Riki's brows immediately twisted into a knot: "Ha? I still have three new songs to arrange, okay?" She irritably scratched her hair. "Do you want to work me to death?"
Tomori gently tugged at Anon's sleeve and whispered: "Riki has indeed been working very hard lately…"
Seeing Tomori speaking up for her, Riki's attitude instantly softened, and her voice unconsciously dropped an octave. "I-It's not that tiring… Just… uh, normal workload…"
Anon took the chance to pounce over and hug Riki's shoulders: "Then Rikki can handle the composition~ Leave the lyrics to me!"
"You!?" Riki gave her a disgusted glance. "The lyrics you wrote last time were basically just a patchwork of idol drama lines. Stuff like 'Kiss the gears of fate before the meteor falls'… It gave me goosebumps all over."
"How rude! That's called pouring out my heart!" She turned and pounced toward Tomori. "Tomori~ Tell me, have my lyrics improved?!"
Tomori was shaken left and right by Anon but still nodded seriously: "…Anon's lyrics are very bright and sunny… Let her try this time?"
With Tomori having spoken, Riki finally gave in: "Do whatever you want… But the theme about Aventurine needs to be clear. Not only highlight his background and sense of fate, but also fit our band's style."
Riki sighed helplessly: "…Seriously, if you don't write the lyrics properly, you won't pass my checkpoint."
——
[ In the lobby of the Reverie Hotel, the front desk had no information on Firefly. ]
[ "…This was within expectations. May I ask again, what traces do people usually leave when entering the dream?" Himeko asked. ]
[ The front desk staff explained that the Dream Entry Pool would record some physiological indicators and then hand them over to the Family. All measures were for forced awakening in emergencies, with the starting point being to ensure the safety of the guests. The front desk's authority also did not support using this as an entry point for investigation. ]
[ However, before leaving, Himeko still used some conversational skills to inquire about Miss Robin's situation. Seeing the front desk staff's bewildered expression, Himeko became even more certain that the Family had concealed Robin's death very well. ]
[ "Sure enough, no one knows about Robin. Not surprising." Himeko frowned tightly. "But that Miss Firefly is truly mysterious. The hotel system can't find any information about her at all. Even a stowaway… should have some fake identity after entering, right?" ]
[ To sneak into the dreamscape without anyone noticing, there were currently only two methods. One was assistance from the Memokeeper; they were like fish in water in the Memosphere, and entering dreams was not difficult. The other was Silver Wolf of the Stellaron Hunters. She could use unconventional means to break the dream hotel's lockdown. Moreover, Himeko deduced that behind Firefly's matter, the Hunters were definitely actively pushing it. ]
——
Delicious in Dungeon.
"The Stellaron Hunters are too evil, right? They even want to use a young girl like Firefly."
The campfire crackled. Marcille scooped slime from her bowl with a spoon and said irritably: "Those dangerous Stellaron Hunters… Has Firefly never seen their wanted posters before? She actually dared to cooperate with them so boldly… Sigh, she's really young."
"That's not the point—" Chilchuck downed the slime in his bowl in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said: "The point is the Stellaron Hunters' goal. They've always targeted Stellarons. Coming to Penacony this time is definitely no exception."
"…So Penacony is actually hiding a Stellaron?"
Chilchuck sighed helplessly: "Marcille, you didn't just forget what Sunday said, did you? If Penacony didn't have a Stellaron, where would he get the research data to promise Professor Ratio? Moreover, without a Stellaron, I can't imagine any reason for the Stellaron Hunters to take action."
"Also, do you remember Firefly's goal in coming to Penacony? She also wants to pursue the [Watchmaker's Legacy]. If the Stellaron Hunters share the same goal as her, can we draw a conclusion—the so-called legacy… is actually a Stellaron?"
——
[ While the group was discussing, sudden commotion from other guests came from beside them. Several fully armed Company personnel had arrived and were preparing to carry out an armed evacuation operation. ]
[ "A-Armed evacuation? Boss, have you been drinking…" ]
[ The nearby underling trembled as he said that his year-end bonus had already been spent entirely on Belobog. If they continued, he might end up on a major disciplinary notice. ]
[ Fortunately, Topaz stepped forward in time and gave them a fierce scolding, dragging the embarrassing team leader to the guest room first. ]
[ Seeing Topaz, the Train Crew members were also very happy. Finally, the Company had sent someone familiar. ]
[ "Long time no see, everyone from the Astral Express. I heard about your matters from Aventurine… Hmm?" A message seemed to come through Topaz's earpiece. She immediately put on a more serious expression and instructed the person inside: "…It's fine. Do as they request, try to avoid conflict with the Family… Report to me before taking any action. Mm, good." ]
[ After speaking, Topaz also let out a long sigh: "Sigh… As you can see, the Company is not very welcome in Penacony. The Family's hospitality as hosts is only surface-level politeness. The former border prison now wants to put shackles on Company employees instead." ]
——
Fullmetal Alchemist.
"Aaaah, it's Miss Topaz—!"
"Miss Topaz, I want to file a report for you. Uuuu… It's all that brat Aventurine's fault. He betrayed your trust and ruined your bright future!"
"Idiot, who are you filing a report to through the Celestial Screen? Can she even hear you?"
"…"
The restaurant was filled with voices like this, which actually made Edward unable to help but laugh.
Indeed, the moment he saw Miss Topaz, he felt a sense of "meeting an old friend in a distant land," and his originally somewhat bad mood due to Sunday recovered quite a bit.
"Brother, what are you laughing at?"
Alphonse looked at him in confusion.
Edward forked a piece of steak into his mouth, his voice muffled: "…Nothing. I was just imagining what expression Miss Topaz would have if she learned right now that her Cornerstone, along with Aventurine's stone, had been lost."
"She probably wouldn't have any particular expression. She'd accept it calmly, right?" Alphonse said.
"Hah? You trust Topaz's mental fortitude that much?"
"Mm. Not just Miss Topaz… Mainly I trust the Ten Stonehearts." Alphonse's voice came from the empty suit of armor, carrying a special tone. "Those who can carve Cornerstones with their own will must have been acknowledged by [Preservation]—how could they be ordinary people? Since they can pick it up, they can certainly put it down."
"Brother, you can't underestimate their determination. Since Miss Topaz dared to hand the [Cornerstone] to Aventurine, she must have been prepared, right?"