Chapter 241

【In front of a flower bed not far away, Stelle found Firefly.】

【Sensing Stelle's arrival, Firefly remained silent for a long moment before speaking softly: "....... I'm sorry."】

【"I need the truth. Tell me, okay?"】

【Although they hadn't known each other long, Stelle was unwilling to believe that Firefly had any malicious intent; all Stelle wanted was a truth no longer clouded by deception.】

【"...... Mm." Firefly pondered, not denying that she had indeed been hiding something.】

【"For instance, I am indeed not a 'local,' and the Hound family's pursuit of me is not without cause...... there are also other reasons for traveling with you......"】

【Firefly said sincerely: "...... But my gratitude for your help is real."】

【My longing for the Nameless is real; you have been to many worlds, able to witness all kinds of people and events, and every day is a brand-new beginning......】

【Stelle invited her: "You can also board the Express."】

【Firefly sighed softly, feeling both moved and helpless. She suddenly changed the subject: "I want to take you to one more place, is that okay? This time it's not a tourist attraction; on the contrary...... it's probably what you'd call my 'secret base'."】

【"There, I will tell you everything I know...... as much as I can."】

【Stelle nodded: "Okay, I trust you."】

Livestream chat.

"You scared me to death. I actually believed Sampo earlier and thought Firefly had ulterior motives."

"Looking at it now, Firefly must have some hidden difficulties."

"I'm more curious about what Firefly's goal is."

Kafka watched Firefly's attitude toward Stelle in the plot and was also a bit surprised, then smiled: "So concerned about that child? Heh."

【Just as Firefly was taking Stelle to her secret base, a cry for help caught Stelle's attention.】

【It was an existence identical in appearance to the statue seen earlier and the Clockie from the animation.】

【It seemed very anxious; Misha appeared to be in some kind of danger.】

【However, it seemed only Stelle could see him; Firefly, who was accompanying her, could only watch Stelle interacting with the air in front of her.】

【Regarding this, Clockie stated: "Tick-tock! I guess only a straightforward, innocent child with a childlike heart can see me—like this grey-haired friend!"】

【Stelle relayed Clockie's words to Firefly, and Firefly suddenly said with a hint of grievance: "..... How am I not straightforward, innocent, or childlike enough......!"】

Livestream chat.

"Exactly, exactly! Miss Firefly is always right!"

"Hahaha, Miss Firefly feeling a little aggrieved is also so cute."

"Although Miss Firefly is indeed very cute, I didn't expect to see an animation character appear in reality...... uh, I guess it doesn't count as reality, this is the dream world. Putting it that way, it seems like a matter of course; seeing anything in a dream is normal."

"But is the Misha that Clockie mentioned that boy? If it's real, we shouldn't just ignore it, right?"

"Penacony's dreamscape really lives up to its reputation; it's truly an eye-opener."

【After Stelle relayed Clockie's plea for help to Firefly, Firefly expressed her understanding. Guided by Clockie, she and Stelle arrived at the corner ahead.】

【They only saw Misha looking flustered among a group of gang members; besides that, Acheron, who was among them, also attracted everyone's attention.】

【However, as Clockie handed the Clockwork to Stelle and she adjusted the gang leader's mood, this crisis was resolved.】

【Although Firefly was a bit shy because of Acheron's mention of a 'date,' after they parted ways, Firefly suppressed her bashfulness and said to Stelle: "Follow me, and don't get called away by invisible friends again this time, okay?"】