March 7th had grasped the gist of it, at least understanding that Uncle Yang and Miss Robin were in danger. "What did you do to Uncle Yang and Miss Robin?!"
Sunday smiled confidently. "Please, rest assured. I've merely given them some time to reflect on their fates in solitude."
Himeko spoke up, stating her position clearly. "You should understand that doing this means making an enemy of the Astral Express."
"Even if it comes to opposing you Nameless, it would only be me and the Oak Family. But we haven't reached that point yet, have we? Your efforts for Penacony's justice are plain for all to see."
Caelus gritted his teeth. "Give Uncle Yang back to us, now!"
"I will, but that depends on the outcome of this negotiation."
Words failed to bridge the gap, and just as both sides were about to clash, Sunday used his ability, pulling the four into his inner mental space.
Friend or foe, the final judgment could only be made after examining his ideals.
Then came Sunday's questions.
The scene flashed back to a previous plot point involving a Harmony Dove, lying in the grass on the brink of death.
There were two choices: either build a nest on the spot and let it fend for itself, or first keep it in a cage to recover, releasing it to fly free once it was strong enough.
After a brief discussion, Himeko, March 7th, and Firefly all favored building a cage.
After all, keeping it in a cage meant it could at least survive, while leaving it in place was practically a death sentence.
Caelus made his choice. "Build a cage?"
Though Sunday's face couldn't be seen, his voice carried a trace of delight.
Unfortunately, Sunday had made the same choice back then, meticulously caring for the Harmony Dove.
In the end, after three days and 137 attempts, it broke its wings and met a painful death.
"Our careful tending, our love and high hopes, became the very hands that sent it to its grave in that moment."
The second story concerned a Dreamchaser.
This Dreamchaser sold everything—his house, even his children—to pursue his dreams in Penacony.
However, he caught the attention of the Bloodhound Family. In desperation, he confessed or sought help from Sunday.
Should they persuade the Bloodhound Family to stop their pursuit, or let him struggle under their hunt until his inevitable judgment arrived?
Out of kindness, Himeko and Firefly decided to give the Dreamchaser a chance.
Only March 7th, sticking to her principles, spoke up. "Looks like stowaways are really common in Penacony… But this guy in the story? I don't feel sorry for him at all.
He sold his own kids to chase his dreams… Even if he planned to buy them back, that's just too irresponsible.
Thinking about it, there's only one choice: let the Bloodhound Family send him back! This guy needs to be punished!"
[Good job, March 7th!]
[As expected of March, I knew we'd make the same choice.]
[Honestly, selling your own kids is unacceptable. They're your flesh and blood, even if it's supposedly the 'better' choice!]
[So letting kids suffer is the best choice? Living hand-to-mouth, never knowing if there's a next meal—is that good?]
——
After some deliberation, Caelus chose to stop the pursuit.
But then came a comedic twist.
Sunday smiled faintly. "The outcome? He achieved great success. After evading capture, he did business for a few years, quickly rising to prominence and climbing the social ladder. Though not as wealthy as Old Oti, he was a distinguished figure.
Did he fulfill his original wish? No. The last time I saw him was in reality, with the Bloodhounds about to exile him permanently, and I was the accompanying Bellchime, tasked simply with hearing the sinner's confession.
He told me he'd fallen so low trying to usurp the Alfalfa Family's head. When I asked about his two children, he replied, 'What children?'
In the end, my heart aligned with the Harmony, and my well-intentioned efforts were meaningless, fostering evil instead—creating a pitiful oppressor and countless oppressed…"
[Hahaha, I'm the clown.]
[Damn it, after all that arguing, the kids were made up?]
[I think Sunday's just spouting nonsense now, because there wasn't even a third option.]
[Exactly, this is just a trap to sow discord among everyone and make them align with his ideals. The root conflict is ideological disagreement.]
——
The final choice concerned Robin.
Robin chose a war-torn planet as her destination.
To spread the Harmony and save the lives on that planet, she personally went to the front lines.
Robin used her songs to soothe people's pain and even offered her own body to protect the IPC's relief supplies…
But she was struck by a stray bullet.
"Now you know why she always wears such an elaborate neckpiece, don't you?"
[Robin is truly a great artist.]
[There's a story like that?]
[Sigh, bullets have no mercy!]
——
Even March 7th's tone softened. "How could this happen… Miss Robin…"
Sunday noted that it was all in the past and continued his questions. "Would you still support Robin's journey on the path of Harmony?"
This time, Caelus asked his companions, but none could give a definitive answer.
Still, Caelus took a deep breath and chose to continue supporting her.
"Heh… I see." Sunday let out a relieved sigh. "I understand your stance.
I raised these questions to illustrate one thing: Penacony's predicament cannot be saved by the Harmony. The only way to build a true dream paradise is through the 'Order' that enforces the strong over the weak."
Sunday went on at length, extolling how Order was superior, how only Order could bring true happiness to all, and how the Harmony was too limited.
"What I aim to do is this: place the happiness of all under a singular 'Order.' No one will have to make bitter choices anymore, face human weaknesses, or cling to beastly habits. Only then can we build a paradise for humanity."
[Funny, Harmony swallowed Order, and now you say Order is more inclusive? That's pure nonsense.]
[It's all just crooked logic. This kind of talk doesn't spark any interest.]
[Honestly, Robin's the one who truly thinks of everyone's well-being.]
[Nothing in the world is perfect, not even Aeons. Striving to do the best within imperfection is the truth, not daydreaming here!]
At this moment, the entire comment section was filled with mockery of Sunday. This kind of idealism was something everyone had seen too much of—lacking any depth!
Until Sunday spoke again.
"Describing ideas alone is too abstract. Let me give a simple example. You may know that in some worlds, there exists a social system called 'two-day rest' or 'three-day rest.'"
——