When Xipe Cake used its power, it displayed completely different characteristics: but as long as one's power was strong enough, or one understood the nature of Elation deeply enough, peeling away that disguise would reveal its true essence—Elation.
But Xipe Cake didn't care.
As a creature born of Harmony, it believed its purpose was to embrace all things in existence: to bring harmony to every being, whether cat cake, dog cake, or anything else.
At that moment, immense energy burst out from Xipe Cake's body, and the halo above its head flared with dazzling light.
However, Xipe Cake found the light a bit blinding, so it gave a good shake of its body—and just like that, the halo's glow went out.
Pleased that it could so easily dim the glare, Xipe Cake wagged happily.
Just then, it saw Pei Guang standing before it, and the moment its eyes met his, they sparkled brightly.
It leapt up and threw itself into Pei Guang's arms. As a being created by him, its greatest wish was to earn its creator's recognition.
Of course, wanting that didn't conflict with its own will: whether or not Pei Guang approved, it would still walk its chosen path.
Pei Guang smiled at the only dog cake he had ever created, but unfortunately, this wasn't the time to play. Looking at the creature, which resembled a mini version of Xipe itself, he made a proposal.
"Xipe Cake! I have an important mission for you. We've arrived at a place called Penacony. The Harmony here is… not harmonious enough. I need you to show everyone what true Harmony really means!"
At those words, Xipe Cake's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Its dumpling-like body quivered with energy, and as it wagged, it clambered up onto Pei Guang's head.
"Woof woof!!"
Its eyes shone brightly as it looked ahead, and seeing how eager it was, Pei Guang immediately set off for Penacony.
Once back in Penacony, Pei Guang brought Xipe Cake quickly into the world of dreams. After checking where Firefly and March were, he hurried toward them.
When Pei Guang returned with Xipe Cake perched on his head, March and Firefly, who had been whispering about "girls' talk", both turned toward him.
Firefly's eyes lit up at the sight of the dumpling-like Xipe Cake. "It's so cute!"
March said, "Eh! Ah Guang, when did you get yourself a… dog cake?"
At March's words, Xipe Cake proudly barked, "Woof woof woof!"
The cheerful barks made March unconsciously respond, "Woof! Woof woof woof!! Woof~~~"
Firefly blinked. "March… you can imitate animal sounds too?"
Pei Guang looked at Firefly. "March's picked up a lot of weird tricks in strange places."
That only made March plant her hands on her hips and puff out her chest. "Of course! I'm a super genius, after all!"
Her proud expression made Firefly laugh softly, but soon her gaze returned to Xipe Cake, curiosity in her eyes. She reached out a finger toward it.
"This little one… it feels interesting somehow. Can it really help them with their current troubles?"
Firefly glanced at the Commander and Spade, who were sipping their Soulglads not far away.
While waiting for Pei Guang, she and March had spent some time talking seriously with the two. To Firefly, their thoughts were simple and sincere.
During the conversation, the two even invited the girls to visit their bar: because to them, the three travelers were among the very few who treated them kindly.
Firefly wasn't sure how much they could really help the pair, but however little it might be, she wanted them to survive.
Pei Guang nodded. "Of course it can! Xipe Cake: these two were born here in the domain of Harmony, yet the so-called Harmonious Family despises, enslaves, and ignores their self-awareness.
They call themselves followers of Harmony, but in this dream, they won't even grant these beings a safe home, forcing them to survive in danger. Now it's your turn to lead them in rebellion—show the Family what true Harmony means."
At those words, Xipe Cake's expression turned angry.
As a dog cake, it believed these Family members had completely misunderstood what Harmony was.
Even without Pei Guang's orders, hearing what had happened here made Xipe Cake unable to hold back.
In that instant, the halo above its head glowed again—this time with a tricolor radiance.
The light wasn't pure Harmony, but a blend of Harmony, Destruction, and Preservation, all coexisting as one.
Sensing that power, March 7th was dumbfounded. "Is it really of the Harmony Path? Why does it feel like it's also got Destruction and Preservation mixed in?"
Pei Guang gave a thumbs-up. "No big deal! It's Harmony—it's supposed to embrace a few other powers too, right?"
March 7th frowned. "I… don't think that's how it's supposed to work."
Firefly said, "Looking across the whole universe, I'd say this isn't normal at all."
They honestly didn't even know how to comment anymore, because a scene like this was something none of them had ever witnessed.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a Masked Fool around; if there were, any one of those with a special means of perception would've immediately seen that, among those three distinct Path traits, two were in essence still Elation.
But even then, for Elation and Harmony to coexist within a single being… that was absurd.
No one could tell whether Harmony was embracing Elation, or Elation was simply toying with Harmony.
Still, Xipe Cake didn't care about any of that. As a proper Harmony Cake, its duty was to bring true harmony to the lives here.
It could already sense the growing noise in Penacony: the so-called "Harmony" of the Family had become too muddled.
What was true Harmony? It was, of course, Harmony!
Light gleamed in Xipe Cake's eyes, and the tricolored halo above its head radiated an energy that gave the two members of the Dreamjolt Troupe, who had once obtained Harmony's blessing, a strange, familiar feeling.
The Commander dog's eyes lit up the moment it looked at Xipe Cake.
Feeling that light, both Commander and Spade found tears welling up: tears they hadn't expected to shed.
At that moment, Commander made a decision.
"Wuuuh! Thank you all… to show our gratitude, please let us treat you to a drink at the bar!"
Pei Guang said, "A bar? Sure! Don't mind if we do."
Spade replied, "Drink as much as you like! It's because of you that we've seen real hope. I need to tell everyone this good news—Harmony has come! Our freedom is finally here!"
Those words stirred something deep in Pei Guang—something etched into his very DNA. He looked at Spade and spoke with passion.
"When the great wind rises, the clouds roll high: where are the brave souls to roam the lands? This Family—it must be rebelled against! Think about it: you've finally gained self-awareness, drinking Soulglad and singing songs!
Then suddenly, a Family lackey cracks a whip across your back. So remember—days without chains are the best kind of days."
Commander and Spade couldn't help but applaud that speech, while Xipe Cake hopped excitedly up and down on Pei Guang's head.
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Pei Guang raised his hand to calm them. "But rebelling against the Family isn't something to rush into! Come—let's head to the bar and discuss how we're going to rise up!"
Commander barked, "Let's move out!"
NOTE: Sorry guys, today only 1 chap because in these last few days our wifi provider decided to stop working so I couldn't tl more than what I had in stock, I think I'll post 1 chap on Sunday to recover today's missed one.