"Hmm? What interesting thing are you all chatting about? Let me listen in too."
Just as the group was continuously exchanging opinions around Gallagher's issue, our young Mr. Misha returned.
After recalling those memories of Mikhail and remembering his own identity, Misha used [Memem] to bring several Nameless from the Astral Express to the Reverie, representing this place forgotten and exiled by people.
Relying on his own memories, Misha led the group to find Gallagher. Upon seeing Misha at first glance, Gallagher's expression changed, then his emotions became somewhat agitated.
After confirming the identities of Misha and the several Nameless, he brought Himeko and the others to sit down temporarily in a small tavern.
Misha, on the other hand, went alone to the high platform that had been built up, absorbing all the power remaining in the dream bubble that Mikhail held in his hands. Only then did he follow closely behind and arrive at the tavern.
The moment he stepped into the tavern, he felt the atmosphere between the few people seemed somewhat oppressive. Thus, he spoke up as if joking, wanting to ease the mood.
Himeko: "...…"
March 7th, Stelle: "...…"
Gallagher: "...…"
The people present looked at each other, then lowered their heads again. It was very obvious that Misha's words had not played any positive role; on the contrary, the atmosphere in the room became even more awkward.
"Ahem… It looks like I'm still not very good at speaking."
Misha awkwardly scratched his head. He had wanted to ease the atmosphere, but now it seemed he had killed the mood instead.
"Haha, Mikhail, you're still the same as always."
After a long while, Gallagher let out a hearty laugh. The exhaustion and decadence in his eyes seemed to lessen a bit along with this refreshing laughter.
"Do you still remember that year, during Tiernan's birthday? That guy didn't really like sweets. Do you remember what you said back then?"
"To make him eat two more bites of cake, you said: 'You should eat two more bites of cake, because next, you'll have to eat bitterness for twelve consecutive months.' Hahaha, I still vaguely remember that Tiernan's face turned green right then."
Gallagher's laughter echoed inside the small private room of the tavern. But as he laughed, his voice gradually grew softer.
"Old friend, how much longer can this 'miniature' of yours hold on?"
Gazing at the Misha before him—this starting point and miniature of Mikhail's entire life—Gallagher asked.
"Mm… I just absorbed all the remaining power in the dream bubble. I can probably hold on for about three more days."
"About three days? That's just about enough." Gallagher smiled faintly. At present, his own life probably only had a few days left as well. In a few more days, he could go accompany Mikhail.
Perhaps, in that world on the other shore, he could even meet those old friends who had already passed away.
"What's just about enough?"
Misha scratched his somewhat messy hair and asked in great puzzlement.
Gallagher said it was just about enough—could he be saying that three days was just about enough? What exactly did that mean?
Misha felt very confused inside. However, he soon understood, because he sensed memetic energy constantly overflowing from Gallagher!
"Gallagher, you—!"
Misha's mouth opened wide in shock. Only then did he understand what Gallagher meant, recalling how the other party had traveled the world with him these past years, sharing weal and woe, joys and sorrows.
The youth subconsciously wanted to question him, but the words reached his lips and he simply could not speak them no matter what.
"Mikhail, this is my own decision and has nothing to do with anyone else. You should understand… I'm tired too."
Hearing Gallagher's words, Misha slowly closed his eyes, gently shook his head, and no longer said anything more. He understood that with Gallagher's temperament, no amount of persuasion from him would work.
Moreover, now that the overflow of memetic energy had begun, it was already irreversible. Gallagher's end had become a foregone conclusion; even he was powerless to turn the tide.
Seeing that Misha no longer spoke, Gallagher turned his head and once again placed his gaze on the Nameless seated there.
"Miss Himeko, Miss March 7th, Miss Stelle, with this, I've met all the Nameless currently on Penacony. Welcome, all of you."
"Mr. Gallagher, there are currently four Nameless on Penacony. We still have one more member who, due to some special reasons, did not come to the Reverie."
Himeko corrected truthfully. Originally, they had planned to bring Yun Fan along to the Reverie, but when they took Misha to Yun Fan's room, they found he had already disappeared without a trace.
In the large room, only a snow-white note remained. On the note, written in vigorous, dragon-like strokes, was a single sentence:
'I'm going to handle some personal matters. If there's any emergency, you can call my phone.'
At this, Himeko and the others looked at each other, exchanged helpless glances, and could only shake their heads. They then followed Misha to the Reverie first.
"It's fine. I've already met that Mr. Yun Fan."
Gallagher waved his hand expressionlessly and directly spoke Yun Fan's name.
"Ah?" ×3
This time it was Himeko and the others who were stunned.
Yun Fan had already met Gallagher? When did that happen? How come they didn't know?
"Hmm?"
Looking at their surprised expressions, Gallagher slightly furrowed his brows. Wasn't Mr. Yun Fan also a Nameless? Could it be that the other party had never mentioned anything about the Reverie to his companions?
"Mr. Yun Fan came to the Reverie a long time ago. He didn't tell you?"
"No…"
Himeko fell silent for a moment, then revealed a bitter smile.
"Yun Fan prefers to act alone. Plus, he is an Emanator of [Causality], so we don't know about many of his affairs. As for his whereabouts… we can only know a general idea."
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