"Those Stellaron Hunters… they've got plans in Penacony too? So persistent! And they kidnapped Teacher Adrian!"
March 7th stomped her foot in anger, putting on a show right in front of Black Swan nearby to keep Adrian's identity safe.
"The situation's clear. The Planet of the Festivities is far from as simple as it seems. Around the [Clockmaker]'s legacy, including the Family—every faction has their own agenda, checking each other."
"Whatever the legacy is, this struggle will involve innocents… sooner or later."
So far, gathered in Penacony: Stellaron Hunters, Masked Fools, Garden of Recollection, Eternity Church, IPC, the Family… plus them—the Express. Seven factions total!
There was the Annihilation Gang too, but they weren't coming.
"[Fire Knight] Sam—rumored remnant of the Glamour Iron Cavalry. Genetically modified warrior from birth, thinks differently from normal people. Ruthless, no mercy—dangerous as Kafka or Blade."
Welt's gaze was grave. "Some say Sam's body burns with flames—an undying abomination. Be careful."
"Undying… ugh, reminds me of a bad memory."
March 7th clutched her forehead. The Scalegorge Waterscape battle with Phantylia was still vivid—immortal divine form born from the Ambrosial Arbor…
"This is a threat. Silver Wolf's hidden map is likely the sealed Dream Hotel. For what's next, we do need to visit the site."
"What if we get caught?"
Stelle asked. The Family was friendly, but might not trust the Express.
"If the Family asks, tell the truth—we're pursuing the Stellaron Hunters. They'll understand. Then act based on their reaction."
"Looks like we're in agreement… Let's inform Miss Black Swan."
Himeko explained the situation to Black Swan. In memoria domains, the Express needed a proper guide.
"Alright everyone, back to your rooms. Prepare to enter the dream. If all goes well… we meet in the Dream Hotel lobby."
"Welt stays in reality to keep us safe. If needed, he'll negotiate with the Family—no issue, Miss Black Swan?"
Black Swan joked: "Even after I returned your companion, you still find it hard to trust me… Of course not. Just hurts my feelings a bit."
Stelle specifically asked a staff for a SoulGlad, chugging it to steady herself.
Busy times ahead. Wonder if Firefly's back in reality… Wait! Stelle just realized—she didn't have Firefly's contact. Ask that Memokeeper Black Swan.
Back in her room, Black Swan was already waiting, spotting Stelle's worry instantly.
"You seem tense. Worried about that girl?"
Black Swan played big-sister counselor.
"If something's on your mind, confide in me. No one's better suited as a therapist than a Memokeeper."
Seeing Stelle silent, Black Swan stepped closer.
"You have some unpleasant memories… But clearly, cooperating next benefits you, me, and the Express, right? So feel free to rely on me."
"Of course, I'm not the only Memokeeper here… Penacony's first open invitation to non-Family factions—the Garden must record this historic moment…"
"So try cooperating with others too… as long as you can see them, hehe~"
Black Swan's words paid off—Stelle asked her question: "Can you confirm Firefly's safety?"
"Relax. It's a one-way door—only to waking reality. Unless the girl desperately refuses to wake from the dream… How could that be? She's probably rubbing her eyes somewhere in the hotel right now."
"Thank you for saving my life…" Stelle bowed seriously to Black Swan. "Wait, don't you need to return to your room?"
"Hehe~ So many questions—one at a time. First… you're welcome. It's what I should do—you're special… special enough that many eyes are watching you."
"To keep you safe, of course I'll enter the dream with you. Memokeepers don't need dream pools anyway… right?"
...
Meanwhile, the room across from Stelle's.
Firefly woke in the dream pool, first seeing Silver Wolf sipping milk tea.
"Yo~ Sleep well?"
She pressed a chilled milk tea to Firefly's cheek. "How's that? Fastest wake-up method."
"Let me introduce—this is the Adrian I mentioned, strength rivaling an [Eternity] Emanator."
Seeing Adrian's face, the still-dazed Firefly snapped alert—instantly shielding Silver Wolf behind her before Silver Wolf could react.
"Silver Wolf, he's not the [Emanator] friend you know."
While Firefly and Stelle explored [A Child's Dream], "Adrian" had plenty of time to return to reality—so Firefly couldn't tell real from fake.
"Looks like Miss Firefly isn't fully awake yet. Normal to be wary. Sigh~ Should've kicked that guy's ass one more time."
Adrian walked over. HIS Aeon rep was ruined by Aha like this.
"The one impersonating me is [Sparkle]—a Masked Fool… stirring trouble for laughs is normal to them."
When in doubt, blame Sparkle.
"Hm?"
Silver Wolf raised a brow. Wasn't that her client? The [script]'s three deaths already on schedule?
After lengthy explanations and Silver Wolf vouching, Firefly lowered her guard. After sending her to the [Daydream] Hotel in the dream, Silver Wolf turned to Adrian.
"My addendum a few minutes ago was good, right? Mention a companion's name, and the Express crew charges in yelling friendship and bonds—can't stop them."
Adrian sat on the bed. HE had no plans to go to the Dream Hotel in the dream.
If HE did… this Penacony trip would end instantly. HE'd drag them all to [Liumeng Qiao].
Silver Wolf set down her console, bored, looking at Adrian. "By the way, ever since Firefly drank your milk tea, not only is her [Entropy Loss Syndrome] cured—her combat power skyrocketed past limits."
That's what baffled Silver Wolf most. She'd drunk tons of Adrian's milk tea—no change. Firefly? One cup, maxed out.
"People react differently. Simple example: gacha—some get double gold in ten pulls; others hit pity…"
"Stop! Are we even talking about the same thing?!"
"Exactly~" That's what Adrian meant: "Milk teas have different effects. That cosmic knight had a tragic past and grave illness… I happened to borrow a medical-grade one from the Church."
"Ah…" Silver Wolf nodded vaguely. "So Firefly has a trace of [Eternity] in her now?"
Silver Wolf's face paled as realization hit: "Does that mean… in games, I'll never beat her in 1v1?!"
Adrian looked helplessly at Silver Wolf. This girl still thinking about games?
"Another angle—Miss Firefly has a sliver of [Eternity] flowing in her. Round it up—she's basically a legitimate resident of the Eternity Church now."
"If the Stellaron Hunters ever disband, she can head to the Church—experience simple, wholesome rural life."
"You're going way off track!!!"