『 Upon hearing Gallagher's words, Sunday woke up in a daze. He didn't seem to have fully recovered from being stabbed and witnessing his childhood memories yet, and he couldn't help but clutch his head and stagger a few times.
"What's the matter? Can't stand straight? Want me to give you a hand?" Gallagher said in a playful tone.
Sunday stabilized himself, examined his completely unharmed body, and then looked at Gallagher in shock. "I'm not dead?"
Gallagher let out a cold snort upon hearing this. "Hmph, are you happy about that?"
"…Tell me where Robin is. Now." Sunday stared intently at Gallagher. Since he was fine, then his sister had to be somewhere around here.
"Heh, I knew your first reaction would definitely be about her." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Sis-con is like that.
〘Hanabi〙: Sis-con is like that.
〘Belle〙: Sis-con is like that.
....
『 "She is in this very place, so don't worry. Your sister is very safe. Right now…" Gallagher paused slightly, as if trying to recall what Robin was doing before he left. After remembering, he continued, "Right now, she's probably still visiting the streets and alleys."
Then, he looked at Sunday, spreading his hands with a smile. "If I were you, I would be more concerned about myself at this critical juncture… After all, standing right in front of you is the bastard who just drove a blade into your chest."
With one hand on his hip, Sunday seemed to dismiss Gallagher's statement. "If you really intended to kill me, you wouldn't have given me the chance to exchange pleasantries… State your purpose, you lackey of the Watchmaker."
Gallagher couldn't help but chuckle, clapping his hands in admiration. "Haha, you actually saw through that? No wonder you dared to go against the Dreammaster and the Four Families. It seems my choice was correct."
"Choice?" Sunday looked at Gallagher in confusion, not knowing what he was scheming.
Looking at the bewildered Sunday, Gallagher showed a free and easy smile. "You are aware of my plan and see through my Fictionology. Time is running out, so let's drop the charades..."
"I'm suggesting we cooperate." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Ah?
〘March 7th〙: Ah?
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Ah?
〘Belle〙: Ah?
〘Hanabi〙: I really love this one line in the chatroom: Ah?
....
『 "Cooperate? What makes you think I'd cooperate with you?" Sunday stared at the confident Gallagher.
Seeing Sunday ask this, Gallagher realized there was a chance, so he played his card.
"Just by the fact that the famous Robin has also chosen to stand on this side, plus the clue of a traitor, and the bright future of Penacony—can a special drink like this satisfy your appetite?"
"It is hard for me to believe that a person covered in lies from head to toe can speak a single word of truth."
"It's fine, you don't have to believe me. What you should believe…"
"…is the justice deep within your heart."
With that, Gallagher gave Sunday a meaningful look, waiting for his answer.
Hearing Gallagher's profound words, Sunday fell into silence. Then, with a firm gaze, he looked at Gallagher and said, "…Let me see Robin first."
"Sure. As you wish, here she comes…"
Along with Gallagher's words, a set of footsteps echoed.
After speaking, Gallagher looked toward the newcomer.
However, the person who arrived was not Robin, but Hotaru, who had been searching for Gallagher.
Hotaru was actually quite happy to find Gallagher, whom she had been looking for, but as soon as she approached the two, she heard Gallagher say that. Subsequently, Sunday and Gallagher's gazes fell upon her.
Looking at this scene, Hotaru scratched her head in confusion. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Pfft.
〘Silver Wolf〙: You've completely stumped the Glamoth veteran.
....
『 After glancing at Hotaru, Sunday directed his gaze back to Gallagher, suppressing his anger as he questioned, "What kind of trick are you trying to play now?"
"Haha, just a joke. I meant that this lady will take us to see Robin, right?" Gallagher smiled, looking at Hotaru.
Hotaru stared hard at Gallagher, crossed her arms, and replied, "Of course. And the Astral Express and me. There are… too many people who need you to explain."
"Haha, that's wonderful. This way, please, esteemed Family Head of the Oak Family." Gallagher pointed in the direction Hotaru had come from, then, in a voice no longer as lighthearted as before, said softly and solemnly, "Now, all the actors… are finally assembled."
Led by Hotaru, the two then left the area. Their destination was where a group of people brought by Micah was currently standing, and Robin, whom Sunday was constantly worrying about, was among them.
After Micah brought everyone to this place, Welt noticed three very conspicuous tombstones in front of them. The left and right tombstones had a few words written on them, while the middle one was completely blank.
When Welt clearly saw the names written on the tombstones, he fell silent.
Looking at the three tombstones, Micah said, "This is the monument I mentioned earlier. The names on it… should not be unfamiliar to everyone."
Welt nodded, looking at the names on the tombstones and softly reading them out, "Razalina, and… Tiernan."
Micah looked up slightly at the sky and narrated, "When Penacony was known as a frontier prison, it was the Trailblazers who connected it with the stars. They were the heroes who saved Asdana, and their names deserve to be immortalized — not just on this small stone tablet, but in the annals of history for all of time."
At this point, Micah couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "However, today the Planet of Festivities is nothing but sweet dreams. That heavy piece of history is all a distant memory... just like that prison."
Looking at the two tombstones with names engraved on them, Robin said despondently, "If their names are inscribed here, then that means..."
"According to Micah, they passed away a long time ago," Himeko took over Robin's words.
Micah pointed to Razalina's tombstone. "Razalina was killed during the War of Independence. She ventured alone into the heart of the star system to investigate the flow of memoria, but she never returned..."
After saying that, Micah looked at Tiernan's tombstone and continued, "Tiernan was a skilled gunslinger, strong and reliable. He led the people through countless battles, but he didn't live long enough to witness the arrival of true peace."
"In the decade following the War, Penacony faced challenges internal and external. To protect Asdana, Tiernan picked up the way of the Trailblaze again, and led the Lampmoth Family to explore beyond the system, only to be surrounded... and wiped out by the Swarm." 』
『 ....』
〘Elysia〙: They were all very great people♪
〘Pam〙: If both of them are gone, won't you feel lonely all by yourself, Pam? Mikhail, are you okay? I really miss you all, Pam. This isn't a joke played by the Conductor, Pam. I really, really miss you, Pam…
〘·HSR· Himeko〙: Sigh…
....
『 "Though I had expected as much, the tales of these heroes... truly are sorrowful." March 7th sighed softly after listening.
"Their entire lives were spent walking toward the unknown, living up to the name of Trailblaze." Himeko paid her respects to the three tombstones.
Then, she looked at the blank tombstone in the middle and asked, "But… what about this tombstone with no words on it…?"
"When Dreamflux Reef was born, its owner hadn't passed away yet. But that person insisted on erecting a blank tombstone for himself, saying, 'It will happen someday.'"
Just as Micah was about to answer, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Here we meet again, everyone from the Astral Express." 』
『 ....』