Chapter 53

and said with a sudden realization.

【Oh my, not really.】

【Sister Himeko said they met by chance while investigating the dreamscape.】

Hearing Stelle's words, March 7th whispered an explanation to her.

【Not yet.】

【But because of you, perhaps we can take this opportunity to deepen our understanding of each other.】

Black Swan also said with a smile.

【So, Stelle, how did you fall into that kind of place?】

【What exactly happened...?】

Himeko began to ask about Stelle's experience.

【It happened like this...】

Stelle hurriedly explained her previous experience,

detailing everything.

【So, the person who attacked you was a woman in red, skilled in illusions, and capable of changing her appearance into others...】

After hearing Stelle's encounter,

Welt began to frown.

【Heh, her name is Sparkle, a Masked Fool who infiltrated Penacony...】

【Rest assured, that girl won't be targeting you all for the time being.】

【She must think she succeeded and is currently feeling smug somewhere.】

At this moment, Black Swan chuckled,

and explained the identity of the person who attacked Stelle to everyone.

【You seem to know her very well?】

Welt looked at Black Swan,

somewhat surprised.

【Of course, I know everyone here.】

【In Penacony, everyone might lie...】

【But memories do not.】

【So...】

【I find it necessary to clarify a fact for everyone.】

【Miss Sparkle's tricks can make people fall into hallucinations.】

【But that bizarre dreamscape has nothing to do with her; it originates from Penacony itself.】

Black Swan spoke eloquently,

revealing a shocking fact.

Sparkle: "Aha~ I didn't expect this elegant Memokeeper lady to clarify for me~"

Sparkle: "Chicken-wing boy, did you hear that clearly now?"

Miss Beidou: "Oh ho, looks like it's about to be confirmed!"

Kamisato Ayaka: "So the Family's sweet dream is actually all a lie?"

Diluc: "As expected, there is no such thing as a true sweet dream in this world."

Nahida: "If the sweet dream is fake, then what is its true essence?"

Neuvillette: "That is indeed a question worth pondering."

Yae Miko: "By the way, is Miss Black Swan also approaching the Astral Express with an agenda?"

Sangonomiya Kokomi: "I always feel like the Astral Express is constantly being approached by people with ulterior motives."

Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Especially Miss Stelle, it seems there isn't a single person who isn't interested in her."

Stelle: "Sigh... they are all attracted by my damn charm."

Stelle: "This is truly distressing."

March 7th: "Hey, you really know how to flatter yourself!"

The video continued.

【Penacony... itself?!】

March 7th was somewhat dazed.

She didn't understand.

【Haven't you realized it yet?】

【The so-called Land of Dreams...】

【Is actually a result carefully maintained by the Family using unknown means, a pre-designed sweet dream.】

【And the Memory Zone she fell into — that is what the dreamscape originally looked like.】

【Chaotic, dangerous, mysterious... memory beasts inhabit the ever-changing labyrinth...】

Black Swan explained to everyone,

her voice a bit low.

【...She's right.】

【Everyone, do you remember the scene when you entered the dream?】

Himeko put her hands on her hips,

and asked everyone.

【I saw clocks, schools of fish, and a deep sea...】

Stelle recalled and said.

【Huh, so everyone saw the same thing?】

【I remember... then it was a guest room, and then through a mirror, I arrived at a long corridor...】

March 7th followed up,

and recounted the scene she saw when she entered the dream.

【The Corridor of Thoughts — that's what the hotel staff calls it.】

Welt interjected.

【Don't you think this scenery is far from the Penacony in the dream...】

【Yet very similar to the dreamscape Miss Black Swan described?】

Himeko asked rhetorically.

【Indeed... I didn't take it to heart when I first saw it.】

【But looking back, there are too many commonalities between the two.】

Welt nodded.

【And, I learned from some regular guests.】

【The first stop after entering the dream was originally the hotel in the dream, but because of some accidents... the hotel is currently undergoing renovations.】

Himeko shared another piece of intelligence she had.

【May I ask under what circumstances a building would need renovations?】

【Combined with her experience just now, the answer is very clear.】

Black Swan pointed at Stelle,

and then said:

【Penacony's sweet dream is sinking, returning to what it originally looked like... sinking into the deep sea.】

Black Swan's tone began to drift.

【Sinking?】

【You mean... the dream world is disintegrating?】

March 7th somewhat understood the meaning behind Black Swan's words.

【The encounter at the dream hotel is a sign.】

Black Swan nodded in acknowledgment.

【...I see, this explains the sense of dissonance in the Family's words.】

【If this news were known to the outside world, regardless of the actual safety of the guests, the reputation of the Planet of Festivities would inevitably be affected!】

【With the Charmony Festival approaching, they have no choice but to hide this matter.】

Welt suddenly understood the truth behind this.

【The safety of the guests, perhaps even this cannot be guaranteed...】

【Isn't the monster she encountered the best proof?】

【Do you want me to give you another hint?】

【It is... a Meme of the Memory Zone...】

【How could a meme that metaphorically represents death and murder appear in a dream that the Family claims is absolutely safe...】

【In Penacony, everyone might lie — perhaps that includes the Family themselves?】

Black Swan said in a ghostly tone.

【Miss Black Swan, we have fully understood the current situation.】

【Returning to your initial proposal...】

【May I ask for what reason the Garden of Recollection chooses to cooperate with the Astral Express?】

Himeko had learned the whole story,

so she decided to probe Black Swan's attitude.

【Hmm, allow me to correct you...】

【This is my personal request, not representing the Garden.】

【The answer is simple, Miss Himeko, I just want to make an exchange... an exchange of memories.】

【Beyond my duties, I also have... personal aesthetic pursuits.】

【I am a Memokeeper, and also a collector; I also want to witness those crystalline, brilliant, and precious memories.】

【This kind of thinking is easy to understand, isn't it?】

【And you, the Nameless of the Astral Express, practitioners of the Path of Trailblaze...】

【I believe in your potential, and I also believe in the... unique brilliance you will bloom on this stage.】

【This is the reason I want to be friends with you all.】

【The intersection of nightmares and sweet dreams... it couldn't be more suitable as a cradle for memories.】

Black Swan's tone was gentle and soothing,

and her eyes also seemed to carry sincerity.

【...I understand. But before giving you an answer, we still need to have a discussion.】

Himeko pondered for a moment,

deciding not to give Black Swan an answer for now.

【Of course, please feel free.】

Black Swan nodded, not minding at all.