Acheron and Welt Yang continued their conversation. It was largely their perspective on the current state of Penacony.
Acheron seemed to have not spoken with others like this for a long time. She let out a long breath, "Someone once said to me: Penacony was not like this long ago, nor should it be like this. I've walked through the reality and dreams of the Star of Festivities, watching the night rise and fall, time standing still for people, while the richness and poverty of the spirit… remain forever fixed at their respective scales. Thus, I believe the collapse of the 'Sweet Dream' is inevitable."
Welt Yang adjusted his glasses, "Perhaps there's a way to change all this."
"Perhaps. But if this is the world people desire—if this is the reason life chooses to slumber—should we still force it to change?"
Welt: "…"
"Miss Acheron, let me share a story with you in return."
Acheron nodded, "Please, go ahead."
"In my hometown, there was a man who, when the world faced an irreparable wound, made a decision. From then on, that giant stood between heaven and earth, becoming the pillar of the world's survival. But at a cost: those who could not move forward, who were unable to move forward… they would forever lose their 'future.' They slumbered in a dream free of calamity and suffering, living peacefully in the utopia the man created. And the 'Spiritual Adam' grew indestructible because of their unwillingness to awaken."
Acheron replied with a smile, "Yet here you stand now, which means… that man failed."
"Because people always move toward the future. Even if human weakness makes them pause, when they truly cannot go on… humanity will always try to save itself. And that man… he was never a failure. Like everyone in that world, he kept the possibilities of humanity in his heart. He was the mythical sun-chaser (Icarus), soaring toward the heavens and achieving his ultimate victory through his fall."
After Welt Yang finished speaking, the screen was suddenly flooded with a barrage of comments that couldn't be deleted no matter what.
[So, why do birds fly?]
[So, why do birds fly?]
[So, why do birds fly?]
[…]
[Who sent this barrage?]
[????]
[What's this nonsense?]
[Report it, report it, this is so random!]
"He rose high, only to stand before the sun, a place no one had ever reached. He would melt because of it, falling into the sea, and after that… Countless people would surpass his body, soaring to even higher skies."
Acheron gave a faint smile, a figure emerging in her mind, "It fits the 'Trailblaze' spirit of the Nameless. Thank you, Mr. Welt. I know what you're trying to confirm. The universe holds countless worlds, similar yet different. In those worlds, there are countless people, similar yet different. I, too, have embarked on journeys, meeting 'old friends' with familiar faces in different worlds, witnessing their fates follow paths that feel eerily familiar. So, I'll tell you… Though not entirely the same, the story you've described… it overlaps with my past. And in that bottomless dream…"
"I ended that man's life…" A trace of sorrow appeared in Acheron's eyes, "alone."
Welt Yang: "…"
"I am not the person you know, and my hometown was not as fortunate as your world."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. If this dispels your doubts, I don't mind."
"But I still want to know, beneath the facade of the 'Hunt,' Miss Acheron, what kind of power drives you to walk alone to this day?"
"Mr. Welt, before answering that, I'd like to continue our earlier topic. I like your metaphor. Indeed, birds are born to fly, but long ago, their ancestors could only gaze at the heavens from the ground. They saw the distant light from beyond the skies pierce through the clouds, illuminating the earth. So, time and again, generation after generation, the birds spread their wings, striving to touch the zenith, simply because the sun was there. But if the last bird finally reaches the heavens, only to find that the light's end is not the sun, but a pitch-black great sun… Then what are we… chasing the light for?"
[Uh, what's this segment doing? The entire episode was taken up by this dialogue.]
[They're probably talking about Welt Yang's past story.]
[His past story? Isn't that called The Third Honkai or something?]
[Seems like it. I heard it's wrapping up its fourth season soon, and it'll be a weekly show, one episode a week.]
[A weekly show? That's some big budget!]
[So hurry up and serve it already, what, afraid we can't afford to watch?]
[I heard The Third Honkai is a really sweet story.]
[Exactly, I love those kinds of stories.]
[But Welt Yang and Acheron are talking about stuff we don't even understand.]
[If you don't get it, just bookmark it. It'll hit harder when you rewatch it later.]
[If The Third Honkai is a prequel, why didn't they release it earlier?]
[Doesn't matter. Whichever series airs first, the experience is always different. Two completely unique vibes.]
The perspective shifted back to the hotel. Black Swan picked up the phone.
A man's voice came from the other end, "Long time no see! Having fun in Penacony—'Acheron'?"
[AHHHHHH!]
[It's my Godfather! It's my Godfather! I'm gonna crawl in the shadows! I'm gonna end my sentences with stars!]
[What's with this elementary school kid?]
Black Swan didn't speak but thought to herself, "This voice… it's not that Constance from before. Her accomplice?"
"I don't know what you are or what you're scheming… But my bullet will find you soon enough—and before that, you'd better find a coffin shop in Penacony and have the owner reserve a high-quality one for you, impostor."
Black Swan spoke softly, "Who are you?"
"Hm? Did I call the wrong number? Treasure my leg, who are you?"
"I'm a Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection."
"Whoa! Nice, I like a tough one. Are you that impostor's bodyguard? Or something else? Whatever, doesn't matter. I'll save a bullet for you too, so wash your forehead and wait."
Black Swan smiled faintly, "I don't know what you're talking about—but you know Acheron, the Galaxy Ranger, right? I have questions for you."
"Haha, want me to help write your will? Sure, go ahead and say it."
"It's not about a will—I just want to ask, how did she become a Galaxy Ranger?"
The phone went silent. Black Swan pressed on, "She's not even a Pathstrider of the 'Hunt,' is she? You are, right? Tell me, what's Acheron's deal?"
"Hahaha, nice! Didn't expect a friendly. He treasure my leg, looks like I hit the jackpot. I'm heading to Penacony soon, Memokeeper. Go buy a bottle of Asdana White Oak, warm it up, and toast me a glass. That woman's past? Nobody knows. But if you want a simple answer, fine, you'd better put a chair under you—that woman called Acheron—" The person on the other end spoke cautiously, "is an Emissary that shouldn't exist."
[Haha, this guy's got some spunk!]
[Wonder if this guy will show up?]
[Whoa, an Emissary?]
[I knew Acheron wasn't simple.]
In the scene, Acheron, holding an oil-paper umbrella, stood alone in the rain and mist.
The camera cut. Aventurine held his forehead with one hand, groaning in pain.
"You look awful. Or is this just your acting?" Dr. Ratio slowly approached Aventurine's side.
"I didn't expect you'd have the face to see me."
Dr. Ratio shook his head, "I thought this was the outcome you wanted. After all, I—as you said—'faithfully fulfilled my duties.' If you can't hold on, let me know first."
[Haha, these two are starting to speak in riddles.]
[I feel like Godfather's playing dumb while knowing everything.]
"The 'genius' of the Intelligentsia Guild is here to collect my body?" Aventurine's expression was exaggerated, "My goodness… what an honor."
"The folks at the Strategic Investment Department must be eager to hear of your demise promptly. Don't forget, you'll never see them again—this task now falls on me."
"Great, then go send a message now. Tell them 'Aventurine is fully prepared and will enter the field in seventeen system hours.'"
Dr. Ratio crossed his arms, "Big words. How do you plan to complete the mission while bound by the 'Harmony'?"
"My talks with Sunday confirmed there's a traitor in the Family, and Penacony's secret lies with that person… Using this chance, I've placed all the Cornerstones where they belong. And now, I've successfully retrieved the gift money. Things haven't gone this smoothly since I stepped into the Daydream Hotel… Watch, I'm one step away from victory."
Dr. Ratio tilted his head, "Sounds like you just recounted your miserable state in the most stubborn way possible."
[Haha, Godfather's mouth is still so artful.]
[Godfather's sharp tongue is a treat.]
[Uh, from Aventurine's tone, it sounds like everything's under control?]
[This guy's definitely not simple.]
[They seem to be bickering, but under the Harmony's surveillance, they're exchanging intic.]
[Is it really that deep?]
"I've said all I can. Forgot? You've already betrayed me, Professor." Aventurine spread his hands, "Go where you're supposed to. I can't wait to see the company's fleet surround Penacony. You got what you wanted, didn't you?"
"Indeed, but what? Is there a beacon for near-orbit support hidden in that gift money of yours?"
"Who knows? Maybe that's why I'm still throwing money around even when I'm on death's door."
"You're completely insane, you damned gambler."
Aventurine shrugged nonchalantly, "Maybe I've been crazy all along, who knows?"
"Fine. Take this. Hold onto it. Open it when you're at death's door—you'll thank me." Dr. Ratio shook his head and handed Aventurine a medical note.
"What's this… a medical note?"
As Aventurine studied it, Dr. Ratio left.
"Heh, you sure know how to be dramatic, Professor." The corner of his mouth curled slightly.
At that moment, The 'Harmony' baptism imposed by Sunday caused him pain.
"You want me to solve the case but don't give me a single clue… Well played, you winged bastard. But your nervous reaction to that stowaway confirms my guess. Next… let the company's rain of wealth fall equally on everyone."
Aventurine clutched his head and began distributing gems to gather intel. His gift money was running low, and the buzzing in his ears grew louder. This wasn't a good sign—he needed to move faster. Aventurine's steps grew unsteady, and with a misstep, he fell…
Suddenly, a Pepeshi he'd given a gem to earlier approached, "Remember what I said? You Sigonians belong under manhole covers… Look at you, sneaking around, sniffing here and there—does the stench of 'death' entice you that much, little peacock?"
"Hmph… it's you." Aventurine slowly stood, "I should've guessed. After Robin's death, the 'stand-in' on TV was you, wasn't it, Masked Fool?"
Sparkle looked at Aventurine with interest, "Heard you got cursed by the Family? Tsk, I gave you such a clear hint—'go make friends with a mute.' So simple, right? And what did you do? Not only did you screw it up, you got yourself dragged into it. I told you to befriend a mute, not lead the charge to become one. You really let down someone's good intentions."
[Haha, a curse?!]
[That's so Sparkle.]
[Sparkle's such a troll!]
Aventurine and Sparkle had a conversation about the term "mute." But Aventurine also revealed his goal: not just to gather intel but to lure Sparkle out. Both spoke like riddlers, not saying a single thing anyone could fully understand.
[Riddlers, get out of Gotham, okay?]
[I'm so done with these cliffhangers.]
[Tell me already, stop with the riddles, we haven't slept well in ages!]
[Can't blame them for being cryptic—there's a crow watching while they talk.]
In the end, Sparkle gave Aventurine a bomb, offering him a path to mutual destruction.
Aventurine smiled, "I'll handle the rest: I'll prepare a grand opening act for the Family's collapse. When the climax hits, the high walls will crumble, people will awaken, and those who cannot speak will find their voices again—when that time comes, press the button and set off a big firework to cheer me on. See you, Fool."
"Still talking big at this point… but deal. You better not disappoint me, okay?"
Suddenly, The screen cut abruptly. Aventurine appeared out of nowhere.
[Whoa, hold up! Wait a second, wait a second!]
[The Second Blade, Begin!]