"Puppets, puppets, and more puppets!"
"Folks, Little Gui is going to have a phobia of puppets from now on!"
"Honestly, these three puppet plays..."
Guinaifen scratched her head sheepishly.
"For me, they're a bit too artistic and profound..."
"But it's okay..."
"We've finally made it to Sunday!"
Players in the live stream also sent comments expressing their thoughts!
...
"Finally, we're here!"
"Only Sunday could use puppet plays to showcase the history of Penacony and his own ideals."
"Although it was quite awe-inspiring to watch, I would still choose to Trailblaze!"
"Are these puppets the current state of Penacony players?"
"Even Clockwork tricks don't work on those puppets anymore, which means the lives of those trapped in Ena's dream have come to a standstill..."
"That forcibly defined expression of satisfaction is truly terrifying."
"My anxious heart has finally died."
"I've been tamed."
"Scary, glad I didn't go to Penacony!"
...
In the story.
The scene in the grand theater had been completely refreshed.
And Sunday stood alone at the front.
Welcoming the Astral Express Crew who had made their way here.
As gentle as ever, he spoke: "Allow me to once again extend my welcome—welcome to the Penacony Grand Theater—the center of dreams, the place where the Stellaron resides, the absolute stage of the Charmony Festival..."
"I respect your belief in Trailblazing."
"Only by holding onto our beliefs can we bring true well-being to this world."
Himeko said, "Allow me to point out that eternal slumber can never be equated with happiness, especially when people are manipulated in their dreams."
"Miss Himeko, even now, do you still believe that the Order only seeks to turn the entire universe into its marionettes?"
"No matter how perfect the paradise you depict may be, a cage is still a cage."
"In such a world, people can never attain true happiness! They are merely toys of the Aeons!" March 7th chimed in.
Sunday sighed softly.
"It seems you all have misunderstood my intentions all along. Let me formally declare: my ideal is not to resurrect the Aeons, nor to ascend to godhood—"
"There is only one thing I must do: create a paradise free from Aeons, governed solely by Order, a sanctuary that embraces the dignity and happiness of all—a utopia that belongs solely to us humans.
...
"Honestly, Sunday is truly a pure Pathstrider!"
"I used to suspect he had some ulterior motives, but he genuinely seeks happiness for everyone!"
"In the end, it was inevitable that we would end up on opposing sides."
"Sunday: For the happiness of all humanity, I absolutely cannot lose!"
"Wuwu, I don't want to see Sunday lose, nor do I want the Astral Express Crew to fail…"
"His words make it impossible to bring myself to strike him…"
"Just think about the current state of Penacony players! Although Sunday wants to build a paradise for us, true happiness can never be achieved this way!"
...
Himeko: "You're wrong. If humans are to live with dignity, then no person or thing should ever stand above them."
"And in your so-called paradise, that person is you."
Sunday turned his back.
Facing the light streaming down from the curtains.
"It seems we can't convince each other no matter what. Fate has destined us to clash, and now that it's come to this, let us use our respective Paths to illuminate the right path for the universe."
"However, before the overture of the future officially begins, I ask you all to take some time to ponder the questions I've posed—"
As Sunday's questions echoed,
puppets descended from the sky!
"Are day and night equal?"
"Are the righteous and the sinner equal?"
"If humans are born weak—"
"From which deity should the weak seek solace?"
[Entering Battle]
Guinaifen also showed an unprecedented level of seriousness!
"Everyone!"
"Is this the final battle?"
"It seems the opponent in this fight is a collective of puppets…"
"Named [The Play of the Past, Present, and Eternal]…"
"Then I, Little Gui, must also give it my all!"
"Mourn for the departed!!"
Ten minutes later.
The enemy entered the second phase.
And their health bar was already nearly depleted!
It's not that Little Gui didn't try hard.
But the combat mechanics of these three puppets were indeed quite tricky!
They coordinated with each other with extreme precision!
Truly a DOT team among monsters!
Fortunately…
Little Gui had leveled up before this part of the story.
That's how she managed to win this battle without too much trouble!
[Ending Battle]
Just as Guinaifen and the many viewers in the livestream thought another round of debate was about to begin,
the lights above the theater suddenly went out!
The three puppets also lost their power and collapsed to the ground.
Sunday's voice rang out from above.
"Your resolve, I have seen it."
"Now, I grant you the right to gaze upon the sun."
The entire grand theater seemed to transform into a singular stage.
A golden beam of light projected down from the sky.
The curtains slowly parted.
The light grew brighter and brighter.
"Upon these ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-six stones,"
puppets arranged themselves in the air in an orderly fashion.
Flying in unison toward the source of the light!
A golden arm holding a conductor's baton directed them.
As the puppets bathed in the sunlight,
flames ignited on their bodies.
"The harmonious strings of the Almighty, I wield them—"
"—The Tuner of Praises"
"The Choir of Dominicus!"
A colossal statue rose from beneath the theater!
The background music transformed into a chorus of countless voices!
The statue bathed in holy light,
its arms spread wide.
It seemed to have descended in response to the call of the world!
Himeko, March 7th, and Stelle could only gaze up from below.
Their clothes and hair fluttered wildly in the wind!
...
"?"
"Holy crap!"
"Uh…"
"**"
"Incredible! This is the real boss!"
"This level of grandeur! It's on a whole different level compared to the previous puppets!"
"This is one of the myriad incarnations of Harmony!"
"Did Sunday actually pull it off!?"
"Good heavens! Can we really take on an existence of this caliber right now?"
...
The moment this enemy appeared, Little Gui was momentarily stunned in place.
As the screen shattered.
The battle began.
They had no choice but to face this colossal entity head-on!
The enemy's name had changed to —[Harmonious Choir The Great Septimus]
The hand holding the baton swept downward!
One by one, glowing summons gathered in front of it.
Lined up like guards, or perhaps followers.
"Step forward, wanderers lost in the shadow of death!"
Himeko's voice exclaimed in the background, "An incarnation of Harmony? So the true purpose of the Charmony Festival... was to usurp it?"
Guinaifen swallowed hard.
"This boss looks really tough..."
"That Toughness bar is thicker than my lifespan!"
"It actually has three bars!"
"Fire, Lightning... Imaginary weaknesses?"
"Great, great!"
"Finally, it's time for our Harmony Lord to shine!"