"Miss Theresia?"
Tian An wanted to say more, but a heavy force began pulling her backward. Her vision gradually blurred. She saw the Little Bunny not far away saying something, but couldn't hear clearly.
Until the feeling from first entering the Simulated Universe briefly returned, Tian An's consciousness seemed to be pulled into a deeper layer, the sensation becoming increasingly distinct.
When her vision cleared again, she could no longer see the girl.
"Herta?" Tian An's voice held a hint of resentment. That was Little Bunny! The nation's daughter, everyone's sweetheart! Just when there was a chance for dialogue, she was forcefully pulled into another layer like that.
However... thinking back, this wasn't Teacher Xiao Te's or Tian An's own memory, right? Could it be... she really 'accidentally' entered Little Bunny's dream?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible! (Cao Cao voice) Since when did the Simulated Universe have this function?
"I didn't do a thing! I saw you two talking just now, I deliberately didn't even interrupt," Herta felt wronged too. She had tuned in just in time to see a cute girl with rabbit ears saying something nostalgic to Tian An. She had even wanted to record it, but then Tian An entered another space on her own.
That space vanished along with her.
However, that space was indeed quite special. Besides pulling people out, Herta couldn't perform any other operations within it.
"Why don't you check out this space first? The style is a bit like the place you were attacked before. Don't get attacked again." In Herta's mind, aside from that abstract city, the other places should belong to Tian An's memory.
"This place... probably not, right?" An unpleasant memory surfaced. Although she really didn't want a repeat performance, Tian An had to admit, this place was precisely the room she—or rather, the real Theresia—was in before the assassination attempt.
The Combat Command Room.
Tian An finally scanned her surroundings again. Good, no one was here.
"Herta, can you turn off my pain simulation?" Tian An asked.
"Pain simulation? Why? If you get attacked, can't I just pull you out?" Herta asked strangely.
This time, she had applied numerous patches to the Simulated Universe, including enabling Tian An to summon members of the Express crew and Herta's own puppets to fight alongside her with a wave of her hand.
"The whole point is to drag out the potentially dangerous thing inside your body through possible combat, understand?" Herta was uncharacteristically patient this time.
"As long as something harms your body, your consciousness will be immediately ejected from the Simulated Universe."
"Then can I ask for compensation?" Tian An suddenly remembered this golden rule.
"How did you get assimilated by that Star person too?" Herta was a bit speechless. "Don't worry, whatever you want, I have it."
Having received a complete assurance, Tian An refocused her attention on the current space. When she arrived, she was already sitting at the desk holding a pen, reviewing a file titled "Babel Military Preparation Document."
A pile of documents awaited review below it.
Tian An opened these files, spreading them out one by one. After reading the specific contents, she could only say that even back then, Babel still had many optimistic, lively treasures.
"Regarding My Opinion on Selecting Her Highness Theresia as Terra's Most Beautiful—500 Pages Total. Postscript: Absolutely do not let Her Highness see this. Doctor, please hide immediately after reading."
"Work Report on Preparations for Her Highness Theresia's Fan Club—Doctor Kal'tsit, please approve a little more funding for me!"
"Plan for a Joint Photo Series Shoot for Her Highness Theresia and Little Amiya"
"..."
Ahem...
Tian An coughed twice to alleviate the awkwardness.
"Looks like you're quite popular in this place called Babel," Herta teased.
Of course! Just look who my Highness is!
It seemed that in the days before the assassination, Theresia had taken on all the documents that needed signing.
"Mi... Miss Theresia..." A timid voice sounded from behind. A short little girl struggled to open the heavy door, poking her head in and greeting timidly.
The little girl's eyes were somewhat hidden by her long bangs, but her bright eyes were still visible, filled with curiosity and hope for the unknown.
And her body, though petite and delicate, already carried many responsibilities.
"Little Amiya?" Tian An blurted out the name. Seeing the little girl before her felt as if she had truly lived with her for many years, and she could clearly sense the emotional shifts in the little girl.
"Miss Theresia... everyone disappeared. Can I ask you to tell me a story?" Little Amiya's voice was cute and pleasant. If one couldn't feel protective towards her, they could only be called iron-blooded and ruthless.
"Of course," Tian An blurted out again. Her response to Little Amiya's request seemed like a conditioned reflex, allowing no change or doubt.
But, I'm not Her Highness... and I don't know how to tell stories... right?
Hearing her "big sister" agree, Little Amiya's expression relaxed considerably. She excitedly took two steps forward, then opened her arms wide in a 'want a hug' pose.
The corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards, an adorable look like she had just received some precious treasure.
Tian An was already immersed in a feeling of deep care, as if she was Theresia. It felt like they were engaging in an interaction that had happened many times before, yet was still filled with anticipation.
Tian An bent down and firmly hugged Little Amiya, then held her sideways in her arms. Her fluffy little ears rubbed slowly against her chest, warm and intoxicating.
"Miss Theresia..." Little Amiya snuggled tightly into Tian An's embrace as if seeking comfort. She felt Babel was very strange today; she couldn't sense anyone's emotions, couldn't find the Doctor or the others, so she was very scared.
"Good Little Amiya, wait until Big Sister finishes her work, then I'll tell you a story, okay?" Tian An mimicked the comforting gestures from memory, stroking the little girl before her again and again.
"Miss... Miss Theresia... you'll always be by Amiya's side, right?" Little Amiya struggled to lift her head from the warm embrace, asking expectantly.
"I will. I definitely will," the gentle voice drifted with the wind, echoing softly.
"As long as Little Amiya needs me, I will always be by your side."
"I will never leave."
...
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(Author's Note: There is so much warmth in the world, why not seek out one's own evergreen tree?)