—✦Honkai Star Rail World✦—
"The complex maneuvering between these major powers is enough to give anyone a headache."
Inside the carriage, March 7th rubbed her eyes, unable to suppress a sigh of exasperation.
"Heh heh, that's just how the universe is—rife with deception and intrigue at every turn."
Welt smiled.
"You'll get used to it."
"Speaking of which, something Aventurine said to Sunday in the livestream earlier has me rather concerned."
"『Do you dare claim this was acquired by the Family through legitimate means?』"
"That line, it just gives me the feeling that Aventurine knows something."
Himeko approached the others, her expression grave.
"Indeed. Judging by Aventurine's demeanor, the IPC has likely harbored designs on Penacony for a long time."
"Thus, perhaps the Corporation uncovered something. That's why they dispatched Aventurine to attempt to reclaim Penacony."
Dan Heng mused for a moment, offering his perspective.
"The IPC never fights an unprepared battle. Aventurine's expedition must have been undertaken with immense confidence."
"And the fact that he specifically chose the time of the Charmony Festival to arrive… That's quite intriguing."
Aventurine's unusual behavior made Welt realize something was amiss.
"Uncle Yang, are you suggesting this matter might also be connected to the Charmony Festival?"
Stelle grasped Welt's meaning.
"It's not impossible. The Charmony Festival is the Family's most crucial event! Even if the IPC intended to send someone to reclaim Penacony, they shouldn't have chosen such a sensitive period. Unless…"
Welt fell silent.
"Unless an unforeseen, monumental change is about to occur during the Charmony Festival!"
Himeko suddenly interjected, her tone resolute.
.. . ..
"Brother, what exactly is going on with all of this? What that Aventurine said, was it truly baseless? Does the Family, perhaps, harbor some unspeakable secrets?"
Inside Sunday's room, Robin was consumed by worry.
As the Charmony Festival approached, an undercurrent of turmoil had suddenly begun to surge. And Penacony, was at the very epicenter of this undercurrent.
Now, it drew countless gazes from across the universe. This left Robin feeling profoundly uneasy.
"Robin, do not fret. You must trust in the Family's strength. The Family possesses the capability to overcome any hardship. As for that Mr. Aventurine…"
"Heh heh, I actually found Miss Acheron's earlier assessment of him quite interesting. 『A gambler, before facing utter defeat, will always burn their bridges and stake everything on one last throw!』"
"And don't you think he's already doing just that? His schemes exposed, he now seeks to drag the Family down with him, to muddy the waters and thereby seize favorable conditions for himself."
"The Family's power and unity far exceed his imagination. His actions will only lead to an even more bitter end."
Sunday gently comforted Robin, then answered the question with an air of composure.
"What brother says is not without reason. But… I still cannot set my mind at ease."
"Brother also knows that ever since I arrived in Penacony, my voice has grown increasingly strange. It seems as though a discordant melody is interfering with my singing. And what that signifies… Brother should understand."
Sunday's words did not entirely dispel Robin's concerns.
For, just as Welt had stated in the video, her current voice was indeed abnormal. And the implications of this kept her from sleeping or eating in peace.
"… Rest assured, leave this matter to me. No matter who it is, if they dare betray the Family, they will not be spared!"
"Robin, you merely need to rest well. Go now, you've had a long day. Return to your room and rest."
Sunday first stood with her back to Robin in silence for a moment, then turned around and spoke gently.
"Mm, Brother, I trust you! You mustn't overwork yourself either."
Robin nodded, then departed.
"Sigh… Robin… it's not that I… intentionally deceived you… I only hope you won't resent me, your brother…"
Sunday watched Robin's retreating figure, sighing almost imperceptibly. Her own figure also seemed to grow a little forlorn.
—
『 [ Stelle: So this is... the "Dreamscape"? ]
[ The atmosphere feels a bit strange, and… did I just hear a peculiar sound? ]
Stelle regained consciousness in a hotel room within the Dreamscape, a slight sense of confusion in her heart.
[ Stelle: This is… a note? ]
Stelle walked around the room and discovered a note on the table. Upon opening it, she found a passage of text.
[ Watchmaker's Advice ]
[ The impossible can also happen in dreams ]
[ Find it, and then you shall be granted an audience. ]
Stelle had no clue as to the meaning of the words on the note, so she simply put it away for now.
[ Over here! Can you see me? Over here! ]
[ Please come this way! ]
Suddenly, an inexplicable voice called out.
[ Stelle: I think I heard a familiar voice… Is it coming from inside the picture frame? ]
Stelle paused, then walked towards the mysterious picture frame on the wall. The voice was emanating from there.
[ Ah, you've arrived! How wonderful! ]
[ I thought you might not notice me… ]
[ Welcome to the Gallery of Thoughts! You can think of this as an entry point, leading to the "Golden Hour." And I am here to guide all our esteemed guests. ]
Stelle stepped into the picture frame and was greeted by a familiar face.
[ Stelle: We meet again, Misha. ]
Stelle smiled, speaking Misha's name.
[ Oh, you remember me? I'm so happy. ]
Misha was pleasantly surprised that Stelle still remembered him.
[ Misha: This is a temporary transit station, so it might look a bit simple… The "Reverie" Hotel in the Dreamscape is currently undergoing renovations. ]
[ I apologize for the less-than-ideal check-in experience… But if you proceed to the "Golden Hour," I'm sure all your worries will vanish into thin air! ]
Misha began to explain the situation to Stelle.
[ Stelle: "What happened to The Reverie Hotel?" ]
Stelle was curious.
[ Are you asking about "The Reverie" Hotel in the Dreamscape? I'm not entirely clear on the specific details myself, I apologize… ]
Misha shook his head, indicating he didn't know.
[ Stelle: Then what is the "Golden Hour"? ]
Getting no answers, Stelle asked another question.
[ Misha: Perhaps you've already read about it in your Dreamscape Passport, but I can introduce it to you again! ]
[ The "Golden Hour" is one of Penacony's twelve Dreamscapes, corresponding to the time of "Midnight"—here, time in the dream forever pauses at the moment before zero o'clock; tomorrow never arrives, and the revelry of this night never ends… ]
[ …Ah, but this doesn't mean time in the dream is stagnant—to avoid causing mental and physical burden to our travelers, the temporal scale in the Dreamscape is set to align with reality, so please don't worry! ]
Misha was very knowledgeable about Penacony in the Dreamscape, so he easily answered the question.
[ Stelle: Oh, right, I just picked up a note… ]
Stelle suddenly remembered the strange note and wanted to ask Misha if he had any clues.
[ Misha: A note? Did you find it in the room? ]
[ Ah… could it be trash left by the previous guest…? ]
[ It was my carelessness, not cleaning thoroughly. I've caused you trouble… My deepest apologies! ]
As soon as Stelle mentioned the note, Misha immediately apologized profusely. He simply assumed it must have been his oversight in cleaning, which led to Stelle finding the note.
Seeing Misha's reaction, Stelle realized he knew nothing about the note, so she didn't press further.
[ Stelle: Where do I go to reach the "Golden Hour"? ]
Stelle wanted to leave, so she began asking Misha for directions.
[ You just need to pass through that doorway over there, and you can reach the "Golden Hour"—I wish you an unforgettable sweet dream! ]
Misha pointed Stelle in a direction, then bowed deeply.
Subsequently, Stelle bid farewell to Misha and began to proceed in the direction Misha had indicated. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Oh, I just feel like this little Misha is so cute."
Pam: "I don't know why... Pam just feels like he has the shadow of a familiar person about him, Pam."
Robin: "Brother, speaking of which, do we have this little brother Misha among our hotel staff?"
Sunday: "That… I can't quite recall. Perhaps? The hotel's affairs are incredibly busy every day, and the staff are mostly in a hurry."
Sunday: "Therefore, even I cannot commit all the hotel's service staff to memory."
....
—✦In Between✦—
Astral Express, in the Parlor Car—
"How strange, Pam! Why does this Misha feel so familiar to me, Pam?"
Pam stared at Misha, feeling a certain closeness, yet also a subtle, inexplicable melancholy.
"Sigh, never mind, Pam, maybe I just felt wrong, Pam? I don't care anymore, Pam, let's just watch the video properly."
Pam had no clue about the matter and could only shake her head, continuing to watch the video.
—