Ms. Black Tomb

(Cast down blood and wounds)

(Weave suffering and death)

(Do not submit to tyranny)

(Do not perish trapped in the cave)

(A fool's act of defiance)

∎∎Judgment∎∎Annihilation∎∎Fall into∎∎Folly∎∎

(The god's crown shall shatter)

(A billion years of suffering shall blaze)

(Resist, destroy)

(Proclaim: illuminate the cosmos!)

Then

(Burn the divine kingdom to ashes, cast off the world!)

(All things turn to ash, buried with new life!)

Emperor III's spear was about to fall.

"All right!"

"What do you mean, all right? We're finished!"

"Emperor III's attack has already been unleashed. Even if Ms. Herta regains consciousness, she can't take it back."

"So that's what it was~" Sera smiled.

"Since you have a line, I'll recite one too."

With that, he raised his right hand high.

"God grants me a gateway, reaching the cosmic heavens. Create something from nothing, king of space."

Snap. He snapped his fingers.

The power of space and dimensions banished "Burn the divine kingdom to ashes, cast off the world" to Imaginary Space.

"Doesn't that do it?" Sera spread his hands innocently.

"Hmph." Ms. Herta folded her arms and turned her face away.

Emperor III's figure faded, and Black Tomb (she would be called that to tell them apart) appeared before them.

"Thank you," Black Tomb said to the group.

"He's the one you should thank," Herta said disdainfully. "Did you think I'd save you?"

"I know what kind of person I am," Black Tomb said calmly.

"Hey, did your personality change after Iron Tomb swallowed you?" Herta asked, puzzled.

"After fighting through so many cycles, even someone as great as me can change~" Black Tomb spread her hands.

"Nicely done, savior." Black Tomb patted Sera on the head.

"Hey, if you're thanking me, just thank me. What are you doing with your hand?" Sera slapped Black Tomb's hand away.

"Hahaha, you really are still a child." Ms. Black Tomb smiled at Sera.

"What do you mean, a child? I came of age today!"

"..."

"Logic: Sera, happy birthday!" Screwllum spoke up. "Once things here are settled, I'll prepare a birthday present for you."

"Oh~ Little Sera, so you've only just come of age." A smile appeared on Herta's face.

"Yeah, unlike Ms. Herta..." Before Sera could finish, Herta covered his mouth with her hand.

"Don't say it." Herta put on a fierce expression.

"All right." After Herta removed her hand, Sera answered helplessly.

"What kind of pet do you like?" Ruan Mei asked.

"Hmm... a pet? A cute one." Sera thought for a moment before answering.

Polka Kakamond said nothing. She was thinking about what she should give him.

The corners of Ms. Black Tomb's mouth rose as she walked up to Sera. Before everyone's shocked eyes, she cupped his face and kissed him.

"Hey, you!" Herta rushed over at once, trying to pull them apart, but Black Tomb was much stronger than Herta.

"..." Screwllum silently took a step back.

Ruan Mei watched quietly.

Polka Kakamond paid no attention; she was still thinking.

After a long while, Black Tomb stopped. Sera still wore a stunned expression, and after a moment, his face turned red.

"That was... my first kiss." Sera was a little dazed. (Cyrene: No, it wasn't.)

Wait, why was his first kiss a girl kissing him?

"Do you like my present, little savior~?" Ms. Black Tomb's voice was teasing.

Ms. Herta stood off to the side, gnashing her teeth like a helpless husband.

Sera's face was still a little red, and he didn't answer.

"All right, I was joking. This is the real present." Ms. Black Tomb took out a puppet.

"When you return to your own timeline, you can use her to find me~" Black Tomb smiled and leaned close to whisper in Sera's ear.

"She's a hundred percent lifelike~"

Sera's face grew even redder. Herta stepped in front of him and spoke to Black Tomb irritably.

"All right, you've given him your present. We should get going."

With that, Herta turned and took Sera's right hand.

"Goodbye, Ms. Black Tomb."

"Bye-bye~" Black Tomb was still smiling.

Sera and the others left.

Not long after...

"Come out, Lycurgus." Black Tomb raised her spear and pointed it at an empty spot.

"There's no need to be nervous, Ms. Herta." Lycurgus bowed. "I've come to bid you farewell."

"In the name of the God-Gifted Spectator, Lycurgus has reached the end of his destiny.

Please take my remains to fallen Adlivun. There is a formula there that will aid you in taking revenge on Nous."

"What makes you think I'll destroy the machine head?"

"Your conscience."

"..."

"Listen-the death knell for the geniuses has already sounded. As always, let me be the first."

Black Tomb stood where she was with the spear in hand, thinking about who knew what.

"Tell me, why didn't you dodge?"

"I didn't react in time."

Sera answered honestly.

"You could react to Emperor III's attack, but not to that?" Herta snorted.

"Do you think I'd believe that?"

"Why do you care about that?" Sera was puzzled.

"That was another me!" Herta was still gnashing her teeth a little as she recalled what had just happened.

"Oh."

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation," Screwllum suddenly spoke up.

"But I must take my leave first. I'll prepare Sera's birthday present when I return and have someone deliver it."

"Mm... goodbye, Screw."

"Goodbye." Screwllum said farewell to the group.

Polka Kakamond also said goodbye to Sera. She was going to prepare a present.

"Aren't you two leaving?" Sera looked at Herta and Ruan Mei.

"My dear Sera, have you forgotten that we belong to you now?"

Herta's voice rang out.

"That doesn't mean you can follow me around all the time, does it?"

"Can't we?" Ruan Mei tilted her head, a little puzzled.

"All right." Sera was out of options.

Sera took the two back to the hotel and got each of them a room.

"Go on in. I'll be going." Sera handed them their room cards.

"Where are you staying?" Herta asked.

"That one up ahead." Sera pointed at the room. "I'm sharing it with a companion."

"A companion?" Herta was a little puzzled. "You never mentioned her."

"Cyrene wasn't in Phantasmoon Games or the research, so I didn't mention her."

"All right." Herta closed her door.

Sera was just about to leave when Ruan Mei caught hold of him.

"What is it?" Sera looked at Ruan Mei in confusion.

"May I collect some of your blood?"

As if worried that Sera had reservations, Ruan Mei explained, "I'm not going to make a copy. I want the pet I give you to express affection for you on a genetic level."

"Ah, I wasn't suspicious. My blood is a little special. It's impossible to copy, so I was just wondering how to draw it."

Ruan Mei stepped forward. "Leave it to me, dear."

Sera was a little puzzled, but his eyes soon widened.

Ruan Mei kissed him and bit through his lip, but it quickly healed.

"That will do." Ruan Mei released Sera.