[This setting, and then look at the siblings. It's like a full stack of buffs.]
[Just look at them standing there—tell me, isn't it pitiful?]
[Hold on, folks, the show hasn't even started, and you're already getting preachy.]
The sister's hand trembled noticeably, "I know you can win… you've always been a lucky child. Your luck is a blessing from the Mother Goddess… But that's no reason to confront the Katica head-on. They're bloodthirsty, cruel, and insatiable—don't forget Mom and Dad…
It's just a necklace… but Kakavasha, you're my last family."
Kakavasha fell silent, "…"
Then he apologized, "Sister, I'm sorry… I thought you'd be happy. This was the necklace Mom left for you…" He wiped a tear from his eye, "It won't happen again."
His sister hugged him tightly again, gently patting his back, "It's important, but you're more important, my dearest brother… I'm not blaming you, but you must remember what Mom said… Pain and poverty are the Mother Goddess' tests, but She also granted us opportunities—your luck, Kakavasha. Your fortune is our… and all the Avgin's most precious treasure. You're the child blessed by the Mother Goddess, destined to lead our clan to happiness. So always protect yourself, and never resent pain or poverty… okay?"
Hearing the Mother Goddess again, Kakavasha fell silent once more, clenching his fists tightly, a faint taste of blood in his mouth. "Be good. Swear to the Mother Goddess."
"Okay. I swear to the Mother Goddess, I'll always protect this treasure…" "But…" Kakavasha's voice trembled with a sob, "Sister… if the Triple-Eyed Mother Goddess is truly watching us… Why didn't She save Dad when he was swept away by the quicksand… when he only went to the Katica's place to prepare offerings for Her… When Mom grew cold in our arms, where was the Mother Goddess… until her final breath, she was still begging for Her forgiveness… Sister, everyone says I'm smart, but I don't understand… if every rain is the Mother Goddess' forgiveness and blessing… How many mistakes did we make… to be born into this world only to face death…?"
At that moment, the comments fell silent. At that moment, everyone began to think of those displaced children, those who lost everything to war. They once had families, homes, and food to eat. Yet overnight, they had nothing. All because of a laughable slogan, all because they lived at the center of clashing nations. No one cared about them. No one cared about the war. For those living in peaceful times, it's hard to believe just how cruel war can be.
[Sigh. My conscience hurts.]
[Yeah, if Aventurine had a past like that, I think…]
[Sigh, so that's how it is—all a facade!]
[Wahhh… Aventurine, I'm sorry.]
["How many mistakes did we make… to be born into this world only to face death" is such a heavy line.]
[This Honkai segment is god-tier, no question!]
[Holy crap! Epic!]
The screen went black, and the scene shifted to Himeko and the others. They were at the front desk, inquiring about Firefly, but had no leads so far. Himeko casually probed about Robin as well. Clearly, the Family had hidden Robin's death well.
The group stepped aside to discuss. Just then, the Corporation's armed forces caused a commotion… Even the background music turned upbeat.
An IPC employee spoke, "Bravo Task Force has arrived at the designated location, preparing to execute armed evacuation—move it, you lot!"
"Armed evacuation? Boss, are you drunk or something…"
"You know nothing. This is more efficient! Just don't let the Director find out. Act first, report later, got it?"
"Help… my year-end bonus is already sunk in that snowball… I don't want my name on the department's major violation notice!"
March 7th nudged Caelus' arm, "Hey, Caelus, listen! That voice… isn't that the Belobog IPC crew?"
"Attention all guests: The Interastral Peace Corporation will conduct special operations at the hotel. Please follow the evacuation staff to designated safe areas, or face mandatory measures!"
"Mandatory, my foot! These idiots never learn—told them not to drink on the job!" Topaz appeared behind the IPC employees, "You lot, drag him out and send him back to his room—later, I'll hold a meeting to review how to write up this incident report!"
[Yo? Director Topaz.]
[Still as charming as ever.]
[I'll admit, I kinda missed her. Her exclusive movie was super controversial.]
[Topaz's style is still so my type.]
March 7th waved at Topaz, "Miss Topaz! Didn't expect to run into you in Penacony."
Topaz turned, puzzled, "Long time no see, Astral Express crew. I heard about you from Aventurine… hm?"
She took a phone call, "It's fine, just do as they ask. Avoid conflict with the Family… Report to me before taking any action. Yes. Yes, good."
"Sigh… as you can see, the Corporation isn't exactly welcome in Penacony. The Family's hospitality is just surface-level. This former frontier prison is now ready to shackle IPC employees," Topaz hung up, spreading her hands helplessly.
"Only Aventurine, with his invitation, is allowed to attend the gala. The rest of us… don't even qualify to enter the Dreamscape. We're stuck in the real-world hotel."
Himeko nodded thoughtfully, "No wonder Aventurine's been looking for partners—he's got no IPC support in the Dreamscape."
"I heard he's in a tough spot. You're helping investigate something… unfavorable to the Family, right? If you need anything outside the Dreamscape, just tell me. The Corporation never shortchanges its partners."
"Thank you, Miss Topaz. We're about to ask the Bloodhounds about the case. Have you dealt with them already?"
Topaz pointed behind her, "Right there, following us. Talk to them—oh, and help me shake their gaze. Being watched all the time is annoying."
Though their investigation hit dead ends, Caelus and the others unexpectedly met Topaz, trailed by loyal Bloodhounds keeping a close eye on the IPC group. Not wanting to miss any leads, Caelus started questioning the Bloodhounds.
After some probing, they learned Gallagher's location: Dreamflux Reef. The group decided to follow this lead.
As they moved forward, they were stopped. Bloodhound Family member: "Hold it, you two. The Bloodhound Family is investigating ahead—no entry for outsiders. Wait, I've seen you before, gray-hair."
March 7th glanced at Caelus, "Just how much trouble did you cause in Penacony?"
Caelus struck a pose, hands on hips, "That's right! It's me, Clockie!"
[Haha, he's letting loose!]
[So embarrassing.]
[Why's it kinda funny?]
"You think you look like him?" March 7th sneered.
Caelus pulled a clock from his pocket, "How about I perform a Clockie trick for you?"
March 7th gasped, "Wait, you're actually doing it?"
Seeing the clock, the Bloodhound Family member jolted, "I knew it! Last time, it was you, shouting about friendship, effort, and Clockie tricks, teaming up with that silver-haired girl to beat me up!"
March 7th: "…" Himeko: "…"
[Your silence is deafening.]
The Bloodhound Family member stood tall, haughty, "This time, no way I'm letting you through… Please leave, or I'll have to beg you on my knees!"
[Haha, I'm dying—saying the most cowardly thing in the fiercest tone.]
[I'm dead.]
[Man, I was just crying, and now I'm laughing again.]
[This is our signature combo move!]
[Himeko's most speechless episode.]
[Quite Principled!]
[hhhhh]
March 7th shook her head helplessly, "What kind of awful things have you done…"
Himeko suddenly handed a document to the Bloodhound, "Wait, sir… We have a letter from the Family, authorizing us to assist with the investigation. Could you let us see Mr. Gallagher?"
The Bloodhound examined the document, "Who's this Gallagher you keep mentioning? Several people have brought up that name—you, gray-hair, said it last time too."
March 7th asked curiously, "Huh? Didn't he send you here?"
"The Sheriff sent us. I can't say more."
"Then that settles it! He's the one we're looking for!"
"No way. The boss said it's about the Family's reputation—no one gets through. Please leave. We don't need to make this hard for each other, right?"
[Foreshadowing?]
[Something's up.]
[Marking this for later.]
[Definitely an issue. The Sheriff and Gallagher might not be the same person.]
[Huh???]
"Other ways… Right! Didn't Caelus say last time he used some… Clockie trick to win this guy over?" March 7th raised an eyebrow at Caelus, "Can you perform again, Trailblazer? That—Clockie's magical trick!"
Caelus grinned, "Watch me!"
He first tuned the Bloodhound's emotions to anger, spouting a string of nonsense. Then, he switched it to melancholy. Another iconic moment unfolded.
The Bloodhound wiped tears, "You… you guys… Do you have to keep doing this?"
Himeko replied awkwardly, "Sorry, lives are at stake, and for the Family's reputation, we need to understand the case details."
"No, I mean—do I really have to beg you on my knees?"
Caelus: "If you don't mind…"
"I didn't expect… you'd actually push it this far. Fine… as you wish, I'll lower my noble head and plead with you…"
[Haha, I can't take it anymore.]
[How did they not crack up filming this?]
[Too much Joy.]
Finally, the Bloodhound's emotions were tuned to joy. The next moment, he glanced at his watch, "Let's see, what time is it… What, it's time already?"
"Off work! Nobody's stopping me—!"
The highly principled Bloodhound laughed and left the scene.
March 7th: "…"
Himeko: "…"
[Hahaha, I'm done—this one scene made me laugh so many times.]
[I'm dead. I've never seen Himeko this speechless.]
[I'm dying—do you know what it's like to have tear stains not wiped clean and then laugh until you cry again?]
March 7th glanced at Caelus' clock, "That Clockie trick of yours… feels a bit dangerous."
Himeko smiled knowingly, "At least he won't block us anymore. Let's go find Gallagher and talk about the case."
Soon after, they spotted Gallagher.
Gallagher glanced at the door, "I was wondering why it was so noisy… It's you guys. Welcome. Coming all the way here—what's up?"
"Mr. Gallagher, hello. From your tone, you knew we'd come?"
"Hahaha… Miss Himeko, no need to be so formal with me."
"You know my name, Mr. Gallagher?"
"Of course, how could I not? You're the famous Astral Express, guests of the Watchmaker. I met this gentleman once in the Golden Hour, and I recall that silver-haired girl was there too… I deeply regret what happened to her."
Caelus' eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow, "We're sorry too…"
[Wait, how does Gallagher know?]
[Because he's with the Bloodhound Family, right?]
Himeko smiled faintly, "That's why we're here to see you, Mr. Gallagher. The Express can't ignore that girl's death. We're assisting the Family to uncover the truth, hoping to bring her justice."
Gallagher took a sip of his drink, "Nameless working with the Family… Fate's a funny thing."
"The Family… is something wrong?" March 7th didn't catch his meaning.
"Nothing, don't mind me. In Penacony, everyone loves the Family. Even those who resist the beautiful dream eventually can't bear to leave. Who'd want to abandon a warm nest? Only fools, kids… or drunken idiots with cloudy heads."
Himeko narrowed her eyes, "You seem to be implying something, Mr. Gallagher."
"You're mistaken, I'm not. Want to talk about the case? Fine, follow me. This place isn't good for talking—let's move somewhere else."
Meanwhile, elsewhere… Welt Yang glanced at the bustling streets, "Even after such a shocking tragedy, this beautiful dream continues to run smoothly. Aside from the Family of The Harmony, it's hard to imagine any other force in the universe maintaining such a vast structure."