Chapter 470: then translation of title

We must not add any extra text.

After all lines, output ===TITLE=== then translation of title: "2.2 Main·Pinokangni (141)"

Now

Xingqiri looked at everyone, solemnly shook his head: "——I and the entire Oak family cannot agree to your demands."

——

Slaying Crimson Red Pupil.

"……Strange, why is it just him?"

Within the Hunter Organization, Wil, who had just breathed a sigh of relief over Shajin's rescue, felt his heart leap to his throat again; looking at the handsome and courteous man on the skyline, he began to sense that something was terribly wrong.

Zhigengniao? Walter? Why haven't they come?

"I'm afraid he has completely defected to the Dream Master. Walter and Zhigengniao... likely more danger than safety." Lan's expression grew grimly serious; although he had anticipated that Xingqiri would turn against the Dream Master, he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

But what puzzled him even more was what the Dream Master had promised Xingqiri in exchange for his betrayal of his sister.

That unrealistic beautiful vision?

Or the Dream Master's supreme authority?

In Lan's view, Xingqiri is certainly not someone easily bribed. He is very intelligent, far-sighted, and benevolent... even smarter than him and everyone he has ever seen. Yet precisely because of that, Lan finds it strange what the Dream Master could have said to him.

"But even if negotiations fail, it might not necessarily come to blows, right? That Dream Master doesn't seem like such an unreasonable person..." Wil looked at Lan with apprehension.

"... Hard to say, after all this is the territory of 【Harmony】. But even if Mr. Walter encounters danger, I believe he can turn peril into safety, after all, Mr. Walter's greatest strength lies not in strength, but..." Lan tapped his forehead lightly with his index finger, "... here."

"Compared to strength, his experience and wisdom are the most reliable weapons. Do you still remember that communication device in his hand? If things truly reach an irreparable point... the company's fleet will intervene. In other words, as long as the company holds its forces, I believe everything remains under Mr. Walter's control."

——

"... As expected." Liuying crossed her arms coldly.

Xingqiri: "We agree with the viewpoint of you nameless ones; Pinokangni needs change, but not in the way you demand. The Festival Star cannot, and will not, revert to a chaotic, lawless land where dreams are chased and the strong devour the weak."

"Having fought your way through countless battles, you should have sensed, to some extent, a reflection of that era: the weak were mercilessly eliminated, equality vanished. In the brutal competition, people lived from day to day, struggling to survive."

"... Finally, only ones like you, 【Heroes】, can achieve success."

Xingqiri turned his gaze toward Star: "But let me ask—Star, if you didn't have the special identity bestowed by the Star Core, you would merely be a fragile member of the masses… Which kind of Pinokangni would you prefer? A savage wilderness of survival of the fittest, or a blissful paradise where everyone can be happy?"

Star couldn't be bothered to play his question game right now: "I don't know, why are you asking this?"

"This isn't the point! Star, don't let him lead you astray." March Seventh whispered from the side.

Qizi took a deep breath, calmly said: "Mr. Xingqiri, even if the Oak family cannot fully agree to the arrangements concerning the Star Core, now is probably not the time to loftily discuss Pinokangni's past and future, is it?"

"The Star Core issue concerns the life and death of everyone in Pinokangni. If you have better proposals, the Train Crew is willing to listen. Feel free to tell us the full story of that meeting—so we can also learn what exactly happened to Walter and Miss Zhigengniao that prevented them from arriving as promised."

"……"

"Some time ago……"

Dream Master: "…You mean that for a long time, villains have actually used the Harmony Bliss Festival, which we bestowed upon humanity as a blessing, as a tool to achieve their ambitions?"

Zhigengniao nodded: "Exactly, Lord Dream Master. Once the Harmony Bliss Festival begins, the power of the Star Core will spread throughout Pinokangni with the song… At that point, everyone dreaming will be unable to awaken from their dreams."

The Dream Master's tone was quite surprised: "The dream realm is the result of the five great families jointly maintaining it; if someone were to recklessly spread the Star Core's power using Harmony, that person would necessarily hold a high position..." He looked at the few people before him: "... Do you have any suspects?"

Walter's gaze darkened as he stepped forward: "May I ask, are you truly unaware of the Star Core's existence?"

——

Labyrinth Meals.

"Huh?? How is this Dream Master guy responding——Mmmph!!"

Marlusil excitedly straightened up, only to be choked by a sizable chunk of meat, her face flushing red as she burst into violent coughing.

"Heh heh, interesting—this event has taken a turn—the Dream Master actually doesn't know about the Star Core's existence, nor does he know the mastermind behind the scenes, and is completely ignorant of the overall situation… interesting, truly quite interesting..." Cierlzak's eyes drooped; he was finding it increasingly hard to understand this bunch of the family.

If Xingqiri's words are true, and the Star Core is none other than the Grand Theater itself, then why would the Dream Master not know about the Star Core? How could he possibly not know?

Something that even Xingqiri knows—why doesn't he know it? If the Star Core is so secret that even someone of the Dream Master's stature is unaware, then how did Xingqiri come to learn of it?

In an instant, countless questions flooded Cierlzak's mind; he had already felt that Pinokangni was shrouded in mist, but now this fog not only failed to lift—it grew denser.

"He's lying."

This is the only possibility Cierlzak can think of.

……As someone who has witnessed countless historic moments in Pinokangni, the Dream Master himself is like a living fossil; if even he doesn't know about the Star Core, then many things simply don't add up.

"Lying? But how could he possibly lie?" Leoes scratched his head, "Do you remember the method he used when interrogating Shajin? That incredibly strange one…… If Xingqiri used that on a lying Dream Master, wouldn't he be seeking his own death?"

"……That's also right."

Under the influence of Harmony's power, the Dream Master absolutely cannot lie when answering; Xingqiri's trick would surely not escape the Dream Master's notice, yet he remains so composed…… Could it be that the Dream Master truly doesn't know about the Star Core?

——

The Dream Master froze for a moment, then slowly laughed: "Ha… I never imagined that this nameless challenger would point his spear directly at me—truly astonishing."

"If there has been any offense, the Astral Express offers you a solemn apology." Walter continued, neither humble nor arrogant, "But the situation is urgent now; we cannot afford a detailed investigation. This is also for the stability of the dream realm, so please dispel our concerns."