[A while ago.]
[On the Golden Hour commercial street, Black Swan was conversing with members of the Hound Family.]
["…In my view, this is undoubtedly a murder." Black Swan said with certainty.]
["Murder… this word is too unfamiliar to us. Under the protection of The Family, it is impossible for any casualties to occur in Penacony." The woman said, "In the dream, even if a person is beaten thousands of times with a hammer, at most they would just wake up in the real hotel."]
[Sampo walked over from behind Black Swan: "You can't put it that way. Even if it doesn't result in casualties, being suddenly smashed with a hammer while walking properly on the main road… this is absolutely not something that should happen in Penacony."]
[After speaking, the Family member left, indicating that the scene was left for the two to investigate.]
[The gazes of the two simultaneously turned toward a exquisitely crafted, flashy large hammer by the roadside, with several purple memoria bubbles scattered beside it.]
[Once that person had walked far away, Sampo quickly sidled up like a little puppy: "Good sister, what exactly did you do to make her believe right away that we are [investigators]…"]
[Black Swan told the truth: "Just some suggestions at the memory level. If something appears in everyone's memories… then it becomes [fact]. If there was more time, making her believe I am the incarnation of [Harmony] herself wouldn't be impossible."]
——
The Boys.
As soon as he pushed open the apartment door, Hughie smelled a strong mix of old lady perfume and burning leaves.
"Fuck."
Hughie couldn't help cursing inwardly.
In the living room, Soldier Boy was lying back on the leather sofa, his bronzed chest muscles covered with several lipstick marks. Three white-haired old ladies with wrinkles deep enough to crush mosquitoes were hanging onto him—they had clearly been having wild fun. One of the old ladies' dentures was even soaking in a champagne glass on the table.
"Did we interrupt your senior citizens' mixer?" Butcher said.
"We were actually getting along quite well. You know what to do next." Soldier Boy winked at them.
"Wow, they really are cute."
"Of course. Women are like fine wine—the older, the more mellow." Soldier Boy slapped one of the old ladies on the butt, making a crisp "smack" sound. "Hey, sweethearts, we have some business to discuss. Come find me another day and we'll finish the rest."
The old ladies giggled as they got up, put on their clothes, and shuffled out. Before leaving, one still gave Hughie a flirtatious wink.
Once the last old lady closed the door, Hughie finally exploded: "Good lord! Didn't we emphasize this to you? The Celestial Screen! The Paths! Instead of paying attention to that, you're here flirting with women who could be your grandmothers?"
"Let me correct you. If we're really talking about age, they might have to call me daddy."
Compared to decades ago, Soldier Boy had barely changed. No more wrinkles, no hunched spine. On him, time had frozen.
Soldier Boy picked up a glass of champagne from the table. "I know what you're thinking. You want me to step onto a Path and become a Pathstrider of [Hunt], [Preservation]… or whatever, so I can deal with Homelander with absolute certainty."
"Listen." Soldier Boy stood up and walked in front of Butcher. "Back when I landed in Normandy and fought bravely, I didn't use any fucking Path. I used a pair of fists… and courage. I've taken down tougher bastards than Homelander. I fought the Russians."
"This isn't seventy years ago." Hughie couldn't help interrupting. "Now—"
"FUCK YOU!" Soldier Boy rudely cut him off. He extended a finger and pointed at Hughie's chest. "Do I need a fucking pussy like you to teach me?"
He looked up at the Celestial Screen, where Black Swan was chatting with Sampo. His green eyes continuously scanned the elegant curves of the Memokeeper.
"Fuck… this is really exciting. More exciting than the German bunkers on Omaha Beach." Soldier Boy took a swig of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Which Path is she from?"
"Remembrance." Butcher said.
"Oh, if I step onto the Path of Remembrance, can I ask her out?" Soldier Boy asked.
"Maybe." Butcher showed a bastard-like smile. "Why don't you try?"
——
["Then next… shall we talk about this [companion] of yours?"]
[As soon as Black Swan finished speaking, a mask suddenly appeared out of thin air beside the two. Sparkle's voice came from inside: "Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection, I've been watching you for a long time."]
["When you checked into the hotel, you were already peeping at me. After entering the dreamscape, wherever I went, you followed; in the shop windows of the commercial street, underwater in Aideen Park, even in the reflections of wine glasses—you were everywhere!"]
["—Darling, are you secretly in love with me? Fine, since you're so interested in me, let's play a game, okay?"]
["I left a puzzle for you near Oti Mall. Solve it and prove you have the ability to please me. If you can do it… we can talk."]
["Don't keep me waiting too long, darling. Before Penacony is turned upside down, try to find me~ catch me~ stop me~"]
[The mask giggled, then flashed and disappeared.]
[Black Swan's tone was somewhat helpless: "Actually, more than one Memokeeper came to Penacony. She mixed me up with the others. But it doesn't matter… The address the mask mentioned is right here. I just didn't expect… the game Miss Sparkle mentioned would be a 'massacre' on the streets of Penacony."]
——
Baki the Grappler.
"She's so free, that Masked Fool."
In the Tokugawa family residence, a tall black man over 190cm with a robust build gently flicked the ash from his cigar.
"Killing people in public on the street—she's probably the 'freest woman in Penacony,' right?" Oliva let out a "hehe" laugh, seemingly very appreciative of this Fool lady's actions.
"She only killed unarmed ordinary people. If she dared to make a move against that Sunday kid and Acheron, that would count as true freedom." Miyamoto Musashi grinned.
"Acheron…" Oliva slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. "Miyamoto Musashi, legend says you were a great swordsman of Japan's Warring States period. Would you dare make a move against Acheron?"
"Ah… of course not. Why ask such a boring question?"
Miyamoto Musashi showed a puzzled expression: "If I draw my sword against that woman, I would undoubtedly be slain on the spot, right? Swordsmanship and killing techniques are just stepping stones for wealth and fame. Since coming to Penacony already grants those things, why draw my blade against her… and lose everything?"
Yujiro Hanma clicked his tongue in disdain after listening: "Too low purity."
"Purity… is it useful?" Miyamoto Musashi looked up at him. "Yujiro Hanma, I know that if you had the chance, you would definitely make a move. On Earth you can pursue your so-called 'purity' without restraint… but in worlds beyond Earth, pursuing purity too excessively… you won't live long either."