Note: Hi! Archivist here,
I feel like I keep forgetting to update every Friday... well sorry for that... here's 9 chapters for my apology! :)
2 for today + 2 for last Friday and +5 for missing Friday update! Happy readings!
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Chapter 305: The Dream Master and Sunday in a Duet? Great, Great, Great—So We're Playing Like This Now, Huh?!
Outside Penacony.
The Xianzhou Fleet.
The entire Astral Express Crew was currently gathered aboard a starskiff.
Everyone was staring intently at the game plot unfolding before them.
The atmosphere wasn't particularly heavy.
Not long ago, Sunday had broadcasted an announcement to all of Penacony.
Dan Heng had also immediately contacted the others back at the Reverie Hotel.
With Jing Yuan's permission, they had temporarily left Penacony to observe the situation from a starskiff.
On one hand, this prevented them from falling into the Dreamscape of Order right away, which would have put the entire Crew at a disadvantage.
On the other hand, if any critical developments were exposed in the latest plot, they could swiftly strike alongside the Xianzhou's military forces!
Now, backed by the entire Xianzhou Alliance, no matter how things escalated, they still had the capital and room to fight back!
Jing Yuan had given the Express Crew ample freedom and space to communicate.
At this moment, in the plot, Mr. Yang and Robin were on their way to find the Dream Master with Sunday.
High up on a platform in the sky, a Nightglow Thrush looked down from above.
The Dream Master used a member of the Oak Family as his puppet proxy to face the three of them.
In a slightly surprised voice, he said, "…Are you suggesting that for a long time, some evildoer has been using the Charmony Festival—our blessing to the world—as a tool to achieve their own ambitions?"
Robin nodded. "Indeed, Lord Dream Master. Once the Charmony Festival begins, the Stellaron's power will spread throughout Penacony along with the singing… At that point, no one in the dream will ever be able to wake up."
"Hmm, this is indeed unexpected. The Dreamscape is the result of the joint maintenance of the Five Families. If someone is using the Charmony to wantonly spread the Stellaron's power, this person must hold a high position…"
"Do you have any suspects?"
Seeing this scene, March 7 immediately jumped up and complained, "Wow, this Dream Master is such a good actor!"
"He's still pretending!"
"In reality, Sunday has already exposed their identities."
"But looking at the plot here, Sunday and the Dream Master don't seem to intend to make it public. They still want to keep this fact hidden?"
Himeko spoke up, "Sunday and the Dream Master's original intention must have been to carry out all of this in the shadows."
"If nothing unexpected had happened, their actions would have matched the plot."
"But obviously, something like Honkai: Star Rail appeared in our universe. Perhaps… it disrupted his entire plan from the very beginning."
"To the point where he had to take a risk and expose his identity ahead of schedule."
Welt chimed in, "It was a risky move… but looking at it now, he seems to have won the gamble."
"According to the investigation reports, the number of guests currently staying in Penacony has far exceeded past numbers."
"Even though he is plotting the same thing, his situation is completely different now."
"After making it public, it became a non-coercive [ invitation ]."
"Even we on the Astral Express probably have no reason to stand against him."
March 7 showed a surprised expression.
"Huh? No way, right?"
"Could it be that everyone actually supports Sunday?"
"What on earth is this paradise of a sweet dream really like…"
March 7 continued to focus on the plot.
In the game, Mr. Yang was also highly perceptive, raising questions about the Dream Master's statement.
Welt: "Excuse me, but do you truly not know of the Stellaron's existence?"
"Heh… I never expected this Nameless One to point the finger directly at me. It is truly astonishing."
"If we have offended you, the Astral Express sincerely apologizes. But the current situation is urgent, leaving no room for a meticulous investigation. This is also for the stability of the Dreamscape, so please dispel our doubts."
Robin also said, "Lord Dream Master, as long as it is proven that the Charmony Festival has nothing to do with the Stellaron and that we are just overthinking… I will return to the stage to sing as promised."
The Dream Master sighed, putting on a helpless act.
He then had Sunday begin the Baptism of Harmony on him to prove his innocence.
"O Soul of Triple Facets, please sear his tongue and palm with hot iron, so that he cannot fabricate lies or swear false oaths."
After Sunday spoke these words, a familiar halo distortion effect appeared on the screen.
Previously, Aventurine had fallen victim to this trick and was once on the verge of death!
Under the Baptism of Harmony, no one could lie.
Stelle showed an intrigued expression, muttering to herself, "We already know that the Dream Master and Sunday are in cahoots, both being Pathstriders of Order."
"And now they're actually putting on a double act in the plot?"
"I want to see how Sunday is going to ask the questions!"
Amidst the flowing light and shadow, Sunday began his interrogation.
"Question: Have you always been devout to your God, never worshiping other gods?"
"Naturally."
"Do you love your God as you love yourself, always remembering His admonitions?"
"Naturally."
"Have you strayed from the path your God desired, failing His name?"
"Never."
"Have you made arrogant demands of your God, attempting to exceed the duty of a creation?"
"Never."
"Then, the final question—"
"Can you swear to guarantee that you will fulfill everything promised, whether in the past, present, or future?"
"By the Aeon above, if what I say is untrue, or if I break my promise, I shall bear the curse according to the law."
"…He has seen your faith and approved of it. Thus, it is proven—"
Hearing these questions, March 7 and Stelle both opened their mouths wide.
Clearly, both of them had realized where the catch was!
Meanwhile, the chat in the live stream was absolutely boiling over!
…
"Okay, okay, okay! Asking questions like that, are we?"
"You two really know how to play!"
"You didn't mention a single word about the name of the Aeon!"
"Damn, if I hadn't known beforehand that you two are Pathstriders of Order, I would have believed it!"
"Look at that acting, look at those questions. It's absolutely seamless and airtight!"
"It seems like everything was answered openly and honestly. But if you change the Aeon of their faith in those words to the Aeon of Order, it fits perfectly!"
"I've learned a new trick! Using this seemingly most direct way to prove one's innocence."
…
The plot seemed to be heading in an even more mind-boggling direction.
However, Mr. Yang was still Mr. Yang!
He suddenly interrupted Sunday's monologue and asked, "Everyone, I still have a question I hope to have answered."
"As far as I know, the harmony and co-prosperity of the Family have never relied on so-called laws…"
"Is the God you two just spoke of truly that of [ Xipe ] Harmony?"
Dream Master: "Mr. Welt should know that the children of the Family are like siblings, embracing unity and acting as one under His light. All discord is laid bare before Harmony."
"With such an exquisite and complex movement, if not for the Lord of Harmony, Xipe, which deity could perfectly harmonize it?"
Welt said solemnly, "Perfect harmony… that is precisely where the problem lies. What is silently changing Harmony from within is not an external enemy, but a discordant note silently born from this very movement."
"In the distant past, there was an Aeon who existed in the world. He plucked his fingers, weaving the laws of the galaxy, and His followers formed the Beyond-the-Sky Choir, spreading a solemn and majestic hymn to the entire universe."
"Later, He fell. The Path walked by this Aeon collided with Harmony and was absorbed and assimilated by the latter. The choir that once resounded through the universe fell silent for a time, and when it played again, it had become a hymn of Harmony…"
"Even if an Aeon perishes, they leave behind an masterless Path. Within the all-encompassing Harmony… it is only natural that the noise of the past might quietly breed."
As Mr. Yang narrated, March 7 and Stelle's expressions turned from confusion to shock, and then to pleasant surprise!
March 7 threw an admiring look at Mr. Yang. "Uncle Yang! As expected of you!"
"You're so sharp even in the game plot. To think you've almost uncovered the truth just by your own deduction!"
"Let's see what Sunday and the Dream Master have to say now!"
"Uncle Yang, without a doubt, this is your highlight moment!"
"It deserves to be well recorded!"
However, Mr. Yang did not show a hint of pride or relief.
Instead, he said helplessly, "Based on the known information, from the perspective of Sunday and the Dream Master…"
"My 'showdown' forces them to cast aside their disguise."
"Next, they will likely make a move against me."
Mr. Yang gently pushed up his glasses.
He was thinking.
If it were him, facing both Sunday and the Dream Master, how long could he hold out?
Would a great battle follow?
If he activated the Zeroth Rated Power, perhaps… there would be a chance?
He wouldn't be instantly defeated, right?
Beside him, there was also Robin.
With Miss Robin's help, although they might not be able to turn the tables directly, they could at least resist for a while until the other members of the Express Crew arrived…