Chapter 169: The Great Train Robbery! Note: Recap from Chapter 109.
[[]]: "Now let's continue watching Penacony, which we haven't seen in a long time."
[March 7th]: "Has it been that long? Now that you mention it, last time we saw Gallagher sending Sunday to meet his sister."
[Stelle]: "Hurry up! If you don't play it soon, we'll have to head to Penacony ourselves!"
[12 system hours until the [Harmony Festival] opening, aboard the Astral Express:
A steel-clad man dressed like a cowboy points a gun at Dan Heng while Pom-Pom anxiously stomps nearby, trying to mediate. "Sorry about this, fluffy little fella. I've got some urgent business to attend to, so I have to ask for your help in this manner."
Dan Heng doesn't back down either: "Since you know what you're doing, I must remind you of the risks involved."
"Hey brother, why so tense? Pulling this thing out is just my way of saying hello!"
"Last time - state your identity and purpose."
"The name's Boothill. I'm a Galaxy Ranger."]
[Stelle]: "Dan Heng: I was just eating hotpot and singing songs on the train, and suddenly I get robbed!"
[March 7th]: "Is this how you Galaxy Rangers greet people? Pulling out guns counts as greeting now?"
[Boothill]: "What's the problem with that?"
[Rapport]: "By the Great Kamikaze God, His Highness Silver Spear·Asura's actions indeed violate the code of the stealthy warriors."
[Boothill]: "Well I'll be damned, Rapport, don't undermine me like that."
[Fu Xuan]: "Are all you Galaxy Rangers so... distinctive?"
["Of course I know you won't believe me, so likewise, I can't easily trust that you're genuine Nameless either."
"See this bullet in the gun? Nine millimeter, a classic forever.
Right now I need the Astral Express's help, but if you're just impostors like that guy... tsk, this bullet might end up in my forehead."
"I can't put myself in danger, that makes sense, right? So you need to prove yourselves first... hey, where are you going?"
Dan Heng walks over to the table and shows him the Alliance Jade
Decree: "Recognize this?"
Now it's Boothill's turn to be surprised: "Huh? This is—well I'll be damned, the Alliance Jade Decree?! The Xianzhou actually gave this to you?!"
"De-damned?"
Pom-Pom doesn't understand.]
[Stelle]: "Seriously, Boothill? You couldn't even recognize us during our first meeting?"
[March 7th]: "Exactly! Are there any other Astral Expresses in the universe? If they're on the train, what else could they be but Nameless?"
[Aha]: "Yeah, yeah! If they're on the train, what else could they be but Nameless?"
[Boothill]: "Damn it, I'm just being careful! Better safe than sorry—I've got to look out for my own life."
[Boothill puts away his gun after seeing the Alliance Jade Decree, still muttering in amazement: "Not bad, kid. No matter how vast the galaxy, just one grasp can summon thousands of Cloud Knights... well I'll be damned, must be quite a spectacle."
After Dan Heng proves his identity, Boothill also verifies his own through several questions.
Boothill came to Penacony to hunt down someone impersonating them, and only came to the Astral Express to borrow the Nameless' identity. The impostor calls herself Acheron, and according to their intelligence, she's likely a...
[Nihility]
Emanator. "That's impossible."
Dan Heng's first reaction upon hearing this is disbelief. "So you understand now? Your companions are in danger—serious danger. If you still don't believe me, you can send them a message. But I'd advise you to hurry..."
"After all, neither of us knows what's happening in the dreamscape, nor how much truth there is in that Memokeeper's words..."
Dan Heng falls silent.]
[Kiana]: "Why do you assume Acheron being a 'Nihility' Emanator means she must be dangerous?"
[Kiana]: "Couldn't she be kind?"
[Boothill]: "Don't judge by appearances, little girl. All Emanators are dangerous—it's just that the 'Nihility' path is special. We can't afford to gamble on it, understand?"
[Rapport]: "His Highness Silver Spear·Asura speaks wisely."
[March 7th]: "To be honest, what Boothill told Dan Heng makes sense—it's just that the dangers we encountered had nothing to do with Acheron."
[Because Acheron's identity was exposed, the Family began expelling her. Dozens of Family members speak in unison with the same voice: "The Festival Star cannot accommodate you, puppet of Nihility. Those who live in shadows should not step into the light."
"In terms of living in shadows, we're not so different. At least when conversing with others, you should show your true form..."
"The 'Dreammaster' of Penacony."
The petite Pipixi laughs as people surround
Acheron: "That's another reason we cannot let you stay."
"But whether you believe it or not, this is the real [me]."
"Not only that—every single one is."
Acheron says with some sarcasm: "Is this what the Family calls [Harmonious Chorus]?"]
[Honkai: Star Rail - Welt]: "Herrscher of Dominance? No, not quite the same."
[March 7th]: "This is the Dreammaster? It feels... somewhat eerie..."
[Kiana]: "Why though? Why expel Acheron? She hasn't done anything wrong!"
[Bronya Zaychik]: "Silly Kiana, maybe look at the still-unhealed scar in the sky before saying that?"
["It sounds like you're asking me to leave Penacony."
The Dreammaster's layered voices respond: "Glad you have self-awareness. Unfortunately, there is no [asking]."
"You think you can make me."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Mmm... I used a period. It's a... statement."
Facing Acheron's words, the Dreammaster doesn't back down either: "You're confident, but remember—the Family is humble, but never weak. If you refuse, should that long blade be drawn even slightly, you will never escape the wrath of [Infinite Sergeant] for the rest of your life."
"In my lifetime, I've expelled many outsiders. But today, I'm still here, not minding adding another number to that count."
Acheron replies calmly: "Then you will die. I mean... [all of you] will."
The Dreammaster falls silent. "But that won't happen. As you said, I will leave."
"A very wise choice."
Acheron stops walking but doesn't turn around, saying calmly: "Take this as advice from someone from beyond: You know better than I that Penacony has already strayed from [Harmony]. Whatever your goals may be... I see only one outcome."
"Its future is nothingness, just like all worlds that have perished in His shadow."]
[Robin]: "...What? Penacony has strayed from Harmony... Brother, what do you actually know? Can you really not say?"
[Sunday]: "...I..."
[March 7th]: "W-what does this mean? Penacony has strayed from Harmony? Is the Dreammaster the real mastermind behind everything?"
[Kiana]: "Even when threatened like this, hehe, Miss Acheron remains so gentle and kind."
[Fu Xuan]: "Acheron is indeed gentle, but Nihility's corruption has nothing to do with her personal will."