『 [ Next, please step forward. ]
After a moment of silence, Sunday resumed summoning the congregants.
[ Long time no see, Penacony's most illustrious man, the heir apparent of the Oak Family… Mr. Sunday? ]
This time, the one approaching was a wealthy Pepeshi merchant. The moment he laid eyes on Sunday, he offered a greeting that bordered on the flippant.
[...I have sought THEIR presence with us. Let us proceed. ]
Sunday's expression remained unreadable, his voice a cool, steady cadence.
[ Fine, fine. Let's stick to the script… ]
[ Ahem! I have strayed, and I seek absolution for my transgressions: I wasted half a pizza during breakfast… oh, and a bottle of SoulGlad. ]
[ That's it. Nothing more. Can we wrap this up? I've got a Roboball game to catch, you know? ]
It was painfully clear that this merchant possessed not a shred of genuine remorse. He had come here, it seemed, merely to treat Sunday as a source of idle amusement.
[ Are you… willing to perform acts of penance to atone for the punishment your sins have invited? ]
Sunday's brow furrowed slightly as he began the formal recitation.
[ Punishment? ]
[ Acting the saint now, are we? ]
[ Let me tell you something: The Family has no right to judge me, and you certainly don't. ]
[ You think nobody knows what your precious Family has done? About the Watchmaker, huh? Don't kid yourself, feather-brain. Those Dreamchasers might be fooled by your act, but don't fool yourself. ]
[ Next time, before you start chanting those scriptures, you'd better think long and hard… ]
[ Think about how the Oak Family reached its current heights, and why you get to sit there, pampered and high-and-mighty, looking down on everyone. What is it all really built on? ]
[ Well, I've spent enough time in confession today to enter Harmony's paradise, right? Then I'll take my leave. Good luck with your election, and... don't make me regret my investments in you. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Whoa, the nerve on this guy?!"
Stelle: "Sunday, you've got the patience of a saint. Seriously!"
Stelle: "If it were me, I'd have sent him flying with one swing of my bat long ago!"
Stelle: "Acting tough in front of me?"
Stelle: "You little piece of—"
March 7th: "Ahem… Manners! Keep it civil!"
Stelle: "Oh, right. Lost my cool for a second. Almost said something that would've ruined my refined image."
Stelle: "Anyway, that guy's face was disgusting. Even my bat couldn't stand the sight of him."
March 7th: "The typical face of a petty capitalist. Every word out of his mouth is about profit."
Furina de Fontaine: "A person like that… he wasn't here for a sincere confession at all, was he?"
Furina de Fontaine: "He's merely using the ritual as a transaction to meet some requirement."
Hu Tao: "So, what's the point of this Family confession ritual anyway?"
Hu Tao: "Isn't it just a textbook example of a 'vanity project'?"
Aventurine: "The purpose of a vanity project is, naturally, for the benefit of onlookers."
Aventurine: "As for the rest? The Family couldn't care less."
Welt Yang: "Humans are not saints, after all. Even within a Family that professes the path of Harmony, greed is omnipresent."
Welt Yang: "And that runs entirely counter to the core philosophy of Harmony itself."
Boothill: "Son of a nice lady, the Harmony is a load of bunk."
Boothill: "That absolute clown in the video? If he ran into us Galaxy Rangers, you think he'd still be acting all high-and-mighty?"
Boothill: "He'd be on his fudge-ing knees begging for mercy. Think he'd still be talking smack then?"
Sunday: "I must admit, for individuals of that ilk, the Galaxy Rangers' method of meeting force with force and violence with violence is… more effective."
Sunday: "As for the Harmony… it possesses no means to restrain such people."
Nahida: "When you were in the confession booth, Mr. Sunday, you must have encountered many people like that every day, right?"
Nahida: "Did it cast a shadow over your heart?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Unless he is entirely devoid of human emotion, it inevitably would."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Exposed to such a chaotic influx of negative emotions daily, the fact that he hasn't completely lost his mind is a testament to his psychological fortitude."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Nevertheless, I suggest you consult a psychologist to address some of those obsessive thoughts of yours."
Sunday: "There is no need. I have already come to realize certain truths."
Sunday: "But… until I witness the outcome with my own eyes, I refuse to give up."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hmph. I've said my piece. Good luck to you, then."
Li Sushang: "Here we go again!"
Li Sushang: "That feeling of everyone talking in riddles!"
Li Sushang: "What exactly are you all seeing?"
Li Sushang: "Why is everyone dropping hints and trying to persuade Mr. Sunday?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It's nothing more than advising someone who's stuck in a dead end to open their mind a little."
Lumine: "Open his mind…?"
Lumine: "Are you referring to the kinds of things he dealt with in the video?"
Lumine: "Hmm… since you can't eradicate that kind of behavior, I suppose one should just learn to let it go."
Raiden Ei: "Whether it can be eradicated is something that must be tested. I suspect… Mr. Sunday feels the same way."
Raiden Ei: "Though the price… may be steep."
Sunday: "As long as the long-cherished wish in my heart is fulfilled, the price is of no consequence."
Robin: "Brother… you…"
Robin: "Is it just my imagination?"
Robin: "I feel as though you've changed…"
Sunday: "Do not worry, Robin. No matter what I become, you will always be my dearest sister."
Robin: "But…"
Sunday: "There are no 'buts'."
Sunday: "In this world, someone must step forward to act, regardless of whether the result is judged as good or evil."
Acheron: "It seems you have found a resolute path of your own and imbued it with meaning."
Acheron: "In that case, no matter what others say, you will not be swayed."
Acheron: "Then I can only wish you… Good luck."
Welt Yang: "…"
Welt Yang: "Though our positions may not align, your resolve in seeking your 'Way' earns my respect…"
....
『 [ O, revered Triple-Faced Soul, hear my doubts... ]
[ If the power and wealth of the strong can shroud their crimes, who shall pass judgment upon them? ]
[ If the weak must survive at any cost, who shall stand as their guarantor? ]
[ If even the purest souls can stumble into error, who shall offer them solace? ]
[ If 'the strong aiding the weak' is truly the foundation of paradise… ]
[ Then who has left them to wail in this world of suffering? ]』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "Is Mr. Sunday… losing his way?"
Furina de Fontaine: "To see the Harmony he believes in turning out like this…"
Furina de Fontaine: "It must be a devastating blow to him, right?"
Stelle: "He should've questioned it long ago."
Stelle: "If I were him, I'd be lost too."
Stelle: "Just looking at what we've seen so far."
Stelle: "Where exactly has the Family shown any sign of 'the strong aiding the weak'?"
Hu Tao: "Uh…"
Hu Tao: "Now that you mention it… I really don't see it at all…"
Qingque: "No bias here, but the Family seems a bit obsessed with their own hype."
Qingque: "If we're talking about the strong helping the weak, I'd say they don't even hold a candle to the Nameless, who do good deeds without seeking credit."
Qingque: "Or the Galaxy Rangers who follow the Hunt."
Silver Wolf: "Squatting in Penacony, this so-called 'Planet of Festivities,' just to cater to the rich and powerful while they indulge themselves."
Silver Wolf: "To me, it looks more like 'the strong aiding the strong'—collusion at its finest."
Aventurine: "At the end of the day, the Family is made of people."
Aventurine: "And people have human nature."
Aventurine: "They aren't really any different from the IPC."
Aventurine: "But at the very least, our Company doesn't hide behind such hypocritical slogans."
Boothill: "Well, look at that. Hearing those words from you, I'd swear you've been completely brainwashed by the IPC."
Boothill: "Your Company hides behind the banner of Preservation while doing plenty of dirty deeds, don't they?"
Boothill: "Forgotten what happened to your people already?"
Boothill: "Preservation? What did they preserve? A whole lot of nothing?"
Aventurine: "....."
Aventurine: "True. You have a point."
Aventurine: "My previous statement was flawed."
Aventurine: "I should have said that only our Strategic Investment Department isn't quite so hypocritical."
Dan Heng: "As a true Emanator of Preservation, Diamond carries out the Path of Preservation as a matter of course."
Dan Heng: "So, compared to other departments, the Strategic Investment Department under Diamond's leadership is somewhat better."
Stelle: "I don't know about the other departments, but it's definitely better than the Marketing Development Department."
Stelle: "I mean, the leader of that department is a total scumbag, right?"
....
『 [ ..... ]
[ Brother… Brother? ]
[ …Brother? Are you alright? ]
Suddenly, Robin's anxious voice rang in Sunday's ear, jolting him from the depths of his memories.
[ ....It is nothing. ]
[ Perhaps I have worked too long, and returning from Dreamflux Reef has left me somewhat ill at ease. ]
[ I should be fine after a moment's rest. ]
Sunday shook his head, signaling that he was fine and urging Robin to be at peace.
[ Mr. Sunday has been working day and night for the Charmony Festival, and now to face such an ordeal… even if the Stellaron issue is of the utmost importance, it's still somewhat regrettable to see you in this state. ]
Observing Sunday's exhaustion, Welt couldn't help but offer a sympathetic word.
[ Heh, it matters not. ]
[ The Charmony Festival was intended to increase the happiness and harmony of the galaxy, but since we now know the truth, calling a halt to it is the right course of action. ]
Sunday smiled, appearing unbothered.
[ Bringing happiness to everyone has always been the dream of my brother and me… ]
[ Therefore, we will do our best to convince the Dreammaster. ]
[ Once the circumstances are explained, the Dreammaster should be understanding. ]
[ Even if the negotiations yield an unsatisfactory result… ]
[ I will refuse to take the stage. ]
[ Without the Tuner, the Chorus of Harmony cannot descend, and the Festival would be nothing more than an ordinary performance. ]
Robin nodded, offering a further explanation to Welt.
[ Seeing your resolve gives me peace of mind. ]
[ That said, since our arrival in Penacony, we have yet to have any contact with the Dreammaster. ]
[ I have heard much of the heads of the Five Families, but news regarding this Dreammaster is exceedingly rare. ]
Welt took the opportunity to probe for information.
[ The Dreammaster rarely appears in public; even we seldom see him. ]
[ But as this is a matter of great significance, he has promised to come in person to deliberate with us. ]
Sunday answered Welt's query.
[ Mr. Welt may very well be the first guest in recent years to have an audience with the Dreammaster. ]
Robin added with a smile.
[ I hope we can reach a conclusion that satisfies everyone. ]
Welt said to the pair.
[ Yes, let us hope so. ]
Sunday's tone carried a strange, contemplative weight.
[ It is almost time. My brother and I must prepare for the reception… ]
[ The situation is urgent; please forgive our lack of hospitality. ]
Robin checked the time and prepared to lead Sunday away.
[ No matter. I shall wait here.] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Is Uncle Yang about to meet the Dreammaster?"
Stelle: "I've got a bad feeling about this. Smells like danger!"
March 7th: "Judging by the way the Dreammaster stood off against Miss Acheron earlier, he doesn't seem like an easy guy to get along with!"
March 7th: "You think he might try something against Uncle Yang?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Surely not?"
Furina de Fontaine: "The Dreammaster only expelled Miss Acheron because he feared her status as an Emanator of Nihility would disrupt the Harmony's dream."
Furina de Fontaine: "But Mr. Welt is here to help the Harmony. There's no reason for the Dreammaster to target him, right?"
Hu Tao: "Hmm… logically, you're right."
Hu Tao: "But I'm worried this 'Dreammaster' is actually a hidden villain."
Hu Tao: "If that's the case, we're in trouble."
Stelle: "Don't worry. If Uncle Yang really gets snatched by the Dreammaster…"
Stelle: "I'll step in!"
March 7th: "You?"
March 7th: "With those 'three-legged cat' skills of yours…"
March 7th: "You'll just get yourself snatched too!"
Stelle: "What do you mean by 'three-legged cat' skills?"
Stelle: "I'm at least a 'six-legged cat.' You're the one with the 'three-legged cat' skills, okay?"
Silver Wolf: "What?"
Silver Wolf: "Does having three extra legs suddenly make you a big deal?"
Silver Wolf: "If you can't win, you still can't win, right?"
Stelle: "It's different. With three extra legs, it's a 'narrow defeat'."
Stelle: "But March, with three fewer legs, it's a 'total wipeout'!"
Paimon: "Uh… that's a weird analogy…"
Paimon: "But it kind of makes sense?"
March 7th: "How does that make sense?!"
March 7th: "This lady does NOT have 'three-legged cat' SKILLS!!!"
Stelle: "Fine, I'll generously upgrade you to a 'four-legged cat'."
Qingque: "I'm dying here. Why are we picking on cats now?"
Li Sushang: "Exactly! Why not dogs?"
Stelle: "Oh, so you're a 'three-legged dog'?"
Li Sushang: "???"
Li Sushang: "I have no grudge against you! Why are you insulting me?!"
Stelle: "Who's insulting you? Didn't you say dogs work too?"
Li Sushang: "I was just making a comparison! You can't just call me a dog!"
Stelle: "So I should call you a dog in a roundabout way instead?"
Stelle: "Sounds like a lot of extra work…"
Li Sushang: "...."
Guinaifen: "Hahaha! Shangshang, you're so adorably dim."
....
『 [ Goodness… It's Mr. Sunday! ]
[ Come over here! Hahaha… ]
As Sunday and Robin walked down the street, they were called out to by a man who was clearly inebriated.
[ It seems someone needs assistance… let us go see. ]
Sunday paused to look at the drunken Pepeshi, then led Robin toward him. 』
『 ....』