Chapter 904: Platform (Final Half-Day Request for Moon Tickets)

Lumian hadn't yet managed to fall asleep through meditation when his vision suddenly went black, his consciousness dragged by an invisible force straight down into the depths of the earth.

He instinctively resisted, then felt as if leaping from the dark ocean floor up to the surface.

Before his eyes, a twilight glow ignited, filtering through a massive glass panel divided into countless small panes, casting limited light into the gloom.

In this dim light, Lumian saw a black steam train with two kerosene lamps hanging from it, a platform with a sealed dome, and at the platform's edge near the train, a "Magician" lady dressed in a golden-white long gown with a wide-brimmed sun hat.

Beside the "Magician" lady stood another lady in a simple green dress, with a golden-haired large dog crouching beside her.

Seeing the green-dressed lady, Lumian felt surprise and confusion rise within him:

Another "Witch"?

Does the "Tarot Society" have another "Witch"?

"So beautiful," came Francia's quiet whisper in Lumian's ear, "but she doesn't feel like a 'Witch'—her aura is different, unless she's already a Sequence 3 'Ageless Witch'…"

Hearing this, Lumian noticed the same issue:

The green-dressed lady's long hair gleamed like gold, partly tied into a bun, the rest flowing smoothly down; her emerald eyes resembled the finest gemstones, yet were as deep as mirrors reflecting the deepest consciousness of anyone who met them; her features were exquisitely refined, her beauty comparable to the "Witches," her demeanor elegant yet tinged with the purity and clarity of a young girl.

Such an aura was extremely rare among "Witches" below Sequence 3—at least neither Lumian nor Francia had ever seen it.

Moreover, Lumian realized that looking at this lady did not stir the same desire he felt when facing other "Witches"; instead, his soul grew calm, naturally warm and grounded.

This familiar sensation stirred his spiritual intuition, triggering a memory.

Coupled with the "Magician" lady's earlier words, he quickly reached a conclusion:

"Good evening, 'Justice' Lady!"

The green-dressed lady with her elegant, youthful aura must be the Major Arcana card "Justice"—one of his "psychologists"!

"Good evening, 'Justice' Lady," came the second voice: Anthony.

After Francia politely greeted "Justice" Lady with Jian Na, her eyes suddenly widened.

She pointed at Lumian:

"You—you've turned back into a man?"

Uh… Lumian reflexively examined himself and found he no longer wore the black cloak; his chest had flattened; his white shirt, black vest, and dark trousers fit him as usual.

Francia still wore the lace-flowered blouse and beige riding pants, her red short coat draped over her shoulders, her chest full, her ponytail swaying—she still looked unmistakably like a "Witch."

At that moment, the "Justice" lady smiled softly:

"Entering the True Dream is different from normal dreaming.

"Using a Dreaming Talisman causes the body to etherealize and enter the dream directly—what you look like in reality is what you look like in the dream; normal dreams depend on immediate perception—your dream form may be your current self, your past self, or even a mutated version of yourself; but in the True Dream, if you remain conscious, the form you take reflects your subconscious self-image.

"In other words, the 'Seven of Wands' still subconsciously sees himself as male."

So that's how it is… Lumian felt both pleased and disappointed.

Francia blurted out:

"What about me? Why am I still…"

She suddenly fell silent, as if struck by lightning, losing part of her soul.

The "Justice" lady gently comforted her:

Accepting your present doesn't mean forgetting your past. As long as you remember who you were and what kind of life you lived, reconciling with your current body won't lead you to lose control. The 'Witch' sect's 'Role-Playing Rules' aren't suited to everyone—it depends on your personality and experiences.

"Remember, everyone is unique."

Francia opened her mouth but couldn't speak; her emotions remained depressed and low.

Jian Na quietly extended her right hand and took Francia's.

Had Lumian been the man who had just arrived in Trier, he wouldn't have mocked Francia for claiming to be a man yet unconsciously seeing herself as a woman—especially now, with who he was. He turned his gaze to survey the platform.

It was no different from a common steam train station: overhead bridges spanned above, with staircases leading to different platforms.

At the edge of the bridge, a tall figure leaned against the railing, gazing this way, his black overcoat slightly fluttering, his hands seemingly gloved in red.

On the staircase leading to this platform, the lady in the dark, intricate long dress carrying four skulls openly stared downward; opposite her, midway up another platform's staircase, stood a boy with a silver tie, while at the staircase's end, Mr. Azik Eggs, whom Lumian had just met moments ago, held his hat silently, watching the black steam train.

On the waiting bench of Mr. Azik Eggs' platform, the "Knight of Swords" Marichi and the half-god of Temperance, Sharon, sat facing Lumian and the others, motionless, like puppets brought in as spectators.

Lumian turned his gaze back and noticed the golden-haired dog beside "Justice" Lady was wearing glasses and carrying a brown small bag, looking gentle and scholarly.

Lumian suddenly recalled the dog and female figure he'd seen during his first psychological session at Mason's Café.

So that was "Justice" Lady… Too bad Ms. Su Qian didn't join this mission to the "Fool" Mr. 's dream—otherwise, he could've thanked her in person… Lumian sighed and returned his gaze to "Justice" Lady and the "Magician" lady.

"Justice" Lady smiled at him:

"Since you've truly become the 'Despair Witch,' your subconscious knows this, so you can freely switch between your subconscious self-image and your current true form—this may help you make perfect disguises in the dream, playing a crucial role in key scenes."

Why can't I… Francia silently screamed.

Lumian nodded with sudden understanding:

"Can't use 'Lie' for good disguise? Because it only reaches Sequence 7 level, and 'Lie'—the corresponding 'Fortune Teller' path—requires Sequence 6 'Faceless' to alter appearance and physique?"

"Yes. Sequence 7 'Lie' can only slightly modify appearance—its effect equals the best makeup." "Justice" Lady nodded slightly, turning her head to the golden-haired dog beside her, "Su Qian, do you have anything to say to them?"

Su Qian… Lumian's eyebrow twitched; he sharply turned his gaze to the golden-haired dog wearing glasses and carrying the small bag.

The dog spoke in a voice he recognized:

"What I need to tell you is that Mr. Fool is highly cautious and distrustful—he doesn't easily believe others."

Hearing the golden-haired dog speak, everyone except Anthony and Ludwig stared in shock and disbelief—had the dog not been called "Su Qian," Lumian wouldn't have been so stunned by an animal speaking human language.

After a brief silence, Lumian steadied himself and said sincerely:

"Thank you for the warning, and for your previous therapy, Ms. Su Qian—thank you as well, 'Justice' Lady."

I've seen a child who ate demon eyeballs—what's so strange about a dog that talks?

If you're truly from Trier, this might even be a real person who just likes being a dog and somehow turned himself into one!

Lumian then turned to the "Magician" lady and "Justice" lady:

"I have one more question: What is Mr. Fool's identity within the dream?"

To awaken Mr. Fool, we must interact with him in the dream!

"Justice" Lady and the "Magician" lady exchanged glances, then pulled out a brownish-yellow kraft paper bag tied with thin cotton string:

"This contains information about Mr. Fool's identity in the dream—but you must truly enter the dream before you can open it.

"It also contains cash, identification documents, and a map prepared for you."

Lumian took the kraft paper bag and pointed at the iron-black steam train parked beside the platform:

"Take this one?"

"Yes. Once you board, I'll send it to the edge of this dream world. You must hold tightly onto your lucky coins—when the train reaches the dream world's edge, they'll help you enter Mr. Fool's dream. The first time must be this complicated; afterward, you can enter and exit the dream normally using the lucky coins." "Justice" Lady explained simply.

Lumian glanced at Jian Na, Francia, Anthony, and Ludwig, then nodded to the two Major Arcana figures:

"We're ready to board now."

The black steam train was no different from those common in Trier; Lumian and the four others occupied two rows of seats on the same side, while the other passengers were blurred, indistinct shadows—as if the dream's creator had Lande to detail them.

Through the windows, they saw the "Magician" lady and "Justice" lady waving to them.

As they instinctively waved back, a shrill sound rose in their ears:

"Whoo!"

With the whistle's blast, clattering sounds began—slow at first, then accelerating, from gentle to rapid—and the scenery outside the windows began to recede.

The iron-black steam train carrying Lumian, Francia, Jian Na, Anthony, and Ludwig pulled out of the platform and headed toward the distant, dreamlike mist.

ps: Last half-day for moon tickets~ Should get a bonus update right after midnight~

(End of Chapter)