—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Barbara: "The Dreamscape is so interesting, even paper-folded little birds have come to life."
Amber: "And this cartoon story about Clockie, it's already had tens of thousands of episodes! I really want to watch it with Collei."
Collei: "Am… Amber! Thank you for still wanting to share with me!"
Collei: "I'd love to watch it with you too!"
....
—✦In Between✦—
"Amber hasn't forgotten me, that's really nice."
Gandharva Ville, Collei's home.
Resting at home, she looked at Amber's words, feeling very warm.
Even the pain from Eleazar felt much less.
—
『 [ See that building in the distance? That's the famous "Grand Theater"—another important landmark in Penacony! ]
[ Don't you think its silhouette is unique? Because in reality, it used to be Asdana's central prison. The Family renovated it in the Dreamscape, transforming it into the magnificent Penacony Grand Theater we see today. ]
[ From the moment it was built, the Grand Theater has continuously played the "Symphony of Harmony" for the entire Great Dream. ]
[ And at the once-a-cycle Grand Festival of Harmony, family members gather in the theater to welcome the arrival of the "Harmonious Choir," bringing blessings of eternal peace to Penacony. ]
[ The place we are in is the best viewing spot in Golden Hour! Look, there are even telescopes set up here! This cycle's Grand Festival of Harmony is about to begin, remember to come here early to reserve your spot. ]
Hotaru led Stelle to an observation deck, the two of them gazed at the Grand Theater in the distance for a while, then continued to other places.
[ Next, i'll take you to a fun place. ]
Hotaru said with a smile, then crossed the road.
And this time, because Stelle obediently followed Hotaru across the crosswalk, she wasn't hit by a car.
[ Up ahead is the SoulGlad Theme Leisure Area—"Aideen Park." There are a lot of people here, so stick close to me. ]
Hotaru reminded Stelle, then started to jog.
Soon, they arrived at a very lively park.
[ This is the largest park in Golden Hour, and also a symbol of Penacony's soda culture—that super huge soda bottle is the SoulGlad corporate headquarters building! ]
[ It is said that SoulGlad originated from a sweet medicinal syrup popular during the prison era, invented by Mr. Sousa, hence the name "Sousa Juice." Later, the interstellar merchant Aideen discovered a business opportunity and bought the recipe for Sousa Juice. ]
[ He infused it with a large amount of bubbles, renamed it "SoulGlad," and also created "Syrupism"—claiming that drinking SoulGlad was a new lifestyle, and through this, created today's commercial miracle. ]
[ Did you know? In the original recipe for Sousa Juice, an ingredient called Dreamleaf was completely extinct. So now, you can only taste the "Original SoulGlad" in the dreams of Penacony. ]
[ And only here can you fully understand the true essence of "Syrupism"… ]
[ Hmm…? ]
Hotaru pointed at the SoulGlad headquarters building, explaining things to Stelle.
However, as she spoke, her eyes suddenly sharpened, then looked at the place behind Stelle.
[ What's wrong? What are you looking at? ]
Hotaru's appearance made Stelle a little surprised.
She began to vaguely feel that Hotaru might not be so simple.
And when Hotaru heard Stelle's words, her expression immediately returned to normal, and she became that harmless and cute self again.
[ ….Without further ado, let me show you around! ]
Hotaru didn't explain anything, instead, she continued to lead Stelle on a tour.
[ These instruments playing their own music are called the "Sweet Dream Troupe." ]
[ In the Dream of Penacony, many items and facilities are affected by (memoria) and gain self-awareness. They are tamed by the Family and become the Sweet Dream Troupe that serves guests. ]
[ However, these little things can also be affected by dangerous emotions or memories, turning into the "Nightmare Troupe" that wreaks havoc everywhere… If you accidentally run into one, be sure to ask nearby security personnel for help. ]
They arrived at a circular stage.
On it, peculiar creatures called the Sweet Dream Troupe were performing a joint ensemble. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "This SoulGlad… why does it feel so much like Fontaine's Fonta?"
Lynette: "I have that feeling too."
Navia: "Maybe it's a coincidence of inspiration? That's quite normal."
Wriothesley: "You guys, which tastes better, fonta or SoulGlad?"
Sigewinne: "I think the milkshake I make for you tastes better."
Wriothesley: "Uh… thank you for the Head Nurse's kindness, but I still prefer tea."
....
—✦In Between✦—
Fortress of Meropide—
"Head Nurse's milkshake, that stuff, i really can't swallow it."
Wriothesley looked at Sigewinne's comment, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
—
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Nahida: "The Sweet Dream Troupe, these little guys seem very interesting."
Paimon: "I always feel like they're a bit similar to the Aranara we met."
Lumine: "There's still a difference, right? The Aranara can live in reality too."
Stelle: "What about the Sweet Dream Troupe? Can they come out into reality?"
Hotaru: "Probably not, they can only live in dreams."
Stelle: "Then the Aranara are still more amazing."
Welt: "By the way, miss Hotaru, are you really just an ordinary artist?"
Hotaru: "Huh?? I am! Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
Welt: "Nothing, i just feel that Miss Hotaru has a lot of knowledge and seems to know a lot about Penacony."
Hotaru: "Hehe, it's nothing, after all, I live here. I just picked up on these things by being exposed to them."
Stelle: "Tsk, my second wife is so smart!"
....
—✦In Between✦—
—✦Honkai Star Rail World✦—
Astral Express, in the Parlor Car—
"…. This Miss Hotaru… seems a little off."
Welt looked at Hotaru's statement, his expression somewhat solemn.
"Welt, you noticed it too?"
Himeko came to Welt's side, and asked.
"Hmm… Miss Hotaru seemed to have deliberately taken some detours when showing Stelle around. And, she subconsciously scouted her surroundings twice."
"That expression, it's like a well-trained warrior… Such behavior appearing on such a delicate girl seems a bit too out of place."
Welt stated his findings.
"That's right, she must be hiding her true identity. Her purpose should be to get close to Stelle!"
"Sigh, i didn't expect that this child would be targeted by all sorts of people as soon as she arrived in Penacony. It's really worrying."
Himeko glanced at Stelle, who was still sitting on the sofa, grinning like nothing was wrong, feeling a little tired, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Heh heh, no matter. Since this video has exposed it, we can take precautions in advance. No need to worry too much."
Welt chuckled, comforting Himeko.
"You're right. Then let's see who else has ill intentions towards this child."
—