Chapter 266

【Because besides this, I have nothing at all.】

March 7th: "What does that mean?"

March 7th: "Has Sha Jin already sensed the truth behind the dream?"

March 7th: "But how did Huang Quan know?"

Furina: "It seems because of that person's identity..."

Furina: "But who exactly is 'that person'?"

Zhong Li: "Probably... Miss Lingying."

Stelle: "Huh, Lingbao?"

Welt: "Yes, it's Miss Lingying."

Himeko: "Do you remember?"

Himeko: "From Hua Huo's hint, Sha Jin learned that a mute person was still alive and well in Penacony."

Himeko: "That mute person refers to Miss Lingying, who should have been killed by the Memory Meme."

Himeko: "Considering the current situation, Miss Lingying must have entered the world over there after being killed."

Himeko: "But she cannot step forward and speak again..."

Himeko: "Does this mean Miss Lingying is trapped in the world over there?"

Hu Tao: "Possible, but how did Huang Quan know Miss Lingying was still alive?"

Himeko: "I'm puzzled by that too."

Yan: "Actually, I'm more curious about how Hua Huo came to know so much."

Yan: "It feels like Penacony has no secrets from her at all!"

Paimon: "Uh... speaking of which, I just had a bold guess!!"

Paimon: "Do you think... Hua Huo might be Penacony's greatest mastermind behind the scenes??"

Paimon: "Otherwise, why would she know everything?"

Paimon: "And why did she deliberately interact with so many people?"

Gui Naifen: "Ah, this possibility is very likely!"

Gui Naifen: "As a Masked Fool, wouldn't Hua Huo enjoy doing something like this?"

Gui Naifen: "Let Penacony fall into chaos, then secretly watch from the shadows..."

Hua Huo: "Nee, you guessed it right~"

Hua Huo: "Yes, I'm the mastermind behind the scenes~"

Hua Huo: "All these schemes were led by me~"

Navia: "That tone... it seems the mastermind behind the scenes isn't Hua Huo."

Paimon: "Then who exactly is Dafan Sect? After all this, we still have no clue."

Miss Qingque: "Personally, I lean toward the Dream Master from that family who hasn't appeared yet."

Miss Qingque: "High-ranking and powerful—sounds perfect for a villain boss."

Miss Sushang: "If you say that, I think the Clockmaker Mikhail also has strong suspicion."

Amber: "Speaking of Mikhail..."

Amber: "Mr. Gallagher's identity seems unclear, and so is Little Misha."

Amber: "In short, many mysteries remain unsolved."

Stelle: "It's fine—according to the video, the truth is about to be revealed!"

Stelle: "Then all our questions will surely be answered!"

March 7th: "Then let's watch the video closely."

The video continues.

【... Wake from this dream, and go to where you belong.】

【Your gamble... is not over.】

After Huang Quan said this,

she turned to leave.

【......】

【... Before we part, can you answer me one more question?】

【As one who walks that path, can you tell me...】

【Why were we born into this world for the sake of death?】

Sha Jin called out to Huang Quan,

and asked this ultimate question.

【I never thought so.】

【Nor did you.】

Huang Quan turned back, looking at Sha Jin.

【Yet void truly envelops you and me... and everyone.】

Sha Jin's tone was heavy.

【Precisely because of that, it has no meaning.】

Huang Quan replied.

【.....】

【—But it's still there.】

Topaz turned and gazed at that boundless black hole.

【If the dice of fate have always been loaded with lead, then that is our destined end... why should we struggle against it?】

Topaz's tone was somewhat bewildered.

【... My answer may not dispel your confusion, for it has accompanied you all this way and has long been a part of your life.】

【But you once said that sleep is a rehearsal for death — why does life slumber?】

【Because we are not yet ready to greet death.】

【So you too must surely understand why we "wish" to be prepared.】

【Even if the ending was long predetermined, that is no matter — there are simply too many things beyond a person's power to change.】

【But before that, on the road toward the ending, there are equally many things a person can do.】

【And the ending... will, because of this, reveal an entirely different meaning.】

【Look into your pocket — your friend left you the answer long ago.】

【... Good luck.】

Huang Quan turned and left.

And Topaz took out from his pocket the medical advice Ratio had left him,

and unfolded it.

【What is impossible in dreams is not death, but slumber.】

【Live on. Good luck.】

This was the content of the medical note.

【Heh...】

【... Then I should be going too.】

Topaz finally showed a smile that made him feel relieved of a heavy burden.

Stelle: "Tch, what a sharp tongue but soft heart!"

Stelle: "Ratio, hurry up and admit it — you and Topaz are iron buddies!"

March 7th: "So the thing the Doctor of Truth left for Topaz was a word of guidance and encouragement?"

March 7th: "That's really something no one expected!"

Furina: "I just knew the Doctor of Truth was a cold-faced but warm-hearted person..."

Furina: "Don't be fooled by how he constantly needles and mocks Topaz on the surface — in his heart, he actually cares about him a great deal!"

Hu Tao: "Haha, after all, they're partners who click even when acting!"

Topaz: "Professor, I have to say, this medical note of yours really moved me!"

Topaz: "It's got my heart all warm and fuzzy right now."