Amber: "Speaking of which, Winghead…"
Amber: "How many nicknames does Mr. Sunday have now?"
March 7th: "I don't know. I've lost count."
Hanabi: "What 'Winghead'? That sounds awful!"
Hanabi: "My 'Chicken Wing Boy' is much cuter~"
Stelle: "Tsk. It seems having wings on your head isn't all it's cracked up to be…"
Stelle: "Just the nicknames alone would drive anyone insane."
....
『 [ You've chatted enough, haven't you? ]
[ Well? Are you willing to tell us where that Stellaron is? ]
Gallagher led the group, arriving before Sunday and Robin, and made his inquiry.
[ .... ]
[ It.... is the Penacony Grand Theater itself. ]
Sunday remained silent for a moment before revealing a shocking truth.
[ Just as I suspected. The incarnation of the Family, the earliest structure to appear within the Dreamscape.... ]
[ It is the primary culprit behind Penacony becoming what it is today. ]
Upon hearing Sunday's words, Robin revealed an expression suggesting she wasn't entirely surprised.
[ And the person who utilized the Stellaron to achieve all this.... ]
[ Is likely Mr. Gopher Wood. The current Dreammaster. ]
Sunday added.
[ Oh? This is going smoother than I thought. You've identified the suspect so quickly. ]
[ Or perhaps you had already conducted a thorough investigation beforehand? ]
Gallagher seemed somewhat surprised
By how easily he obtained information about the traitor.
[ You are correct. While investigating the murderer of my sister... ]
[Aside from you… He was the one I suspected next. ]
Sunday explained.
[ It seems confronting me first was a rather sound decision. ]
Gallagher chuckled.
[ I had no other choice. ]
[ The Dreammaster is elusive; one never sees the head nor the tail of the dragon. Even the heads of the Lineages rarely meet him. ]
[ Furthermore... Mr. Gopher Wood has shown great kindness to my sister and me. I truly did not wish to face such an outcome. ]
Sunday's expression darkened.
[ What do you mean by that? ]
Himeko asked.
[ To be honest, my brother and I are also victims of the Cancer of All Worlds. ]
[ We were orphans from a young age, adopted and raised by the Family who came to provide relief. ]
[ Seeing our potential, Mr. Gopher Wood brought my brother and me to Penacony. ]
[ But we cannot simply watch as Mr. Gopher Wood walks a path antithetical to the Harmony. And I certainly cannot use my voice to sing praises for a sinful enterprise….. ]
[ No matter who the traitor within the Family is, no matter what orders he gives me, I will not take the stage. ]
[ We absolutely cannot allow the Charmony Festival to become a ritual that destroys the Harmony….. ]
[ For the paradise in our ideals. ]
Robin's tone was firm as she looked toward Sunday.
[ Yes….. for the paradise in our ideals. ]
[ As the Head of the Oak Family, for the bright future of Penacony, I am duty-bound. ]
[ Robin and I will head to the Dreamscape immediately and find a way to confront the Dreammaster. ]
[ If the Family has truly deviated from the Harmony... ]
[ I will stand on the same front as all of you, halt the Charmony Festival, and personally make Mr. Gopher Wood pay for the blood on his hands. ]
Sunday spoke to the group with an unreadable expression.
[ The enemy you are about to face—or rather, enemies—are not as easily bullied as an old dog like me, who might fall apart with a single nudge..... ]
[ Since everyone shares a common goal, why not work together? Perhaps there is a sliver of a chance for success. ]
Gallagher proposed, saying no more.
[ We came here following the footsteps of the former Nameless. There is no reason not to continue following his trail. ]
Himeko stated her position.
[ Yeah! The Nameless aren't the type to back down when things get tough! ]
[ Stelle, right? ]
March 7th nodded heavily, then looked at Stelle.
[ What? We have to fight the Dreammaster? ]
[ I surrender first!! ]
Stelle looked at March 7th, wearing an expression of exaggerated fear.
[ Oh come on! Don't joke around at such a ceremonial moment! ]
March 7th put her hands on her hips, unable to resist scolding the playful Stelle.
[ The Astral Express Crew will not stand idly by in this matter. Mr. Sunday, Miss Robin, I am willing to accompany you on behalf of the Astral Express. ]
[ Negotiations should proceed more smoothly with a third party present. ]
[ And if there is danger.... having one more person is always a good thing. ]
Welt offered to accompany Sunday and the others.
[ Then we shall trouble you, Mr. Yang. ]
Sunday nodded, accepting Welt's request.
[ The Charmony Festival is imminent, and time is of the essence. Everyone—we must depart. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "After all that, it turns out Miss Robin and Mr. Sunday were orphans adopted by the Dreammaster?"
Furina de Fontaine: "I thought they were born into the Family!"
Hu Tao: "Who says otherwise? I thought so too!"
Gallagher: "Tsk. Who would have thought even the esteemed Head of the Oak Family would have such a cruel background?"
Gallagher: "It seems this world is truly getting worse by the day."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: " The rate at which the Cancer of All Worlds spreads across the universe is increasing exponentially."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "The number of families shattered by it has long been uncountable."
Yanfei: "This Aeon of Destruction is really nasty!"
Yanfei: "Creating such evil things just because they have nothing better to do!"
Madam Herta: "It's not that THEY have nothing better to do."
Madam Herta: "They do it intentionally."
Silver Wolf: "The Aeon of Destruction… if THEY didn't destroy, would THEY still be called the Aeon of Destruction?"
Stelle: "Mere Destruction, don't be arrogant!"
Stelle: "Sooner or later, I'll bash Him to death with my bat!"
March 7th: "What? Now you're not as cowardly as you were in the video?"
Stelle: "You kidding? When have I ever truly been cowardly?"
Stelle: "In every critical moment, haven't I been the one charging in first with my bat?"
Silver Wolf: "Just stubborn behavior. What's there to be proud of?"
Stelle: "Waaah, Hotaru-chan, Silver Wolf is bullying me! Spank her hard for me!!"
Hotaru: "Ah, this... (hesitation.jpg)"
Silver Wolf: "Good grief, you've learned to tattle now?"
Silver Wolf: "But you're not a Stellaron Hunter. Why should Hotaru listen to you?"
Stelle: "Because I am Hotaru-chan's wings!!"
Paimon: "Uh….. didn't Miss Stelle say that Miss Hotaru was her wings??"
Stelle: "Hehe, it's all the same!"
March 7th: "Seriously, though, Uncle Yang is actually going to meet the Dreammaster. Will he really be okay?"
March 7th: "That Dreammaster even dared to threaten Miss Acheron…"
March 7th: "He must have some tricks up his sleeve, right?"
Stelle: "Better let me go. If pushed too far, I can just self-destruct!"
Hanabi: "Oh my~, Little Gray Hair, show me an explosion?"
Stelle: "In your dreams!"
Himeko: "It's fine. Since Welt has made up his mind, we just need to trust him."
Welt Yang: "Yes, Himeko is right."
Welt Yang: "Besides, in that situation, I am the most suitable person to go."
Navia Caspar: "Well, let's hope Mr. Welt and the other two don't encounter any danger…."
....
『 [ Everyone, please come over here. ]
[ Before we leave, we have some preparations to make. ]
After discussing with Sunday, Welt brought the Astral Express Crew to a corner, preparing to brief them on some matters.
[ Although I volunteered to accompany them, facing the Dreammaster on this trip….. I fear the odds are against me. ]
Once everyone was gathered, Welt opened with this statement.
[ Huh? Even Uncle Yang says that? Just how powerful is this Dreammaster? ]
Hearing Welt's words, March 7th, was startled.
[ As the leader of a Penacony Lineage, the Dreammaster likely has the backing of the entire Harmony faction.... Not to mention the Stellaron is in his hands. We must prepare for the worst. ]
Himeko added at this point.
[ Eek, maybe Uncle Yang shouldn't go after all... ]
Hearing Himeko say this, March 7th suddenly became worried.
[ That won't do either. ]
[ Leaving Miss Robin aside, I felt something was off about Mr. Sunday's attitude just now, though I can't quite put my finger on why... ]
[ At the very least, we must ensure he doesn't turn against us at the last moment. ]
[ Stelle, you should have that token the IPC envoy gave you. Could you lend it to me? ]
Welt shook his head, then looked at Stelle.
Seeing this, Stelle paused for a moment, then took out the chip Aventurine had given her earlier and handed it to Welt.
[ Heh, as expected... ]
Welt looked at the chip, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
[ That thing can't be used as a lucky charm, can it? ]
Stelle, seeing Welt's contemplative expression, couldn't help but ask.
[ Just as I thought. This chip Aventurine gave you… It is a miniature transmitter. ]
[ He likely intended to use this device to track your movements, or to contact you when necessary. ]
[ I didn't expect it to be of such great help in a situation like this. ]
Welt looked at the chip in his hand, feeling somewhat emotional.
[ Aventurine? Is he really still alive.... And what does negotiating with the Dreammaster have to do with him? ]
March 7th didn't quite understand Welt's meaning.
[ Do you remember what I said? ]
[ Cooperating with the IPC is a way to check and balance the Family. ]
[ Once the negotiations take a turn for the worse, it will be tantamount to confirming the Family's intention to meddle with the Stellaron. ]
[ This is the breakthrough that the envoy has been dreaming of. ]
[ When that happens, I will use this transmitter to send the message to the IPC. ]
[ The only gamble is whether Aventurine is still safe and sound. ]
[ However, IPC lines are always closely monitored by specialists, not to mention he is a key executive of the Strategic Investment Department. Simply transmitting the message should be enough. ]
Welt explained his plan.
[ .....Good luck, Welt. ]
Seeing that Welt was mentally prepared and his attitude was resolute, Himeko could only offer him her blessing.
[ Yes. You all take care as well. ]
[ If anything goes wrong.... do not worry about me. You must seal the Stellaron. ]
Welt gave the group one final instruction, then left with Sunday and Robin. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "As expected of Uncle Yang, he thinks of everything!"
Stelle: "But, that chip Aventurine gave me was actually a surveillance device?"
Stelle: "No wonder he knew where I was going!"
March 7th: "Did you really think people from the IPC would give you things for free without a reason?"
March 7th: "Do you think they're stupid?"
Aventurine: "Haha, I wouldn't call it surveillance. It was merely an idle chess move."
Aventurine: "However, judging from the video, this idle move is about to play its part."
Furina de Fontaine: "Knowing that danger lies ahead, Mr. Welt still goes without hesitation..."
Furina de Fontaine: "And I don't know why, but I feel like he's already very skilled at this kind of thing?"
Gallagher: "Sacrificing oneself for righteousness..."
Gallagher: "Mr. Welt is a true man, through and through. A true hero!"
Zhongli: "Indeed. He is worthy of admiration."
Welt Yang: "You flatter me. I am merely doing what is within my power."
Hu Tao: "Listening to what Mr. Welt said in the video, it seems he doesn't quite trust Mr. Sunday?"
Keqing: "Mr. Sunday's expression just now was indeed a bit peculiar."
Keqing: "It is normal for Mr. Welt to have doubts."
Paimon: "But…. I feel like Mr. Sunday wouldn't turn traitor, right?"
Paimon: "After all, his own sister is on the Astral Express Crew's side!"
Lumine: "Right, I also think Mr. Sunday wouldn't do that."
Boothill: "Ha, don't jump to conclusions so fast."
Boothill: "Who knows, maybe he really will pull a backstab?"
Li Sushang: "The possibility feels small...."
....
『 [ He views death as a return home. That man is a true hero. ]
[ Even if the Dreammaster is innocent, the corruption of the Family is already deep-rooted. ]
[ The mistake Mikhail made once, I will not make a second time. Wish him luck.... ]
Gallagher approached Himeko and the others, watching Welt's resolute retreating figure, feeling somewhat sentimental.
[ Mr. Gallagher, you still have something to say to us, don't you? ]
Himeko sensed that Gallagher had unfinished business.
[ Why do you think that? ]
Gallagher asked in return.
[ Before we left, the Conductor asked us to inquire about the news of the three Nameless in Penacony. ]
[ Now we know the deeds of Ms. Razalina and Mr. Tiernan. Only the last one, Legwork, remains. ]
[ If I'm not mistaken.... we have already met him, haven't we? ]
Regarding the identity of the last unknown Nameless, Himeko gradually guessed the answer.
[ Hmph... saying you've met him is a stretch, but the answer is indeed easy to guess. ]
[ My previous hints were obvious enough. ]
[ Ever since receiving the Astral Express's reply, I have been monitoring your news, including the immense efforts you all have made to connect the worlds. ]
[ And now, you have arrived here safe and sound, proving your strength. ]
[ Miss Himeko, was it you who repaired the Express, allowing it to sail the galaxy once more? ]
Gallagher asked Himeko.
[ Yes. ]
Himeko nodded.
[ And these two young Nameless... with mysterious backgrounds and unique skills. ]
Gallagher then looked at March 7th and Stelle.
[ Then do you know the Galactic Baseballer's other titles? ]
Hearing Gallagher say this, Stelle couldn't help but ask immediately.
[ You guy….. There are no messy titles! ]
March 7th, retorted at Stelle.
[ Hehe, so full of vitality. ]
[ As for that Conductor named Pam..... please send my regards. Its friend would always ramble about the times on the Express after getting drunk. ]
[ That final Nameless, he set off, stopped, and set off again… circling, only to return to the starting point in the end. ]
[ On his deathbed, he instructed me to find the Astral Express and deliver that invitation to the future Nameless. ]
[ For this, he prepared a gift, a true legacy... belonging only to the descendants of the Trailblaze. ]
[ Follow me. ]
[ Now… it is time for it to see the light of day once more. ] 』
『 ....』