{The story of Dreamflux Reef has finally come to an end. Let us pull our perspective back to the Astral Express. At this moment, after Boothill's persuasion, Dan Heng has agreed to head to Penacony with him. However, in the Reverie Hotel, just like the previous Express crew, the two encounter some problems, preventing them from entering Penacony.}
{Now playing — Bullet & Brain}
〘March 7th〙: See, I told you Dan Heng would have to come down.
〘Stelle〙: Brilliant deduction, Miss March.
〘March 7th〙: You flatter me, you flatter me.
....
『 10 System Hours before the opening of the Charmony Festival - The Reverie Hotel (Reality)
"Welcome to The Reverie Hotel. How may I be of service to you today?" Alley, the hotel receptionist, asked the two with a formulaic smile.
"Hello, we are Nameless from the Astral Express. We would like to check in." Dan Heng took a step forward and explained politely.
Hearing the name "Astral Express", Alley frowned slightly, seemingly recalling some not-so-pleasant memories. After a brief thought, she spoke, "The Astral Express? But earlier…"
"Yes, our companions have already checked in ahead of us. My name is Dan Heng. My personal information should be in the hotel system." Dan Heng nodded, then explained to Alley.
Alley nodded in understanding. "I see. However, at that time, your companions said that your itinerary had changed and you wouldn't be able to check in."
At this moment, Boothill, who was standing to the side, chimed in with a laugh, "Ha! Ain't that just plans changin' again?"
"And you are?" Alley asked in confusion, looking at the suddenly speaking Boothill.
"I'm a new Nameless who just boarded the Astral Express. Name's Pam." 』
『 ....』
〘Pam〙: No pretending to be the Conductor, Pam!
〘Aha〙: Hahahahaha! Yes, you are Pam!
〘Stelle〙: Dan Heng's eyes went completely blank, hahahahahahaha.
〘March 7th〙: It's a good thing Dan Heng is the one with him. If it were the two of us, the second he finished saying that, we'd be rolling on the floor laughing.
....
『 After hearing Boothill say this, Dan Heng was stunned for a moment, but then immediately stepped in to assist.
"…He is my companion. Before he boarded the Express, we had already replied to the Family's invitation. So there shouldn't be any record of him in the system. Is there any way you could make an exception?" 』
『 ....』
〘Belle〙: What a familiar scene.
〘Alley〙: Me again? Maybe I should just change jobs…
....
『 Alley realized upon hearing this. "Oh! Among the Nameless who checked in earlier, there seemed to be one in a similar situation. It seems more and more people are embarking on the Trailblaze lately."
"Hmm… Since there is a precedent, in principle, there shouldn't be a problem. Please allow me to contact your companions—" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Alright, I know what the problem is.
〘March 7th〙: We're still in Dreamflux Reef right now, aren't we…
〘Hanabi〙: You two really picked the perfect time to arrive~
....
『 Having said that, Alley began to operate the system. But after hearing a series of dial tones, she stopped and looked at the two.
"…Uh, I'm sorry. You two, it seems I can't reach the guests from the Astral Express." 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: "Hello, the number you have dialed is out of service. Please try again later."
....
『 Dan Heng and Boothill exchanged glances. Dan Heng asked in confusion, "What do you mean by 'cannot reach them'?"
"I'm terribly sorry; this is also my first time encountering this situation. However, the system shows that the guests are still in the Dreamscape." Alley quickly explained.
After hearing this, Boothill thought for a moment and suggested, "…How about this, you give us a room number, and we'll go take a look ourselves."
Alley shook her head, her expression somewhat helpless, and explained, "I'm afraid that won't do. I can only disclose the personal information of the guests after confirming your identities."
"Then just pick one of 'em—how about Welt?—and force-wake him up, simple as that?" Boothill suggested again.
Alley shook her head again. "I'm sorry, but there are strict rules regarding forced awakening — it cannot be done without the proper clearance."
At this point, Boothill was genuinely getting annoyed by the hotel's red tape. He grumbled irritably, "So nothing works, huh? What's your solution then? You want the two of us to sleep on the floor at the reception desk?"
"Please calm down," Alley quickly tried to soothe him. "We need to contact your companions to confirm your identities…"
"But now it seems we must first confirm our identities before you can contact our companions." Dan Heng pointed out the core issue with pinpoint accuracy. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Lmao, they're stuck in a loop.
〘Sampo〙: What do you call this? This is called being blocked from both ends.
....
『 "Indeed… that is the case." Alley lowered her head, looking extremely troubled.
Boothill finally couldn't take it anymore. He shouted, "Fudge! Stop giving me these bureaucratic infinite loops!"
After shouting, he looked at the startled Alley and waved his hand helplessly. "Little lady, I'm not targeting you. If you can handle this, help us out. If you can't, find someone who can, alright?"
Alley quickly placated them, "Please calm down, guests! I remember that Mr. Sunday, the Oak Family Head, personally handled this matter back then. Please wait a moment; I'll go contact him right away." 』
『 ....』
〘Sampo〙: I can't even. Sunday is currently reuniting with his sister in Dreamflux Reef.
〘Guinaifen〙: Well, isn't that just a coincidence?
〘Alley〙: Oh my god… The employee handbook didn't say what to do in this situation!
....
『 "She probably isn't intentionally making things difficult for us, but genuinely doesn't know what to do." Dan Heng looked at Boothill, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and concern.
Boothill shook his head silently and sighed, "The situation ain't looking good. You tried on the Express earlier too; they really didn't reply to your messages."
Dan Heng took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled to calm his emotions. "There are some matters of concern. I will leave for a bit. You wait for that lady here."
"Go on, make it quick." Boothill nodded, watching Dan Heng's retreating figure. It seemed that with their companions' whereabouts unknown, Brother Dan Heng was getting a bit anxious.
However… he should probably ask around a bit more himself.
Afterward, Boothill walked over to the nearby lounge area. At this moment, a few guests were gathered together, chatting happily.
"The Charmony Festival is about to start; I'm so looking forward to it~" a Pepeshi said with a smile.
"Hey, brothers and sisters, are y'all here for the Charmony Festival too?" Boothill requested to join the conversation.
The Pepeshi scratched his head sheepishly upon hearing this. "Well, I didn't come all the way here especially for the festival. Honestly, I don't really even know what it's about, but I heard it's a lot of fun."
Just then, a gorgeously dressed lady next to them let out a chuckle. "Well, back in my homeworld, Anaria, we have festivals like that all the time. My dad threw me a birthday party one time that was just as extravagant as the Charmony Festival."
The Pepeshi immediately countered, "Oh, come on! The Charmony Festival is a once-in-an-Amber-Era event. How can a birthday party compare?" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: If you said it was Asta's birthday, I'd believe it. As for the lady on the screen… It's fine to fool others, just don't fool yourself.
〘Asta〙: Even my birthday can't compare to the Charmony Festival. Miss Robin isn't someone you can invite just with Credit Points.
〘Hanabi〙: You could always invite Lady Hanabi, couldn't you? I can completely take Robin's place on stage, can't I?
〘Sunday〙: Fool, shut up.
〘·HSR· Welt Yang〙: How do you know this sentence structure?
〘Aha〙: Aha doesn't know~
....