After exchanging a few more words with Clockie, Stelle still decided to go save them.
Although Firefly was puzzled by the invisible Clockie, she still chose to support Stelle's decision.
As for the place she wanted to take Stelle, it wouldn't hurt to go a little later.
The two followed Clockie for a while, and sure enough, they saw a group of people gathered together not far away.
Misha was among them, and besides Misha, there was another figure who looked very familiar to Stelle.
"Everyone, please calm down..."
Misha was trying to ease the conflict.
But the group of well-dressed thugs had no intention of letting it go.
"You little punk who doesn't know the rules, let's see how I deal with you!"
"Yeah! Boss, teach her a good lesson!"
The scene made Stelle frown.
Wasn't this the Family's territory?
How were there gangsters running around in dreams?
Acheron, who was surrounded together with Misha, frowned as well.
"How did it come to this..."
The situation had clearly developed in a way she hadn't expected, but more than anything, she felt helpless.
"Why is everyone someone I know..."
Stelle also felt helpless at this moment.
Firefly looked at Stelle in confusion.
"Huh? What do you mean by 'everyone'...?"
From her point of view, only one silent woman was being surrounded.
Stelle didn't answer Firefly's question.
In fact, she hadn't even heard what Firefly had said.
She felt she had something much more important to do.
The Galactic Baseballer had already drawn her bat.
And her bat couldn't wait anymore.
"But using the bat would be too inefficient... No, wait! I mean, we can't solve problems in such a violent way..."
When Firefly saw Stelle pull out the bat, she was about to say something, but suddenly realized she'd misspoken.
She quickly covered her mouth and stayed silent.
Meanwhile, Clockie seemed to have his own way of solving the problem.
He introduced Stelle to the concept of Clockwork.
Just as Stelle and Clockie hit it off and were about to use Clockwork on the gang leader, a serious shout came from the distance.
"Friends, please get out of the way!"
The person shouting was incredibly fast.
By the time the last syllable left his mouth, he had already arrived.
Like a tank, he instantly sent every gang member surrounding them flying.
Stelle heard the crisp clashing of armor and saw a head of beautiful crimson hair.
A strange holy light pierced through the colorful neon glow and fell upon the man.
It was as if a sacred melody echoed in everyone's ears.
A few crimson rose petals drifted down.
Stelle blinked.
She felt she had already guessed who it was.
And she was right.
After running some distance, the figure stopped.
Then, at an even greater speed, he ran back.
He caught the people he'd just knocked flying, thoughtfully helped each of them back to their feet, and returned them to their original positions.
Finally, he kindly patted the gang leader on the shoulder.
"My deepest apologies, my friend. I should have offered you a more sincere apology, but I am presently entangled in certain difficulties and cannot remain for long. I ask that you forgive my discourtesy."
For a moment, almost everyone present froze.
Clockie, Firefly, Misha, and the gang members didn't know Argenti, so they were simply shocked and bewildered.
The handsome knight had appeared far too suddenly.
And his behavior... Was a little strange...
Acheron, who had once met the Knights of Beauty, wore a complicated expression.
Although she often forgot many things, forgetting those knights was rather difficult.
That meeting at Ever-Flame Mansion had left an exceptionally deep impression on her.
She knew those knights had recklessly placed themselves beneath the shadow of Nihility, yet had returned safely.
It was difficult to forget such strange knights, whose source of power was a mystery and whose true strength was equally mysterious.
And the knight before her clearly still remembered her.
"My lady, what a wonderful coincidence. I never imagined we would meet again here. Though we met only once, I trust you have not forgotten me.
"To reunite within this splendid dream, woven into a world of dazzling beauty, truly brings joy to my heart. But I must apologize, for I have little time to remain here."
Only then did Stelle finally come back to her senses.
That appearance.
That way of acting.
There was no mistake.
"Argenti?"
Stelle pointed at the handsome knight in astonishment.
She had imagined they might meet Argenti in Penacony, and that she would certainly be pleasantly surprised when they did.
But she'd never imagined they would meet again like this.
Still, no matter what, she had a very good impression of the knight.
Aside from Argenti's fanaticism and stubbornness making him a little difficult to get along with, he was absolutely a perfect friend.
"Huh?"
Firefly looked at Stelle again, this time genuinely surprised.
'How are you so amazing?'
'Why does it seem like you know everyone?'
Argenti also heard Stelle's voice.
He turned around with a smile and gave her a slight bow.
"What a delightful surprise. Reunions always come so swiftly. To meet one old friend is enough to bring comfort to the heart. To meet two fills one with boundless joy, like strolling through a sea of blossoms beneath the spring breeze.
"My dear friend, seeing that you are in such good health, and that you now uphold justice while walking the path of Beauty, fills me with great relief.
"I presume Nero has also entered this dream with you. As a knight, I must not neglect my duties. Later, I should certainly pay him a visit."
At that, Argenti turned to glance in the direction from which he had come.
A large group of Bloodhounds in uniform had already caught up.
Argenti calmly turned back to Stelle.
"My dear friend, it seems I no longer have time to continue our conversation."
"To be honest, after my companions and I arrived, we each went our separate ways. As for me, because I am poor with words, I was mistaken for a wanted criminal of imposing stature, clad in silver armor, with hair as fiery and blazing as flames."
"But it matters not. All of this is merely another trial of Beauty from this land of dreams. I must take my leave for now. Please convey my greetings to Nero."
With that, Argenti nodded to Stelle once more before quickly departing.
Stelle opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but stopped herself.
Argenti's appearance, his actions, and everything he'd said left her with so many things to complain about that she didn't even know where to begin.
For example, that line about being poor with words...
At least as far as Stelle could tell, there wasn't a single part of Argenti that seemed poor with words.
Meanwhile, after noticing the attitude Argenti had when mentioning Nero, Firefly recalled everything she'd seen in the trash can dream.
That child really was surrounded by mysteries.
The identical attitude shared by the trash can in the dream and the handsome knight before her made her start to wonder.
'Could it be...'
'That trash can in the dream hasn't been joking?'
'For example...'
'That line.'
"By Idrila..."
Firefly had wanted to ask about it.
It also seemed like it might partially explain why Elio couldn't predict that child's future.
However, before she could speak, Argenti mentioned being a wanted criminal.
Firefly immediately closed her mouth without saying a word.
A trace of unease flashed deep within her eyes.
She cautiously glanced at Stelle from the corner of her eye.
Seeing that Stelle hadn't noticed her momentary panic, nor intended to investigate why the knight had been mistaken for a wanted criminal, she relaxed a little.
Stelle really had no intention of looking into why Argenti had become a wanted criminal.
There was no doubt that Argenti was a good person.
But given his personality and habits, Stelle wouldn't be surprised even if he were treated as a wanted criminal.
Especially here, on the Family's turf, where Harmony was worshipped while he constantly preached Beauty.
In theory, both Beauty and Harmony ought to be broad and inclusive.
But Paths were Paths.
Aeons were Aeons.
Pathstriders were Pathstriders.
Perhaps Mr. Sunday didn't care.
But what about the other family heads?
And even if they didn't care, what about the believers beneath them?
Stelle silently prayed that Argenti would remain safe.