Black Swan smiled faintly.
"It seems everyone holds their own interpretation of dreams and reality."
"That diversity of thought… truly delights me."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Then allow me to pose the final question."
"If you already knew the ending of your journey before taking your first step…"
"Would you still choose to walk that path without hesitation?"
A hush fell over the live room.
On the Xianzhou Luofu, within the Divination Commission.
"Yanqing," Jing Yuan said leisurely, "if you were to answer this question, what would you choose?"
The young swordsman stiffened.
"Th-This is quite profound… Please allow me a moment to reflect."
He folded his arms, brow furrowing in serious contemplation.
In Belobog's workshop, Serval turned to her younger brother with intrigue.
"So? What do you think, little bro?"
Gepard hesitated.
"It's… not an easy answer."
"What about you, Sis?"
Serval's response soon echoed through the live chat:
"If it were me — I'd go."
"The ending doesn't matter. What matters is everything we experience along the way."
A gentle smile crept across Gepard's face.
"That really does sound like you…"
Yanqing's reply followed soon after.
"My answer is the opposite."
"I would not walk a path whose ending I already know."
"If the conclusion is fixed, then the journey loses its meaning."
"Rather than repeat a destined route, I would carve a new one with my own blade!"
His words carried resolute pride.
Paimon clapped excitedly.
"Everyone's so smart!"
"If it were Paimon, I'd still go!"
"I just want to keep traveling forever with Lumine. The ending doesn't matter!"
Lumine nodded gently.
"That's my answer too."
Sampo scoffed.
"If the ending's guaranteed, what's the point? You're just wasting life."
Sparkle twirled.
"If I already know the punchline, where's the fun~? I'd rather chase fresh excitement!"
Welt spoke calmly.
"My choice is yes."
"Because that is the essence of Trailblazing."
"That," March 7th beamed, "is the answer every Nameless would give!"
Dan Heng nodded.
"Agreed."
Himeko smiled.
"I think so as well."
Then a voice broke the harmony.
Steluna: "I object!! I refuse to conform!!"
March gasped.
"You're rebelling again?! Objection overruled!"
"Everyone's being profound and you just HAVE to be different!"
Inside the train, March planted a hand on her hip.
Steluna replied solemnly,
"Because… I am a unique spark in the galaxy."
"You're more like ghostfire," March muttered.
She sighed and patted Steluna's head.
"Behave already…"
Black Swan inclined her head gracefully.
"Thank you for your answers."
"To me, they are precious memories."
"They shall be preserved within the sanctum of 'Reminiscence.'"
Welt narrowed his eyes.
"Preserved memories…"
"Could she be a member of the Garden of Recollection?"
The video resumed.
Not long after Steluna awoke, Pom-Pom hurried to her side.
"Passenger Steluna! Why are you crying?!"
"I got stabbed in my dream…" she whimpered.
"That definitely sounds like a nightmare!"
"So soon after entering Asdana too… You really should be careful, you're especially sensitive to memetic interference."
"But don't worry! Dreams and reality are opposites. While you slept, we already arrived in Penacony!"
Back in reality:
"Waaah, I actually cried… that's so embarrassing…" Steluna grumbled.
March patted her shoulder.
"It's okay, you got sliced by a scary lady."
Acheron whispered,
"…I truly am not a bad woman."
Himeko asked gently,
"Then why did you strike her?"
"…To wake her from the dream. I'm not skilled in dream manipulation. It was the only way."
Steluna immediately perked up.
"I believe her!"
March blinked.
"Why??"
"Because when she drew her blade — she looked insanely cool."
Collective silence.
The video continued.
Outside the massive Penacony hotel, Pom-Pom spoke sentimentally.
"The old border prison is now a paradise hotel… How times change."
"Get ready. You can disembark anytime. March is waiting for you."
Inside the grand lobby, Steluna and March navigated endless security checks.
"They almost scanned you down to the bone…"
"I thought they'd open you up to peek at the Stellaron!"
"Thankfully they didn't…" Steluna muttered.
"Honestly, the Family must be REALLY tolerant…"
They stepped into the awe-inspiring terminal hall.
"How many people live here?!"
A bellhop greeted them warmly.
"Welcome to the Reverie Hotel. I am Misha."
Steluna stared.
"He's the same one from my dream…"
In the live room, Robin gasped.
"A Stellaron? Inside her?! And she still entered Penacony?!"
Steluna panicked instantly.
"I've been exposed!!! I'm getting banned, aren't I?! Please don't blacklist me!"
Sunday replied calmly.
"Penacony tolerates all… so long as you prove you are not a threat."
Steluna brightened.
"That's easy! I've got connections!"
"Herta! General Jing Yuan! Express Crew — back me up!"
Herta snorted.
"What do I get in return?"
"You can experiment on me more."
"Deal. She's safe."
Jing Yuan chuckled.
"I, too, vouch for her."
Himeko declared firmly.
"The Astral Express will take full responsibility."
Sunday smiled.
"Very well. Steluna is welcome in Penacony."
A collective sigh of relief echoed across the live room.
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