After the "To be continued" caption appeared, there was a brief black screen, followed by a new scene.
In the square in front of the Penacony Grand Theater, Sunday stood by the railing, gazing into the distance.
The background seemed somewhat desolate.
And then, from behind, Robin actually walked over.
"Brother, I'm back."
This scene left everyone present utterly confused!
Didn't Robin just die?
How could she appear here as if nothing had happened?
Was this a flashback?
Or was Aventurine playing some kind of trick again?
Sunday's gaze also sharpened, and a hint of doubt arose in his heart.
After all, Honkai: Star Rail was a game with predictive elements.
Sunday didn't know exactly what would happen in the future.
He could only infer and reconstruct based on the content and tone of his own words.
In the game, his character spoke in a lukewarm tone, "Welcome back. How are the preparations for the performance going?"
"Not bad, don't worry."
"Not bad?"
"Hmm, that's not good... You're the pride of the family. Don't let unnecessary emotions affect your perfect melody."
"Brother, you seem a bit down... What's wrong? Is it the guests invited by The Watchmaker?"
Both her tone and demeanor were no different from the Robin they had seen before.
But her name was now displayed as "???".
Many players also realized that there must be something wrong with Robin here.
Sunday nodded: "Yes, I received reports... Death has taken some of them. Perhaps they were directed by someone."
"At some point, the nightmare named death descended upon Penacony, indiscriminately attacking people, bringing the death of the spirit equally to all..."
"But in the beautiful dream constructed by the family, no misfortune should occur. It severely disrupts the order and peace of the Dreamscape... How detestable."
"Robin" showed a surprised expression: "Such a thing has happened, then... has someone else been killed?"
"Yes, two in total. One stowaway, and..."
"...you."
At this point.
Sunday's tone suddenly changed.
"That's enough, Fool. Your actions chill my heart."
Hearing this.
The "Robin" in front transformed.
Revealing her true appearance.
It was none other than the Masked Fools' Sparkle!
"You're quite sharp, chicken-wing boy."
Seeing her own entrance.
Sparkle found a nearby railing to sit on.
Her legs dangling in the air, swinging back and forth, looking quite pleased.
Seemingly anticipating how much fun she could stir up in the plot.
Not far away, exclamations reached Sparkle's ears.
"So this Robin was Sparkle in disguise! I knew Robin couldn't have won the resurrection match so quickly!"
"Sunday's emotions are too stable, aren't they?"
"Seeing his sister killed, he remains so calm both in and out of the game?"
"No wonder he can be the family head!"
"Sparkle is also going too far, adding insult to injury at a time like this."
"I can't hold it in, what is this chicken-wing boy thing..."
"I can tell, Sunday must be seething inside, yet he still has to maintain the decorum of a leader."
"My heart aches for Sunday..."
A satisfied smile appeared on Sparkle's lips.
This game plot has caused such a stir in reality too...
It's really too much fun!
It was worth coming to Penacony specially!
That Lin Yu guy really has something...
I should get closer to him in the future, maybe I can dig out some insider information.
At this moment.
In the game, she also added insult to injury: "I just want to ask—does the family still not plan to act? Your poor sister has already sacrificed herself, hasn't she?"
"Don't you... want to avenge her?"
Sunday replied with a serious expression: "It's not yet time. When the destined day comes, I will execute judgment with righteousness."
"Impressive, you can even endure this~ What a cold-blooded guy. Hey, we might get along well, you know?"
"How about this, I can represent your sister at various events—you surely don't want people to know... that the Charmony Festival can no longer be held, do you?"
"The family has its own arrangements. Do not defile my dear sister with your deceitful tongue, Fool." Sunday's voice turned completely cold.
"Alright, alright~ I just wanted to say... if you need me, I'm always here to help, okay? Who can resist a boy with piercings on his chicken wings?"
Still mocking!
Still adding insult to injury!
On the scene, although no one showed anything on the surface.
In their hearts, they couldn't help but feel sympathy for Sunday!
"Bro, you're way too classy!"
"Sunday's classiness needs to be toned down a bit."
"I can't believe it, hahahaha."
"Sorry, I laughed too. Sparkle's way of speaking is quite amusing~"
"Since when has Sunday ever been treated like this?"
After saying this, Sparkle had already left.
Sunday remained in his position, gazing at the grand theater.
It was as if he was speaking to someone who had already left.
Or perhaps he was talking to himself: "No need. The murderer has already been exposed under His light. It won't be long before he falls due to his own schemes."
"If he does not turn back, His blade will surely be sharpened, His bow will be drawn, and the poison the wicked have inflicted will return to their own heads."
"When that time comes, the foreigner who does not revere God will realize he is but a mortal, destined to fall into the abyss..."
"And I will become His vanguard, personally bringing you good news (or perhaps a funeral) — The Watchmaker."
[The Sound and the Fury - Who Killed... Completed]
This subtitle appeared.
Signifying the end of the current version's main storyline.
The scene was immediately filled with lamentations.
"Gaia!!!!!"
"Another cliffhanger at such a crucial moment!?"
"Yu Ling, hurry up and update!!!"
"Finished reading, but I'm still completely lost!"
Sunday, however, noticed the last part of his own speech.
He had used the words "he" and "foreigner."
This narrowed down the suspect pool significantly!
Sunday gave Aventurine a deep look.
Clearly!
Aventurine was the prime suspect who fit both these descriptions.
Aventurine, of course, realized this as well.
His expression remained calm.
But inside, his mind was in turmoil!
No way?
It couldn't be, right?
Surely, he couldn't be the one who killed Robin?
Think carefully!
To expose the family's flaws, would he really resort to such an extreme method as killing Robin?
Impossible!
That would be equivalent to completely severing ties with the family!
This was no longer the behavior of a gambler.
It was more like a desperate man flipping the table!
If it wasn't him...
Then who else could "he" and "foreigner" refer to?
He quickly ran through all the characters who had appeared so far.
It seemed... he was the most fitting candidate?!
At that moment.
Sunday had successfully contacted Robin.
He immediately seemed like a different person.
"Robin, where are you now?"
"Are you safe where you are?"
"Listen, whatever you do, don't investigate the Dreamscape about Something Unto Death..."
Robin's voice came through.
"Don't worry, brother."
"I'm in the recording studio right now."
"I have some great news you'd never expect!"
"— Yu Ling actually sent me a collaboration request for music."
"He knows I'm working on my new album Air Cocoon, and he sent me two demos."
"Two songs... titled Sway to My Beat in Cosmos and Hope Is the Thing With Feathers!"
"I've read the lyrics, and they've completely filled the Inspiration I've been lacking recently!"
"Yu Ling is truly amazing!"
Listening to Robin's excited tone.
Sunday felt somewhat relieved, but he still furrowed his brow.
There had been too many issues with the family and Penacony lately.
It seemed he had somewhat neglected spending time with Robin.
Now, it felt like his sister had been taken away by someone else?
Beside him.
Aventurine immediately perked up like a rabbit's ears.
He had overheard this conversation.
A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes!
He smelled a business opportunity!
"If I can secure the exclusive rights to the song jointly released by Yu Ling and Robin in advance, I'll definitely make a fortune!"
"This is a dream collaboration..."
"Even with my toes, I can predict how explosive this album will be!"
Suddenly.
The fervor in Aventurine's eyes slowly faded.
He's in a precarious situation himself!
And he's still thinking about making money?
Really... hopeless.