Chapter 243

【Firefly looked into the distance and said: "My 'secret base' is inside here."】

【Stelle, upon hearing this, also looked expectantly in the direction of Firefly's gaze.】

【After a short rest, Firefly continued to lead the way, but this time, just after passing a corner, they were stopped by a member of the Hound family.】

【Finally, with the help of the Clockwork and the baseball bat, that member of the Hound family could only let the two pass.】

【I hope he won't be too sad because of the emotions caused by the Clockwork.】

【Subsequently, after a series of strange operations that could only happen in a dream, the two were about to reach their final destination.】

【As soon as they got close, a familiar singing voice came over.】

Livestream chat.

"Oh oh oh oh, this is...... this is 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking' that Miss Robin sang!"

"It's so beautiful, I won't get tired of listening to it no matter how many times; I didn't expect to hear it here."

"However, although this song is called 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,' it sounds like it has a faint sense of sorrow. Used here, does it mean Miss Firefly will say something ominous next?"

"Damn, don't scare me."

【In the livestream, Stelle clearly also heard the singing voice reaching her ears.】

【(...... Singing? Where is it coming from?) Stelle was a bit curious.】

【The two arrived at a rooftop and stopped.】

【Firefly felt the singing voice reaching her ears and said softly: "Have you heard this song? 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,' a work by that Robin. The Charmony Festival is imminent, and her music occasionally plays in the dreamscape."】

【Firefly looked at the sky with a calm smile and said: "This is the place closest to the sky in the dream, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, and there are no arguments from the Dreammasters. You can be undisturbed by anyone and feel the present—the scenery of the present, the people, and the dreams......"】

【"How beautiful...... Time forever lingers in this moment of the environment, a golden dream. The Fools of the tavern and the Memokeeper of the Garden, the wandering Ranger and the company of the world, the Nameless of the Astral Express...... and me."】

【The sky here flickered with the light and shadow of dawn and dusk, meteors of people entering the dream streaked across the sky, and under Robin's singing, there was an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.】

【Firefly looked at Stelle and revealed a peaceful smile: "Everyone sleeps equally here, regardless of the reason, even though we are indeed each harboring our own purposes......"】

【Firefly said this, sighed slightly, her eyes swirling with apology and helplessness, and said: "...... I'm sorry, Stelle, I am indeed a 'stowaway'."】

【Stelle smiled and nodded: "I know."】

【This answer did not exceed Stelle's expectations, but she was happy that Firefly could stop hiding things from her.】

【Firefly smiled helplessly: "I really couldn't hide it from you."】

【Immediately, Firefly looked into the distance and said faintly: "My hometown was destroyed a long time ago; maybe it was the Legion, or maybe the Swarm...... I am an interstellar refugee, just like many 'locals' of Penacony."】

【"'Harmony' embraces all people, including those drifters who come from afar. The Family accepts them, but they...... ultimately do not belong here."】

【"In this magnificent metropolis, some people's dreams are for Penacony, while some people's dreams...... are no different from reality, even though every ordinary person who comes here initially harbors the same purpose."】

【"I am the same. The me in reality has a wish that I cannot obtain—it is too strong, therefore, I resort to the dreamscape......"】

【In the scene, in the light and shadow where dawn and night meet, Firefly's back appeared lonely yet strong under the boundless sky.】

【Stelle, upon hearing this, still advised Firefly: "You cannot escape reality."】

【Firefly did not respond to Stelle's words, but instead mentioned an unfamiliar term: "......'Entropy Loss Syndrome,' have you heard of this term?"】

【"It is a strange phenomenon. People suffering from this disease will have their physical structure fall into an irreversible chronic dissociation. This means you are slowly disappearing, and this 'disappearance' is even difficult for others to notice—"】

【"You can still run. Jump. Communicate with others. Everything looks so normal, but you are always a little bit slower than others......"】

【A hint of sorrow flashed in Firefly's starry eyes: "...... Then slower and slower, slower and slower, until you and the outline of the whole world become blurred. You can't distinguish between reality and the dreamscape, because they become equally broken."】

In reality.

March 7th's expression darkened: "How could it be like this, Miss Firefly, she......"】

Stelle's expression was low, and her heart felt blocked; endless bitterness surged in her heart, but there was nowhere to vent it.】

Welt Yang and Dan Heng also sighed silently.

In the livestream chat.

"Miss Firefly actually has such a disease; it's too heartbreaking."

"Sigh, nine out of ten things in the world are unsatisfactory, but this matter is too cruel."

【Firefly's gaze looked at the Golden Hour in the distance, her tone complex: "So, how can I refuse...... Can you imagine? In this dream, I can actually...... actually not have to stay in a cold 'medical cabin'......"】

【Firefly turned around to look at Stelle, her eyes filled with a smile: "I can throw the doctor's words to the back of my mind, use my own body, and listen, look, touch, think, and understand as I please. Although this world is not real, this feeling is extremely precious......"】

【"...... Just like this very moment."】

【Immediately, an apology flashed in Firefly's eyes, and she said: "I'm sorry. Because of some reasons, there are some things...... I still cannot tell you completely. But there are also some things I should be honest with you about."】

【The 'Clockmaker's Legacy' is indeed what I seek, but we don't necessarily have to part ways and head toward opposition; at least...... I don't want this to happen.】

【Stelle smiled and nodded: "I hope so too."】

【Firefly revealed a smile and said gratefully: "...... Thank you."】

【Firefly turned around to look ahead and recited softly: "【'We are a scorched earth, a new stamen born from the broken soil, he blooms toward the sun, whispering to me.'】"】

【Firefly looked back at Stelle: "Do you remember the question on the invitation—why do we sleep?"】

【"Look, in this land of dreams, everything is allowed, everything is possible. The past that one cannot bear to look back on dissipates like bubbles, and the path one is unwilling to face will never arrive."】

【"Why do people choose to sleep? I think......"】

【"It's because they are afraid of waking up from the 'dream'."】

【Speaking of this, Firefly's expression was slightly bashful, and she said embarrassedly: "The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy, sorry, it shouldn't be like this...... Let me think, how should I liven up the atmosphere?"】

【"Right—you have many friends on the Express. What do you usually do when you encounter this situation?"】

【Stelle pondered: "March will pull us to take selfies together......"】

【Firefly suddenly realized: "Selfies, selfies...... You're right, I've been here so many times, why didn't I think of taking a photo?"】

【"But facing it alone...... I'm always a bit unaccustomed to it. Shall we do it together? Consider it a memento."】

【Stelle naturally agreed happily.】

【Firefly bashfully handed the phone to Stelle and said expectantly: "I'm a bit afraid of the camera, don't laugh at me. Come...... you hold it."】

【Stelle took the phone, switched to the camera, and then straightened her arm, holding the phone far away to ensure that the viewfinder could accommodate both Stelle and Firefly.】

【Just as they were about to take the photo, Firefly suddenly said: "Wait a moment, let me prepare......"】

【After tidying up a bit, Firefly nodded: "...... Okay! Let's start."】

【"One......"】

【"Two......"】

【"Cheese—!"】

【As the sound of a shutter rang out, the photo was already taken.】

【In the photo on the phone, the two stood side by side, their heads slightly close, and although their fingers were just making the simplest V-sign, one could still feel the joy and happiness of the two at this moment.】

【Whether it was Stelle or Firefly, they both left the most brilliant smiles at this moment.】