"But, remember? I also said… [I believe in your potential]. Not a single false word in that."
"The Garden wants to witness the Astral Express Trailblazing the galaxy's future, and I'll treasure those memories. So I have no reason to harm you—on the contrary, I'll keep helping… if you're still willing."
Seeing Black Swan's sincere tone, Stelle asked half-doubtfully.
"Is Aventurine trustworthy?"
"In my view, yes—not for anything else, but because he's an excellent merchant. In this vast cosmos, no one values honesty and contracts more than merchants."
"But be careful, especially when making deals with them. Outside the contract, they won't consider your rights… To maximize profit, they'll stop at nothing."
Black Swan drew a violet-black tarot card. "Miss Firefly's appearance may tie closely to the Stellaron Hunters, but you heard him accuse that Ranger."
"I don't know why he judged that way, but with the Corporation's intelligence network, his view merits discussion. And I agree Miss Acheron is hiding something… no, everything."
Black Swan and Stelle shifted to Acheron.
"This was an unexpected gain from a prior encounter. About the Annihilation Gang… I can confirm Aventurine's story is true."
"That crystal coffin… fits Miss Freesna's style, no surprise. But aren't you curious… why she and Acheron are so close?"
"[Emanator] and [Emanator]—sounds more reasonable, doesn't it?"
Stelle thought seriously. She knew too little about Freesna—and didn't believe elves had [emotions]…
Wait—no. With [Eternity]'s uniqueness, freezing physical state at a moment—even if Church higher-ups lived hundreds or thousands of Amber Eras, emotions shouldn't fade.
Hmm… physical state probably includes mental state.
After all—from how obsessed the Church leaders were with Adrian… Stelle was sure if he ever said he wanted milk tea, they'd turn the water planet into a milk tea planet.
"Anyway, I hope you trust Aventurine… or more, trust me. See the [truth] he speaks of—it'll lead us to Penacony's deeper secrets."
"I'll protect you. After getting more from him, I'll escort you back to your companions—no rush."
"For truth and to stop needless sacrifices… this is the right choice."
Stelle shook her head. "No—something more important now."
She pulled out her mimicry bat—first, make that Strategic Investment director return her milk tea!
...
Meanwhile, the dream—[Daydream] Hotel.
The lobby atmosphere froze solid. A clash that should've been fierce halted mid-verbal exchange.
"Draw that blade, Ranger." Sam's armor hummed low, pointing at the calmly standing Acheron.
Acheron's eyelids lowered: "…Hunter, do you still dream? Dream of those… who died because of you."
Words aside, both stopped moving.
"Huh? Why stop? Keep fighting!"
A crisp, lively voice shattered the silence.
Nearby, a twin-tailed girl lounged in a soft sofa, sipping classic SoulGlad, excitedly watching the abruptly halted [performance].
"Follow the [script] properly! No awkward chit-chat at the climax!"
Right now, Sparkle directed the standoff like a pro.
"Fool—this isn't your place."
A cold voice rang with undisguised disgust.
Freesna stared icily at Sparkle—she'd sent that video to [Inferno Grand Duke] Avelite, then Avelite's reaction footage to the IPC.
Nearly got supreme Lord Ite ambushed by the lord of [Elation]. Unforgivable.
Nested pranks for fun—very Masked Fool.
"Hey hey hey… Elf sis, don't be so mean~" Sparkle swirled her SoulGlad. "That one gave me a [pass]. Know what that means? Attacking me isn't wise~"
At Sparkle's drawn-out tone, Freesna's delicate face darkened—the air chilled degrees.
Sparkle sensed danger—smile vanished, she sprang up!
Flicker!
Her figure glitched like bad signal—leaving only a hologram. Real body gone.
The projection's Sparkle struck a triumphant pose—special prop from her Hunter friend, supposedly anti-[Eternity] treasure.
"Hehe~ Fooled ya—this is just a hologram. Little elf can't tou—hey hey hey?"
Triumph cut short—disbelieving squeak.
Freesna slightly raised her hand—Sparkle and her SoulGlad flew over.
"Ow~"
Sparkle pouted. Fake intel—not funny.
Acheron and Sam witnessed the drama. The latter couldn't hold it—laughed.
"How'd you see through it?" Firefly whispered, not wanting to disturb Freesna's "play."
"I've seen many clever disguises—hide appearance, not heart."
"With that special drink, you could've taken Stelle out at first meeting… but didn't. You acted only to drive off me and that Memokeeper."
One simpler reason Acheron left unsaid.
Same milk tea—thanks to [Eternity]'s uniqueness, even with [self-annihilation] debuff, Acheron faintly sensed it.
Adrian often said similar types attract—she got it now.
Makes sense: Acheron often forgot things, so over memories, she preferred [feeling] to catch things.
So… naturally she knew who hid in that cold armor.
Minutes ago—when Black Swan and Stelle vanished—Freesna synced to the lobby, saw everything, and mediated.
"Was it the [Slave of Fate] making you do this?" Acheron countered.
"Haha… [script]'s completely derailed."
Ambushed by "Adrian," went with Stelle to the primordial dream—first encountering [Death] there.
As it gripped Firefly, about to strike—Firefly saw [another dream]'s reflection in its terrifying pupil.
Then, in this hotel lobby… Firefly and the meme were teleported by Freesna to the [Land of Exile].
Arriving at Penacony's true [dream], Firefly understood everything.
"The Family…"
Now clear—they hid not just [Death], but the dream's past and truth.
As for Sparkle—here purely for fun, motive transparent.
Their own god of fun joined—she, a Masked Fool, didn't mind stirring Penacony's waters muddier. Chaos = fun!
Someone would clean up anyway—no worries.
That [script]'s [three deaths] prophecy? In this total mess, irrelevant now.
She'd wing it later—go through motions.
But this fun expert just got physically persuaded by an [Eternity] Emanator—wouldn't return to direct anytime soon.