"I'm counting on you, Welt. As for us… let's prepare to see the true face of the Dreamscape."
Everyone returned to their rooms, but Stelle stood rooted to the spot, still thinking about the lovely girl.
It seems I'll be busy for a while. I wonder if Firefly has returned to reality yet…
…No, I don't have her contact information. I should ask Black Swan…
Stelle returned to her room, where Black Swan was already waiting, having adjusted the Dreamscape Pool.
Everyone else had gone back to their respective rooms to rest, but Stelle remained standing there, the image of the lovely girl constantly resurfacing in her mind.
She mused to herself that the coming period might be busy, but she didn't know if Firefly had returned to the real world… Wait, it seemed she didn't have her contact information.
As Stelle pondered these things, she slowly walked back to her room. Upon opening the door, she found Black Swan already waiting, having already finished calibrating the Dreamscape Pool.
Sensing Stelle's unease, Black Swan softly asked, "You look a little tense, Stelle. Are you worried about that young lady?"
Stelle nodded slightly, acknowledging it.
Black Swan smiled reassuringly, "If you have any worries or concerns, you can feel free to tell me. After all, there's probably no one in this world better suited to be a psychotherapist than a Recollector." After speaking, her deep, gentle eyes gazed at Stelle, as if she could see through all the secrets and confusions deep within him.
Stelle hesitated, then slowly began, "Thank you very much for saving my life." Black Swan gently waved her hand, indicating it was no trouble, and added, "It was simply my duty. After all, a special existence like yourself… naturally attracts countless eyes."
Stelle was silent for a moment, then asked again, "Then, can you confirm if Firefly is safe and sound?"
Black Swan shook her head, comforting him, "Don't worry, that was a one-way door, leading only to waking reality. Unless that girl had a strong desire and absolutely refused to wake from the dream… How could that be? She must be rubbing her eyes somewhere in the hotel right now."
Upon seeing this scene, Stelle, who had been intently watching the film on The Train, suddenly felt as if her head had been struck, buzzing loudly. At this moment, Firefly's previous words echoed in her ears:
"Then, why do people choose to sleep? I think… it's because they don't want to wake from the dream."
This sentence was like a sharp sword, piercing directly into Stelle's heart, making her suddenly feel a sense of suffocation.
Himeko seemed to notice Stelle's abnormality and gently stroked her head.
The viewing continued.
However, the Stelle in the scene seemed not to have understood Black Swan's words and continued, "To be honest, I find it difficult to fully trust a Recollector."
Black Swan seemed to have already known everything. She said, "It appears you have some unpleasant memories and experiences… But it's undeniable that our upcoming cooperation will be a wise move for you, for me, and for the entire Trailblaze Crew, wouldn't you agree? Therefore, please feel free to rely on me." After speaking, she offered a charming smile.
"Of course, I am not the only Recollector here — Penacony has extended invitations to factions outside the Family for the first time. The Garden of Recollection must record this historic moment…"
"So you can also try cooperating with others… if you can see them, heh heh."
Stelle gently stroked her hair, then looked towards the Dreamscape Pool, quickly changing the subject, "Speaking of which, aren't you going back to your own room?"
"No. I'll accompany you into the dream, lest you get hurt. Besides, a Recollector doesn't need a Dreamscape Pool… right?"
Stelle nodded slightly in agreement, then re-entered the Dreamscape Pool, her body slightly stiff as she leaned against the edge of the pool.
"Alright~ Now, go to sleep peacefully. I'll be right here with you."
With a faint voice in her ear, Stelle's breathing gradually steadied, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
A strong yet familiar deep-sea aura assailed her, as if tightly enveloping her. After a brief loss of consciousness, Stelle slowly opened her eyes and found herself in the Dreamscape Pool.
Looking around, everything was so strange and mysterious. Suddenly, she remembered this place — the Dreamscape Hotel. Yes, he was back in this place.
Just as Stelle was wondering what to do next, an elegant figure appeared at the room's doorway. Black Swan cast a gentle gaze at Stelle and softly said, "This way, my dear."
Stelle walked to the door. Black Swan looked Stelle up and down and asked, "How are you feeling? No discomfort?"
Stelle moved her body and nodded, "I feel fine."
"Then I am relieved," Black Swan said gently.
"I know you are more sensitive to remembrance and more easily affected by the dreamscape than others, which is why I need to accompany you specially."
"I will use a slight technique to make you less uncomfortable. Don't worry, your companions are also safe. Before entering the dream, I asked each of them for a small piece of jewelry. This allows me to sense their presence in the Remembrance Domain."
"They have already woken up in their respective rooms. Now, you should be able to relax and come with me, right? Time waits for no one, let's head to the lobby now."
Stelle mused to herself: March 7th's room was next to hers, so it would be safer to just go out and call her, then head to the lobby together. Thinking this, she gave Black Swan a slight nod, then quickly exited the room and followed the remembered route to March 7th's door, raising her hand to knock lightly.
"March 7th, are you in there?" However, the room was silent, with no one answering. Stelle couldn't help but frown, slightly increasing the force of her knock and hitting the door a few more times, while also raising her voice to call out, "Are you there? We're about to leave!"
"March… It's me, Stelle."
Black Swan, watching Stelle from the side, reminded her, "I know what you're thinking, but unfortunately… that girl isn't in there, and this isn't her room either."
"From the moment you stepped into the Remembrance Domain, the architectural structure of reality lost its meaning. I can sense that she is very far away right now."
"Similarly, to find the lobby that the Navigator mentioned… we'll have to put in more effort."