"Memory is no different from the deep sea."
The scene opens with a solemn monologue.
"Never gaze upon the sea on a starless night."
Black Swan tilted her head upward, letting her jade abacus hover in the air as she admired the short film in a more elegant manner.
Though the thumbnail had already hinted that this was related to Acheron, she hadn't expected her own voice to appear at the very beginning of the video!
This immediately piqued her interest.
These two lines felt like a warning from another timeline—a version of herself speaking to the present.
However...
Though the narration spoke of the deep sea, the waters on screen were tinged with an unmistakable shade of red.
Before Black Swan could ponder the meaning behind this imagery, the scene shifted.
Now, standing before the camera... was herself.
Bathed in a warm, nostalgic golden light, the atmosphere resembled the sensation of sifting through another's memories—except this time, it was from Huangquan's perspective.
With a gaze that seemed to carry unspoken affection, the on-screen Black Swan asked:
"Waiting for someone?"
The camera cut.
The person facing her...
Was Huangquan.
Her eyes were lowered, expression indifferent.
She shook her head slightly.
"Then... would you care to dance with me?"
Black Swan extended her hand.
Huangquan, still seated, reacted almost mechanically, reaching out in response.
The crisp sound of their heels against the floor echoed through the hall as the dance began.
Meanwhile, the monologue continued:
"I've watched her for a long time."
"Tonight is my first invitation."
Black Swan couldn't help but chuckle softly.
To her, this could be interpreted as an event from another timeline—one where she had similarly extended an invitation to Huangquan, albeit in a more casual setting: a hotel ballroom.
"So it's this easy to get her to agree..."
She glanced toward the bathroom, where Huangquan seemed to be washing her hands.
Though this video would likely depict their dance and possibly even reveal fragments of Huangquan's memories, Black Swan hesitated.
"Hmm..."
Some things were better experienced firsthand.
The thrill of discovering and witnessing another's memories carried a sense of ceremony and accomplishment that a mere video couldn't replicate.
For a moment, she considered closing the video to preserve that feeling of surprise.
"...Well, I'll watch just a little longer."
"If anything related to memory surfaces, I can always stop then."
---
Luofu, Central Starskiff Haven Park.
Sitting on a swing, Sparkle licked her ice cream as she watched Rondo Across Countless Kalpas.
Seeing Black Swan and Huangquan waltz under golden lights—the former radiating confidence and delight—Sparkle bit down hard on her ice cream ball in frustration.
"Tch."
"So this is the partner you chose?"
"Rejecting me, Lady Sparkle? Just you wait—I bet you'll get humiliated later in the story!"
"And when that happens, I'll laugh at you so hard~"
She kept watching.
"A 'Galactic Ranger'... as enigmatic as the rumors say."
On screen, Black Swan circled Huangquan like a connoisseur appraising a rare gem.
Standing behind her, she murmured with playful scrutiny:
"So dignified... yet so awkward."
With a light push, she forced Huangquan to turn and face her, then took the lead in their dance.
"But in the hunt of the night..."
"The 'Hunt'..."
"...is not the only hunter."
Watching this segment, Black Swan's smile deepened.
Yu Ling's intent was clear—she was portrayed as the dominant one, exuding confidence and even a hint of aggression.
And why not?
In Penacony, where Remembrance energy overflowed, a Memokeeper like her was practically in her element!
If not invincible, then at least supremely assured!
"Yu Ling, you get me."
So far, Black Swan was thoroughly pleased with the video's portrayal.
The dance culminated in Huangquan dipping backward—but Black Swan wasn't satisfied yet.
Leaning in, she whispered:
"At this distance... you're even more captivating than I imagined."
"Keep the music playing."
"Keep dancing."
Suddenly, the spotlight vanished.
Darkness enveloped them.
Black Swan's voice echoed:
"She, too, seeks the Clockmaker's legacy."
"Undoubtedly."
"In this game..."
"Everyone lies."
"But memory does not."
Black Swan nodded in approval.
Of course.
A Galactic Ranger chasing the Clockmaker's legacy might be mysterious and noble, but on her turf—the domain of memory—she held all the cards.
Mid-dance, Huangquan briefly tried to pull away, only for Black Swan to yank her back.
The stage dissolved, replaced by a dreamlike purple void.
Black Swan knew what this meant—she had begun employing a Memokeeper's techniques.
Huangquan seemed to realize it too, instinctively resisting...
But it was too late.
That tiny struggle only amused Black Swan.
A little spice to the encounter.
And just as she'd anticipated—no, orchestrated—Huangquan soon began cooperating willingly.
"..."
"We're finding our rhythm."
"Aren't we?"
Beneath their feet, countless stars materialized, forming fragments of imagery—scenes from Huangquan's past.
"Everyone has a past."
"The past shapes the present."
"Some seize hold of their memories."
"Others are ensnared by them, unable to escape."
The first scene: A young girl offering flowers to Huangquan...
The second: Amid ruins, a fallen figure aiming a gun at her...
The third: Huangquan trekking through a barren wasteland...
The fourth: Huangquan standing by the shore, umbrella in hand, beside someone who may or may not have been a companion...
"So I made my move."
"I had to know... which kind she was."
On screen, Black Swan lifted her chin like a proud swan, her lips curled in a faint, self-assured smile.
Even she had to admit—it was a little too smug.
But then...
"I do enjoy being this excessive..."
At this point, Black Swan decided she'd seen enough.
Too many appetizers would ruin one's appetite for the main course.
The rest...
She wanted to unveil and witness herself.
She would save the most exquisite moments... for her own eyes.
---
Meanwhile, in the bathroom...
Huangquan stared into the mirror.
From the crown of her head, her violet hair began to bleach into a pale, ashen hue.
The change spread downward, as if her entire body were being submerged in whiteness.
Her expression remained blank.
Stiffly, she turned her head slightly and called out:
"Memokeeper... just... a little longer."
Hearing this, Black Swan sighed inwardly.
"Don't tell me you're scared now...?"
"The you in this video was far more compliant."
The delay, however, allowed the video to continue playing.
"This banquet has drawn many."
"The IPC, the Garden of Recollection, the Fools, the Nameless..."
The two danced closer, spinning in sync as the atmosphere intensified.
Then, Black Swan finally broached the real subject:
"And... the Annihilation Gang of Destruction."
"They should have been here."
"But..."
"The Duke Inferno is dead."
"He and his heirs..."
"...will never arrive."
"My lovely Ranger..."
"What did you do?"
Suddenly—
The background music shifted.
Gone was the elegance and ease, replaced by a frenetic, ominous tempo.
Black Swan raised an intrigued eyebrow.
This line of questioning was a classic Memokeeper tactic—using keywords to trigger the subject's subconscious, coaxing their memories to the surface.
Like scattering bait to lure fish.
"Oh, Yu Ling..."
"Why the dramatics?"
"I only wish to preserve Huangquan's memories..."
"It's not dangerous."
"It won't harm her."
"Was it really necessary to pair this with such a sinister soundtrack?"
"At this rate, players might mistake me for the villain!"
"How troublesome..."
As the question hung in the air, the camera plunged into Huangquan's pupils—
Revealing a world of black and white.
Even the flames here were colorless.
Falling from the sky...
Were charred, broken remains.
The Annihilation Gang's insignia was unmistakable.
Case closed.
This scene in Huangquan's memory left no doubt—
The true perpetrator behind the Duke Inferno's demise...
Was none other than the enigmatic, noble Galactic Ranger: Huangquan herself!
"This wasn't my intention to reveal..."
"Miss Huangquan, I'm afraid you're in grave danger now."
Yet—
Just then—
An unexpected variable emerged.
In the monochrome world...
A streak of red appeared.
The Duke's glasses—their lenses now a vivid crimson.
Through them...
A figure stood in the distance, blade in hand.
Her silhouette resembled Huangquan's, but her hair cascaded like a waterfall of pale strands.
Amid the disheveled locks...
A single, blood-red eye peered through the screen.
"Tell me."
"Are you... asking me?"
Black Swan's eyes widened in shock.
Her lips parted in disbelief.
The dance floor had turned blood-red.
And her partner—
No longer the reserved, noble Ranger—
Was now a woman with bone-white hair and razor-sharp crimson eyes.
The real Black Swan mirrored her on-screen counterpart's stunned expression.
"What... is this...?"
The tables had turned completely.
Who was this woman in Huangquan's memories?
How could she address her directly?!
But before she could process it—
A harsh, shattering noise erupted from the bathroom.
The sound of...
Breaking glass.
To be continued…
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