『 "You're awake, little sleepyhead. Seems like you had a good dream." Black Swan looked at Stelle, who was just waking up, and smiled. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: You're awake! The surgery was a success, you're a boy now~.
....
『 Stelle rubbed her dizzy head and stepped out of the Dreampool.
"How was it? Did you dream of me?"
Stelle looked at Black Swan and asked, "Did you save us?"
"I merely helped you leave that Memory Zone, nothing more," Black Swan replied. "Welcome to reality—The Reverie—the place you are most familiar with, and also the safest."
"I'm glad your mental state is still normal, and you weren't affected by that primitive dreamscape. You're quite lucky."
"Hotaru… did she escape?" Stelle pressed.
"Heh, you care about that young girl quite a lot, don't you? I suppose so. Even in the face of Death, she tried her best to protect your safety… even I find it quite touching," Black Swan said with a light chuckle.
"I know you have many questions in your head, but don't be impatient. Before that, you should report your safety to the companions who are worried about you." 』
『 ....』
〘Aventurine〙: Friend, you've been completely led by her pace; the topic was diverted so easily.
〘Stelle〙: I'm just a one-year-old Stellaron vessel; it's normal to be led astray by a big sister.
〘March 7th〙: Why do I detect a sense of enjoyment in that last sentence of yours?
....
『 After saying this, Black Swan walked toward the door.
"Come on, little sleepyhead, they are already very anxious."
Although Stelle hadn't fully processed what had happened, seeing Black Swan's retreating figure, she decided to follow.
Stelle hurriedly crossed the long corridor and arrived at the spacious and bright lounge. Beside the bar from before, she saw the members of the Astral Express.
Before Stelle could even get close, she heard March's voice.
"So suspicious… how could it be such a coincidence? That woman is definitely trouble!"
Following that was Himeko's voice, responding to her.
"But she did find Stelle and saved her—for now, we can only listen to what the other party wants."
Seeing that Himeko had finished, Welt also gave his opinion.
"That Memokeeper is clearly prepared. It's better to be cautious."
Just as the three were discussing the matter of Black Swan, the subject of their discussion walked over with Stelle.
Black Swan looked at Himeko and smiled slightly: "Ms. Himeko, look, I've brought this child back as promised."
When March 7th saw Stelle, she looked like she was about to jump up from excitement. With tears welling up in her eyes, she hugged Stelle and said, "Stelle! Are you okay? We couldn't find you in reality or in the dream, you scared me to death…"
Stelle patted March 7th on the back and comforted her softly: "I'm here. And… ease up on the strength, I can't breathe…"
Hearing this, March 7th immediately let go of Stelle, looked awkwardly at Stelle, who was blushing from her hug, and laughed: "Hehe, I was just too excited." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: When others hug and blush, it's out of shyness; when you hug and blush, it's because I'm being strangled!
〘March 7th〙: How about I give you a gentle one now, then~
〘Stelle〙: Take it back, Hari.
〘Belle〙: What does that mean?
〘Silver Wolf〙: I guess she got reality-checked offline again.
....
『 Himeko looked at the safe and sound Stelle and smiled gently: "I'm just glad you're safe."
After saying that, she reached out toward Black Swan to introduce her to Stelle: "Let me introduce you—this is Ms. Black Swan, a Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection."
"You two already know each other?" Stelle asked suspiciously.
March 7th nodded: "Yeah, Ms. Himeko said they met by chance while investigating the dreamscape."
"We have only met once." After saying this, Black Swan glanced at Stelle and continued: "But because of you, perhaps we can take this opportunity to deepen our understanding of each other."
After Black Swan finished speaking, everyone turned their gazes toward Stelle. Himeko spoke first.
"So, Stelle, how did you end up in such a place… what happened?"
Stelle told everyone about her previous experience and described the flash of red she saw before losing consciousness.
"So, the person who attacked you was a woman in red who specializes in illusions and can change her appearance to look like others…" Welt summarized.
"Her name is Hanabi, a Masked Fool who has infiltrated Penacony… Don't worry, that girl won't be targeting you all for the time being. She must think she succeeded and is currently gloating somewhere," Black Swan comforted everyone softly.
"You seem to know her well," Welt said with a curious tone.
Black Swan smiled mysteriously: "Of course, I know everyone here. In Penacony, everyone might lie… but Memory does not."
"So I must clarify a fact for everyone: Ms. Hanabi's tricks can make people fall into hallucinations, but that bizarre dreamscape has nothing to do with her. It originates from Penacony itself."
"Penacony… itself?" March 7th repeated, surprised.
"Haven't you realized it yet? The so-called Land of Dreams… is actually the result of the Family meticulously maintaining it through some unknown means, a carefully designed sweet dream." Black Swan explained unhurriedly.
"And the Memory Zone that Stelle fell into—that is what the dreamscape originally looked like. Chaotic, dangerous, mysterious… a treacherous labyrinth inhabited by beasts of memory…"
Himeko nodded in agreement: "She is right. Everyone, do you remember the scenery when you first entered the dream?"
Stelle recalled the flashes of imagery in her mind when she entered the dream.
"A clock…"
"Huh? So everyone saw the same thing? I remember…" March 7th recalled the images she saw. "And then a guest room, and then through a mirror into a long corridor…"
"The Corridor of Memories—that's what the hotel staff calls it," Welt added.
"Don't you feel that these landscapes are far from the Penacony in the dream… but very similar to the dreamscape Ms. Black Swan described?" Himeko said, looking at Welt.
"Hmm, indeed… I didn't take it to heart at first, but looking back, there are far too many similarities between the two." Welt nodded.
"Also, I learned from some regular guests that the first stop of the dream was originally the Dream Hotel, but due to some accidents… The hotel is currently undergoing renovations," Himeko said softly.
"Under what circumstances does a building need renovations? Combined with Stelle's experience just now, the answer is very clear." Black Swan finished and chuckled.
Then, her expression became solemn as she looked at them and said: "Penacony's sweet dream is sinking, reverting to what it once was… falling into the deep sea."
"Si… sinking? You mean… the dream world is collapsing?" March 7th, said, shocked.
"That's right, the encounter at the dream hotel is an omen." Black Swan nodded affirmatively. 』
『 ....』
〘Pepeshi A〙: Is Penacony being destroyed?
〘Dreamchaser 12〙: No way, I spent all my savings to come here.
〘Pepeshi B〙: I've bled for the Family, and you hid such an important thing from me? I'm leaving!
〘Dreamchaser 10086〙: The Family is doing this? Do you have any conscience? Refund my money!
....