Chapter 73

Stelle changes to another possibility.

[His target must be the Family, but the method is unknown.]

[The Harmony's influence in Penacony is growing; it is very difficult to confront them head-on.]

[The IPC assigning Aventurine to come here also shows that they don't intend to rely on normal means.]

Himeko explains.

[Then does it have something to do with Acheron?]

Stelle thinks of Acheron, whom Aventurine cares about very much.

She feels that Aventurine might use this as an entry point.

[Aventurine has invested a considerable amount of attention in her.]

[But regarding this Galaxy Ranger...]

[We currently know very little and cannot make any judgments.]

Acheron is very unfamiliar to Himeko,

and she can't think of any useful information at all.

[Then that only leaves us, the Astral Express.]

Stelle says helplessly.

[...]

[I am also considering this possibility, especially...]

[He values you highly and has repeatedly approached you deliberately.]

[Perhaps he doesn't know your true strength either and is still testing you repeatedly.]

Himeko says with a frown.

[There are still too few clues; it's hard to draw any conclusions.]

Stelle scratches her head,

and sighs.

[...I'm just thinking about it randomly for now.]

[In any case, you must remain vigilant when dealing with Aventurine; he is very good at grasping people's hearts and knows when to make a move.]

[Furthermore...]

[He is clearly a born gambler, willing to bet everything for victory.]

[Alright, go talk to Welt.]

[He might have more insights.]

Himeko points to Welt, who is standing not far away thinking, and says to Stelle.

[Okay.]

Stelle nods and then walks to Welt,

and informs Welt of Aventurine's recent reply.

[There is one more thing in Aventurine's words that I care about.]

[Without any evidence, he directly accused that Galaxy Ranger of being the suspect who killed Robin.]

[But he didn't mention a word about her connection to the Memory Zone Meme or why she is lurking by your side.]

[This kind of obviously untenable inference... is of no help in gaining your trust and will only make him seem more suspicious.]

After listening to Stelle's news,

Welt begins to frown and says.

[Does Aventurine have other plans?]

Stelle asks curiously.

[Perhaps Aventurine's goal from the beginning was not to gain trust, but to make you harbor resentment toward Acheron.]

[This will make the situation more chaotic, which is a result he is happy to see.]

[However, I verified with Dan Heng, who is staying on the Express, about the Annihilation Gang losing contact after coming to the appointment...]

[It wasn't something Aventurine made up out of thin air.]

[After interacting so many times, what is your impression of Miss Acheron?]

Welt suddenly asks Stelle this question.

[...Is she a very mysterious person?]

[Eh... strange... I seem to be unable to remember clearly.]

Stelle is about to answer,

but suddenly finds that she cannot remember some of Acheron's characteristics no matter what.

137[...]

[It does fit the stereotype that Galaxy Rangers give people.]

[This group of people... are strange, unfathomable, and like to act alone.]

[Sigh, no wonder she would be suspected.]

Welt sees Stelle's appearance,

and shakes his head helplessly.

Afterwards, he stops talking.

And begins to ponder alone.

Seeing this, Stelle turns to find March 7th.

[I don't know if it's too sudden, but I always feel... Miss Robin is not dead and is still living well somewhere.]

[Everything is just a... prank...]

[Because... isn't this in a dream?]

[How could anyone die in the Land of Dreams? Shouldn't only good things happen... right?]

[Sigh... seeing that grand theater, I can't help but let my imagination run wild...]

March 7th, who is looking at the grand theater from the observation deck,

sees Stelle come to her side,

and can't help but confide a few words.

[Are you doubting the Family?]

Stelle feels that March 7th seems to have something in her words.

[No, no, no, I'm not!]

[After all, it's because of them that we have the dream that brings smiles to everyone today.]

[It's just that I feel like I'm starting to not be able to see through them...]

[The people on the street are still so happy, no one knows what happened...]

[It's so unreal, as if Firefly and Miss Robin, and us... are people from another world.]

[Ah... so annoying!]

[I really want to drink some cold soda to calm down...]

[But wouldn't that make me the same as the people on the street... hmm...]

March 7th begins to hold her head,

and the complex situation at this stage makes her expression somewhat distressed.

Stelle: "Damn it! Look at how troubled my March has been made!!"

Stelle: "Who started this damn conspiracy!"

Stelle: "If I catch them, they will definitely not have a good time!!"

March 7th: "Good, very spirited!"

March 7th: "But unfortunately, we seem to be a long way from catching the culprit."

Furina: "It's too messy, it's really too chaotic."

Furina: "As of now, it's still full of mysteries, making people confused."

Fu Xuan: "The Family has an inescapable responsibility for the beautiful dream world being stirred up like this."

Sister Yukong: "That's right, since such a thing has happened before, the Family shouldn't have done nothing."

Sister Yukong: "As you who are protected by the Harmony, you should be able to do this."

Sunday: "Sorry, things happened too suddenly, and it is the Charmony Festival, the Family's energy is really not enough."

Stelle: "No matter, now that our Express crew has intervened, we will definitely be able to find out the truth!"

Sparkle: "Hee hee~ Will it really be like that~"

Sparkle: "The water here might be deeper than you think~"

Sparkle: "Let us wait quietly for the show to start, hey~".

The video continues.

After a while,

the Express crew gathers together again.

[It seems Aventurine has no more requests, so let's deal with the Family's commission first.]

[Himeko, what do you think?]

Welt asks Himeko.

[Among the current clues, the two murder cases Stelle witnessed are the most direct...]

[I suggest starting from here.]

[There is one thing I am curious about.]

[If a person dies in a dream, what about them in reality?]

[Since we have the Family's authorization, why don't we return to reality first and verify Miss Firefly's situation with the hotel...]

[We can also inquire about Miss Robin's news by the way.]

Himeko thinks for a while,

and suggests.

[Then how about this?]

[We split into two groups; there are also some things in the dream that I care about, I want to investigate first, and then meet up with you later.]

Welt suddenly says something unusual.

[Things you care about?]

[...Oh, no problem, then I'll leave it to you.]

Himeko sees that something is wrong with Welt,

but she trusts Welt,

so she doesn't say anything more.

[Eh?]

[Ah... thought I could finally see Sister Himeko and Uncle Yang together, then Uncle Yang, take care of yourself!]

March 7th is a bit surprised at first,

and then gives Welt a reminder.

[Hmm. Keep in touch.]

Welt nods to everyone.

Then watches the three of them leave.

[...]

[Distinguished guest, can you come out and meet me?]

After the backs of the three are no longer visible,

Welt suddenly says something out of the blue.

Afterwards, Acheron's figure appears behind Welt.

Welt senses the abnormality behind him,

turns around subconsciously,

but feels a bit surprised.

[Being stared at like this, I will also feel troubled.]

Being looked at by Welt with an inexplicable gaze,

Acheron says something uncomfortably.

[Excuse me.]

[My name is Welt Yang, a member of the Astral Express, I believe you have already met my companions.]

Welt withdraws his gaze,

and introduces his identity to Acheron.

[Welt...]

Acheron mutters the name,

and falls into deep thought.

[What's wrong with this name?]

Acheron's reaction,

makes Welt frown.

[...Before that, don't you want to ask my name?]

Acheron looks up,

and asks.

[I'm afraid that's not necessary, Miss Acheron, you are now a well-known figure in Penacony.]

Welt shakes his head,

and calls out Acheron's name.

[...What are they saying?]

Acheron asks curiously.

[Some claim you are the true culprit of this serial murder case—the Annihilation Gang who came to the banquet also died tragically under your blade, and now, you are trying to stir up another bloody storm in Penacony.]

Welt answers.

[Annihilation Gang?]

Acheron is a bit confused.

[Ifrit of the Ever-Flame Mansion.]

Welt reminds her.

[Died tragically...]

[That Duke turned his dying body into flames and sacrificed himself for the path.]

[He is a firm and heroic Pathstrider; even as a villain, he should not be slandered like this.]

[What's more, there are quite a few suspicious characters who came by invitation.]

[Do they really think...]

[A long blade is more dangerous than the black hole in your hand?]

Acheron looks at Welt's cane,

her tone inexplicable.

[...Very sharp intuition, even the Family couldn't point out the true face of this cane.]

[So you must also know, Miss Acheron, that peeking at a black hole is not a wise move, as a potential dangerous element...]

[Your understanding of us has reached an uncomfortable level...]

[Reveal your true identity and state your purpose.]

[Otherwise, I have to ask you to be prepared to be torn apart by gravity.]

Welt looks at Acheron,

his tone adding a bit of threat.

[That kind of thing shouldn't happen...]

[But if it can make the Nameless less guarded, I am happy to oblige.]

[Whether you believe it or not, Galaxy Ranger, Acheron...]

[This is my current identity.]