Chapter 64: We've Finally Returned to Loyal Penacony!
[Stelle]:"What should we watch next?"
[ ]:"After spoiling them, it's your turn now."
[Tesla]:"How do these three spoiler videos help our current situation?"
[ ]:"They don't?"
[Kiana]:"Do they?"
[Nagamitsu]:"A little, but not much. The story after defeating the Honkai doesn't seem very helpful for us actually fighting it now."
[Whatever, let's continue our journey through Penacony~]
[ ]:"Previously on: Chapters 55 and 56~"
[Kiana]:"What's he saying?"
[Stelle]:"No idea, sorry~" [After chatting with the ever-pessimistic March 7th, Stelle eagerly heads to her room—only to find the door already open. Inside stands Aventurine from the IPC, who informs Stelle that this room belonged to him just half a system hour ago.
Aventurine asks Stelle to help him retrieve something that rightfully belongs to the IPC, promising generous rewards in return. He isn't in a hurry for an answer—he knows Stelle won't refuse. There's no reason to, and no room for refusal anyway. Just then, Acheron bursts in: "What are you two doing in my room?"
Assuming Acheron is with Stelle, Aventurine gives a warning before leaving. Once he's gone, Acheron drops another cryptic remark and returns to her own room. As Stelle prepares to enter the dreamscape, Acheron suddenly reappears—this time, genuinely lost. The hallways all look the same. Stelle points her in the right direction, and Acheron thanks her repeatedly before leaving.]
[Kiana]:"A Mei who gets lost? Hehe, so cute~"
[Acheron]:"..."
[Stelle]:"Kiana, you really can't stop thinking about your Mei, huh~"
[March 7th]:"Why does Penacony have so many people who talk in riddles?!"
[Hi3rd-Welt]:"Mr. Aventurine... you don't seem to have good intentions."
[Aventurine]:"Now, now~ In the video, I was just helping the IPC reclaim Penacony's ownership rights."
[HSR-Himeko]:"We of the Express don't care what you plan to do in Penacony—but whatever it is, keep our junior out of your schemes!"
[Kiana]:"No matter which Himeko it is, she's always looking out for her friends!" [After seeing off both unexpected guests, Stelle finally gets to enter the dreamscape and steps into the real Penacony. But as the protagonist, how could things be so simple?
Even entering the dream isn't ordinary—during the process, Stelle hears strange static… and someone calling out "Mikhail's" name repeatedly. Meanwhile, Aventurine seeks out his partner: Dr. Ratio. The doctor wastes no time criticizing Aventurine for bothering a Nameless and notes that his luggage seems to have been confiscated by The Family. When Aventurine admits it, Dr. Ratio grows even more displeased and prepares to leave. "Without that [Aventurine Stone], you're just a death-row slave from Sigonia—or is that barcode on your neck also a 'gift' from the Amber Lord?"
Hearing this, even Aventurine's usual smirk fades slightly. Still, he shares his analysis of Penacony. Noticing Aventurine's distrust, Dr. Ratio mocks him for lacking basic education. Unbothered, Aventurine calmly recounts his past. Realizing his own harshness, Dr. Ratio—though still sharp-tongued—genuinely apologizes before walking out mid-conversation.]
[Stelle]:"I didn't know Aventurine had such a tragic past..."
[Qingque]:"Rising from slavery to become one of the Ten Stonehearts is so inspiring! But slacking off is still more my style."
[Boothill]:"Dang it all! The IPC ruins your life, and you still lick their boots? What the heck?!"
[March 7th]:"I bet Dr. Ratio was thinking: 'I'm the worst.'"
[Stelle]:"Sounds like what you said to Bailu that one time."
[Dr. Ratio]:"The 'me' in the video likely never considered Aventurine's history."
[Elysia]:"Harsh words but a soft heart~ Just like Mobius."
[Mobius]:"When have I ever been harsh?!"
[Klein]:"...Doctor, are you serious?"
[Stelle]:"No matter how tough the lips are, they're still soft when kissed~ Hehe."
[March 7th]:"Can you be serious for once?!"
[Kafka]:"Stelle's mental state has gotten… abstract."
[Silver Wolf]:"Was she ever normal?"
[Stelle enters the dreamscape but finds her room unchanged from reality—until a familiar voice calls out to her. Guided by Misha, she arrives at the Dreamwalkers' Promenade.
He explains that the Reverie Hotel is under renovation, so this detour is necessary. After passing through, Stelle suddenly plummets from the sky. Gazing at Penacony's golden scenery mid-fall, she laughs joyfully—until realizing she isn't slowing down. Panicking, she flails her limbs uselessly before crashing into the ground hard enough to leave a crater. Nearby dreamers barely glance over—in dreams, this barely counts as a hiccup.]
[Stelle]:"Crash landing… ouch. But I'm fine!"
[Durandal]:"Falling from that height completely unharmed… is this a dream-exclusive perk?"
[Rita]:"Though I think you're pretty durable too, Lady Durandal."
[Durandal]:"...What was that, Rita?"
[Rita]:"Nothing at all~ Please disregard it."
[March 7th]:"Normal people wouldn't encounter half as many accidents in a lifetime of dreaming as you do in one go."
[Stelle]:"Protagonist privileges! This is my main character halo at work!"
[March 7th]:"If being the protagonist is this troublesome, I'd rather not be one."
[Dan Heng]:"...Something about Misha feels off."
[Sunday]:"I checked—there's no employee named Misha at the Reverie Hotel."
[Theresa]:"Don't tell me… a ghost?! No way!"
[Clockie]:"Tick-tock! Misha is Clockie's good friend! A very good kid!"
[Huohuo]:"C-Clockie?!"
[Qingque]:"Wait, an animated character just showed up in real life?"
[Stelle]:"Couldn't someone just be pretending?"
[March 7th]:"Impossible—this chat doesn't allow nickname changes."
[Bailu]:"So… Clockie might be real?"
[Dan Heng]:"Once you eliminate the impossible… whatever remains must be the truth."