『 [ "Please, try to remain calm." ]
[ "We need to contact your companions to verify your identities…" ]
Seeing that Boothill was growing impatient, Alley emphasized her point once more.
[ "But it seems we need to verify our identities before you can contact our companions." ]
Dan Heng's expression was one of resignation.
[ "That is indeed the case." ]
Alley nodded.
[ "Son of a nice lady, don't give me this bureaucratic infinite loop garbage!" ]
[ "Little Missy, I ain't targeting you, but if you can handle this, handle it. If you can't, get someone who can, alright?" ]
Boothill was getting annoyed.
[ "Please, esteemed guests, quell your anger!" ]
[ "I recall that Mr. Sunday, the Head of the Oak Family, personally handled this matter previously." ]
[ "Please wait a moment, I will go contact him right away." ]
Alley offered an apology and then hurriedly went off to find Sunday.
[ "She likely isn't trying to make things difficult for us intentionally; she genuinely doesn't know what to do." ]
Watching Alley's anxious retreat, Dan Heng remarked to Boothill.
[ "The situation ain't looking good." ]
[ "You tried just now on the Express, too. They really didn't reply to your messages." ]
Boothill furrowed his brow.
[ "…" ]
[ "There is something concerning my mind. I'm going to step away for a moment." ]
[ "You wait here for that lady." ]
Dan Heng pondered for a while, then proposed to leave temporarily.
[ "Go on then, make it quick." ]
Boothill waved his hand. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Rookie Nameless Pam?"
Stelle: "Good lord!"
Stelle: "You've got quite the appetite."
Stelle: "Straight up impersonating the Conductor, huh?"
March 7th: "Confess! Did you get permission to impersonate the Conductor?"
Boothill: "Hah, well of course!"
Boothill: "When I handle things, you can rest easy."
Boothill: "I'd never use someone's name without the person involved giving the okay!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Oh… so by that logic, you didn't get Conductor Pam's consent at all!"
Boothill: "Uh… what's that supposed to mean?"
Hu Tao: "Conductor Pam isn't a 'person', so they don't fall under your guarantee."
Boothill: "Ah, this… mother-fudger, I actually didn't think of that."
Boothill: "Aiya, don't get too hung up on the details."
Boothill: "Since Brother Dan Heng let me tag along, who I impersonate doesn't really matter, does it?"
Dan Heng: "Mm… but next time, it would be better to use your own name."
Boothill: "Hah, isn't that because my name is just too thunderous? I was afraid of saying it would scare the little missy."
Silver Wolf: "Now you're just bragging."
Silver Wolf: "Even with the reputation of us Stellaron Hunters, there's still a heap of people in the cosmos who don't know us."
Silver Wolf: "You think you're more famous than us?"
Boothill: "Cough, cough… metaphor… it was a metaphor, get it?"
Boothill: "Anyway, to prevent any complications, impersonating someone else was obviously the better method."
Amber: "But… Mr. Boothill, your impersonation wasn't very comprehensive."
Amber: "Miss Acheron not only assumed an identity but even went to the trouble of obtaining an invitation."
Amber: "Compared to her, you're lagging behind quite a bit."
Li Sushang: "That's right, that's right."
Li Sushang: "Mr. Boothill clearly isn't as professional as Miss Acheron!"
Acheron: "Actually… I am not a professional."
Acheron: "But to enter Penacony smoothly, I had no other choice."
Boothill: "Meow!!"
Boothill: "You're comparing me to that woman?"
Boothill: "With her strength, getting an invitation is just a matter of walking a few steps and slashing once."
Boothill: "Meanwhile, yours truly is already wheezing just from the travel. Where would I find the energy to get an invitation?"
Boothill: "Besides, if I could really get an invitation, why would I be asking the Astral Express for help?"
Stelle: "Tsk tsk tsk, people's constitutions really can't be generalized."
Stelle: "My Sis Acheron, in a state of extreme calm, cut down Duke Inferno with a single slash and took his invitation with effortless grace."
Stelle: "But Boothill, in a state of extreme rage, got angry for a second…"
Stelle: "And then there was no 'and then'."
Silver Wolf: "LMAO."
Silver Wolf: "Incompetent rage, is it?"
Boothill: "Meow, son of a nice lady, looking down on people now?"
Boothill: "What do you mean by ' incompetent rage?"
Boothill: "Where was I raging?!"
Xiangling: "Uh… Mr. Boothill, you seem to have missed the point."
Xiangling: "Shouldn't you deny the 'incompetent' part first?"
Boothill: "Well… to be honest, failing to get an invitation did make me lose face."
Boothill: "If there is a next time, I'm gonna handle things beautifully!"
Boothill: "At least I can't lose to an imposter!"
....
『 [ "With his companions' whereabouts unknown, Brother Dan Heng must be a bit anxious." ]
[ "Give him some time. Worry is poison to judgment." ]
After muttering a few words to himself, Boothill prepared to wander around the lobby to fish for some information.
[ "The Charmony Festival is about to start, I'm so looking forward to it~" ]
Boothill approached a Pepeshi and a woman, overhearing their conversation.
[ "Brother, sister, are you both here to attend the Charmony Festival?" ]
Boothill chuckled, asking with familiar ease.
[ "I didn't come specifically for it! Just happened to catch it." ]
[ "Actually, I'm not really sure what it's for, just heard it's super lively." ]
The Pepeshi replied.
[ "Hehe, at that level, we've long been used to it in Anaria!" ]
[ "The birthday party my Royal Father threw for me back then, the spectacle was definitely no smaller than this Charmony Festival." ]
This woman was a princess from some planet, and thus showed disdain for this so-called Charmony Festival.
[ "Listen to you bragging!" ]
[ "The Charmony Festival is a grand event held once every Amber Era. Can the cost of your birthday compare to that?" ]
The Pepeshi retorted, clearly not believing a word the woman said.
[ "That's not right. How do you know she doesn't celebrate her birthday once every Amber Era?" ]
[ "Let's drop that subject. Have you heard?" ]
[ "Something seems to have happened in the dream… do you have any news?" ]
Boothill began to ask about serious matters.
[ "Happened? What happened? It won't ruin the Charmony Festival, will it?" ]
[ "Don't say that, I've been looking forward to it for so long!" ]
Hearing Boothill's words, the Pepeshi looked shocked and suspicious, clearly unaware of the events in the dreamscape.
[ "Look at you getting all anxious. You don't get it, do you? With such a massive event about to open, rumors are inevitable." ]
[ "Don't worry. If something really happened, The Family would be more anxious than us." ]
The woman was someone who had seen grand occasions, so she appeared quite calm, not worried in the slightest.
[ "Oh! That's good then! I came all this way to join in the festivities, I was just afraid something would happen to the celebration!" ]
[ "These two muddle-fudgers don't know anything." ]
[ "No need to keep fishing for words." ]
Boothill feigned a look of relief, then turned and walked away.
[ "Hello, I am the head of security for the hotel, Coty of the Bloodhound Family." ]
[ "Is there anything I can help you with?" ]
This time, Boothill found a security officer to ask for information.
[ "Sister, let me ask you something." ]
[ "I heard something happened in the dream, that it might affect the Charmony Festival…" ]
[ "What exactly happened?" ]
[ "I came all the way from the Hyi-i Federation, don't let me make a wasted trip!" ]
Boothill put on a serious act.
[ "Uh… huh?" ]
Hearing Boothill's words, the security officer was stunned.
[ "You haven't heard anything?" ]
Seeing her reaction, Boothill quickly countered with a question.
[ "Although I don't know where you got your information, please do not believe these rumors." ]
[ "I guarantee you in the name of a Bloodhound Family member, everything regarding the Charmony Festival is proceeding smoothly." ]
[ "The top priority for every Family right now is ensuring the Charmony Festival opens on time." ]
[ "Even the Dreammaster has personally come to the front lines this time. You can rest assured, a hundred percent. We absolutely won't let you make a wasted trip." ]
The security officer said with a face full of confidence.
[ "Ha!" ]
[ "With your words, I'm relieved." ]
[ "…" ]
[ "Doesn't look like acting." ]
[ "Which means, even the hotel staff are in the dark." ]
Boothill turned to leave, having a general idea in his heart. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Boothill: "Son of a nice lady, The Family really keeps things buried deep."
Boothill: "Events happening in the dreamscape haven't leaked to the waking world at all."
Aventurine: "That's not difficult."
Aventurine: "Don't forget, this is The Family's territory, after all."
Aventurine: "And the dreamscape is their hinterland."
Ningguang: "The Family blocking out the sky with one hand in Penacony… it truly isn't just talk."
Stelle: "Speaking of which, was what that woman said true or false?"
Stelle: "A birthday party on the same scale as the Charmony Festival??"
March 7th: "Fake, probably…"
March 7th: "It must be vanity talking."
Li Sushang: "Sigh… people these days. Just to grab attention, they'll really make up any exaggerated story."
Paimon: "Mhm, mhm. If it's making things up… Paimon can also make up lots of super amazing experiences!!"
Topaz: "Uh… I've met that woman before, even chatted for a few sentences."
Topaz: "She seems to be the princess of some planet. Anyway, her family background is indeed extraordinary."
Lumine: "So that means… she might actually not be bragging?"
Collei: "Heavens, a birthday on the same scale as the Charmony Festival… I can't even imagine it."
Stelle: "Damn, the rich and powerful really know how to be extravagant and wasteful!"
Stelle: "Just a birthday, does it need to be that massive?!"
Stelle: "Shaking and crying right now!!"
Hanabi: "Haha, Little Gray Hair, you're jealous!"
Stelle: "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Stelle: "Why would I, the dignified Galactic Baseballer, be jealous of some petty planetary princess?"
Hanabi: "Ahahaha, don't explain, you're just sour. Sour that her birthday can be so luxurious!"
Sampo Koski: "Tsk tsk tsk, don't say she's sour."
Sampo Koski: "Even old Sampo here feels like his teeth are about to fall out from the sourness!"
Sampo Koski: "If I could ever hold a birthday party of that scale, now that would be interesting!"
Hanabi: "Oh?"
Hanabi: "Right."
Hanabi: "Why didn't I think of that!"
Hanabi: "Hold a Director Hanabi Birthday Party, and invite everyone in the universe to create Elation!!"
Hanabi: "Ha, wouldn't that be much more fun?"
Stelle: "Thanks for the invite, I'm not going."
Hanabi: "Really? You won't come even if I pay you?"
Stelle: "…How much?"
March 7th: "Hey, knew you couldn't change that money-grubbing nature of yours!"
Hanabi: "Heh, as long as the amusement you create is Elating enough, then money is just a number~"
Hanabi: "You can have as much as you want!!"
Stelle: "In that case…"
Stelle: "If Director Hanabi invites, how dare I refuse?"
Stelle: "Please call me the Stelle of Elation!"
Silver Wolf: "?"
Silver Wolf: "Just defected like that?"
Silver Wolf: "Really have zero integrity."
Stelle: "Integrity?"
Stelle: "How much is that worth?"
Seele: "But if you're attending an Elation birthday party… what, are you going to become a Masked Fool too?"
Venti: "Ehe, doesn't Miss Stelle usually act like a Masked Fool anyway?"
Navia Caspar: "Hahaha, now that you mention it, it's true."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hmm… it is a great loss that your Tavern didn't invite her before the Astral Express did."
Hanabi: "Wu, who told her to appear so suddenly."
Hanabi: "The Tavern couldn't help it either~"
Hanabi: "How about this, Little Gray Hair, you quit the ranks of the Nameless right now and come directly to be a Fool?"
Stelle: "That I'll pass on. When I have time, I could consider moonlighting."
Stelle: "Full-time is unnecessary!"
March 7th: "What the heck, Fools can moonlight?"
Dan Heng: "Never heard of it."
Sampo Koski: "Heh, sister, if you're willing, it's not impossible."
Sampo Koski: "When I have a moment, I'll make a suggestion to the Tavern, have them whip up a part-time invitation letter."
Sampo Koski: "That way, maybe our Tavern can grow bigger and stronger too!"
Hanabi: "Hahaha, this is truly too Elating~"
....
『 [ "You're back?" ]
Seeing Dan Heng approach, Boothill spoke casually.
[ "Has she not returned yet?" ]
Dan Heng inquired about Alley's whereabouts.
[ "Yeah." ]
[ "I'm starting to think letting her go contact that Sunday wasn't a good idea." ]
[ "Whether it's the staff or the guests, everyone is completely ignorant of the situation in the dream. Everywhere you go, it's a scene of joyous harmony…" ]
[ "If you ask me, this is definitely not a good omen." ]
Boothill sighed lightly, a little worried.
[ "I agree." ]
[ "There is another strange thing. Among the Five Families governing Penacony, the Oak Family is the organizer of the council, and also the one responsible for all management and coordination inside and outside the dreamscape." ]
[ "But strangely…" ]
[ "I circled the entire hotel, and for such an important Family, on such an important day, I didn't see a single member." ]
Dan Heng voiced a strange phenomenon he discovered while scouting just now.
[ "Son of a nice lady's leg…" ]
[ "If I remember correctly, isn't that Sunday the Head of the Oak Family?" ]
Boothill couldn't help but let out a curse.
[ "We shouldn't stay here long. Let's return to the Express first." ]
Dan Heng felt it was no longer safe here, so he proposed returning to the train.
[ "Don't act rashly." ]
[ "Brother, ever robbed the IPC?" ]
[ "If you turn tail and run, you'll instantly become the brightest pup on the whole street." ]
Boothill held Dan Heng back, feeling his proposal wasn't appropriate.
[ "Are you saying we should just sit tight?" ]
Dan Heng countered.
[ "Not necessarily sit tight, but let's stay put for now." ]
[ "Even if The Family has a conspiracy, they couldn't have anticipated the two of us coming to knock on their door." ]
[ "To them, we are the uncertain factors." ]
[ "They won't make a move rashly." ]
[ "We aren't the only ones worried about alerting the enemy; The Family must also be afraid of alerting outsiders…" ]
[ "See that? IPC dogs are watching in this hotel, too." ]
Boothill explained a few points.
[ "If I were The Family, I would use procedure as a pretext to stall the uncertain factors here." ]
[ "There's no need to deliberately walk into their trap." ]
Dan Heng shook his head, feeling they couldn't just tough it out here.
[ "Of course, there's no need to stall with them." ]
[ "I left a backup plan with that Memokeeper. If there really is no way to enter the dreamscape, she'll leave a bottle of wine for me in the VIP lounge of the reality hotel." ] 』
『 ....』