Sampo: A joke at no one's expense, the Warden is a true man.
Stelle: +1, huh? No, wait, something's wrong. Sampo, aren't you right next to me?
Sparkle: Hehe, the Warden also got to experience Acheron's strength.
Dan Heng: Duke Inferno, though an out-and-out villain, is also a truly devout Pathstrider.
Jing Yuan: Indeed, a great reputation is never unfounded. The Duke Inferno's fame throughout the universe is certainly not baseless.
Yanqing: It's a pity he's already dead, otherwise Yanqing would have truly wanted to personally strike him down with his sword.
Yun Li: @Yanqing, why aren't you still depressed?
Stelle: @Phantylia, look at him, then look at yourself.
Some Troublemaker: @nanook, what a spectacular farce, this is simply a joke! Your Destruction leading skills need improvement. Later, I'll show you what truly interesting 'trouble' looks like~
Sushang: Eh? Is the person upstairs really that bold?
Sparkle: Did the God of Mischief switch to an alt account and blend into the crowd again?
“Even if the answer might be your own destruction?” Acheron asked.
“The answer is not important; what's important is that it exists, just as your existence, everything exists to be destroyed—even an Emanator is no exception.
Even in the void, beautiful dreams can be born. So-called impossible things are merely things that have not yet arrived.”
“...”
“Alright, I agree.”
“You will witness the most brilliant and explosive fire in this world. May this burning illuminate your bottomless dream.”
“A bottomless dream... indeed, but you misunderstood one thing.” Acheron's tone was calm.
“This blade is still in its sheath, not out of pity or disdain. He is a secret I am unwilling to show to others, but in return...”
Acheron's hand slowly rested on the scabbard.
“I will be honest with you. the hunt is not the path I walk.”
The long blade slowly unsheathed—
A silence fell over the Duke Inferno's mansion, with only a few ashes drifting down.
“May death end your long dream... and lead you back to the world of wakefulness.”
Aventurine: This is the entire process of Duke Inferno's death. What a terrifying power!
Jade: @Sunday, regarding the Cornerstone, since the Family cannot provide a reasonable explanation, then the Company will have to seek one out themselves.
Scott: Esteemed leaders, I am willing to lead the charge.
Sunday: ...
Robin: Brother, what exactly happened? Are you hiding a lot of things from me?
Topaz: @Aventurine, @Ratio, you two should leave Penacony first, I'll come pick you up.
Firefly: @Stelle, please stick close to me from now on. Something big might be happening in Penacony.
Himeko: Everyone, please be careful.
After the video ended, with the conflict between the Company and the Family in the live stream acting as a fuse, the atmosphere on Penacony instantly became tense.
Representatives from various factions all realized that something big might be about to happen in Penacony.
Meanwhile, Jiang Lin, under Dr. Edward's 'recommendation,' had completely emptied the Dream Vending Shop.
Just as Jiang Lin finished paying, a group message popped up on his phone.
Astral Express Family
Himeko: @Everyone, the situation in Penacony might have changed. Please gather at the Clockie statue first.
Stelle: Received.
Jiang Lin: +1
Welt: Hmm, I'm nearby.
March 7th: Dan Heng and I have already arrived. We just happened to pass by.
Dan Heng: Mm.
Some time later,
Jiang Lin arrived in front of the Clockie statue.
At this time, March 7th, Dan Heng, Welt, and Himeko had already arrived.
And beside Welt, a graceful figure with purple hair stood quietly.
March 7th's peripheral vision noticed Jiang Lin, and she quickly waved to him.
“Jiang Lin, we're over here!”
After Jiang Lin approached, the others also greeted him symbolically before returning to their previous topic.
“Miss Acheron just meant that she is willing to help the Astral Express?”
Himeko looked at Acheron.
“Yes, for some reason, Mr. Welt and I have reached some consensus, and I am willing to offer my humble assistance.”
Acheron's tone was calm, but March 7th was visibly excited.
“That's great! With Miss Acheron here, we should be able to walk sideways in Penacony, right?”
Dan Heng, however, shook his head, “March, we can't let our guard down.”
Welt agreed:
“Indeed, Penacony is now shrouded in mist, and those with ulterior motives are not few. Coupled with the impending clash between the Company and the Family, now is not the time to relax.”
March 7th scratched her head, “I was just trying to liven up the atmosphere, you know. Speaking of which, why isn't Stelle here yet? Nothing's happened to her, has it?”
Welt frowned slightly: “That possibility cannot be ruled out.”
Himeko thought for a moment, “For her safety, I already asked Miss Black Swan to find her, so I don't think there will be any major problems.”
Jiang Lin hadn't spoken the entire time, just silently staring at Acheron.
When Acheron noticed Jiang Lin, she said somewhat helplessly:
“Such a direct gaze, even I would feel a bit uncomfortable.”
“Oh, sorry, I was just a little curious.”
Jiang Lin didn't pay too much attention, but he also stopped looking at her that way.
Acheron was a bit confused: “Curious about what?”
Jiang Lin thought for a moment and replied: “Curious if you would like Himeko's coffee.”
As soon as Jiang Lin said this, Acheron was even more bewildered.
“Is Miss Himeko's coffee special in some way?”
Jiang Lin answered without hesitation:
“It's especially memorable.”
Himeko also heard their conversation and smiled slightly: “If Acheron is truly interested, the next time you visit the Astral Express, I must invite you to sample it.”
At this moment, Black Swan suddenly appeared, bringing with her a bewildered Stelle.
“Everyone, I have not failed in my mission. I brought her back safely.”
Black Swan looked at the group with a faint smile.
But upon seeing Jiang Lin and Acheron, her pupils trembled slightly, as she couldn't afford to offend either of them.
However, her expression remained unchanged on the surface: “These must be Miss Acheron and Mr. Jiang Lin, correct? It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Stelle finally came to her senses at this point.
“I was tricked by Sampo... uh, no, it should be Sparkle.”
Saying this, Stelle looked at Jiang Lin, “How about we send her a super rocket?”
March 7th was a bit confused: “Jiang Lin can send super rockets? Isn't he very poor? Also, why send a rocket?”
Stelle also looked at Jiang Lin with some confusion: “You didn't tell them?”
Jiang Lin shook his head: “I haven't actively told anyone about this.”
“What kind of riddle are you two speaking in?”
