Chapter 68

Stelle shook her head again.

【Don't be in such a hurry, you might as well return to your companions and talk to them.】

【That navigator lady is a smart person; she will definitely understand the value of this deal.】

【Here, my contact information; contact me when you have a conclusion.】

【Oh, and... take this!】

【To conduct an investigation, you need to have some spare money on hand. Don't be polite!】

【See you, friend.】

【I really look forward to uncovering the truth of death with you all.】

Aventurine gave his contact information,

and some Credits to Stelle,

and then left directly.

【Aventurine left on his own...】

【He really didn't mean to force me, but it always feels wrong...】

Stelle looked at Aventurine's departing back, muttering in her heart.

【...What next?】

【What do you plan to do?】

Suddenly Black Swan asked.

【Black Swan... what does she think?】

Stelle walked in front of Black Swan,

ready to listen carefully to her opinion.

【On the surface, this deal has no downsides for you.】

【But Aventurine is a shrewd businessman; his abacus will never be as simple as it looks on the surface.】

【He doesn't know about Miss Firefly yet—but from your reaction, he might have sensed something, so he intentionally led the topic toward the truth of death, wrapping you into his logic.】

【Quick reaction, clear logic... I must warn you, cooperating with that man is dangerous.】

Black Swan analyzed the pros and cons for Stelle.

【Can I throw a die?】

Stelle felt that this matter was really hard to decide.

【Leave it to fate?】

【Your thinking is actually somewhat similar to that gambler's.】

【Regardless, be cautious.】

【There is more than one path for the Trailblaze; in the dark forest surrounded by wolves, you must first ensure you can escape alive.】

【As for other questions...】

Black Swan stopped speaking,

waiting for Stelle to ask other questions.

【Did Death kill Robin?】

Stelle thought for a moment and asked.

【I cannot be sure that both incidents were committed by the same person, but that huge wound... is very similar to its wing blade; we all saw the moment it committed the crime.】

【And... there is currently no second possibility of causing death in the dream.】

Black Swan explained.

【Then does this matter have anything to do with Huang Quan?】

Stelle asked again.

【Sorry, I cannot answer this question.】

【That Ranger is too mysterious; I'm afraid no one can give a definitive conclusion.】

【But there is no doubt... she is the most special guest at this banquet.】

【Just as Aventurine said just now, you'd better keep your distance from her.】

Black Swan shook her head,

unable to give an accurate answer.

【Are there any other abnormalities?】

Stelle pondered for a while and said.

【Two victims appearing in a very short time... this matter itself is too abnormal.】

【There are two possibilities: Penacony's dreamscape collapse has begun to accelerate, which makes Death unusually restless, and the Family's protection has also begun to weaken.】

【Or, all actions are within someone's plan.】

【If someone did it deliberately... first a "stowaway", then a "Family star", the murderer's intention is inevitably somewhat intriguing.】

Black Swan recalled all this and analyzed it seriously.

【Everything is too sudden, I can only give guesses.】

【After leaving here, go talk to your companions carefully; I hope you can clarify the source of the chaotic thoughts.】

Black Swan looked up at Stelle,

and after giving a few instructions,

she took her through the chaotic dreamscape.

【Come, this way—a short distance, don't get lost.】

Black Swan brought Stelle to the edge of the dreamscape.

【Leave from here.】

【Then we should say goodbye.】

【Everything is like... a nightmare.】

【Unfortunately, memories don't lie... what we just saw is the reality that actually happened; it won't dissipate from your mind just because you wake up.】

【But don't be afraid, follow the choice of your heart.】

【We all walked through the world like this, leaving behind shadows of varying lengths, and finally... leaving behind precious memories.】

【...Ah, please wait a moment.】

Black Swan suddenly stopped,

then she gently stroked Stelle's ear and handed a card to Stelle.

【That's it, a small parting gift.】

【If one day, you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of the Memory Zone, and there is no Memokeeper to accompany you—it will guide the way for you on my behalf.】

【I also value human relationships... just take it as an apology for hiding things from you.】

Furina: "Indeed, Aventurine didn't kill her."

Furina: "Aventurine was just an unlucky guy who happened to see the scene."

Dehya: "Then it seems it was that Memory Zone Meme called Death that did it!"

Paimon: "But Aventurine accused Miss Huang Quan, eh."

Huang Quan: "...I didn't kill her."

Aventurine: "Is it that important whether I did or not?"

Aventurine: "Anyway, with your identity, you are destined not to be cleared of suspicion."

Dr. Ratio: "An Emanator is indeed qualified to implement death in the Family's dream."

Hu Tao: "Plus Miss Huang Quan's ~hidden identity until now..."

Arataki Itto: "I know! This great one knows!"

Paimon: "Cow-herder, what do you know-?!"

Kuki Shinobu: "Boss, don't be so jumpy! Let yourself be quiet! Why won't you listen!"

Arataki Itto: "Heh heh, this great one now completely understands the truth!"

Arataki Itto: "Actually, Miss Huang Quan is the Clockmaker!"

Arataki Itto: "That's why she didn't dare to expose her identity!"

Arataki Itto: "How about it? Is this great one right or not?"

Stelle: "..."

March 7th: "This Mr. Itto's brain circuit... is really quite unique."

Lumine: "Ahem, Itto, I think you'd better not be a detective, just watch the video obediently."

Zhong Li: "Generally speaking, although Mr. Itto's statement has no evidence, no logic, and no relevance..."

Zhong Li: "It doesn't exclude the possibility!"

Xingqiu: "The main thing is that this Clockmaker is too mysterious."

Xingqiu: "Until now, we haven't even seen a shadow of him."

Xingqiu: "But his legends are everywhere."

Nilou: "Is it possible... that this Clockmaker doesn't exist?"

Nilou: "He is actually just a fabricated character."

Welt: "That's right, I've had this guess too."

Welt: "Perhaps the so-called Clockmaker is just a front."

Welt: "It's a character pushed out to make various forces gather in Penacony."

Himeko: "Then whose handiwork could this Clockmaker be?"

Boothill: "Who else's handiwork could it be? Whoever benefits the most, that's whose handiwork it is!"

Boothill: "That's right, I'm referring to those bastards from the IPC!"

Dan Heng: "Indeed, just like Aventurine said, the Family's gate is a high wall."

Dan Heng: "To enter Penacony, one must first chisel a few holes."

Dan Heng: "After that, the IPC has plenty of methods..."

Wriothesley: "So... making Penacony chaotic is chiseling holes?"

Bronya: "Judging from the current video, Aventurine seems to have a plan and is holding the winning hand."

Bronya: "Although Miss Stelle hasn't agreed to cooperate with him, he seems to have determined the final result."

Mona: "So... is the IPC actually the biggest conspirator?"

Mona: "And the Family is just one of the victims?"

Cloud Retainer: "It's hard to say; there are still some people whose identities are confusing, and until the final moment, one cannot directly make a judgment."

March 7th: "Ugh... so complicated, so brain-burning."

March 7th: "Didn't expect going to Penacony to be so bizarre."

March 7th: "This is even more outrageous than what's written in some detective novels."

Stelle: "You just think it's outrageous, but I feel terrified!"

Stelle: "I just stepped into the gate of Penacony, and it attracted the covetousness of countless eyes!"

Stelle: "And they all bully me one by one!"

Stelle: "Who can I go to for justice?"

Lumine: "That's how it is, Miss Stelle's encounter is indeed a bit miserable."

Paimon: "Deceived by all kinds of people, coaxed by all kinds of people, encountered life-and-death crises several times, and even watched her good friend die tragically before her eyes."

Paimon: "My heavens, what kind of human suffering is this!"

Paimon: "Paimon really feels so sorry for Miss Stelle."

Stelle: "Sigh, these encounters make me want to return to the Luofu Xianzhou and Belobog."

Stelle: "Penacony is full of malice toward me; it's not a dream at all, and it's not suitable for me!!"

Miss Qingque: "Hey, I told you to stay on the Luofu and play Celestial Jade for a few more days, but you wouldn't listen!"

Miss Qingque: "As the saying goes, if you don't listen to the elders, you'll suffer!"

Stelle: "General Qing, I have realized it."

Stelle: "I am now threatening the conductor to turn the train around and return to the Luofu to play Celestial Jade! Wait for me!!"

Miss Qingque: "Hey hey hey, what General Qing?!"

Miss Qingque: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Fu Xuan: "No need to come; General Qing has now learned from her mistakes, has quit Celestial Jade, and has started working honestly!"

Stelle: "Are you lying to ghosts!"

Stelle: "If Miss Qingque can work honestly, I'll eat the Celestial Jade tiles on the spot!"

Miss Qingque: "Tsk tsk tsk, those who know me are..."

Miss Qingque: "Ahem, how are you talking!"

Miss Qingque: "What do you mean I can't work honestly!"

Miss Qingque: "I am the most diligent employee of the Divination Commission, bar none!!"

Miss Qingque: "If you keep slandering me, be careful, I'll get angry with you!"

Miss Qingque: "Master Diviner, you have seen it, Stelle has been slandering me!"

Miss Qingque: "Your eyes are like torches, you definitely won't blame me, right?"

Stelle: "Oh... understood."

Stelle: "General Qing has now encountered an invincible enemy, so she has been suppressed."

Stelle: "That's really pathetic..."

Fu Xuan: "Alright, alright, stop teasing Little Que'er."

Fu Xuan: "She still has to work for me."

Miss Qingque: "(Crying without tears.jpg)"

Fu Xuan: "Crying? Crying also counts as time~"

March 7th: "Eek~ what a terrifying Master Diviner."

The video continues.

【Thank you.】

Stelle took the item,

and thanked her politely.

【Next... I have some private matters to deal with, concerning that Galaxy Ranger.】

【Let's part ways here.】

【Next time we meet, what kind of interesting memories will you bring...】

【I look forward to it.】

Black Swan chuckled a few times,

and then sent Stelle to the Golden Hour.

After Stelle arrived at the Golden Hour,

she was lost for a while,

and then hurriedly took out her phone.

Then she saw some historical messages.

【Astral Express Family】

【March 7th: Stelle】

【March 7th: Are you still at the Dream Hotel?】

【March 7th: Stelle!】

【March 7th: Stelle!】

【Welt: What situation did you encounter?】

【Himeko: We were separated in the Memory Zone, but Stelle is accompanied by that Memokeeper.】

【March 7th: I'm so anxious】

【March 7th: Help】

【Himeko: Little March, don't be impatient.】

【Dan Heng: Do I need to get off the train?】

【Himeko: Not for now】

【Dan Heng: Okay. If needed, tell me in time.】