Chapter 184: The Clockmaker's Legacy
[Himeko shared every detail of her verified speculations with the still-confused March 7th and Stelle. Faced with March 7th's shock at this information, Mikhail directly confirmed it:
"That's exactly right, Miss March 7th.
This dream bubble was the cradle of my birth. I... am nothing more than a dream dweller, no different from the Meme Agents of the Memory Zone."
"I should have remained in the dream waiting for everyone's visit, but reality and memory overlapped, making me unconsciously push the door open and leave this place with Clockie."
"So the dream bubble left by [The Clockmaker] is empty not because it has no content, but because... its content left on its own accord?"
"The whistle you heard was the sound of the Express arriving at Penacony?"
Though March 7th still had many questions, she felt matters of personal history should be answered by Mikhail himself: "Now, how should we address you?
[Misha], or..."
"Thank you all for helping me recover this long journey. Allow me to introduce myself properly."]
[March 7th]:"Indeed. Even though it's already confirmed in reality, seeing it on screen gives a completely different feeling."
[Sparkle]:"Hehe~ I rarely use the terms 'male, female, old, young' to describe the same person, but~~ Misha, you fit perfectly~"
[Guinaifen]:"Ah this... somehow it feels strangely appropriate. Should I say 'as expected of Sparkle'? Whether giving nicknames or descriptions, she's always remarkably accurate."
[Dan Heng]:"So that means our Express is about to welcome a genuine senior member."
[Pom-Pom]:"Misha... welcome home, pa!!"
[Misha]:"The Conductor remains as adorable as ever." ["I was born on Lusalka in the Presmair Star System, the adopted son of navigator Mr. Mikhail and Mrs. Sharl. The two elders gave me a treasure—a name carrying their hopes and wishes—"
"Ragvok Sharl Mikhail, or more simply...
"If you prefer, you may address me by the name more widely known among people—[The Clockmaker]—and that would be perfectly acceptable."
March 7th was visibly startled, exclaiming in shock: "So you're actually The Clockmaker himself?!"
Misha shook his head: "Unfortunately, that much-admired magnate of sweet dreams is long gone. I am merely an epitome of his life."
"And the child who has accompanied everyone on this journey so far is the protagonist he infinitely admired in his childhood dreams—Clockie's good friend, a young apprentice, a future Express mechanic..."
"Simultaneously, it was also the starting point of his lifelong [Trailblaze]."
Misha walked toward the Nameless, his aged voice blending with a boy's youthful tone: "At the end of life's journey, I left this spark I considered precious in the deepest dream, hoping to entrust it to future generations of Nameless."
"But somehow, he actually ran out of the dream on his own and forgot all about his mission. My apologies for making everyone witness such a farce."
Himeko smiled and said: "Because he was born wanting to [Trailblaze], wasn't he?"
"I think little Misha hasn't forgotten his mission as a guide either. That's why he mistakenly thought of himself as a hotel bellhop and appeared at the moment Stelle entered the dream."
"He must have been the one who brought the unconscious Stelle here too. Looking at it this way, haven't we actually brushed past [The Clockmaker]'s legacy right from the beginning?"
Misha laughed: "I have a损友 who always says I spent my whole life going around in circles, only to end up back at the starting point... Perhaps this is a phase every Nameless must experience."
"But in the end, you still found me. Getting back on track—since everyone has come looking here, you must be quite concerned about what [The Clockmaker]'s legacy actually is. My hounds should have mentioned the Stellaron, along with the magnate's wealth..."]
[Yanqing]:"Misha is the epitome of The Clockmaker's life... meaning Misha represents The Clockmaker's original aspiration, right? Just how much did he yearn to Trailblaze?"
[Jing Yuan]:"All Nameless are like this—yearning for trailblazing, the unknown, and adventure."
[Jingliu]:"Baiheng..." (Though she never boarded the train, Baiheng was also a Nameless)
[Gallagher]:"You old rascal, always making people worry. But truly typical of you—even an epitome of your life would be drawn to 'Trailblaze' and choose to 'trailblaze'."
[Gallagher]:"You were always around me, except I could never see you."
[Misha]:"Hahaha, like I said, it was just an accident. Now that I have a physical form, I can leave Penacony to continue my trailblazing. Of course, I can also meet with you again."
[Gallagher]:"I no longer have to worry about my fiction being seen through and dissipating, and you won't disappear anymore either. Though neither of us are who we used to be, at least we're still alive. With matters settled, I should also go to the Astral Express for a drink and see what this train you've been dreaming about day and night actually looks like."
[Honkai Star Rail·Himeko]:"The Express always welcomes guests."
[Pom-Pom]:"Of course welcome, pa! But you must, must, MUST use the main entrance—don't break in, pa!!" ["My entire life was spent moving forward, doing everything possible to break through obstacles blocking the path. But eventually, my road reached its end.
My body became like a battered locomotive section, leaving behind no property worth entrusting to others..."
"So if you ask what in this dilapidated locomotive could still be called [legacy]... I think only those things still burning within the engine furnace."
"The current state of Penacony is something you already know well. Of course I hope someone will help this world return to the right track. But this decision should be made by you, because the path of [Trailblaze] is never paved by others."
Misha walked up to
Himeko: "Therefore, I leave you all with one story and two gifts—"
Misha looked down at the pocket watch on his person, his eyes filled with nostalgia: "I want to give it to you all; my pocket watch. It accompanied me on my long journey, guiding that clueless foolish child ever forward, fortunate enough to walk alongside so many great people to reach today."
"And my hat—the person who navigated for me placed it upon my head,从此 implanting an unrealistic notion: that the [Trailblaze] journey would never end."
"Now it's your turn to make a choice. If you've made your decision, then push open that door and step into an old man's long dream."]
[Stelle]:"So my shares in Gray Total were actually earned by us! I thought they were inherited."
[March 7th]:"Though I thought so at first too, could you please have a little more confidence in yourself?"
[Misha]:"Haha, I could barely ensure my own survival in Penacony. What magnate? Where would I get so much wealth to leave you all?"
[Honkai Star Rail·Welt]:"No, you've already left us juniors with the greatest gift—the inheritance between Nameless."
[March 7th]:"And of course, one new member!"
[March 7th]:"Wait—if Misha joins the Astral Express, does that count as a new member or a senior member?"
[Qingque]:"Indeed, Misha should be described using 'male, female, old, young'."
This update was supposed to be posted an hour ago, but while writing it I remembered watching "Honkai Star Rail·PV"and got hyped for an hour. Elysia! My dear Elysia! If someone resembles you even thirty percent, I lose my composure.