Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Big Egos
"Never seen perfection before?" Herta smirked at the blonde golden armored man. In an instant rage filled the armored man's face as numerous golden ripples in space appeared.
Within a split second they fired spears, swords and various weaponry at Herta. In that small instant, Interpretation stacks had been generated as various purple crystal mirrors emerged from space and disappeared like glass shards after catching the weapons.
"You dare to lay your hands on this King's treasure?" The so called King was curious. Herta simply smiled before replying, "I assumed a King as magnanimous as you was gifting me these items".
Space formed and solidified like shards of glass as a mirror soon reappeared and a caught sword was dropped into the ground from above.
"Wow, you're quite loaded. What do you say? I'll give you back all of these treasures in return for whatever strange object you have no use for in your treasury, King of Heroes." Herta had long figured it out and was now sure that the King had some strange objects.
Even Gilgamesh was confused slightly at this attitude, "Hoh? Many would be scrambling to have ownership over my treasures. Instead you ask for strange objects I have no use for." Herta nodded in agreement, "Besides, I personally haven't touched your treasures, so they haven't been tainted as you think no?" He asked.
Gilgamesh was growing more and more curious, he had zero expectations for this era. Yet here was a genius spoken so highly by his useless master. He knew Tokiomi was proud, but for such a proud person to speak so highly. His clairvoyance saw into the depths of the unknown.
Immediately he cocked his head back and laughed loudly, "I see... Indeed, It was a rare oversight for me to have judged you with the same standards as these rabble." He declared while glaring at the others.
"Curiosity, you are driven by the curiosity to advance and make everything known." For once, perhaps even in his tyrannical age, he showed favor to someone. Gilgamesh detested this era, for it tarnished the humans he used to know.
The ones that strived for a tomorrow even with no hope in sight. Burning brightly even if for an instant. It was beautiful. He looked at the common rabble, each with a life that could barely be called a life.
Yet here was someone that exemplified that beauty, the curiosity and drive to make everything known under the universe and to advance and advance with no end in sight. The personification of the vision he saw when humans reached the stars beyond.
Herta watched as Gilgamesh ceased his laughter. "Very well, what type of object are you looking for? Consider this a King's rare generosity."
Herta smiled as the treasures were released from numerous mirrors as they dropped down harmlessly to be reclaimed in golden motes of light. "Anything strange, doesn't matter what it is. I guess something like a space-time prism in the form of a cheese?" Herta shrugged in helplessness.
Yet it was time for Gilgamesh to be stunned, he believed that nothing would escape his treasury, but what was a space-time prism in the form of a cheese? The other servants and masters looked disappointed and appalled.
The King of Heroes with numerous noble phantasms grants you the right to request a treasure and you use it on something weird? Waver shook his head and muttered, "That's Professor Herta for you."
Gilgamesh's face turned a bit ashen, "Are you sure such things exist?" He asked. Herta shrugged "I dunno, maybe I'll try make one later on... I guess how about an automatic refilling cup of beverages?"
The King of Heroes shook his head as a golden chalice fell down before throwing it to Herta who caught it with eyes filled with sparkles. "Wow, this is perfect for my collection." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, "Hoh? Collection?" He looked interested.
"I'm collecting all kinds of strange objects for my currently built curio museum. Only two items so far, tangible luck and this chalice of refillable beverages." Herta shook the cup before chucking it into a small mirror.
The rest of the master and servants looked dazed, "Weren't you two about to kill each other? Are their egos so big and equal that they cancel each other out?"
Herta shifted on the giant key as a growl caught his eye. In that moment he saw a dark blur manifest on the battlefield.
His giant key dematerialised as he dropped onto the floor to look at the strange armored servant. "Woah... You look pretty cool. Anti-discernment effects on your armor..." Herta stood right up against the servant inspecting it.
Kayneth from afar could only shake his head, this confirmed it, "All geniuses are sick in the head."
Herta nodded, "Perfect experimental material, pure absolute rage. Enough to try make a light cone replica out of this."
The nearby servants perked their ears up, "Light cones?" Herta nodded as he snapped his fingers causing a wave of shattered glass to encompass the surroundings.
"Just give it a while. The target is Berserker either way." Herta shrugged and retreated to sit inside Iskandar's chariot. Waver who was now sitting next to Herta could only feel giddy.
"Professor could I get a..." Waver stopped speaking as Herta produced a small business card with a autograph and a number.
"Congratulations you are the perfect 150th person to have seen the true me. Keep that card safe, that contains your Herta number."
Waver looked at Iskandar before looking at the card, in a way, one of his wishes had already come true. Maybe it was time to try compete in the clocktower for the Herta internship. He had heard that the internship program was a result of a deal with the clocktower itself.
That deal had solidified the Herta Research Station to be nearly untouchable. Forget about the Atlas institute, whatever they came up with Herta could probably do better. But everyone knew his quirky nature on looking for researching strange questions.
But most of all, funding... Research funding in the station was said to be so luxurious it was every researcher or magi's wet dream.
Tokiomi still had surveillance and simply stared at the Herta number given to Waver. He then looked at his own daughter who was studying hard.
A pity, he heard that having a Herta number would be something to boast about, it also increased the chances of an internship. Tokiomi sighed, Rin was still young and there was no need to rush yet.
The mad berserker suddenly twitched and howled in rage before locking onto Gilgamesh. The golden king was furious, "You dare lay your eyes on me you rabid dog?" Weapons flew as shattered rubble and smoke rose about only to be wiped away in that instant.
Berserker lunged towards the lights where Gilgamesh stood. In that instant the surrounding areas of space shattered like glass shards and a bright light enveloped everyone.
Their eyes opened to get used to the sudden flash of bright light as a block of light refracting many colors seemed to floating in Herta's hand.
It was a light cone replica with no special effects, he wasn't researching nor did he have power in the memory domain, at least not yet. He looked at the memory frozen in time, "Defiance Against the Heavens" That light cone had been given a name, the froze moment was the charge of Berserker towards Gilgamesh high in the sky.
Herta having mostly accomplished his goals turned to wave goodbye. "Remember if any of your servant's are about to die, please let me know in advance. I can provide servant insurance as well to cover the costs. Preferably servants with tangible noble phantasms"
Everyone's mood plummeted, the servants all had one thought in mind.
"Read the room will you?"
Herta leaned into the mirror as it froze into an image and disappeared into thin air.