Chapter 125

March 7th: "Erm... has this thread gone off-topic?"

March 7th: "Are you lot planning a rebellion, the way you're carrying on?"

Paimon: "Hehe, it's because Doctor, that big bad, is plotting against all of Teyvat!"

Paimon: "So everyone's up in arms!"

Paimon: "Now he's going to face the wrath of the masses!"

Stelle: "Fighting villains? I'm good at that!"

Stelle: "Too bad the train crew can't find where Teyvat is right now."

Stelle: "Otherwise I'd definitely go join the fun."

Servant: "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to add one thing—Doctor's remarks represent only himself and have nothing to do with Snezhnaya or the Fatui!"

Servant: "As a diplomat of Snezhnaya, I must clarify this!"

Zhong Li: "Heh, interesting."

Zhong Li: "In my memory, Sumeru is a land of wisdom. Its customs and people are quite admirable."

Zhong Li: "Since I'm free these two days, why not pay it a visit?"

Zhong Li: "That drunken poet—would you care to join me?"

Venti: "Oh my, for Zhong Li Mr. to invite me personally? It's an immense honor!"

Venti: "Don't worry, I'll head to Liyue right away to meet you."

Hu Tao: "???"

Hu Tao: "Say, Guest Master, when did I ever give you leave?"

Hu Tao: "They're at war over there—why are you going to meddle?"

Xiao: "Cough... Madam, you don't understand. Mr. Zhong Li is deeply versed in military strategy!"

Xiao: "So he's perfect to serve as our strategist!"

Paimon: "Exactly! That's it!"

Hu Tao: "There's that...?"

Xiao: "Absolutely true!!"

Hu Tao: "Fine then, I'll grant him leave! Go quick and come back quick."

Zhong Li: "Thank you, Madam, for your understanding."

Yaoyao: "Oh my, since everyone's eager to join the fun, I'll drag along a certain homebody to come along too."

Ying: "......"

Ying: "Very well. A little outing won't hurt. Consider it a change of pace."

Furina: "Um... Fontaine still needs me and Navia—we won't be joining the spectacle."

Furina: "Instead, I'll send Clorinde and Xia Wolei with troops to cheer you on!"

Clorinde: "I have no objections."

Xia Wolei: "The Special Patrol Unit stands ready for deployment."

Xiao: "Ooh, someone's gonna get their comeuppance!"

Paimon: "Yay! Nadezhda is saved!"

Doctor: "Hmph, mere rabble—just going to die anyway!"

Xiao: "Rabble?"

Xiao: "Good. You'll learn the power of rabble."

Venti: "Hehe, they're pretty mixed—everyone's got their own thing going!"

Zhong Li: "By common reason, it's not the number of soldiers that matters, but their quality!"

Zhong Li: "Though they appear to be rabble, they may yet be elite troops!"

Hu Tao: "Wow~ Guest Master truly understands the way of warfare! I believe you now!"

March 7th: "So you mean Madam Hu Tao didn't believe you at all before?"

Xiao: "Alright, alright, let us know when we arrive—stop spamming the chat for now."

Xiao: "There are others here—we shouldn't disturb them watching the video!"

Paimon: "Yes, yes, sorry—we'll stop talking now."

As Paimon's final words faded,

the grand campaign of condemnation in the livestream temporarily came to a close.

The video resumed.

The train crew temporarily parted from Black Swan,

and began discussing.

【..... Himeko, what do you think?】

Welt looked at Himeko,

wanting to hear her opinion.

【Her words cannot be fully trusted—there is much deliberate manipulation.】

【But I worry about the worst possibility: if the dream's anomaly truly exists, and is not natural, but secretly orchestrated by someone...】

Here, Himeko

fell into thought.

【Then... it is likely connected to the Clockmaker's invitation.】

Welt suddenly said!

【Huh, how did you deduce that?】

March 7th was puzzled by Welt's reasoning.

【Setting aside extreme cases, the mastermind behind the dream's anomaly must be opposed to the family—so there are only two possibilities.......】

【Someone intends to bring in external forces to exploit the chaos and undermine the family's control over Pinocone.】

【Or the family, seeking self-preservation, has been forced to secretly seek aid from outside.】

【But from the encrypted text of the invitation and the family's reaction.... the former possibility is more likely.】

Welt continued analyzing.

【This means the person who sent the anonymous guest's encrypted message and the mastermind behind the dream's anomaly are from the same faction..... possibly even the same person!】

Himeko rested her chin on her hand and said.

【But... that doesn't prove anything, does it?】

【In terms of method alone, the Fool and the Riddler could do it too—didn't the Company crack it successfully?】

March 7th felt that Welt and Himeko's analysis

was somewhat unconvincing.

【Little March 7th, don't worry—it's just one possibility.】

【But if this encrypted message isn't just a prank, and someone is deliberately inviting the Trailblazer to enter, we have even less reason to stand idly by.】

Himeko explained to March 7th.

【Now let me share my discovery—unfortunately, it's bad news!】

【According to reliable reports, several people in Pinocone have spotted a tall man wearing silver armor.】

【I inquired with the Hound lineage and visited many guests who claimed to have seen this intruder........】

【....... and then I received this.】

【Stelle, I've sent it to you—take a look.】

Welt pulled out his phone,

and sent the files to Stelle's phone.

Seeing this, Stelle swiftly pulled out her own phone,

【Ahem, can you hear me?】

【Stellar Train, long time no see—how's Pinocone treating you?】

After Stelle opened the video,

a very cute cartoon girl,

holding a loudspeaker,

began shouting.....