Black Swan looked at Sampo's clumsy acting with a silent smile.
For a moment, the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.
Seeing Sampo quiet down, Black Swan spoke slowly, "In Penacony's sweet dream, death does not exist. This is the Family's promise and the blessing of 'The Harmony.' Even a Memor cannot break this barrier.
No need for such theatrics. If you just wanted to confirm this… I've already given you the answer, Miss Sparkle."
—
Hearing Black Swan's words, the entire Interactive City erupted.
"Holy crap! Listen, listen! What does 'death does not exist' mean? What does 'blessing of The Harmony' mean? What does 'even a Memor cannot break this barrier' mean?"
"Hahaha, we're saved at last!"
"I knew it! Firefly and Robin definitely aren't dead!! AHHHH!"
But most people looked at the few acting like they'd lost their minds with pity.
"Sigh, poor souls poisoned by the web drama!"
"Not just poor—absolutely pitiful!"
"No wonder they ended up like this. I hope there's no Web Drama: Honkai: Star Rail in paradise."
—
"Sp-Sparkle… Miss Sparkle? Who are you talking to?" Sampo looked around.
"You," Black Swan laughed. "'The other character Sparkle disguised herself as'… isn't that you, 'Mr. Sampo'?"
"Th-This… you can't just accuse me of being Sparkle without proof! If you want to pin me as Sparkle, you need proper evidence. Oh, evidence might be hard, so… 'deduction' will do."
—
"Whoa? Getting brainy now?"
"Is there a plot twist?"
"I knew it, there's definitely a twist!"
"I just wanna know, what's this exclusive film even about?"
—
Black Swan spoke calmly, "That last riddle's hint was a bit too obvious."
"Oh, the 'locked-room murder case'? I thought you were going to ignore it."
"It's Miss Sparkle's hard work. How could I truly skip it?"
Like a detective who sees through everything, Black Swan slowly revealed the truth.
"The key to solving the puzzle lies in two pieces of information from the detective: First, there was a lot of blood at the scene. Second, the victim had clearly been dead for a long time.
With my limited knowledge, I can only draw two conclusions: First, if the scene was truly a locked room, the one who created the locked room isn't necessarily the culprit.
The second conclusion is more obvious. When everyone entered the scene, why did the assistant rush to stop the bleeding? Why would a professional risk contaminating the scene to save someone clearly long dead?
The answer is simple—because the 'detective assistant' is the culprit.
Rushing through earlier, I didn't hear the full puzzle, so I'll make this assumption: The culprit killed the victim the previous night but didn't lock the door.
So, when he learned this, he realized the still-breathing victim created the locked room themselves.
Thus, he had to rush to the scene immediately to check if the victim left any incriminating evidence. Judging by his actions, it's likely related to that canvas—perhaps the death message is on it.
Of course, this is just a simple mind game. The solution isn't what matters. Miss Sparkle was just hinting at one thing—the culprit is the 'detective assistant'…
…which is you, 'Mr. Sampo.' Though I've been calling you that, it was you who first suggested the name."
—
"Wow, this part is awesome!"
"Such a detective vibe!"
"Black Swan lives up to her name. So, what does Black Swan do?"
"Wait, I feel like I caught something, but it's still a mess! What's going on?"
"What's wrong?"
"I feel like I've seen a similar case somewhere."
"There are thousands of mystery novels. It's normal for them to copy each other."
"No, where did I see it?"
—
Sampo dropped his smile and clapped. "Has anyone ever said you're more like a detective than a Memor?"
"To me, there's no essential difference between the two. Following faint ripples on the water's surface, using some abilities and techniques, diving deep to touch the deepest secrets in people's hearts, retrieving them, and protecting them carefully… The truth doesn't lie, nor does 'memory.'"
"A splendid deduction, infinitely close to the truth… But I have another solution. Want to hear it?"
Black Swan, seeing Sampo's expression, was visibly taken aback. "Another solution?"
"The great artist Sparkle locked the bedroom door and used red paint to create the illusion of 'blood everywhere.' And the detective assistant who first rushed in and confirmed her death…
…wasn't the culprit but her 'accomplice' in faking her death."
"Regrettable, regrettable. Dear, you were just this close to getting it right. But the correct answer is—"
The lifeless Sparkle slowly stood up. "'Lady Sparkle's corpse.' 'Sparkle' disguised herself as 'Sparkle's corpse.'"
Sparkle put her hands on her hips. "Ta-da—I win!"
Black Swan smiled faintly. "Can 'Lady Sparkle's corpse' count as a character?"
"Why not? All three little theaters featured 'Lady Sparkle's corpse,' you know."
"It's a bit forced, but not unacceptable. So… what about this Mr. Sampo?"
—
Interactive City.
"No, no, this is a hint!"
"What kind of hint? Don't call everything a hint!"
"'Lady Sparkle's corpse' appeared in all three! Sparkle played her own corpse! It's blatant!"
"Three people died in Penacony, and all three played their own corpses."
"No, Firefly turned into Firefly Sauce. What's that mean?"
"Is it hinting at Robin?"
"Hahaha, you all fell for it! They're clearly tricking you, giving you useless info to make you think the characters aren't dead, to dampen your anger."
"That deduction makes sense too!"
—
Sampo gave a deep bow. "Beautiful lady, I confessed from the start—I really don't know anything. I was just delivering a letter for a friend."
Black Swan gave a self-deprecating smile. "So, I fell into the Fools' trap from the very beginning."
Sparkle winked at Black Swan. "Dear, why so serious? Weren't you having fun—at least I was!
You take the 'memory,' I get the 'Elation.' We each get what we want from each other. Since we're so compatible, and both lone wanderers… why not join me for a duet dance?"
"Oh… should I take this as an invitation to cooperate from a Masked Fool?"
"An unprecedented grand show is about to unfold in Penacony. Those who don't make it to the stage can only stay behind the curtain.
To enjoy this drama, you have to step onto the stage, stand in the spotlight, and watch everything dance around you—come with me, this is the best seat in the house!"
Black Swan tilted her head slightly. "I don't understand why you're so obsessed with breaking the Family's barriers. But as I said, a Memor can't help you. Find someone else.
Also, I don't think you're alone. Oh, I don't mean him, but the one behind you…
The one who hired you to come to Penacony probably wouldn't want you secretly dealing with other forces, right?"
"How did you know?" Sparkle's surprise faded quickly.
"Memories may be like the deep sea, but trying to fish for two catches… the fish in the sea might not suit your taste."
"So, you're refusing? Memor… do you think you can leave unscathed?"
Before she finished, people suddenly surrounded them.
"Why not?" Black Swan looked at the crowd calmly.
"Dear, I won't scare you anymore. You'll find out the answer sooner or later! For today, let's call it a brief introduction. When you change your mind, come find me at the 'tavern'—if you can find it, haha!"
Sparkle slowly walked past Black Swan. "Let's go, Sam… Sam… bo? Who's Sampo…?"
Even Sampo touched his head. "Huh, what's this… this isn't Belobog?"
"Huh, what's this… this isn't Belobog?" Black Swan left on her own.
But as she left, she glanced in Sampo's direction.
The camera focused on Sampo, who instantly snapped awake.
When Sparkle looked back, she put on a bewildered expression.
Sparkle, facing away from the camera, her words unclear.
But Sampo also gave a faint smile, no longer pretending.
Black Swan: "Don't worry, such crude methods go against my aesthetics of memory. So, once I'm out of everyone's sight, you'll remember everything again. And…
Sorry, dear. My preferred dance partner… I already have someone in mind."
—
"Uh, wait, that's a lot of info!"
"Someone behind Sparkle? Who?"
"She was standing behind Clockie, and Clockie's the Watchmaker. Get it?"
"Is the Watchmaker the big boss behind it all?"
"Why not? Like in many foreign novels, a manor's master invites a bunch of people to their estate, then someone dies the next day. The master never shows up, and everyone plays a game of werewolf."
"Dude, that's a vivid analogy!"
"Interesting, too interesting. Wait, aren't we here to take revenge on miHoYo? How'd we end up deducing the plot?"
—
Stelle returned from Black Swan's memory bubble to the dream vending shop.
Dr. Edward said, "That was quite a special sweet dream. Did you notice its nested structure? Participating in a stage play within a dream, like a dream within a dream, eerie yet fascinating.
Lady Black Swan's memory bubble ends here. Are you satisfied with this experience?"
Stelle nodded. "Pretty fun."
"I also think this sweet dream was quite interesting. You found joy in it, and Lady Black Swan would surely be pleased.
If you meet her again, I'll pass on your praise.
I noticed someone familiar to you appeared in this dream. A reminder: a dream is just a dream. In Penacony, dreams can be crafted or tampered with.
Don't fully trust what happens in a dream, especially someone else's. If there's anything you want to confirm… do it in the waking reality. Sweet dreams."
—
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Sampo and Sparkle had arrived at a bar.
Sparkle shook her head. "…Jeez, I wasn't really going to do anything to her."
Sampo: "Forget that Memokeeper. Let's talk about my business. I've done all the favors you asked. Per our deal—time to return my 'mask,' right?"
Sparkle smiled. "Since when do Masked Fools keep promises?
Haha, kidding! I just love that look on your face. Take it—the key to the tavern's cellar is in the third barrel on the left. Don't say I gave it to you.
But, Sampo… after all this time, why suddenly want your mask back? That's not the you I know…
Let me guess—a great disaster is coming to Jarilo-VI, right?"
"No comment. But I like something you said—'The grand show's about to begin, and those who don't make it to the stage can only stay behind the curtain.' Very insightful.
Sometimes, old Sampo wants to take the stage and make a fool of himself too."
—
The audience was baffled. "???"
"When did this happen? Is it still a dream?"
"It's not a dream. The subtitles said it's real."
"It mentioned Belobog? Is the timeline before the Express crew went to Jarilo-VI?"
"Whoa, that's interesting!"
"Is Sampo that strong?"
"Back in Season 2, everyone was guessing Sampo's pretty powerful. He played everyone like a fiddle!"
"So why does he want the mask?"
"They say a Masked Fool's power comes from their mask. Once Uncle Shaky-Legs gets it back, he's got power."
"So why does Uncle Shaky-Legs need power?"
"As a backup. Season 2 hinted that if the Express didn't show up, Belobog was basically done for. If the Express failed, he had his own way to save everyone."
"Sampo's that good?"
"Uh… he loves stirring up trouble, but he's a soft-hearted guy."
"Could this be a future plot?"
—
Hearing this, Sparkle raised an eyebrow at Sampo. "If you're ever out of options, contact me. I'm big on loyalty."
"No thanks. You staying far from Belobog is help enough. After all, the 'Elation' Miss Sparkle seeks… Sampo can't keep up with. I'm off—say hi to Giovanni for me."
Sparkle looked at the empty glass. "Got it, just saying. Don't take it seriously…
—Why so serious?"