"Play something big?"
March 7th was the first to lean in, followed closely by Stelle.
Even Welt and Himeko gathered around.
"Since we've already obtained the Watchmaker's legacy… why don't we go all out for once?"
"What do you mean? What exactly are you planning to do?"
Welt looked at Evan.
By now, everyone on the Astral Express already knew his identity as an Emanator.
So—even if he caused trouble here, it wasn't exactly a big issue.
"It's time to get serious."
"Otherwise, Gopher Wood might actually think the Nameless are pushovers."
"Huh? Evan, you're not thinking of…?"
March sounded excited—but there was also a hint of worry.
As for Stelle—
After putting on Mikhail's hat, she looked even more excited.
She clearly couldn't put it down.
"That's right."
Evan grinned.
"I'm planning to blow this damn Penacony sky-high."
"???"
"!!!"
"W-wait… are we seriously doing that?!"
Even Gallagher couldn't help but speak up.
"Hold on… this 'Planet of Festivities' is still the old man's dream, after all…"
"And that's exactly why."
Evan looked at him calmly.
"Gallagher—if your dreamland had been corrupted… what would you do?"
"If it were me?"
"I'd tear it all down and rebuild it from scratch."
"B-but… Gopher Wood may not be human, but the others didn't provoke you!"
March couldn't help complaining.
"…I think you're misunderstanding something."
Evan raised an eyebrow.
"I said I'm going to blow up Penacony."
"But I didn't say I'm going to blow up Penacony."
"…Isn't that the same thing?"
March blinked.
"Let me put it this way."
"The current Penacony is covered by a massive dream."
"This dream is constructed from the remnants of the Path of Order, and reinforced by the Stellaron."
"Everyone is inside it."
"You, me—everyone."
"And this—"
Evan glanced behind them.
"I think the one behind you understands this best."
Everyone turned.
Black Swan stepped forward gracefully.
"Clap… clap… clap…"
"What a beautiful dream—this child's dream."
"Since the Emanator has called me out, I suppose I should step forward."
"You're correct."
She smiled faintly.
"The dream we are currently in… does not entirely belong to Penacony."
"It is a domain known as the Dream of Order."
"In truth, Penacony never originally had distinctions like shallow dreams, deep dreams, or this so-called Dream of Order."
"There were only layers of dreams."
"Originally, without interference from the Dreammaster and Sunday—"
"There would have only been two layers."
"From the real hotel into the Twelve Hours dream—that is the first layer."
"And if one reached the Exile Zone—that would be the second."
"But because of Gopher Wood and Sunday…"
"Dream and reality have overlapped."
"When you arrived in Asdana—"
"You had already entered the dream."
"And so—a third layer was formed."
"The Dream of Order…"
"Is not simply another dream."
"It is a domain."
"In this domain—"
"All beings are subject to absolute control."
"The remnants of Order seek to use this power…"
"To manipulate emotions."
"To shape thoughts."
"To make people satisfied with everything before them."
"The so-called 'entering a dream upon arrival'…"
"Is simply because one can no longer distinguish dream from reality."
"There is truth within illusion."
"And illusion within truth."
"The abundance of memoria allows things from dreams to manifest in reality."
"For example—Misha."
"That is why he could appear in the real world."
"The hotel exists."
"The Twelve Hours dream exists."
"But because of the Dream of Order…"
"Its influence has extended beyond dreams."
"It is already affecting every being within the Asdana system."
"Distorting their perception."
"Except for Memokeepers."
"We have a natural affinity with memoria."
"And of course…"
She smiled slightly.
"This has no effect on Acheron."
"If their plan succeeds—"
"Any being that enters Asdana…"
"If they resist—"
"They will be taken by illusions."
"They will believe their mission is complete…"
"And leave."
"If they seek escape—"
"They will sink deeper into Order's control."
"Entering the dream… never to awaken again."
Evan nodded slightly.
"In other words—"
"If they succeed…"
"I won't be able to destroy the Dream of Order anymore."
"So…"
"Now is the best time to blow it up."
"What do you think?"
This time—
Everyone felt a surge of excitement.
Well… almost everyone.
Except for a certain "clever Bloodhound."
Gallagher looked at the group of Nameless in front of him—
And fell into deep silence.
Wait… no…
Old man, you never told me the Nameless were THIS reckless!!
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
Evan smiled as Stelle raised her hand.
"This Dream of Order…"
"How exactly do we blow it up?"
"And who's going to do it?"
"Good question."
"A very good question."
Evan nodded seriously.
"I think Stelle is perfectly suited for the job."
"What do you think, Welt? Himeko?"
"I agree! Fully support!"
March immediately fanned the flames.
But the moment she said that—
Stelle grabbed her arm—
And started tickling her in retaliation.
"Alright."
Evan waved his hand.
"I'll handle destroying the Dream of Order myself."
…
Dreamflux Reef
Acheron stood silently before Tiernan's grave.
She placed the bullet in her hand upon it.
Then remained there—
Motionless.
For a long time.
"Hehe~"
A voice suddenly appeared behind her.
"Big sister~ looks like your task is already complete~"
"So what now?"
"Staying here to enjoy the show… or…?"
Sparkle suddenly popped out from behind Acheron.
If Acheron hadn't recognized her as someone following Evan—
She would've already drawn her blade.
"…Fool."
Acheron spoke coldly.
"I don't like your scent."
"Don't be like that~"
Sparkle giggled.
"There's something about you that feels very familiar…"
"Like someone I used to know~"
"So tell me, big sister…"
"Can you share your story about Izumo?"
"I'm very interested~"
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito