After completing the check-in procedures at the front desk, each member of the train crew received a Dreamscape Passport, which could record their visits, capture joyful moments, and create a personalized "Dreamscape Journal." The check-in process was nearing its end. As with every luxurious hotel, they passed through a public lounge area.
Himeko glanced at the bar, "This place has a nice ambiance. Let's drop off our luggage in our rooms and meet back here."
The four nodded in agreement and headed to their respective rooms.
…
The scene shifted. Himeko was already seated at the bar, waiting for some time. Welt Yang slowly approached her side.
"Welt, shall we have a drink? Penacony's 'SoulGlad' is quite famous."
Welt Yang got straight to the point, "Go ahead, we might be thinking the same thing."
Himeko smiled faintly, took a sip of her drink, and began her analysis. According to Himeko, the invitation wasn't as simple as it seemed. It contained a hidden message: "Seek the legacy of the 'Watchmaker,' and then answer: Why does life slumber?" Aventurine's mention of the "Watchmaker" proved he had received the same cryptic message and had deciphered it. Moreover, Sunday's response raised suspicions, and Robin's voice added to the mystery. All these clues suggested that the invitation might not have come from The Family. And… Nothing about this was going to be simple.
[Ahh, my head's itching—I feel like I'm growing a brain.]
[This episode's the most brain-intensive yet.]
[Why's it suddenly turning into a mind-bender?]
[This season's shaping up to be a WHITE NIGHT.]
[The view outside, this nightscape, so vibrant and dazzling…]
—
"Not impossible. The Family inviting other factions is already unusual. Your findings suggest a third party might be involved… I take back my earlier words—this 'grand event' is no small matter."
Welt Yang adjusted his glasses deliberately, "Why not tell the kids?"
Just then, March 7th and Caelus arrived at the bar.
Himeko glanced at the two, "If this is just Penacony or The Family's internal affair, we shouldn't interfere lightly."
"But you also said it might be related to 'Trailblaze.'"
"I did say that, so… that's why I told Little March and Dan Heng before we set off."
Welt Yang had a sudden realization, "So I was the only one kept in the dark."
Caelus puffed out his chest, "With this Galactic Baseballer here, it's no problem!"
But Welt Yang poured cold water on the enthusiasm, "Penacony's situation is complex. We'd better proceed with caution."
Himeko warned March 7th and Caelus again that Penacony was a mixed bag of factions and forces, and they shouldn't act recklessly. But she also stressed that, for now, the priority was to "enjoy the wonderful vacation."
After discussing some matters regarding the "Watchmaker" with Himeko and Welt, Caelus returned to his room with March 7th.
Soon after, March 7th entered her room, shouting to Caelus, "Look at this huge bathtub! I can't wait to see the dream world!"
Caelus leaned against the doorframe, "About the festival, I think…"
A glint flashed in March 7th's eyes, "At first, I thought we were really here for a vacation, but now… I feel this 'grand event' is anything but ordinary! All these factions decoding riddles, vying for the legacy—it's straight out of a detective novel! Maybe we'll even get classic tropes like family feuds, ruined households, life-and-death partings, or rivers of blood. That'd be so thrilling…"
Caelus gave a thumbs-up, "Quite the idiom collection you've got."
"Don't worry, even if the sky falls, Uncle Yang and Sister Himeko will hold it up. Let's enjoy this rare vacation!"
[As we all know, Elio's nicknamed Little March.]
[Opening her golden mouth again, March 7th.]
[Prophet alert! Something to look forward to.]
[Penacony Plot Summary.]
—
Caelus took a few steps to his room and noticed the door was ajar. He stepped back to double-check the room number, "No mistake here!"
Caelus gently pushed the door open and saw a familiar figure on the sofa. Aventurine, dressed extravagantly, sat with his legs crossed, hands resting calmly as he leaned back comfortably.
He took the initiative, playing the host, "What a coincidence, we meet again."
Caelus eyed Aventurine suspiciously, "This is my room. Why are you here?"
"Don't be nervous. I'm just here to soak up some good vibes." Aventurine patted the sofa and stood up, "It's your room now, but half a system hour ago—it was mine. Lucky building number, lucky floor, lucky room number. Took me a lot of effort to book this gem… It's yours now. Cherish it, friend."
Aventurine emphasized his words, almost in a ingratiating tone.
Caelus, mindful of the 20,000 credits, responded politely despite the intrusion, "You gave up this room for me?"
Aventurine spread his hands, "Who else? You think The Family would just hand it over? Penacony's the real Land of Dreams. How many people across the galaxy would spend half their lives just for a ticket to the Reverie Hotel? Think about it—what kind of people get to stay here? If I hadn't pulled some strings, would The Family dare offend those big shots to open a backdoor for an 'uninvited guest' like you?"
Aventurine sat back on the sofa slowly, "So, let's have a chat. I've earned that right, haven't I?"
Caelus propped his chin with one hand, thought for a moment, and slowly said, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Smart people are so straightforward." Aventurine's expression lit up with excitement, "Simply put, friend, I need your help. You might not know this, but Penacony's far from as simple as it looks. The Family's eyes are everywhere, so I won't spell it out—you get it. My goal's simple: help the IPC reclaim something that rightfully belongs to it. If you assist me, you'll get a hefty reward when it's done, plus the protection of 'Preservation.' You're different from the others. You're special—special enough to flip the entire table. That power, don't you want to use it? Or… don't you want to be free of it? Don't you want to make a name for yourself across the cosmos with it? That power, feared yet coveted by all, is within your grasp… 'Stellaron' sir, am I right?"
[Whoa, big deal incoming.]
[Oh snap, the first villain's here.]
[I knew the IPC folks weren't up to any good.]
[What about Topaz? She's pretty decent, no?]
[Don't bring up Topaz. Her exclusive movie stirred up as much controversy as High-Cloud Quintet.]
—
Caelus didn't waste words, replying coldly, "I'm warning you, leave."
"'Warning'?" Aventurine's lips curled uncontrollably, "Hahaha, you're too funny. You don't need to answer now—thinking takes time. When the time's right, I'll find you. Of course, you can discuss it with your companions or even turn the tables on me. I welcome it—it's a chance to show me your value. I never make a losing deal, so I hope you 'friends'… don't disappoint me."
With that, Aventurine slowly walked toward the door.
Caelus said icily, "You really should go."
"I said, no need to rush your answer, because no matter what… the outcome won't change." Aventurine, about to leave, suddenly turned back, "Oh, by the way, before I go, let's play a little game. It's simple—guess which hand the chip's in. Just a way to get to know me better, my personality, my way of doing things…"
Ding— Aventurine toyed with a coin as he approached Caelus, "Friend, the game's already started. Make a deal with me."
He clenched the coin in his hand, and when he opened his hands again, it was gone. "You can't refuse. There's no reason to."
Before he finished speaking, Caelus felt something in his hand, shocked to find the coin now in his possession.
Aventurine came face-to-face with Caelus, so close their faces nearly touched, and took off his glasses, "And no room to."
Just then, a sound came from the doorway.
"Hey. What are you two doing in my room?"