『 [ Hello there. ]
[ May I ask what has happened here? ]
Robin strolled down the main avenue, encountering two members of the Bloodhound Family.
[ Ah, nothing major. There was just a rehearsal accident at Clock Studios Theme Park. Please remain calm, dear guests… ]
Faced with Robin's inquiry, the female Bloodhound officer immediately offered an explanation.
[ Hey! ]
[ Are you dense? Can't you even recognize Miss Robin? Who do you think you're talking to! ]
Seeing his partner fail to identify the superstar standing before them, the male Bloodhound officer couldn't help but interject with a sharp reminder.
[ Huh? I-I-I'm so sorry! ]
[ I only transferred to the Bloodhound Family a few days ago. I'm not used to street duty yet, and I didn't realize it was you… My deepest apologies! ]
After the nudge, the female officer hurriedly stammered out an apology.
[ No need to be nervous. Thank you for your hard work on patrol. ]
[ Is the situation under control now? ]
Robin began to probe into the current state of affairs.
[ Report! ]
[ We have locked down the Theme Park. Most guests are accustomed to the bizarre spectacles of the Dreamscape, so no panic has been detected. We expect order to be restored very soon. ]
The female officer reported with utmost respect.
[ Please rest assured, Miss Robin. We will increase our patrols to guarantee no further incidents occur. ]
The male officer hastily added his own assurance.
[ I trust you both. ]
[ However, regarding the incident at the Theme Park… what do you personally think about it? ]
[ It's alright. Just speak your true thoughts. ]
Hanabi, disguised as Robin, was fishing for the Bloodhounds' honest assessment of the situation.
[ Well… this… ]
The male officer scratched his head, a troubled expression crossing his face. Clearly, he was reluctant to speak.
[ Actually, I was on the scene shortly before it happened… ]
[ The IPC envoy came with ill intent—that rumor is true, isn't it? ]
[ And that Galaxy Ranger… she sliced through the sky with such ease… ]
Seeing her partner hesitate, the female officer couldn't hold back.
[ Sigh, Miss Robin, to be honest with you, everyone is muttering about it in private. ]
[ With so many factions gathering in Penacony, things were already uneasy enough… ]
The male officer finally relented and spoke his mind.
[ Thank you for your loyalty to The Family. The Planet of Festivities has indeed encountered some trouble. That representative from the IPC… ]
[ He attempted to reclaim ownership of Penacony and was even prepared to use forceful measures. ]
[ Naturally, The Family did not consent. ]
[ The result of the breakdown in negotiations… is what you saw. ]
Robin offered a detailed explanation.
[ No wonder. ]
[ I heard IPC employees were banned from entering the Dreamscape. ]
[ So that was the main reason. ]
[ And the scoundrel who caused the trouble? Has he been apprehended? ]
The male officer looked enlightened, unable to resist pressing for more.
[ Rest assured, Mr. Sunday is tracking his whereabouts. We expect results soon. ]
[ But given how things stand, the Corporation certainly won't give up easily. So, the order and stability of the Dreamscape rely on you. ]
Robin entrusted them with this duty.
[ You can count on us, Miss Robin. ]
[ We will execute our orders diligently and never let those IPC guys get their way. ]
The female officer thumped her chest in guarantee.
[ Thank you for your hard work. ]
[ If other members are feeling uneasy, please pass on my words. ]
[ Protecting the Dreamscape requires everyone's collective effort. ]
[ Here is a small gift prepared by the Iris Family for our guests. Please, take one for yourselves as well. ]
[ Open it during the Charmony Festival—there will be an unexpected surprise waiting for you. ]
True to form, Robin—or rather, the disguised Hanabi—produced the buttons and distributed them to the two Bloodhound Family members.
[ I actually received a gift from Miss Robin… ]
[ It feels like a dream! ]
[ Wait, aren't I already in a dream? ]
The female officer covered her mouth, her expression one of shock and excitement.
[ If anyone comes looking for trouble, we aren't afraid of a fight. ]
[ Please rest assured, the peace and stability of the Dreamscape will be guarded by the Bloodhounds! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Silver Wolf: "Hah, she really is putting on quite the avian act."
Silver Wolf: "Honestly, that performance… basically zero flaws."
Furina de Fontaine: "When she was talking to that Pepeshi earlier, Miss Hanabi couldn't help but slip into her own tone a bit."
Furina de Fontaine: "But facing the Intellitron and these Bloodhound members, Miss Hanabi's tone shifted instantly to match Miss Robin's perfectly!"
Yelan: "With skills like that, it's a pity she isn't a spy."
Stelle: "I say, Hanabi, you actually dared to hand out bombs to the Bloodhound Family?"
Stelle: "Aren't you afraid they'll find out?"
March 7th: "Do you really think… these Bloodhound members have that kind of sharp eye?"
Stelle: "Uh…"
Stelle: "Tsk tsk tsk, this security really is embarrassing!"
Asta: "Is it really that embarrassing?"
Asta: "The security was likely designed for ordinary people to begin with."
Asta: "Against existences that are too powerful, it's normal for it to be ineffective."
Li Sushang: "That's true."
Li Sushang: "Take Miss Acheron for example."
Li Sushang: "If she really wanted to enter the Dreamscape, is there anyone who could actually stop her?"
Qingque: "Who would dare stop her?"
Qingque: "Do they think they're harder than her blade?"
Hu Tao: "Does she even need the blade?"
Hu Tao: "Clearly, she could handle everything with just the scabbard!"
Paimon: "But Miss Acheron is a good person with principles!"
Paimon: "She wouldn't do something like that at all."
Lumine: "So… that Duke Inferno guy was just unlucky…"
Lumine: "But, then again."
Lumine: "Even if Duke Inferno had made it to Penacony alive…"
Lumine: "Would he really have had a good time?"
Venti: "I don't think so."
Venti: "Because the current Penacony is a hidden dragon and crouching tiger."
Venti: "Big shots are everywhere."
Venti: "And that Duke Inferno couldn't even withstand Miss Acheron when she didn't even draw her blade."
Venti: "Doesn't feel like his combat power was all that high, right?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Duke Inferno does possess a few tricks."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "But to say he would bring destruction to Penacony…"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "I can only say… that is a truly laughable statement."
Boothill: "Bring destruction, my fudging foot…"
Boothill: "Didn't even show his shadow before getting chopped down like a muddle-fudging minion."
Boothill: "Forgive my bluntness, but that's just a total clown show!"
Boothill: "If the Annihilation Gang are all clowns like that, I might have to call in some folks to toy with 'em a bit."
Stelle: "Tiny Duke Inferno, daring to defy my Sister Acheron!"
Stelle: "He was simply courting death."
Seele: "This Duke Inferno seems like a jumping clown who only knows how to talk big."
Clorinde: "One can only say, Miss Acheron is too strong, which made Duke Inferno appear laughable…"
Clorinde: "Ultimately, it is the result caused by an inequality in strength…"
....
『 Robin bid farewell to the two Bloodhound members and continued searching for her target.
[ Miss… Robin? ]
[ It's the universe-renowned superstar—Miss Robin! ]
As Robin walked, she suddenly heard an excited gasp.
[ I didn't expect to meet a fan here. I am honored. ]
[ Welcome to Penacony, a world brimming with beautiful dreams. ]
Robin approached the person, greeting them with a smile.
[ I never thought I'd meet you in person… Shouldn't you be preparing for the Charmony Festival right now? ]
The fan asked, their voice trembling with excitement.
[ Stage preparations are certainly important, but the ceremony is held to convey the Lord's harmony to everyone. If there is a chance to sing with you all, naturally, I should not refuse. ]
[ The accident just now brought an unpleasant experience to some guests. ]
[ As a member of The Family, it is only right that I come to apologize to everyone. ]
Robin explained.
[ But… was that really an accident? ]
[ We all saw chips falling like rain, and that red light tearing through the sky. ]
[ To call it special effects… isn't that a bit too realistic? ]
[ I also met that generous gentleman. He seemed very off, constantly talking to himself. Is that also part of the script's arrangement? ]
The fan didn't quite believe that the scene just now was fake.
[ Please, everyone, do not panic. ]
[ Trust that The Family will provide a satisfactory answer. ]
Robin offered comfort.
[ But even if Miss Robin says so… it's hard to believe… ]
The fan remained skeptical.
[ … ]
[ Sigh, there really are people who just won't listen to reason, no matter what. ]
[ It never ends… I get tired too, you know. ]
Seeing that this person was impervious to persuasion, Robin rubbed her forehead, growing a little irritable. Her tone began to shift into something strange.
[ Miss… Robin? ]
Hearing Robin's quiet, inexplicable muttering, the fan felt something was amiss.
[ But I suppose I should help people to the end. It can't be helped—who asked me to be famous for my benevolence? ]
Hanabi dropped the act. She shed the disguise and tampered with the fan's mind just a little.
[ … ]
[ Huh? What was I doing just now? ]
[ And Miss, you are… ]
The fan felt dizzy, and upon coming back to their senses, realized they had forgotten what they were doing just moments ago.
[ Accept this gift, little guest. ]
[ This is a present specially prepared for you by The Family. ]
[ Make sure to hold onto it tight. Wait until the Charmony Festival opens, and then… ]
[ At the climax of the show, press this button together with the people around you… ]
[ Who knows… something very interesting might happen? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "So the forced-to-work Scum-Sparkle finally couldn't keep it up, huh?"
Stelle: "Stopped pretending entirely and just went straight for the underhanded tactics?"
Hanabi: "Well, what could I do?"
Hanabi: "You saw it yourself. That guy was completely stubborn."
Hanabi: "I'm here to find elation, not to be a nanny."
Hanabi: "Since he wouldn't listen, I just had to make him a little more obedient, hehe~"
Himeko: "It seems that even within the Dreamscape, not everyone believes The Family's rhetoric."
Welt Yang: "But unfortunately, such people are a tiny minority, harmless to the bigger picture."
March 7th: "And after Hanabi's little intervention, even that tiny minority is gone."
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Hanabi does everything entirely based on her own whims; you can't see any pattern to it at all."
Hu Tao: "Isn't that the truth."
Hu Tao: "First she secretly helps Miss Stelle contact the truth of the Dreamscape."
Hu Tao: "Then she reminds Mr. Aventurine how to uncover the truth."
Hu Tao: "And now, she's helping The Family solve problems and comfort frightened citizens…"
Hu Tao: "You could say, you simply don't know whose side she's actually on."
Silver Wolf: "She's a Masked Fool. What side could she be on?"
Silver Wolf: "Obviously, she's on the side of Elation!"
Silver Wolf: "Wherever the fun is, that's where she'll stand for the moment."
Silver Wolf: "That is a true Fool."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Well said. That is the nature of a follower of Elation."
Amber: "I'm still more concerned…"
Amber: "Is the button Miss Hanabi handed out… really a bomb?"
Amber: "If it's real…"
Amber: "Then when the Charmony Festival starts, if someone presses that button…"
Amber: "Wouldn't that…"
Hanabi: "BOOM!!!"
Hanabi: "Then it's a river of blood, hahaha~"
Stelle: "Holy crap, that thrilling?!"
March 7th: "Thrilling???"
Stelle: "Cough, cough, I mean, that inhumane?!"
Stelle: "But, I don't believe you'd really dare to blow up Penacony."
Stelle: "Because if you did, you'd definitely be hunted down by every major faction in the universe."
Stelle: "And be directly designated as a Universal-Class Archvillain!"
Stelle: "When that happens, you won't be able to fly away even with wings!"
Hanabi: "Boo hoo hoo, I'm so scared~"
Hanabi: "But… I'm a master of hide-and-seek!"
Hanabi: "Do you believe me when I say they won't find a trace of me?"
Stelle: "I don't believe it."
Hanabi: "Hah, suit yourself, Little Gray Hair~"
....
『 The scene shifts to Stelle and Hotaru.
[ Everything has returned to the starting point. You once stepped into the [Golden Hour] from here, and you will step into the true Penacony from here as well. ]
[ I am very glad to walk with you again. ]
[ Now that things have come to this, I can finally reveal the whole truth to you. ]
[ As you can see… my other name is Stellaron Hunter Sam. ]
Hotaru faced Stelle, beginning to explain the reasons behind everything.
[ Are you… Hotaru's soul? ]
Stelle looked at Hotaru, feeling it was all a bit surreal.
[ I know you have many questions… ]
[ Do you remember when we encountered "Death" in that strange Dreamscape? ]
[ At that time, I was seized by the meme… ]
[ In the instant before it struck, I saw the reflection of another Dreamscape in that terrifying pupil. ]
[ Guided by the script, I formed some conjectures about that meme. ]
[ So, I had Silver Wolf send out the invitations to guide everyone to The Reverie in the Dreamscape… ]
[ I intended to summon "Death" before you all, to reveal the answer through more direct means and invite you into the game. ]
[ But things went contrary to my wishes. I could not defy the script. I didn't even have time to explain it to you. ]
[ Just as you saw, I was pierced by the blade-wings of "Death." ]
[ The crushing weight of dense Memoria… it exploded in my mind, indistinguishable from reality. ]
[ But after the moment of paralysis faded, I found my body was unharmed. ]
[ I was indeed still alive, and just as I thought—I had arrived in a place completely different from the sweet dream. ]
[ Buried beneath the Dreamscape of Penacony lies another Memory Zone, more primitive and chaotic. Its name is… the Land of Exile. ] 』
『 ....』