Inside the passenger car—
"Ugh… political struggles between big factions are exhausting to watch."
March 7th rubbed her eyes, sighing helplessly.
Welt chuckled.
"Heh, that's the universe for you—schemes and deceit everywhere.
You'll get used to it."
Himeko, however, seemed lost in thought.
"Just now, Sampo said something to Sunday that caught my attention.
'You dare say the Family obtained this place legitimately?'
Words like that… they make it sound as though he knows something."
Dan Heng nodded slightly.
"Indeed. Based on Sampo's attitude, it's likely the IPC has been eyeing Penacony for quite some time.
If they dispatched someone like him, they must've uncovered something first."
"IPC never enters a battle unprepared," Welt added.
"For Sampo to come specifically during the Charmony Festival…
that is what troubles me."
"So Yang-shu is saying… this might be tied to the festival?"
Stelle blinked, finally sensing the implication.
"It's possible," Himeko said.
"The Charmony Festival is the Family's most important event of the year.
If the IPC wanted to seize Penacony, doing so during such a sensitive time makes no sense—
unless…"
She paused.
"—unless something unprecedented is going to happen during the festival."
Sunday & Robin
"Brother… what is happening?"
Robin's soft voice trembled slightly.
"Are Sampo's claims really nonsense?
Or… is the Family hiding something from us?"
With the festival approaching, turbulence brewed beneath the surface.
And Penacony—
the "Land of Dreams"—
had become the eye of the storm, drawing the attention of the entire cosmos.
Robin felt deeply uneasy.
"Robin, don't worry."
Sunday smiled gently.
"Trust the Family's strength.
Trust our unity.
We can resolve anything."
"As for that Sampo character…"
Sunday's eyes flickered.
"Miss Acheron's comment earlier was quite fitting—
'A gambler always goes all-in before a total loss.'
And look at him now. Isn't that exactly what he's doing?"
"He's been exposed. So he tries to drag the Family into muddy waters,
thinking he can use chaos to bargain for better terms."
"But he underestimates us.
Underestimates the Family's will."
"He'll only bring about a harsher end for himself."
His words reassured Robin somewhat.
"Brother, you may be right…
but…"
She hesitated.
"My voice. Ever since arriving here, it's grown… strange.
Like something dissonant is interfering with it."
"And you know what that means."
Robin's anxious eyes met Sunday's.
Her voice—her very being—was tied to Penacony's harmony.
Any discord within her voice meant something was deeply wrong.
Sunday fell silent.
"…Leave everything to me," he finally said.
"Whoever dares betray the Family…
will be dealt with."
"Go rest. You've worked hard today."
Robin nodded softly.
"Okay. I believe in you, brother."
She left the room.
Sunday watched her fading silhouette—
and sighed so quietly it nearly vanished.
"Robin… it is not that I wish to deceive you…
I only hope you will not hate your brother for what must be done…"
His figure slumped slightly, the burden pressing down on him.
Stelle Enters the Dream
Back in the video—
[Stelle: So this is the 'Land of Dreams'?
Why does the atmosphere feel… wrong?
And… did I hear a strange voice earlier?]
She awoke in a hotel room within the dreamscape, uneasiness tugging at her thoughts.
[Stelle: Hm? A note?]
She picked up a slip of paper on the table.
["The Clockmaker's Admonition."
"Even dreams hold impossibilities."
"Seek it, and you shall be granted audience."]
Stelle stared at it cluelessly, eventually tucking it away.
Suddenly—
[This way! Can you see me? Over here, please!]
[Stelle: That voice… sounds familiar? Is it coming from inside the picture frame?]
She approached the ornate frame.
Sure enough—sound echoed from within.
Stepping inside—
[Misha: Ah! You're here! Wonderful! I was worried you hadn't noticed me!]
[Welcome to the Corridor of Thoughts! You may consider this a transfer hub leading into the "Golden Hour."
I am here to guide all esteemed guests.]
[Stelle: Long time no see, Misha.]
[Misha: Ehh?! You remember me? That makes me so happy!]
He lit up instantly.
[Misha: This is a temporary transfer station, so the setup is a bit simple…
The Dreamscape version of the Hotel is undergoing repairs.
I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience!]
[Stelle: What happened to the Dream Hotel?]
[Misha: I… don't really know the details. Sorry…]
[Stelle: Then what is the Golden Hour?]
[Misha: Ah! I can explain!]
[The Golden Hour is one of Penacony's Twelve Dreamscapes—its corresponding time is "Midnight."
Here, time forever stays on the brink of the next day.
The festivities never end. Endless celebration!]
[But don't worry—dream time flows at the same rate as reality, so you won't experience confusion or strain!]
Misha's explanation was smooth and enthusiastic.
[Stelle: Oh right—this note I found…]
[Misha: A note? In your room?
Ah—perhaps it was leftover trash from the previous guest!!
I'm so sorry! I should've cleaned more carefully!]
Stelle sighed.
Yeah… asking Misha probably wasn't going to help.
[Stelle: How do I get to the Golden Hour?]
[Misha: Just head through that door! I wish you a wonderful dream experience!]
He bowed deeply.
Stelle nodded and set off.
Reactions
March 7th: "Awwww, Misha is adorable!"
Pom-Pom: "For some reason… Pom feels like that child looks oddly familiar, pom…"
Robin: "Brother, do we have a staff member like Misha at the hotel?"
Sunday: "I… don't quite recall.
Service staff come and go, the hotel is always busy.
I cannot even remember every single person."
Back in the train—
Pom-Pom stared at the screen, tail twitching.
"So strange, pom…
Why does he feel so familiar…?"
A soft, vague melancholy welled inside Pom-Pom.
"…Maybe Pom's just imagining things, pom."
With a tiny shake of the head, Pom-Pom continued watching the video.
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