The presidential suite was quiet, save for the gentle clinking of porcelain and the soft sighs of its occupants.
This was the room the Family had specially arranged for Daziel to show their gratitude after he resolved the Penacony crisis. It was excessively large, and a single night's stay was said to cost hundreds of thousands of credits.
Daziel and his women had now set down their heavy burdens, sinking deep into the soft, comfortable velvet sofa.
The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans wafted around their noses, seeping into their hearts and souls, dispelling the fatigue from their bloody battle with Dominicus.
March 7th held a warm coffee cup in her small hands, her brow slightly furrowed. Her big, watery eyes still held a trace of un-dissipated amazement and lingering fear.
She trembled slightly, her voice filled with a hint of disbelief.
"So… that life-threatening mess in Penacony was just… resolved so easily? I really thought it would take the entire Express crew to go all out in a huge fight!"
Daziel let out a long, slow breath, his body completely relaxing as he leaned back against the sofa's thick cushions, the weariness not yet faded from his eyes.
"Yeah, for now, it's considered perfectly resolved. This time, we really have to thank Lady Herta for coming in person. That overwhelming power of 'Erudition' was simply breathtaking. Otherwise, I'm afraid we really would have been done for back there. Getting the entire Express crew involved in a terrifying battle of the Emanator level wouldn't have been a wise move."
Herta held a delicate bone china coffee cup, her posture elegant. A trace of unconcealable pride and satisfaction flickered from the corners of her eyes. She took a light sip of coffee, her voice flat yet carrying an unquestionable authority.
"It was just a small scene, not worth mentioning. As a genius, my female intuition told me that the waters of Penacony run far deeper than they appear. If I had only sent my puppet to investigate the situation, I'm afraid it would have been hopelessly trapped, a complete waste in the end."
Hearing this, March 7th's pink cheeks puffed out slightly. With the petulance of a young maiden, she shot a glance at Daziel, her tone sour.
"Hmph, someone certainly has all the luck. This one trip to Penacony, and you've added so many new 'good sisters' for me for no reason at all. The harem team is really getting bigger and bigger!"
Daziel spread his hands, a helpless yet somewhat doting smile on his handsome face as he gently placated her.
"The more the merrier, isn't it? The Express can theoretically expand infinitely. Pom-Pom is also hoping for more passengers in the cars, to make it livelier."
"Then have you told Dan Heng the whole story of the Penacony incident? Has all this information been recorded in the data bank?"
March 7th pressed on, her slender fingertips tapping rhythmically on the warm cup, making a crisp sound that showed her concern for her fellow crew members.
A faint, knowing smile touched Black Swan's lips, a smile so enchanting it was natural. Her voice carried a captivating magnetism.
"Miss March 7th need not worry about this matter. All related intelligence has been properly sorted by me and sent safely as an encrypted file to Mr. Dan Heng's phone."
The look of fear had not yet completely faded from March 7th's brow. She patted her chest with lingering apprehension.
"Just hearing you all talk about it sounds too thrilling and dangerous. If Big Sister Herta hadn't arrived in time, our Astral Express's 'Trailblazing' journey might have really come to an end in Penacony."
A flash of weathered wisdom and understanding appeared in Daziel's eyes.
"The path of the Trailblaze has always been shadowed by risk and crisis. This is an awareness we should have had from the very beginning of our journey."
"During this time, the vast majority of Penacony's ordinary citizens have been kept in the dark, knowing nothing of the truth. They just vaguely feel that there are some imperceptible blurs and gaps in their memories, as if a period of ecstasy was silently stolen from their lives."
"I heard that the Family, in order to stabilize public sentiment, could only announce to the outside world that the 'Harmony Grand Ceremony was unfortunately hit by an unknown Stellaron energy blast and was forced to be canceled for safety reasons'."
March 7th pursed her lips and added.
"After all, the matter of the remnants of 'Order' causing trouble is too sensational and involves too much to be made public. I can understand that. Right now, the other four great families, aside from the Oak Family, are doing their best to quell the various aftershocks and effects of this storm. And our Daziel, because of this battle, has become the Star of the Festivities, a hot-shot celebrity admired by all of Penacony."
Hearing this, Daziel shrugged indifferently, a look of complete disregard for such things on his face.
"Star of the Festivities, whatever. It's just an empty title, I couldn't care less. After all, I've already rolled in the sheets with Penacony's biggest superstar."
Robin's already lovely and moving face instantly flushed with two clouds of crimson.
She shyly reached out and gently tugged on the corner of Daziel's clothes, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, carrying a hint of almost imperceptible trembling.
"Master Daziel… please don't… don't talk like that. When… when I hear it, I feel embarrassed."
Sparkle, who had been silent all this time as if lost in thought, now suddenly pouted, her little face filled with undisguised displeasure and grievance. She complained petulantly:
"Then… then what about me? What about the great Sparkle?! In the beginning, I was the one who trailblazed with Brother Daziel! In the Golden Hour, I was the one who stayed by Brother Daziel's side!"
"But what was the result? When it came to the most crucial, most exciting grand finale, there was no part for the great Sparkle at all! This… how can I accept this?! It's an absolute outrage!"
Hearing this, March 7th's pretty face instantly darkened, and she shot an annoyed glance at Sparkle.
"You're the one who got the good end of the deal and you're still complaining! I wasn't even a shadow in the whole incident, completely non-existent! You little imp, don't you be ungrateful and complain when you've gotten such a great deal!"
Sparkle paid no attention to what March 7th said. She crossed her arms, her little face puffed up with anger.
"Oh, what a huge loss! A loss that goes all the way to my grandma's house! Sparkle is going to get really angry! She's going to explode!"
"Don't be impatient, little girl of the 'Masked Fools.' The days ahead are long, full of infinite possibilities and surprises. Besides, next, I will also be temporarily accompanying the Astral Express crew on the journey to the next stop."
Robin also chimed in with a gentle voice, a newfound determination and resolve shining in her emerald eyes.
"And me… After experiencing all the unforgettable events in Penacony, I also want to temporarily let go of everything and follow Master Daziel… to go to a distant place together, to clear my head, and to see the different sceneries in this vast universe."
When she said the word "Master," her voice was almost inaudible, and a charming blush once again dyed her face.
March 7th's gaze inadvertently turned to Firefly, who had been sitting quietly in the corner. She asked softly:
"Little lady of the Stellaron Hunters, what about you? What are your plans for the future?"
A trace of almost imperceptible hesitation and struggle appeared on Firefly's face. She bit her lower lip and replied softly, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy:
"I… I'm afraid I can't embark on a new journey with everyone on the Express. For me, the Astral Express is where I have companions I see as family; but the Stellaron Hunter organization is also like my… home. There are still many things there that I need to go back and handle."
"Besides, I came to Penacony this time precisely to find hope to extend my life. I'm sure you all know that in the real world, I suffer from a very serious case of 'Entropy Loss Syndrome.' I could disappear at any time."
"I can't even control my own life, and I'm constantly moving towards decay. I'm afraid… I really can't go on adventures with you all…"
Sparkle's big, dark, glistening eyes suddenly lit up. She flashed over to Firefly's side, a mysterious smile blooming on her face.
She lowered her voice, but ensured that everyone present could hear her clearly.
"Oh, what's so difficult about that? It's a piece of cake! It's precisely because you have that 'Entropy Loss Syndrome' that you should stick to Brother Daziel like glue! Don't you forget, you only had a small taste of Brother Daziel's… thing in the dreamscape."
"You have no idea, in the real world, Brother Daziel's thing has an effect that is beyond imagination. It can cure most illnesses, even a Memokeeper's memetic body. Your Entropy Loss Syndrome, I don't think it's a problem at all."
The moment Firefly heard these words, her eyes widened to their absolute limit, filled with incredible shock.
A look of unconcealable embarrassment and awkwardness appeared on Daziel's face.
He cleared his throat, trying to hide the turmoil in his heart, his voice taking on a slightly unnatural tone.
"Ahem—well… the process might be a bit… uh, hard to talk about. But, what Sparkle said… is indeed the truth. My… thing… should be able to cure your Entropy Loss Syndrome."
"That… that's wonderful! That's really wonderful!"
Firefly's eyes instantly burst with joyous light. She almost leaped up, throwing herself into Daziel's broad embrace, affectionately nuzzling his chest.
"Wait! The prophecy!"
Suddenly, as if she had just remembered something crucial, her body stiffened slightly. She abruptly raised her head, her eyes filled with urgency and confusion.
"Elio's prophecy! He said that I would experience a full three 'deaths' in this dreamland of Penacony… But now, I've clearly only experienced two…"
Sparkle raised her small chin smugly, her hands placed triumphantly on her hips.
"Hmph, hmph, since I, the great Sparkle, accepted the commission from you Stellaron Hunters, I will naturally arrange everything for you clearly. Just put your heart at ease. As for the so-called third 'death,' I have already prepared it for you, guaranteed to give you an unprecedented 'surprise'."
Firefly's eyes were filled with confusion, like a small deer lost in the forest. "Huh? When… I don't know anything about it…"
The smile on Sparkle's face grew wider, more mischievous and mysterious. She deliberately lowered her voice, speaking in a tone full of temptation and bewitchment, yet her voice drilled clearly into the ears of everyone in the room.
"Do you remember what it was like when you first experienced that so-called 'ecstasy until death'?"
Firefly's already porcelain-white face instantly flushed a deep red, and even her small, exquisite earlobes were completely dyed a charming pink.
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, filled with an uncontrollable shyness and recollection:
"That… that… that taste… just thinking about it now, my body feels like it's uncontrollably… faintly trembling…"
She seemed to be truly immersed in the extreme and unfamiliar sensation of that time. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and she subconsciously lifted the still-warm cup of coffee in front of her, taking a small sip, trying to calm the storm in her heart.
The smile on Sparkle's lips deepened, filled with the extreme pride and undisguised excitement of a successful prank. Her voice was lively, as if announcing the opening of a grand play.
"That's it! That's it! I secretly added a little something special, my own secret recipe, to the fragrant coffee in front of each of you—"
"That's a special potion carefully concocted by me, the great Sparkle! And it's a super-strength dose specially supplied for those massive, energetic interstellar beasts!"
"I guarantee that once this medicine takes effect, it will absolutely let every single one of you experience an ultimate, unprecedented… ecstasy! That way, this third 'death' will naturally come about, won't it?"
"And, most importantly, this 'surprise' is for everyone, and no one can escape! With so many of us sisters experiencing this ultimate 'death' together with you, what's there for you to be dissatisfied about?"
The moment these words were spoken, it was like a bombshell!
All the women in the room who had previously tasted the coffee, including Herta and Black Swan, who had just been holding their coffee cups with elegance and composure, all had an extremely unnatural, eerie flush rise on their faces, whether they were proud, enchanting, or cute.
They all clearly remembered that they had indeed drunk some of the fragrant and mellow coffee in front of them.
The coffee cup in March 7th's slender fingers nearly slipped from her grasp in shock. Her usually lively eyes were now wide, staring in disbelief at the innocently smiling Sparkle.
Even the genius beauty Herta's smooth forehead couldn't help but furrow slightly. A rare flash of astonishment and… a faint displeasure at being secretly plotted against appeared in her deep eyes.
Black Swan, on the other hand, raised a delicate eyebrow with great interest. The enchanting smile on her lips now held an even more inscrutable and playful quality.
Robin was so embarrassed that she almost shrank her entire head into her collar. She tightly covered her face, which felt like it was about to burn, not daring to look anyone in the eye.
Firefly was completely stunned, as if petrified. The coffee she had yet to swallow now seemed abnormally hot, searing her taste buds and nerves.
Daziel's face changed dramatically in an instant. Alarm bells screamed wildly in his mind, and an unprecedented sense of crisis engulfed him like a tidal wave.
This is bad! This is really bad!
This damn little imp, she's clearly targeting me!
So many… so many women like hungry wolves… and every single one of them can suck a man dry… how can I possibly survive this?!
No! I have to find a way to get out of here! Escape this place of trouble!
However, the thought had just formed in his mind, his bottom had just started to lift from the soft sofa, when a petite yet lightning-fast figure suddenly pounced over. With a force that was impossible to guard against, she slammed him back into the depths of the sofa, rendering him immobile.
It was Sparkle!
At this moment, her delicate and cute little face was overflowing with a triumphant, almost manic joy and excitement, her eyes sparkling with the light of a successful prank.
"Hee hee hee, my dear Brother Daziel, in such a hurry, where are you trying to run to? Could it be that you want to ditch so many of us sisters and go enjoy some 'special' fun all by yourself?"
Seeing Sparkle make the first move and succeed, the other women in the room also seemed to have the fuse of "desire" in their hearts lit.
March 7th's originally pale face was now completely red. Her big, watery eyes sparkled with a strange light. She bit her lower lip, let out a barely audible whimper, and followed Sparkle's lead, pouncing on him with a thud, holding Daziel even tighter.
Black Swan let out a melodious laugh like that of a nightingale. She stood up gracefully and, with light, lotus-like steps, came over.
Every step seemed to land on one's heart, carrying an irresistible, ultimate charm and fatal attraction. She slowly, gracefully, leaned against the already surrounded Daziel.
Even the great Herta, known as a genius beauty, now had a moving blush and a thick interest that had been piqued on her exquisite face.
She gently put down the coffee cup in her hand. Her eyes, which sparkled with talent, now became fiery, filled with the desire to explore the unknown.
As for Robin and Firefly, they were already blushing and their eyes were hazy.
They exchanged a helpless glance. Amidst their ineffable shyness, there was also a curiosity and desire that had been forcibly stirred up by the drug, which they could not suppress.
They supported each other and, like puppets pulled by invisible strings, they slowly closed in, step by step.
The final scene was fixed on Daziel, amidst layers of beautiful, fragrant figures.
His face was a mixture of despair and helplessness. He managed to stretch out a hand for help with all his might, but it was quickly pressed down by countless slender, soft yet irresistibly strong arms, and he was completely submerged in a chorus of whispers and intoxicating fragrances…
Daziel was very worried that this time…
Xipe wouldn't be drawn over to watch again, would she?
__
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