『 The two women stepped out of the garden, and resumed their journey towards their destination.
With the aid of the Dream-Weaving Eyeglass, they continuously ascended to greater heights.
[ In the blink of an eye, they floated effortlessly from one building to the next… ]
[ In reality, such a feat would be impossible. ]
Having reached a new rooftop, Hotaru gazed at the vista from the opposite building, and sighed to Stelle.
[ Look, another puzzle mechanism. ]
[ This time, it's your turn. ]
As they walked, they encountered another puzzle mechanism.
This time, however, Hotaru yielded it to Stelle.
Stelle, of course, wouldn't refuse; a mere puzzle was child's play for her.
But upon approaching it, she discovered a problem.
Some of the puzzle pieces were missing.
With no other choice, she began searching the vicinity with Hotaru.
[ Damn it… what in the world went wrong? ]
[ Have I gone too long without a SoulGlad? ]
[ Or is it because I've pulled two months of overtime straight…? ]
[ Why of all days am I completely out of inspiration today? ]
As they searched, they found a person slumped against a corner, muttering despondently.
[ Friend… don't burn yourself out! ]
Hearing the person mention two months of continuous overtime, Stelle couldn't help but offer a word of advice.
[ …Huh?! ]
[ Who's there?! ]
[ Where did these tourists come from…? I don't care how you snuck in, just don't bother me now! ]
[ If I can't deliver on time, I'm going to make you pay for it! ]
The person, startled by Stelle's words, glanced at her and Hotaru before speaking in a brusque tone.
Seeing this, Stelle prepared to use the Clockwork mechanism to give this poor, overworked soul a boost, to lift their spirits.
After all, the puzzle piece she needed was still in the possession of this individual.
However, when she attempted to activate the Clockwork, she found that the person's joyous emotion was absent.
To restore it, she would need to draw some joyous emotion from someone else and then impart it to him.
So Stelle had no choice but to temporarily leave with Hotaru, and begin searching for someone who was feeling happy.
[ Hehe, see, I told you—isn't this a fantastic date spot? Look around, aren't the views captivating? ]
[ You're truly amazing, always full of great ideas! The visibility here is incredible, you can see the entire Golden Hour unfolding… ]
[ But how will we leave later? We're not going to have to climb through the ventilation shafts again, are we? ]
[ Uh, well… sigh, there'll always be a way! Don't overthink it for now, let's just enjoy the moment! ]
Stelle hadn't walked far when she encountered a young couple, furtively enjoying a date here.
Their faces were alight with uncontrollable smiles.
So Stelle, after a moment's thought, subtly employed the Clockwork mechanism to borrow a sliver of their happiness.
Afterward, Stelle and Hotaru returned to the Dreamweaver.
And adjusted his emotions to a state of joy.
[ Ha, I've got it! A brilliant idea! Let me find some paper to jot it down… ]
[ …No, no, if I just sleep on it, I'll surely forget it by morning. Action speaks louder than words, I'll just bring it to life right now! ]
The effect of the Clockwork was immediate; the Dreamweaver quickly invigorated, and hastily departed.
[ He just walked off on his own… but he left the puzzle piece. ]
Hotaru bent down and picked up the fragment from the ground. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Guinaifen: "Dream-Weaving Eyeglass? This dream world is truly fascinating! Even the way you walk can be so unique!"
Dr. Ratio: "They say dreams can be understood through the physical laws of reality, but that method just now… that can't be explained by physics."
Sunday: "Heh, this area is off-limits to tourists. It's exclusively for Dreamweavers."
Sunday: "Therefore, it naturally differs from dreams that have already been constructed."
Sunday: "The Dream-Weaving Eyeglass is merely to facilitate Dreamweavers in constructing dreams."
Robin: "Um… although I don't know why your secret hideout, Miss Hotaru, is in the undeveloped area."
Robin: "I still need to remind you."
Robin: "Because this place is not yet fully constructed, there is a possibility of encountering danger."
Robin: "Please, from now on, do not enter here casually, okay?"
Hotaru: "Y-yes! Miss Robin, I've noted it! I won't wander here again."
Stelle: "But the environment here is truly wonderful, standing high, seeing far. You can take in all the distant beauty."
Stelle: "Most importantly, it's secluded, perfect for a date!"
Sunday: "Heh, that was indeed an oversight on the Family's part."
Sunday: "Miss Stelle, rest assured, in due time, Penacony's dreamscapes will feature specially constructed secluded areas for couples to date. Ensuring both suitable scenery and safety."
Welt: "Truly worthy of the Family, always thinking of the tourists."
Sunday: "These are simply the Family's duties."
....
—✦In Between✦—
—✦Genshin Impact World✦—
"Tsk, Mr. Sunday's attitude is truly impeccable. As the de facto leader of Penacony, he carries no airs whatsoever. It truly makes one feel as if they're basking in a spring breeze."
At the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao watched Sunday's statement, and couldn't help but exclaim.
"Indeed. Mr. Sunday's meticulous etiquette and humble demeanor embody the true spirit of a gentleman."
"By universal rationality, such a person should be capable of great achievements."
Zhongli nodded, his brows etched with admiration for Sunday.
—
Dan Heng: "Speaking of which, this Clockwork mechanism can even absorb others' emotions."
Dan Heng: "I wonder, though, if it can completely strip a person of a certain emotion?"
March 7th: "Uh… it shouldn't, right?"
March 7th: "Otherwise, it sounds a bit like some wicked technique, doesn't it?"
Stelle: "That's right, I'm actually an evil overlord."
March 7th: "Oh, get outta here! You? An overlord?"
Paimon: "Miss Stelle is too good-hearted, so she can't be an overlord."
Paimon: "Only villains like Dottore and Scaramouche can be called overlords."
Scaramouche: "Oh? Noisy little thing, thank you for the compliment."
Dottore: "Heh, ignorance."
Boothill: "My apologies, he's a damn treasure, I accidentally let out two dogs this time."
Scaramouche: "YOU!!"
Dottore: "Hmph, Scaramouche, there's no need to stoop to such people."
Boothill: "What? Are you two planning to bark this time? Come on, come on, I've been waiting all day! Let's hear if your barks are loud enough, if you're qualified guard dogs!"
Scaramouche: "Heh, you just wait!"
Boothill: "Ugh, why has your combat power dropped so much? It's damn boring."
....
『 After Stelle obtained the first puzzle piece, she began searching for the second.
This second puzzle piece was not difficult to find, as it was held by a member of the Dreamjolt Troupe's.
Seeing this, Stelle immediately pulled out her bat, and after a flurry of her "Dog-Beating Staff Techniques," the Frightful Fiction member obediently dropped the piece.
With that, the puzzle pieces were successfully collected. Subsequently, Stelle and Hotaru returned to the puzzle.
And placed the fragments they held. A dazzling burst of light flashed.
The hidden Dream-Weaving Eyeglass materialized.
[ This place, its structure is truly complex, every time I pass through it gives me a headache… ]
[ I remember you not only have to activate it, but also repeatedly deactivate the Dream-Weaving Eyeglass several times to get through. ]
Hotaru stepped forward to operate the Dream-Weaving Eyeglass, and softly complained to Stelle.
[ Phew… finally done with that… ]
[ Once we're past here, there won't be any more obstacles. ]
After navigating this complex terrain, Hotaru finally let out a sigh of relief.
[ Uh, I remember there weren't any guards here last time? ]
[ Did my frequent comings and goings attract attention?? ]
[ Hmm… seems unavoidable, I'll just have to knock them out… ]
The two continued to walk, when suddenly, on a platform, they encountered several Dreamjolt Troupe's blocking their path.
Among them was a massive T-Rex.
Seeing this, Hotaru could only helplessly signal Stelle to prepare for battle.
[ I'm READY!! ]
Stelle once again pulled out her bat.
[ Then, let's go—let's chase them away! ]
Hotaru smiled and nodded, and began to drive away the Dreamjolt Troupe's with Stelle.
After a while, the massive T-Rex, battered by Stelle's bat, grumbled and retreated.
Seeing their boss defeated, the other Dreamjolt Troupe's immediately scattered.
Subsequently, the two continued forward.
After walking for a while, a beautiful song suddenly began to play.
[ …A song? Where is it coming from? ]
Stelle, following behind Hotaru, was somewhat puzzled.
[ We're here, we're here, this is the place. ]
After walking a bit longer, the two finally arrived at the secret hideout! And the singing grew even clearer. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "They've finally arrived."
Furina: "Miss Hotaru's secret hideout is truly difficult to reach."
Paimon: "Yeah, yeah! The distance isn't that far, it's just the journey has been so bumpy."
Venti: "Ehe, if only we could just fly straight up, then we wouldn't have to take so many detours."
Qingque: "Too bad we can't. It's a dream, yet it still has to follow the physical rules of reality…"
Lumine: "Um… did you all hear that?"
Lumine: "This music…"
March 7th: "I heard IT!! It's… Miss Robin's 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking'!"
March 7th: "It's my absolute favorite SONG!!"
Yoimiya: "It truly sounds WONDERFUL!! It has such an ethereal feeling!"
Furina: "The emotion in this song pierces straight to the heart, it's simply divine, truly worthy of being sung by the cosmic superstar, Miss Robin!"
Xingqiu: "To hear such celestial music truly clears the ears… Miss Robin's song is as captivating as heavenly melodies."
Paimon: "The song is called 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking'…"
Paimon: "But why does listening to it make me feel a little bit like crying?"
Robin: "Heh heh, thank you all for your love of my song. I am honored."
Robin: "And, to answer Miss Paimon's question."
Robin: "This is actually a lyrical song, so it might be a bit too emotionally stirring."
Stelle: "Oh no, oh NO!! Hearing this song, I feel an even worse premonition!"
Hu Tao: "Miss Stelle might be overthinking it. This song is beautiful, there shouldn't be any bad feelings, right?"
Stelle: "I hope so! (Worried.jpg)"
....
—✦In Between✦—
Astral Express, in the Parlor Car—
"Ugh… why do I always feel like something is about to happen?"
Stelle propped her chin on her hand, looking at the scene in the video, her expression growing troubled.
—
『 [ Have you heard this song before? ]
[ 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking,' a work by Miss Robin. ]
[ With the Grand Harmony Festival approaching, her music occasionally echoes throughout the dreamscape. ]
Hotaru led Stelle to the railing, and gazed at the distant sky.
At this moment, her expression was more serene than ever before.
Like a delicate flower quietly awaiting its bloom.
Stelle watched her silently, feeling her own heart grow calm.
[ This is the closest place to the sky in the deepest dream, far from the city's clamor, free from the squabbles of Dreamweavers. ]
[ Here, one can be undisturbed by anyone, and simply experience the present—the present scenery, the people, and the dream… ]
[ How beautiful it is… Time is frozen at this golden hour, this golden dream. ]
[ Shared by the Fool from the Tavern and the Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection, the wandering Ranger and the IPC ambassador, the Astral Express Nameless... and me. ]
The distant sky sparkled like a painting, the brightly lit city reflected in Hotaru's eyes.
Shooting stars streaked across the heavens, trailing magnificent and ethereal plumes, making the painting seem truly dreamlike…
Gentle music flowed and rippled with it.
Hotaru turned her head to look at Stelle, her expression peaceful and content.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still, a golden dream belonging only to the two of them, quietly blossoming…
[ Everyone here sleeps in equality, regardless of reason, though we each indeed harbor our own purposes… ]
[ Hmph… ]
[ …I'm sorry, Stelle, I am indeed a stowaway. ]
Hotaru suddenly spoke, her voice filled with apology…
[ I know… ]
Stelle had already suspected as much, so she wasn't surprised.
[ I knew I couldn't hide it from you. ]
Hotaru's face showed an "I knew it" expression.
[ My homeland was destroyed a very, very long time ago, perhaps by the Legion, or perhaps by the Swarm… I am a stellar refugee, just like many of Penacony's locals. ]
[ The Harmony embraces all people, including those wanderers from afar. The Family accepts them, but they… ultimately do not belong here… ]
[ In this splendid metropolis, some have a dream called Penacony, but some have dreams... that are no different from reality, even though everyone who comes here harbors the same motive in the beginning. ]
[ I am the same. In reality, I have a wish I want to achieve so badly in the real world, but I can't. So, I want to give it a shot here... ]
Hotaru stood with her back to Stelle, gazing at the myriad shooting stars, and, moved by emotion, confided everything to Stelle.
[ What's your wish? ]
Stelle asked softly.
[ …Entropy Loss Syndrome. Have you heard of that term? ]
[ It's a strange phenomenon. Those afflicted with it experience an irreversible, chronic dissociation of their physical structure. ]
[ This means you are slowly disappearing, and this disappearance is barely perceptible to others… ]
[ You can still run, jump, and communicate with others. ]
[ Everything seems so normal, except you're always just a little bit slower than everyone else… ]
[ …And then slower and slower, until the outlines of yourself and the entire world become blurred. ]
[ You can't distinguish between reality and dreams, because they both become equally fragmented. ]
[ So, how could I refuse…? Can you imagine? ]
[ In this dream, I can actually… I can avoid being confined to a cold medical pod… ]
[ I can cast the doctors' words aside, and use my own body, freely, to listen, to see, to touch, to think, to comprehend. ]
[ Even though this world isn't real, this sensation is incredibly precious… ]
[ Just like… right now… ]
A light seemed to shine in Hotaru's eyes, stirring Stelle's heart deeply. 』
『 ....』