"Entering the Dream Pool? Why are you staring at me? Is there a Dream Pool on my face?"
In the Herta room of The Reverie Hotel, Lumina couldn't help but speak up when she noticed Herta's gaze fixed on her, delaying her entry into the Dream Pool.
"Though, if you're simply captivated by my beauty..." Lumina twirled a strand of her hair, striking a coquettish pose, before declaring with mock solemnity, "In that case, feel free to gaze to your heart's content. I won't be offended."
"You're overthinking things," Herta replied with a speechless expression, observing Lumina's melodramatic performance.
Then, she bluntly stated, "The main reason I'm hesitant to enter the Dream Pool is because there's a little person standing right in front of me."
"I'll go in once that little person leaves."
Herta's words were so blunt they practically had "Get lost!" written on her face.
Given Lumina's previous "criminal record," Herta had no intention of leaving her body defenseless before her.
Last time, it was just a harmless prank involving graffiti on her face—not a major incident, but not exactly trivial either.
This time, however, after her previous prank failed, who knew what even more outrageous scheme Lumina might concoct?
The last time Herta exploited Lumina's weakness, she managed to shut her up. This time, no matter what, Herta would not repeat her past mistakes.
Entering the Dream Pool would mean being completely at Lumina's mercy, subjected to childish pranks.
Pretending to enter the Dream Pool would result in Lumina tormenting Herta right before her eyes, indulging in childish pranks while leaving behind incriminating evidence that would ultimately plunge the future into darkness.
Neither option was acceptable to Herta. The only outcome she would accept was for Lumina to become hers.
In simpler terms, Herta would only accept manipulating Lumina, never the other way around.
Therefore, Herta chose to kick Lumina out first, allowing her to enter Penacony ahead of her. This would effectively prevent the little schemer from engaging in any underhanded schemes.
"Little Herta, why do you distrust me so much?"
"As the universally renowned Saintess, a symbol of purity and beauty, would I really stoop to such petty, underhanded tricks?" Listening to these words, Lumina clutched her chest, seeming somewhat heartbroken.
Herta remained silent, just watching Lumina's performance.
"Like you said about the Penacony Farm earlier, it was all a misunderstanding about me."
Seeing Herta remain expressionless, Lumina swiftly changed her demeanor, shrugging and shaking her head helplessly as she began to reason with her.
"So, this time it's definitely another misunderstanding."
Sure, I have a history of bad choices, but why assume I can't turn over a new leaf?
"..." Herta remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Lumina.
Though she said nothing, her meaning was crystal clear: Are you done talking? If so, get out already.
"Alright, alright~" Seeing Herta's unwavering stance, Lumina abandoned her persuasion.
"I'll be going now. Sweet dreams."
"See you again in Penacony!"
With a sigh, Lumina turned to open the door and leave.
"Wait, you can't leave."
Before Lumina could step out, Herta's voice cut through the air, stopping her in her tracks.
"?"
If I leave, you object. If I stay, you object. What do you want from me?
Lumina's gaze snapped to Herta, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes.
"Right now, in front of me, enter Penacony." Sensing Lumina's displeasure, Herta snorted coldly.
"You think that little tweet-tweet in your heart could deceive a genius? Do you underestimate geniuses that much, or do you think I, Madam Herta, am a fool?
"Trying to fake a departure, then sneak back after I enter the Dream Pool? Do you take me for an idiot?
"Ahem, since you've called me out so directly, I'll play along."
The embarrassment flashed across Lumina's face as Herta bluntly exposed her scheme.
"See you in Penacony, ha!" With a punch, Lumina shattered the Memory Zone, creating a "doorway," and strode into Penacony.
"Hmm... looks like she's really gone." Herta sensed around for a moment before finally relaxing.
She stepped into the Dream Pool, lay back, closed her eyes, and followed the guidance to enter Penacony.
Although Herta could have simply used the "door" Lumina had punched through, given Lumina's nature, she might have demanded some nasty conditions in return.
Like making Herta use a sweet, pleading tone to beg or something equally absurd.
So, between the simple method and the slightly more complicated one, Herta still chose the Dream Pool's somewhat roundabout route.
After all, personal safety always comes first...
-
Penacony, the Golden Hour
"You actually didn't mess things up?"
As soon as Herta entered Penacony, she spotted Lumina waiting for her, somewhat surprised.
"Did you want me to mess things up?" Lumina retorted, playfully reaching out with a mischievous little hand toward Herta, feigning a desire to cause chaos.
"I want you to not mess things up," Herta countered, lightly swatting Lumina's hand away, nipping her mischief in the bud.
"Hmmph?"
"Exactly! I didn't mess with you earlier, so why are you still upset?"
Lumina huffed softly but didn't press the matter further.
Even though I might seem frivolous on the surface, I'm actually quite serious at heart, you know.
"Hmm... let me think. First, we should head to Dewlight Pavilion to meet Robin."
"After that battle, the Penacony Grand Theater, originally designated as the Charmony Festival's venue, is certainly unusable."
"Robin, determined to ensure the Charmony Festival's success, will likely seek us out... Hmm?"
Although the Radiant Feldspar had become the Genius Society's experimental ground, Robin would undoubtedly seek out Herta and Lumina to discuss arrangements for the Charmony Festival to proceed smoothly.
As Lumina had predicted, Robin appeared before them sooner than expected, even faster than she had anticipated.
Robin materialized before them.
Though her sudden appearance was a bit surprising, it wasn't a major issue.
Looking at Robin, Lumina smiled and said, "Robin, it's good to see you again."
"Congratulations on defeating the final Boss and becoming the great heroes of Penacony," Robin said, a faint smile gracing her face. She lowered her head slightly and offered a heartfelt thank you. "Sister Lumina, thank you for your contributions to the Family, to Penacony, and to all of us. If you hadn't intervened at the last moment, we might have..."
Robin trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken. Given Sunday's unwavering determination, if Lumina hadn't intervened, it was highly likely that everyone would have once again been plunged into the Sweet Dream.
And this time, the Sweet Dream might have lasted a lifetime.
"Hmm... Even though I don't know what you're talking about, thank you anyway," Lumina replied, feigning ignorance with a smile as she accepted Robin's gratitude.
"I see..." Robin murmured, momentarily taken aback by Lumina's response before quickly recovering her composure.
Shaking her head, Robin decided not to dwell on it. Though she couldn't fathom what Lumina was thinking, as a devoted fan, she would unconditionally respect her wishes.
"Um... Sister Lumina, Madam Herta, there's something I need to discuss with you both."
"If it's possible, could we move somewhere else to talk?"
After a brief hesitation, Robin resolved to bring up another matter.
"Sure, we can do that."
"Then let's go to—"
"I meant moving the Charmony Festival's venue to the Radiant Feldspar. We can do that."
"Huh?"
"We only have the right to use the Radiant Feldspar; the ownership still belongs to you." Seeing the dazed Robin, Lumina chuckled and gently flicked her forehead.
"Besides, our original purpose for coming to Penacony was to attend the Charmony Festival. How could we possibly refuse such a proposal?"
"On the contrary, moving the festival venue to the Radiant Feldspar actually makes things much more convenient for us."
Herta: ...
Hearing Lumina's words, Herta rolled her eyes at her silently and looked away, seemingly unwilling to gaze upon this fool.
"Really?"
"Really!"
"That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Sister Lumina!" Robin unconditionally believed every word Lumina said, her face lighting up with gratitude.
If Herta hadn't been present, Robin might have even...
"Sister Lumina, I still need to handle some Charmony Festival matters. Please excuse me."
"Mm, go ahead."
"See you at the Charmony Festival, Sister Lumina!"
Having received Lumina's confirmation, Robin hurried off.
It seemed the preparations for the Charmony Festival were indeed quite urgent.