After kicking Sparkle's ass hard, the group continued forward, heading to their faithful stage as the champions.
Everyone passed through the corridor and walked across the red carpet, while congratulatory announcements continued to sound in their ears.
When they reached the stage at the end, a white figure seemed to have already been waiting there.
Looking at the people who had arrived, Sunday smiled and said gently, "Congratulations to all of you on becoming the stars of this Grand Festival of Harmony. Before entering the Grand Theater..."
"On behalf of the organizers, I extend my sincere congratulations to you. May you enjoy happiness beneath His light."
Sunday's sudden appearance here made the knights, Firefly, as well as Himeko and the two Marches, who had joined them on the way here, all frown, feeling that something was not right.
Nero, however, sniffed and muttered, "Hmm... Seems like it's not some prerecorded illusion dream bubble or anything."
Stelle, after being stunned for a moment, crossed her arms and questioned Sunday with a serious look, "Just sincere congratulations? Where are my Stellar Jades?"
Sunday fell silent for a moment before continuing to maintain his proper composure.
"Your efforts certainly deserve greater rewards, and I have made preparations accordingly. However, this reward is not material... It is an opportunity for us to speak openly with one another."
"As I promised before, my sister and Mr. Welt have already met with the Dreammaster. We held an in-depth discussion with him regarding the truth behind Penacony and the Stellaron, and reached a consensus."
"I and everyone in the Oak Family cannot agree to your request."
"...Just as expected." Firefly, standing beside Stelle, frowned.
"I cannot agree with the views of you Nameless. Penacony needs to change, but definitely not in the way you demand." Sunday continued, "The star of the Grand Festival must never, and absolutely will not, return to becoming a chaotic and lawless land of dreams where the strong prey on the weak."
"Fighting your way through all those challenges, you should have more or less experienced a reflection of that era. The weak were ruthlessly eliminated, and equality disappeared without a trace."
"In that cruel competition, people struggled to survive, never knowing what tomorrow would bring... In the end, only heroes like you could achieve success."
"But let me ask you this: if you did not have the special identities brought about by different factions and circumstances, if you did not possess those powerful abilities, and were merely fragile members of the countless masses... which kind of Penacony would you prefer?"
"A savage land where the fittest survive, or a dream paradise where everyone can be happy?"
"I don't know. Why are you asking me this?" Stelle looked at Sunday in confusion.
Not far away, July said quietly, "That's not the point, Stelle. Don't let him lead you around."
Hearing her companion's warning, the Stellaron-powered girl raised a hand and scratched her head, saying with complete justification, "But I really don't know why he's asking me this. Didn't Nero always say, 'If you don't understand, ask'?"
July: "You..."
"That's right. If you don't understand, you have to ask. How can you understand if you don't ask?" Nero nodded, fully approving of Stelle's approach.
"You really spoil her, Nero..." March narrowed her eyes, somewhat speechless.
While the younger ones began chattering among themselves, Himeko finally spoke.
"Mr. Sunday, even if the members of the Oak Family cannot completely agree with the arrangements concerning the Stellaron, I'm afraid this isn't the time to discuss Penacony's past and future at length, is it?"
"The Stellaron issue concerns the life and death of everyone in Penacony. If you have a better proposal, the Astral Express crew is willing to listen. Why don't you tell us the whole story of that meeting, from beginning to end?"
"That way, we can also know exactly what Welt and Miss Robin encountered that prevented them from arriving as promised."
"Indeed, I also want to know where Mr. Yang and Sister Robin went. Can you tell us, Brother Sunday?" Nero asked.
The two knights said nothing and simply moved to stand beside Nero.
Sunday showed a gentle smile. "Heh, Navigator, Nero, that is exactly what I intend to do. Since everyone has arrived, let us begin with that meeting."
"Let us talk about our predicament and our choices, our respective ideals and beliefs... and the one path we must ultimately take."
———
[Dreamscape Depth, Falling]
Hidden Night Thrush stood in the corner, staring at the four figures below.
A woman stood before Sunday, Robin, and Mr. Yang, but when she spoke, she had an old man's voice. This was one of the Dreammaster's incarnations.
Before this, Mr. Yang and Robin had already told the Dreammaster everything they had seen and heard in the Reef of Dreams, as well as the disaster Penacony was currently facing.
"...You mean that, for all these years, there have actually been villains who treated the Grand Festival of Harmony, which we bestowed upon the people as a blessing... as a tool to fulfill their ambitions?"
"Exactly, Dreammaster." Robin nodded. "Once the Grand Festival of Harmony begins, the power of the Stellaron will spread throughout all of Penacony along with the singing... By then, no one in the dream will be able to wake from it."
"Hmm, this does surprise me." The Dreammaster pondered. "The dreamscape is the result of the five great families jointly maintaining it. If someone uses the Harmony to recklessly spread the Stellaron's power, that person must hold a high position... Do you have a suspect in mind?"
Mr. Yang frowned and spoke to the Dreammaster. "May I ask, do you truly not know of the Stellaron's existence?"
"Heh... I never expected this Nameless to point the finger directly at me. It is truly astonishing." The Dreammaster looked at Welt.
"If we have offended you, the Astral Express offers you our sincere apologies." Mr. Yang expressed his apology, but did not back down on this matter.
"But the situation is urgent, and there is no time for a careful investigation. This is also for the stability of the dreamscape, so please put our concerns to rest."
Robin also followed up, "Dreammaster, as long as it can be proven that the Grand Festival of Harmony has nothing to do with the Stellaron, and that we were simply overthinking things... I will return to the stage and sing as promised."
"Hmm..."
The Dreammaster fell silent for a moment.
"Sunday, Robin, I watched you grow up and know your temperaments well. The two of you now can indeed be called the most devout heralds of Their will, the Harmony... I already understand your determination."
"This matter is of great importance and is no trivial affair. Since Mr. Welt has sincerely asked for my help, I should personally take part in this matter to show my response. If necessary, the entire Oak Family can also be at your disposal."
Finally, the Dreammaster looked at Sunday. "Sunday, can you ask Him to beseech Their descent of light, and ask me questions on Their behalf, so that all lies have nowhere to hide?"
"I will obey your will," Sunday said.
"Robin, can you bear witness in person, record the truth, and proclaim my innocence, so that all the stigma may completely disappear?" The Dreammaster looked at Robin again.
"I will obey your will," Robin answered.
The Dreammaster nodded. "Let us await Your will and carry it out on earth... as it is in heaven."
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