundance"...

That's a big payday.

"The Xianzhou's map is vast, and there are many important story characters. Especially since they're long-lived races, almost every important character has some sort of hidden agenda or special storyline."

I won't even talk about the love-hate relationships among the Cloud-Piercer Five.

Yukong and Caiyi, Fu Xuan and the Jade Bureau Divination, And...

The incredible Special Commissioner Scott, well, he's not from the Xianzhou.

"I'll go see Herta first."

Entering the space station, I greeted some familiar space station staff members. I even ran into Alan and took Peipei from him to pet her. This little guy is quite human-like and very enjoyable to pet. While petting, Mr. Emiya suddenly remembered that he had a few little guys in his warehouse that could be pets and hadn't released them yet. After thinking about it, he decided to take out the Pom-Pom he'd gotten from a lucky draw.

"Woof woof (What is this strange thing?)"

Peipei looked at the chubby, unidentified creature and sniffed it closely.

"Moo moo (Where is this place?)"

The little white chubby creature, having just completed its initial power-up, blinked its big eyes and looked around with its very bouncy body. When it saw Shirou Emiya, its big eyes immediately turned into a (???`) expression.

"Moo moo (It's a parent...)"

"The little thing is quite cute."

Shirou Emiya looked at the expression on the little creature's face and its bouncy plush body, and couldn't help but reach out and start rubbing its forehead.

The little thing didn't mind at all; it responded very happily, even nudging Shirou Emiya's hand.

Alan fell silent, watching the pair of master and subordinate interact. After a moment, he suddenly stared at Peipei, and Peipei, staring back at Alan, let out two barks.

"Woof woof woof (It's an act, this kind of relationship is all an act!)"

"I don't think so."

"Alan, play with this little guy and Peipei for a while. I'm going to Herta's office."

"No problem, leave it to me."

"Say hello to Asta for me if you see her. We'll have dinner together when I have time later."

"I'll inform Miss."

After wandering around the space station for a while, bumping into familiar staff members and chatting briefly, Shirou Emiya slowly made his way to Herta's office, now holding quite a few exotic snacks given to him by the staff.

As soon as he entered Herta's office, Herta's avatar proactively came forward. Without any preamble, she directly asked, "How's that ability you developed before?"

"I've already obtained several new coordinates. Himeko and the others are currently Trailblazing in those new worlds."

"Good. If you encounter anything interesting, remember to bring some back for me to research. You won't be shortchanged."

"There actually is something, but I haven't acquired it yet. I'll have to see if you geniuses can help me."

"What is it?"

Herta's interest was piqued. This man wouldn't be someone who spoke without reason, trying to fob her off with something uninteresting.

Shirou Emiya smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly, and then he spoke.

"A new cosmic race. They're very similar to the children of Propagation, constantly invading planet after planet. They use some kind of technology to alter the 'genes' of the entire planet's biological population to generate specific energies. In the end... they'll drain all the life energy, mental energy, and natural energy of the planet's inhabitants and the planet itself, ultimately cultivating a single fruit."

"Sounds like a very old pirate group... but I'm not interested in that kind of race. However, the cosmic race you mentioned, perhaps Ruan Mei would be a little interested."

"I know you're not interested in these special races, but they've developed a special spacetime interference Noble Phantasm. 963 can be used to travel to the 'past'. Although there are spacetime paradoxes that prevent easy alteration of the past, as long as the normal historical trajectory isn't deviated, and history is deceived a little, no one will care about the survival of a few individuals."

"Interesting."

Herta raised an eyebrow slightly. The field of time was indeed being researched by quite a few members of the Genius Society. Although they had successfully developed equipment to observe the past and even predict the future, due to the existence of Aeons in the Imaginary domain, those devices would be affected to varying degrees, especially with purebred beasts like the 'Riddler' and 'Fabricator Historian' in the universe.

"What do you need my help with?"

"I only know that thing is on a planet, and I know its approximate form and true name, but I can't determine its exact location. Hertaemon, do you have any magical items that could help a brother out?"

"...Do you really think I'm Riel?"

Miss Herta raised an eyebrow, but after a moment of thought, she suddenly looked at Shirou Emiya with a strange expression.

"But now that you mention it, I do have something that can help you. It depends on whether you dare to use it."

"What invention?"

"The contact information of a Memory of the Past Rememberer, want it?"

"Yes! Of course, I do! And it would be even better if it were a purple-haired fortune teller in stockings, wearing clothes like lingerie!"

Chapter 083: Genius Society Meeting. (5/5)

"Question: If a machine's operational instructions, woven from just a few simple strings of characters, can be classified as a sincere response to human emotions?"

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Shirou Emiya. Although we've never met face-to-face in reality, I've seen many of your choices in the Simulated Universe. You are a very excellent partner, and I look forward to more in-depth cooperation."

"I am deeply honored to be so highly regarded by the king of Screwllum's Planet, Mr. Screwllum."

The Automaton Legion individual, exuding gentlemanly demeanor from the inside out, Shirou Emiya took in the full image of this Automaton leader. This was an extremely rare existence within the Genius Society that possessed both 'divinity' and 'humanity' in a perfectly fused manner.

Unlike those reclusive, introverted, arrogant, and conceited members of the Genius Society, this Automaton king possessed both the majesty and wisdom of #27 Emperor Ruppert, as well as the intellect and friendliness of #22 Riel.

Among the four Genius Society members who created the Simulated Universe, Stephen was a socially reclusive boy, Herta was an extremely strong-willed dictator, and Ruan Mei was someone who acted on her own whims without regard for others' emotions. In contrast, the Automaton king, who shouldn't have had many emotions, became the most human of the geniuses.

Even towards the members of the Scholarly Society, he would respond with friendly and refined gestures, being called the perfect fusion of rationality and sensibility by many.

"Let's skip the pleasantries. Hasn't Ruan Mei arrived yet?"

"The answer is, she should have already entered the space station. However, Ms. Ruan Mei has always been willful, and she's probably looking for inspiration or resting elsewhere in the space station right now."

"That woman is as troublesome as ever. She left me quite a bit of trouble in the sealed cabin below. I hope she causes me less trouble this time."

"Compared to the other members of the Genius Society, Ms. Ruan Mei can practically be called approachable."

"I wish everyone were like you and Stephen... Never mind, Stephen's social anxiety is also troublesome. Can't Fuli pick a few people who can communicate normally?"

"(′???`)……"

A facial expression suddenly appeared on a screen in the office. Upon seeing the change on the screen, Screwllum immediately said, "Our little friend seems to have heard your evaluation of him, Herta."

"So what if he heard it? Stephen, go out more and practice normal verbal communication with others. The Synesthesia Beacon isn't just for decoration when it's with you."

"(ˉ―ˉ)……"

"Alright, stop fooling around. We're about to have a meeting. Shirou... go and help me fetch Ruan Mei. Her attire is completely out of place with everyone else on the space station. You should have seen her in the Simulated Universe."

"Fine."

Slipping out of Herta's office, Shirou Emiya quickly took out his phone and started messaging in the group chat. He began asking in the gossip groups of the various departments on the space station if anyone had seen a black-haired beauty in a qipao wandering around. Sure enough, after a while, someone replied that they had seen a similar figure in a support cabin.

Following the clues provided by the group, Shirou Emiya soon found the elegant Eastern woman dressed in a variant ink-wash qipao.

From an external sensory perspective, she was a perfect Chinese-style beauty. Her lightly tied black long hair gave her a refined temperament like a widow. If she were in a more ancient and elegant setting, she would likely be a beautiful scene worthy of being molded into a painting.

As if sensing Shirou Emiya's arrival, she slightly turned her head. Her dark eyes reflected Shirou Emiya's appearance, and then, the elegant beauty's lips curved upwards slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"I didn't expect you to be on the space station today."

"I am here today to seek help from the brains of geniuses like yourselves, Ms. Ruan Mei."

"You're interesting, just like that Stellaron experimental subject."

"Thank you for the compliment. Actually, I have some questions I'd like you to answer."

"...What you want, you must pay for. Help me with a small favor, and I will give you my answers as a 'reward'."

"The 'genes' of a special cosmic race. Their race has traits close to 'Propagation' and 'Immortality', and each member is a natural Pathstrider."

"Sounds good. Tell me your questions."

"Question one: Is the Sparkle Merchant Group's ferryman, the Foxkin Tingyun, in your hands? Question two: Have the blonde cosmic merchant Luocha and the Luofu Xianzhou's seven-hundred-year-old Sword Master Jingliu formed any plans with you?"

The Sparkle Merchant Group's ferryman, The blonde cosmic merchant, The Luofu's Sword Master…

A hint of surprise flickered in Ruan Mei's beautiful eyes. She was a reclusive person, rarely venturing out. Aside from the members of the Genius Society, her contact list didn't even contain phone numbers for anyone else.

She actually maintained a very high level of privacy regarding her information, yet she never expected that this man, who should have known nothing about her, would be aware of so many things related to her recent activities.

Luocha and Jingliu – she did indeed know them. In fact, due to Jingliu's Mara-struck condition, she had even performed a simple surgery on her.

And Tingyun, it was the same. Aside from herself, not even any of the creations she had made should have known about this person's existence.

"The answer to both questions is yes."

"I found the Sparkle Merchant Group's Star-Fling on my way to a certain planet. Inside the wreckage, I did find a severely injured Foxkin woman."

"Luocha and Jingliu have indeed formed a cooperative relationship with me. Through them, I will establish another cooperation with the Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance."

"Kill the Lord of Disease."

When Shirou Emiya uttered this phrase, even Ruan Mei, a person with extremely detached emotions, showed a slight change in expression. However, due to her nature, this member of the Genius Society calmly nodded.

"Since you already know these things, why do you still need to get answers from me?"

"Because this is very important for my next course of action."

Shirou Emiya narrowed his eyes. He hadn't taken on any major jobs for several years. If he could get a piece of the pie in such a significant event, it would at least be a four-star or even a five-star commission.

"This is a product of degenerate 'genes' left behind by that cosmic race on a certain planet."

He took out a bottle of dark green nutrient solution from the warehouse. Floating within the solution were a pair of eyeballs – the Mangekyo Sharingan belonging to Uchiha Hikari. He was very curious about what kind of sparks would ignite when this person, a genius in biology who had reached an inhuman level, got their hands on such an item.

"These eyes can evolve into several more forms, considered this race's most outstanding innate ability."

"I look forward to you deciphering its secrets."