["I don't remember the invitation letter having this section… Are you saying there is a hidden message in it?"]
["That's what makes it intriguing. The invitation letter sent by the Family is a music box. Turning the key produces music accompanied by harmonious sounds. However, the one we received had discordant background noise. After transcribing it, I found that it perfectly matched the frequency of gravitational waves during the train's jump. Using the spatial curvature of the train's engine as the key — I obtained the message above."]
[Welt lowered his head in thought: "…It is a common distress signal method used by the Nameless."]
["We can't jump to conclusions yet." Himeko rested her fingertips on her chin. "It could be the work of the Masked Fools. Just looking at the technique, the Riddlers and the Enigmata could also do it."]
["When did you discover it?" Welt asked.]
["While you were dealing with the Luofu Stellaron, I told Pom-Pom immediately."]
["No wonder you insisted on coming forward earlier. That company envoy also mentioned the name [Watchmaker]. I'm afraid the invitation letter he received also contained a similar hidden message — and it was deciphered as well."]
[Welt crossed his arms: "…There's one more thing that concerns me. When talking about the invitation letter, that Family spokesperson responded: 'As the actual administrators of Penacony, the Family should resolve any difficulties for everyone.' Now that I think about it, there seems to be some implied meaning in those words."]
["And the Miss Robin beside him… Although I don't understand singing, I can still hear something strange in her voice — how can a singer about to perform on stage have a voice that carries a trace of oddity?"]
[Himeko narrowed her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of the SoulGlad glass: "You suspect that the Family is not the sender of the invitation letter, and — they are hiding something from us?"]
——
Zenless Zone Zero.
The piano music came to an abrupt stop.
Evelyn's fingers, which were organizing the itinerary, paused. The interruption of the piano sound came too suddenly — Miss usually played very smoothly and never stopped mid-piece. She looked up and saw Astra Yao staring blankly at the piano keys, her fingertips suspended in mid-air, as if caught by something invisible.
"Miss?"
Astra Yao blinked as if waking from a dream but did not respond immediately. Her gaze went past the piano and toward the Celestial Screen outside the window that shimmered with a grand scene. Evelyn followed her line of sight — Penacony on the screen was exceptionally dazzling, its magnificent scenery dyeing the entire night sky of New Eridu with dreamlike colors.
"It can't be that someone did something bad to Robin…" Astra Yao suddenly spoke, her voice as light as a whisper. "No wonder I felt a strange sense of dissonance when listening to Miss Robin speak."
Evelyn put down the documents and quietly walked to the piano. She noticed that Miss's left hand was unconsciously pressing against her chest — a small habit she had when feeling uneasy.
Miss had always placed great importance on music. Ever since hearing that the world-renowned songstress would perform, she had been very excited. But unfortunately… accidents always arrived before expectations.
"Miss, there's no need to worry too much. Her brother is one of the leaders of Penacony." Evelyn handed her a cup of red tea at the perfect temperature. "Even if you don't trust the Family's strength, you should trust a brother's love and protection for his sister."
"But…"
Astra Yao took the teacup but did not drink. Her fingertips traced circles on the rim as her gaze remained fixed on the Celestial Screen: "Even I can tell that Penacony is far from peaceful. It seems everyone has their own schemes. I'm afraid Miss Robin will get caught in the middle and become a sacrifice…"
Evelyn frowned slightly. She didn't want Miss to become overly sentimental, nor did she want her to worry about things in the universe that she couldn't touch. But when she saw the side profile under the celestial light showing such heart-softening concern, the words of reproach ultimately couldn't leave her mouth.
"Miss…" Evelyn carefully chose her words. "The Express crew has saved countless people through their Trailblazing journeys, right? Trust them. If Penacony is really brewing some conspiracy to turn Robin into a sacrifice, they won't sit idly by."
——
[Welt also sighed that this grand event might not be as simple as imagined. He was curious why they hadn't told Stelle and the others about this.]
[Himeko shook her head: "If this is just an internal affair of Penacony or the Family, we shouldn't interfere casually."]
["But you also said this matter might be related to [Trailblaze]."]
["I did say that, so…" Himeko smiled gracefully, looking at March 7th and Stelle who were slowly walking over behind Welt. "…so before we set off, I already told Little March and Dan Heng."]
[March 7th scratched her head embarrassedly upon hearing this, while Stelle beside her looked at her with a cheeky expression.]
[Welt had a sudden realization and couldn't help but laugh: "So I was the only one kept in the dark."]
[The current issues were very clear: They didn't know which faction sent the invitation letter, what the purpose was in gathering various factions to Penacony, and why the Family knew but remained silent… Himeko suggested that before clarifying these questions, they should not act rashly.]
[Until then, everyone just needed to enjoy the beautiful dream.]
["Who is this Watchmaker?" Stelle suddenly asked curiously.]
["When talking about the Star of the Festival, one must mention the [Watchmaker], the well-known tycoon of Penacony. Wealth, fame, status… He built the career everyone dreams of with his own hands and became a symbol of dreams."]
[Himeko patiently explained: "But how much of these stories is true… there is no way to trace. The Watchmaker's origins and past are widely debated. Some suspect he is merely a fictional image created by the Family. His legacy… seems more like an eye-catching rhetoric."]
——
DC Universe.
Bruce Wayne leaned back in his chair, knuckles resting against his chin, his gaze locked on Himeko's slightly furrowed brow when she mentioned "Penacony's Watchmaker."
"A well-known tycoon, huh?" he murmured softly. "…What an interesting way to put it."
Alfred walked over carrying a silver tray and placed a cup of steaming red tea on the edge of the desk: "You seem very interested in this historical figure from Penacony from a thousand years ago?"
"Not interested, but suspicious." Bruce did not shift his gaze. "A person called the 'Father of Penacony,' relative to the creator of this dreamscape, cannot be a simple tycoon related only to money and status. He could be one of the three Trailblazers who came here, and Penacony was created jointly by the three of them."
Alfred raised an eyebrow slightly: "Not one of the three?"
"Penacony is grand. It is not a miracle that could be created by one person alone. Moreover, I am more inclined to believe that the Watchmaker is an organization or a codename. After all, over a thousand years have passed, and the Family has had enough time to blur this historical concept."
Bruce paused. "I even have one more speculation… that the Watchmaker who originally created Penacony may still be alive — but for some reason, he has been imprisoned by the Family."
Alfred narrowed his eyes: "You reached this conclusion from that hidden message?"