Chapter 248: My brother Sunday is so pitiful! Since when has he ever suffered this much humiliation?
After the "To Be Continued" caption faded from the screen.
A brief moment of blackness.
Then, a new scene emerged.
In the plaza fronting the Penacony Grand Theater.
Sunday stood before the railing, gazing out into the distance.
The backdrop appeared somewhat desolate.
And just then.
From behind,
Robin actually walked over.
"Brother, I'm back."
This scene.
Instantly left the gathered crowd in bewilderment!
Hadn't Robin just died?
Why was she acting like nothing happened here with Sunday?
Could this be a flashback technique?
Or was Aventurine playing some kind of trick again?
Sunday's gaze also sharpened.
A flicker of doubt stirred within his heart.
After all, the game Honkai: Star Rail had a nature of predicting the future.
Sunday himself did not know what would specifically happen in the future.
He could only infer and reconstruct events based on the content and tone of his own dialogue.
In the game, his counterpart spoke in a cool, detached tone: "Welcome back. How are your preparations for the performance coming?"
"It's fine, don't worry."
"It's fine?"
"Hmm, this is not good… You are the pride of the Family. Do not let such superfluous emotions compromise your perfect resonance."
"Brother, you seem to be in low spirit… Did something happen? Is it those guests who received the Watchmaker's invitation?"
Whether it was the tone or the demeanor.
It was indistinguishable from the Robin they knew.
Yet, her name tag read "???".
Many players also realized that there was definitely something wrong with this Robin.
Sunday nodded: "Yes, I received the report that… "Death" has taken some of them. Perhaps at someone's instigation."
"I know not when it began, but the nightmare known as 'Death' has descended upon Penacony. It attacks indiscriminately, bringing spiritual death to all equally…"
"In the utopian dreamscape envisioned by The Family, such sorrowful incidents shouldn't arise. It severely disrupts the order and peace of the Dreamscape… How detestable."
"Robin" revealed a look of surprise: "Such a thing has actually happened? Then… has someone else been victimized?"
"Yes, two in total. A stowaway, and the other…"
"… was you."
At this point.
Sunday's tone shifted abruptly.
"That is enough, Fool. Your actions chill me to the bone."
Upon hearing this.
The "Robin" before him transformed in an instant.
Revealing her true appearance.
It was none other than the Masked Fool—Sparkle!
"You're quite sharp, Chicken Wing Boy?"
Seeing herself appear on screen.
Sparkle found a nearby railing and sat down.
Her legs dangled in the air, swinging back and forth, appearing quite pleased.
She seemed to be anticipating how much mischief she could stir up within the plot.
The exclamations from not far away reached Sparkle's ears.
"So this Robin was Sparkle in disguise! I knew Robin couldn't have won the resurrection match that quickly!"
"Sunday's emotional stability is just too high, isn't it?"
"Seeing his own sister murdered and staying this calm both in and out of the game?"
"That's why he's the head of the family, I suppose!"
"Sparkle is also going too far, rubbing salt in the wound at a time like this."
"I can't even… what is 'Chicken Wing Boy' even supposed to mean, haha…"
"I can tell, Sunday must be absolutely furious on the inside, yet he still has to maintain the etiquette expected of a leader."
"My heart aches for Brother Sunday…"
A satisfied smile curled the corners of Sparkle's lips.
This game plot had caused such a stir even in reality…
It really is so much fun!
It was worth it to come to Penacony specifically!
That guy Lin Yu really has something up his sleeve…
I should get closer to him in the future; maybe I can even fish out some inside information.
At this moment.
In the game, her counterpart added insult to injury: "I'm just curious— Now that things have come to this, is the Family still not planning to make a move? I mean, your poor darling sister has already been a goner, hasn't she?"
"Really? … Don't tell me you're not craving to avenge her?"
Sunday replied with a grave expression: "The time is not yet right. When the fated day arrives, I shall surely execute judgment in righteousness."
"Impressive, you can even endure this~ Truly, you are a cold-blooded fellow. Hey, we could actually get along, don't you think?"
"How about this: I can attend various occasions on behalf of your sister—surely you wouldn't want people to know… that the Charmony Festival can no longer be held, would you?"
"The Family has its own arrangements. And…Do not sully my dear sister with your treacherous tongue again, Fool." Sunday's voice turned utterly frigid.
"Alright, alright~ I just wanted to say… if you need it, I can help you anytime, you know? Who could refuse a boy rocking spikes on his wings?"
Still mocking!
Still rubbing salt in the wound!
On the scene, although no one showed it outwardly.
Everyone felt a sense of sympathy for Sunday in their hearts!
"Big brother, your composure is top-tier!"
"Sunday's composure really needs to be lowered."
"I'm truly defeated, hahahahaha."
"Sorry, but I laughed too; the way Sparkle talks is weirdly entertaining~"
"When has Brother Sunday ever suffered such grievances?"
Sparkle had already left by the time she finished speaking.
Sunday maintained his posture, gazing at the Grand Theater.
As if speaking to someone who had already departed.
Or perhaps muttering to himself: "It is unnecessary. The culprit has already exposed their flaws under His light. It will not be long before they stumble over their own schemes."
"If they do not turn back, His blade shall be sharpened, His bow shall be strung, and the poison sown by the wicked shall descend upon their own heads."
"When that time comes, the gentiles who do not revere the Divine shall know they are but mortals, destined to fall into the abyss…"
"And I shall be His vanguard, personally bringing you the good news—Watchmaker."
[ The Sound and the Fury - Who Killed… Completed ]
As this caption appeared.
It signified that the current version's main story quest had concluded.
The scene instantly erupted in wailing.
"GAIA!!!!!"
"Ending on a cliffhanger at such a critical moment again!?"
"Feathered Spirit, UPDATE QUICKLY!!!"
"Finished reading, and I'm still completely confused!"
Sunday, however, took note of the final words he had spoken.
Using terms like "he" and "gentiles."
It narrowed the scope of the culprit significantly!
Sunday cast a deep look at Aventurine.
Clearly!
Aventurine was the primary suspect who fit these two identifiers.
Aventurine naturally realized this as well.
His expression remained one of indifference.
But inside, his heart was crashing like waves!
No way?
It couldn't be, right?
Surely I wouldn't be the culprit who killed Robin?
Think carefully!
To force the Family to reveal a flaw, would I really use an extreme method like killing Robin?
Impossible!
That would be equivalent to completely burning bridges with the Family!
That is no longer the behavior of a gambler.
It's more like a desperate outlaw flipping the table!
Then if it isn't me…
Where should "he" and "gentiles" be positioned among the characters?
His mind rapidly recalled all the characters who had appeared so far.
It seems… only he himself is the most suitable candidate?!
At this moment.
Sunday had successfully established contact with Robin.
He instantly seemed like a different person.
"Robin, where are you right now?"
"Is your surrounding safe?!"
"Listen, do not, under any circumstances, investigate the matter of 'Something Unto Death' within the Dreamscape…"
Robin's voice came through.
"Don't worry, Brother."
"I'm at the recording studio right now."
"Some good news you would never expect!"
"—Feathered Spirit actually sent me a collaboration proposal for music."
"She knew I was preparing my new album, Airy Cocoon, and sent over two demos."
"They are two songs… titled 'Sway to My Beat in Cosmos' and 'Hope is the thing With Feathers'!"
"I read the lyrics; they perfectly fill the void of inspiration I've been lacking lately!"
"As expected of Feathered Spirit!"
Listening to Robin's excited tone.
Sunday felt slightly more at ease, yet his brow still furrowed.
There had been too many things happening with the Family and Penacony lately.
It felt as though he had neglected his companionship with Robin.
Leading to a feeling now that his sister was being whisked away by someone else?
Beside him.
Aventurine instantly pricked up his ears like a rabbit.
Having overheard this conversation.
A flash of excitement crossed his eyes!
He smelled the scent of a business opportunity!
"If I can grab the exclusive rights to the songs released by the Feathered Spirit and Robin collaboration in advance, I could definitely make a killing!"
"This is a dream crossover…"
"One can predict the popularity of this album just by using one's toes!"
Suddenly.
The fervor in Aventurine's eyes slowly faded.
He was barely keeping his own head above water right now!
And he was already thinking about making money?
Truly… he was beyond saving.