Chapter 204: Everyone's tab tonight is on The Family!
Penacony.
The Family.
Before Sunday.
A Dreambird perched silently atop a statue, its white pupils shimmering with a faint, ethereal light.
In truth, this avian messenger represented the Master of Dreams—the true sovereign of the Family's local branch in Penacony.
At this moment, Sunday's expression remained cold and indifferent.
Before the two of them, a series of holographic screens unfurled.
One displayed the hotel lobby, where a collective of players was vociferously denouncing the Family.
Another showed the IPC envoys exerting diplomatic pressure upon their hosts.
And in the Golden Hour, every massive screen was broadcasting the "White Night" music video on an endless, defiant loop!
"The situation has spiraled beyond our control," Sunday remarked, his voice devoid of emotion. "With all due respect, Dream Master, you should never have initiated this course of action."
The Dreambird spoke with a human voice. "This entity known as Honkai: Star Rail… it threatens to expose the [ True God ] in whom we place our faith."
"If the masses learn that the Aeon we truly worship is [ Ena ] the [ Order ]—the one consumed by [ Xipe ] the [ Harmony ]…"
"The consequences would be more than we can endure."
Sunday nodded slowly.
"Indeed. When I first learned that the narrative of Honkai: Star Rail was approaching Penacony, I felt a tremor of panic myself. I feared our [ Great Work ] would be prematurely unveiled by this game."
"I was even momentarily distracted from investigating my sister's departure."
"However…"
"Once I regained my composure, I realized: could this not be a divine opportunity? A trial set before us by the Winged One?"
The light in the Dreambird's eyes flickered rhythmically. Though it possessed no facial features, one could sense its profound contemplation.
Sunday continued, "I have observed this game developed by the Winged One. While the nominal protagonists are the Nameless of the Astral Express, the story is not told strictly through their lens."
"Rather, it presents the experiences of various characters with a certain degree of objective clarity."
"Take the Stellaron Hunters, for instance. Before this game's release, they were terrorists who struck fear into the hearts of every citizen in the cosmos."
"Yet now, they have become figures of fascination for countless players, earning the approval of the vast majority."
"Therefore, we need not cast ourselves in the role of the villain."
"Perhaps the future plot holds an opportunity for us—a chance for our philosophy to gain wider recognition."
"To willingly immerse oneself in the Dream of Ena…"
"Would that not be a more perfect future?"
The Dreambird's beak parted slightly. Clearly, the Master of Dreams had been swayed by Sunday's logic.
Suddenly, a burst of hearty laughter erupted.
"Hahaha…"
"Impressive. You truly are the child I raised with all my strength!"
"Your vision and perspective have clearly surpassed those of an old man like me."
"It seems my own narrow-mindedness led to a fatal error this time."
"Perhaps it is time for me to step aside and leave the Family entirely in your hands."
Sunday remained poised, neither humble nor arrogant. He did not follow the Order out of blind faith alone; rather, he believed the power of Order was the key to realizing his ideal paradise.
"Then, Dream Master, I ask that you grant me the necessary authority."
"Let Penacony welcome Honkai: Star Rail with open arms, and let us usher in our own golden age."
...
...
"What? The Family Head changed his mind? He's granting full access to Honkai: Star Rail?"
"Penacony is no longer throttling the game's data stream? And the Family is actually apologizing to the players?"
"Mr. Sunday is going to promote the game for free? He's looping Star Rail shorts in the Golden Hour and giving away 6480-level top-up packs in a random draw?"
"Am I hearing this right? This is a complete 180!"
Whether in the reality of the hotel or within the dreamscape, every member of the Oak Family was stunned by the news. They cross-referenced the orders repeatedly, terrified they had received a corrupted transmission.
Once it was confirmed that these directives came directly from Sunday, the Oak Family members scrambled into action.
Alert the Bloodhound Family.
Inform the hotel management…
The news spread like an invisible web, rapidly blanketing the dream.
The Reverie Hotel.
VIP Reception Room.
The doors were swept open by an attendant. Sunday, clad in pristine white, stepped into the room.
Aventurine and Topaz rose from their seats, showing the basic courtesy due to the head of the Oak Family. Ratio, who had never sat down to begin with, turned away from the mural he was inspecting to listen to whatever grandiose rhetoric the Family Head was about to deliver.
Sunday offered a slight nod. "My sincerest apologies. I regret that the IPC envoys have had such an unpleasant experience here in Penacony."
"The Family offers its deepest reparations."
"Your room rates and all associated service fees have been waived. Furthermore, we are granting you all premium Penacony passes…"
Aventurine's eyes narrowed slightly.
Starting with a peace offering?
This deviated from the scenario he had envisioned. He had expected Mr. Sunday to open with a sophisticated display of iron-willed stubbornness. Aventurine had even prepared the necessary verbal gambits and countermeasures.
And yet…
The carrot before the stick? Aventurine mused.
However, Sunday's next words caught even him off guard.
"I have understood your concerns, and I have consulted with the Master of Dreams."
"Moving forward, the Family will cease all restrictions on Honkai: Star Rail. We welcome players from across the cosmos to pursue their dreams in Penacony while enjoying this game."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Even the heads of the other Families were momentarily speechless. Even Dr. Ratio looked momentarily bewildered…
"He yielded that easily?"
"Mr. Sunday's motives… are becoming truly difficult to decipher."
...
The Golden Hour.
Several Dreamweaver players sat on the steps by the roadside, SoulGlad bottles in hand. They raised their drinks in a mutual toast, looking upon their "masterpiece" while listening to the looping "White Night."
They felt a mixture of exhilaration and bittersweet relief.
"Hahaha… well, at least we were wild once while we were young!"
"This counts as our highlight reel, right?"
"I've been sick of Dreamweaving for ages. Once the Family fires me, I'm going to be a full-time gamer. I'll stream my playthroughs!"
"Nice! I'll back you up!"
"I'll be in your chat sending gifts!"
They chatted idly, soaking in the fleeting moment of peace and joy. As they finished the last drops of SoulGlad, the Bloodhounds finally tracked them down.
"Look, the Family's here to settle the score."
"Haha, wonder how much the contract penalty will be?"
They didn't bother running. They waited, composed, for the inevitable arrest. Before they had acted, they had already accepted the price of success.
A Bloodhound captain stepped forward and counted them.
"One, two, three, four, five… yep, it's you lot."
Suddenly, the Bloodhound removed his sunglasses and extended a hand. He wasn't there to apprehend the Dreamweavers for violating the Family Covenant.
He wanted to shake their hands.
The Dreamweavers were lost. What was happening? Was there a mole among the Bloodhounds who was also a player?
"You guys are incredibly lucky."
"Mr. Sunday is aware of what you did. He—His Excellency—has stated that he won't be pursuing charges this time."
"So…"
"We Bloodhounds won't be taking any action against you."
"And as a fellow Star Rail player…"
"Allow me, in a personal capacity, to express my respect!"
The Dreamweavers still hadn't processed it. Their heads were spinning. They felt like they were dreaming.
Well, technically, they were.
Suddenly, the massive screens ahead flickered. Sunday's image appeared.
Addressing the camera, he spoke: "To all our guests residing within the dream: the Family's previous actions in restricting Honkai: Star Rail caused unnecessary trouble and confusion…"
"On behalf of the Family, I offer my apologies."
"From this moment forth, the Family will completely lift the blockade on Honkai: Star Rail…"
"In the Golden Hour, at the strike of every hour, a golden rain shall fall."
"Collect the vouchers within, and you may exchange them at any redemption point for an equivalent amount of in-game currency…"
"Tonight, your in-game purchases are on the Family's tab!"