Chapter 149

Sandgold: "In this shrouded in layers of mystery Penacony, going it alone won't get you anywhere."

Truth Physician: "I hope you're right, or I won't be cleaning up your mess."

Furfana: "Sandgold's goal is to reclaim Penacony for the company."

Furfana: "To that end, he's willing to use any means necessary."

Furfana: "Yet Miss Black Swan keeps coaxing Young Lady Star to follow Sandgold..."

Furfana: "Thinking of this, I suddenly feel so worried for Young Lady Star!"

Sandgold: "Worried about what? That I'll eat her?"

Sandgold: "Come on, I'm no cannibal demon—I don't have that kind of power."

Sandgold: "Besides, unless absolutely necessary, I have no intention of antagonizing the Star Rail crew to death."

Sandgold: "After all, their group still holds considerable prestige across the Milky Way."

Sandgold: "If I truly push them too far, I won't fare well either."

Sandgold: "You know I'm a merchant—weighing costs and benefits is the bare minimum for any merchant."

Welt: "I'm glad Sandgold Mr. still understands this point."

Welt: "Then I hope you won't overplay your hand with Star."

Welt: "As a sensible person, you should also realize that the Explorers aren't easy to manipulate."

Star: "Still trying to use me?"

Star: "Do you think I won't blow everything wide open if you push me too far!!!"

Star: "Let's all just die together!!"

Hu Tao: "Huh~ Young Lady Star is angry!!"

Hu Tao: "The consequences are severe!"

Wind: "Almost forgot—Young Lady Star carries a Star Core inside her!"

Wind: "If she really flips the table, all of Penacony will be destroyed—no one will need to fight over the inheritance or uncover any conspiracies..."

Shenhe: "So... is Young Lady Star the one with the most leverage in this whole affair?"

Shenhe: "She seems incredibly powerful..."

Zhong Li: "By common reason, Young Lady Star appears to truly possess the power to overturn everything."

March 7th: "Uh... even though you all say that well..."

March 7th: "But doesn't she actually lack that kind of ability?"

Star: "Cough... uh, I was just joking."

Star: "Don't take it seriously!"

Star: "You're flattering me so much, I'm embarrassed!"

Welt: "The Star Core inside her is sealed and remains extremely stable."

Welt: "Therefore, she has no direct control over the Star Core."

Deneba: "Ah, so it's just for show, not usable...?"

Deneba: "That's rather unfortunate."

Alhaitham: "There's nothing unfortunate about it."

Alhaitham: "The Star Core is a creation of the Star God—if truly activated, it would be a colossal disaster!"

Alhaitham: "Back to the matter at hand—I believe cooperating with Sandgold is perfectly acceptable."

Alhaitham: "At least for now, the benefits outweigh the risks."

Servant: "Indeed, I agree."

Miss Ningguang: "Sandgold Mr. appears to have ill intentions..."

Miss Ningguang: "But at present, his goal is the clearest of all!"

Miss Ningguang: "Everyone else, to varying degrees, doesn't even know what they're plotting."

Sandgold: "Ah, it's pleasing to see someone understands the current situation."

Sandgold: "Yes, all I seek is to reclaim Penacony."

Sandgold: "As for others—the Rangers, the Hunters, the Fools, even the Memory Court and the Families—who can guarantee they aren't harboring ulterior motives?"

Sandgold: "So, in a sense, the Star Rail crew can only be safest by cooperating with me!"

Sandgold: "Because the Star Rail crew wishes to uncover the truth behind Penacony's dream..."

Sandgold: "And I, coincidentally, need that truth to overthrow the Family!"

Sandgold: "You see? Our interests align perfectly."

Himeko: "Heh, even so, Sandgold Mr., your conduct has consistently been unfriendly..."

Himeko: "If you truly intend to cooperate with the Star Rail crew, you shouldn't keep scheming against this child, Star."

Himeko: "You could simply sit down with us and speak openly."

Himeko: "But you didn't."

March 7th: "Exactly! Others aren't trustworthy—you're even less so!"

Truth Physician: "I already warned him not to make things overly complicated!"

Truth Physician: "Too bad, some damn gambler just won't listen—he insists on muddying the waters."

Sandgold: "If I don't muddy the waters, how can I slip past the Family's watchful eyes?"

Sandgold: "In any case, based on the video footage, my plan seems to be going smoothly."

Sandgold: "I wonder, though—what truth will I show her next?"

Sandgold: "That's actually piqued my interest."

Topaz: "Then shut up and watch the video!"

Sandgold: "Then let's keep watching."

The video continued.

Stelle followed Sandgold forward.

【Hey, by the way, didn't I say something after that…? What was it again?】

【Ah… a corridor I've seen before, a room I've seen before.】

【Do you remember?】

【The last time we met, it was right here.】

【We've arrived—behind this door.】

【Hold your breath and watch—】

Sandgold brought Stelle to the door of a room.

Then a strange smile appeared on his face.

【I'd like to see what trick you're playing now.】

Stelle stepped forward,

grasped the doorknob,

about to push the door open.

At that moment, Sandgold's voice rang out again.

【Oh, I've finally remembered… friend!】

【After that, we played a pleasant game.】

【Look—right now, just as back then… isn't it?】

【I remember it all now. At that time, I told you this—】

【Look, friend.】

【The game has already begun…】

【Make a deal with me—you can't refuse.】

Sandgold led Stelle into the room,

and walked to the Dream Pool.

【Huh?! What?!】

Stelle stared at the scene within the Dream Pool,

her pupils sharply contracted,

her heart began to beat rapidly!