After Dan Heng, the entire Luofu Cloud Knight contingent, Little Swarm, Boothill, and the others entered Penacony, the Astral Express fell into a tense silence.
Moments later, Black Swan broke the silence. "Miss Lumina, what exactly did you mean by those words just now?"
"Exactly what I said," Lumina replied, offering Black Swan a subtle, knowing smile.
If only she and Black Swan were alone, Lumina would have been willing to share everything she knew.
As for how she would share it, by what method, and at what cost? That was none of Black Swan's concern.
The Saintess's thoughts are beyond mortal comprehension.
But alas, even with the best intentions, Lumina lacked the power to reveal everything. With Herta and Acheron present, she couldn't possibly divulge all the details. After offering a brief warning, she withdrew her gaze.
"I see. I understand now."
Black Swan was an intelligent woman. Even though Lumina hadn't been entirely explicit, she had grasped the gist of what Lumina was trying to convey.
However, understanding was one thing; Black Swan still needed a clue to confirm her hypothesis.
She glanced briefly at Lumina, her gaze lingering only for a moment before snapping back.
Though Lumina undoubtedly knew the truth, Black Swan would never seek confirmation from her directly.
After all, given the previous disastrous encounter, who knew what absurd demands she might make?
Shaking off these thoughts, Black Swan abandoned her contemplative air and resumed her elegant, composed smile. She nodded to the group before her and said, "With the support of the Luofu Xianzhou, the Astral Express Crew should encounter no further difficulties."
"Since that's settled, I have a matter requiring verification. I must take my leave now."
Black Swan waved her hand, and before anyone could respond, she transformed into a Memory Bubble and vanished from the spot.
"...You didn't do anything to her, did you? Why does she seem a bit afraid of you?"
After Black Swan left, only Lumina, Herta, and Acheron remained in the arena. Pom-Pom, meanwhile, had entered the Cockpit to conduct checks after the Luofu Cloud Knights arrived on Penacony.
If any issues arose at the last minute, the Astral Express would serve as the final line of defense...
Watching Black Swan's hurried departure, the sharp-witted Madam Herta frowned slightly, immediately sensing something was amiss.
Though Black Swan had shown no overt emotions and maintained impeccable composure, she couldn't deceive the genius Herta.
By analyzing Black Swan's interactions with Lumina—her subtle gestures and microexpressions—it was clear she harbored fear and a desire to avoid Lumina.
As for why she was afraid and why she wanted to avoid Lumina... was the answer even a question? It had to be that Lesbian Ringleader Lumina had seduced and abandoned her.
"Don't let your imagination run wild. I simply have a recording of her dancing with Acheron earlier, that's all."
"It's not some melodramatic romance you've cooked up in your head..."
Feeling Herta's gaze, Lumina knew the pointy-headed Little Herta was off on another tangent. She turned to Acheron and offered a dry explanation.
"Hmm? The dance recording?" Acheron murmured, then asked Lumina, "It's... a profound memory. If it's convenient, could you send me the rest of the recording later?"
The ball upon their initial arrival in Penacony had left a deep impression on Acheron. Though these profound memories would eventually fade into Nihility, she still wished to preserve the recording on her phone or an Image Stone as a keepsake.
"Ah, that might require Black Swan's permission," Lumina said, her eyes wide with faux innocence. "I promised her I wouldn't share the recording with anyone without her consent."
With this blatant fabrication, Lumina signaled Acheron to go ask Black Swan for the recording herself.
"Mm, alright. I'll talk to her about it later... I hope she agrees." Acheron nodded, though she didn't quite understand why she, as one of the two main protagonists of the dance, needed Black Swan's permission to record it.
But Acheron didn't dwell on it. If permission was required, she'd simply ask for it later.
That's all there is to it, Acheron thought, completely unaware that during the dance, she had nearly torn Black Swan apart with her bare hands...
"I see... It seems I truly misunderstood you this time." After a moment's reflection on Lumina's explanation, Herta realized she had indeed misjudged Lumina.
Herta had encountered Memokeepers from the Garden of Recollection before. To put it bluntly, they were madmen who would do anything for memories.
It seemed the "elegant" Memokeeper they had just met was no different.
After entering Penacony, Miss Black Swan had likely set her sights on Acheron's memories. Seizing the opportune moment, she had invited Acheron to dance, intending to probe her memories during the performance.
To her surprise, the person she had invited turned out to be an Emanator, and moreover, an Emanator of Nihility.
Nihility devours all, reducing everything to nothingness—memories included.
So, the likely outcome was that Miss Black Swan, with her refined grace, was nearly devoured alive by Acheron, right?
And to make matters worse, Lumina was there, recording the whole thing.
When a beautiful girl's secrets fall into Lumina's hands, Herta could easily imagine the dire consequences that would follow.
Without a doubt, the refined and intellectual Memokeeper, Miss Black Swan, had become completely and utterly Lumina's prey...
"What absurd nonsense are you thinking about now?"
Sensing a sudden tremor in her heart, Lumina immediately turned her gaze to Herta, suspecting her of indulging in another wild fantasy.
"I'm not thinking about anything absurd," Herta replied, shaking her head to deny it.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm certain."
How could a real event be considered "nonsense"?
Herta thought to herself.