"Someone else?" Under Acheron's gaze, Sunday remained completely unfazed.
He believed himself to be a pioneer walking the righteous path.
Anyone could be the mastermind—but it absolutely couldn't be him!
"Miss Black Swan, I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean."
"In the recently released PV by Yu Ling, Acheron has already destroyed Penacony..."
"Isn't that enough to prove that Acheron is the mastermind behind Penacony's downfall?"
Faced with Sunday's accusation, Black Swan smiled faintly.
At this moment, she seemed like Acheron's defense attorney.
She explained, "I wonder if any of you have noticed a certain inconsistency..."
"While the production quality of Yu Ling's PV remains as impeccable as ever, compared to previous character PVs, this one seems... slightly shorter?"
"Almost as if... parts of it were cut?"
"Moreover, in the PV, it was three members of the Stellaron Hunters who confronted Acheron."
"But the abilities they displayed didn't match the real Stellaron Hunters' usual... razor-sharp prowess."
"Instead, they seemed hollow, like some kind of replicated imposters."
As soon as these words were spoken, murmurs of doubt spread through the crowd.
It was true!
Earlier, everyone had been too busy marveling at how terrifyingly strong Acheron appeared in the video.
But upon closer thought...
The Stellaron Hunters' performance was off.
Hollow.
No matter how powerful Acheron was, the Stellaron Hunters wouldn't be defeated that easily!
Such an abrupt ending—They were the Stellaron Hunters, after all!
High above, Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Sam stood suspended in the air, each supported by a blue platform beneath their feet.
It was as if they were in a grand theater.
The five of them—Acheron, Black Swan, and the three Stellaron Hunters—had become the main actors on stage.
The entire hotel's occupants were their audience.
The only difference?
These spectators weren't here for casual entertainment.
They were ready to join the fray at any moment, becoming part of the performance themselves!
Firefly had activated Sam's armor and no longer needed to worry about hiding from prying eyes.
But even she was puzzled now.
Was Acheron really the enemy?
The earlier skirmish had only erupted because they had struck first.
Acheron hadn't taken the initiative to attack.
That... didn't quite fit the demeanor of a mastermind, did it?
Kafka held twin pistols but wasn't in a firing stance. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing Acheron with keen interest.
As for Silver Wolf—
One hand was equipped with an Ether weapon, while the other manipulated a holographic screen.
She remarked, "Oh? Even the Xianzhou fleet and Jing Yuan are here?"
The conflict hadn't escalated immediately, and the situation had taken a subtle turn.
Acheron seized the moment to clarify:
"What happened in Penacony has nothing to do with me."
"I am merely a passing traveler."
"I came here only to fulfill the final wish of a Nameless."
Hearing this, Boothill immediately stepped forward.
"Hah? A Nameless's final wish?"
"Since when?!"
Acheron glanced at Boothill.
"You are a Nameless?"
As she spoke, she reached for the bullet—a symbol of heroism.
Her actions under the guise of a "Nameless" had always been an attempt to locate the long-lost members of the order.
Now, this goal had been indirectly achieved.
Handing it over would also serve as proof of her innocence.
But when Boothill saw Acheron reaching for something, he tensed up instantly.
Assuming she was about to silence him, he promptly loaded his gun, ready for a fair duel.
Just then—
A carefree, girlish laugh echoed through the air!
"Ahahahahaha—!"
"Penacony is so lively today!"
"A scene like this only comes once in a few Amber Eras!"
"How could we Masked Fools miss out on the fun?!"
Red-and-gold fish swam through the sky, and atop one of them stood a twin-tailed girl.
"Sparkle!"
Many recognized her the moment she appeared.
In the game's storyline, she had only made a brief cameo—
Disguised as Sampo, she tailed the Trailblazer and Firefly before sending them into "A Child's Dream."
Her actions had quickly revealed the truth behind Penacony's dreamscape.
Online, players had already dubbed her "Director Sparkle"—or "Sparkle-sensei" for short.
Now, Director Sparkle had made her grand entrance.
While some were surprised, it also felt... strangely fitting.
Under the crowd's bewildered stares, Sparkle waved her phone tauntingly.
"I'd love to see you all fight..."
"But the thought of someone else swooping in to reap the rewards?"
"That just ruins the mood!"
"So, out of the kindness of my heart, I'll tell you who Penacony's real mastermind is!"
Black Swan's eyes narrowed.
This Masked Fool had been absent from Penacony until now.
For her to appear so boldly at this moment...
Did she actually have crucial information?
Acheron remained expressionless, though a flicker of anticipation glimmered in her eyes.
If this sudden Fool could provide decisive evidence, that would be ideal.
Ideally, she'd prefer not to resort to violence.
Beyond the immediate parties, even the observing factions turned their attention to Sparkle.
Everyone knew:
She was a Fool—but not an idiot.
If she showed up empty-handed now, she'd instantly become everyone's target.
No Masked Fool would willingly turn themselves into the joke.
Sparkle grinned excitedly.
When Tatsuke had first sent her this footage, even she had been stunned.
Now, unveiling it here...
The reactions would be priceless!
Hands on her hips, she declared:
"Just so you know, this footage cost me dearly to obtain!"
"A leaked video stolen straight from Yu Ling!"
"This is the real deal—consider it a sneak peek of future story content!"
Whispers erupted instantly.
"Sparkle's the leaker now?"
"Holy shit, you hacked Yu Ling for spoilers?!"
"Really? I don't buy it."
"Sounds exactly like something a Masked Fool would do."
"Can we trust this? Let's see the video first."
"As a ten-year Yu Ling fan, I'll know if it's fake the second it plays!"
Sparkle projected the footage onto a large screen.
Sunday's expression darkened as his mind raced.
If Sparkle wasn't lying...
Then besides Acheron—Penacony still harbored another major threat?!
His to-do list had just grown longer.
As the video began, all eyes locked onto it.
A familiar voice spoke:
"Everyone... ready?"
It was Himeko's voice!
On-screen, Himeko, March 7th, and Stelle stood on a rapidly ascending platform, their expressions grave—even resolute.
A white bird soared across the sky, landing on a stage and pulling back the curtains.
Robin's singing voice rang out:
"Let my heart bravely spread the wings~"
It was—"If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking"!
Now featured in this preview!
Even the skeptics were half-convinced by the art style and music alone.
"It's time for the final performance."
As the melody swelled, Robin appeared onstage, singing the chorus.
Before anyone could process it—
The stage plunged into darkness!
Countless fragments of rubble materialized around it.
The camera pulled back, revealing—
The stage was floating in a shattered dimension!
And the location?
Penacony Grand Theater!
But how could it be in ruins?
How could the Harmony Gala end like this?!
That was the question on everyone's mind—
Including Sunday, who stared fixedly at Robin, fearing for her safety.
But as if answering his fears—
All the debris suddenly surged toward the stage, pulled by an unseen force.
Another voice echoed in the background:
"Are day and night equal?"
"Are the righteous and the sinners equal?"
"If mortals are born weak—"
"From which god shall the weak seek solace?"
As these words were spoken, grotesque marionettes descended onto the stage—
Dozens of them, filling every corner.
Sunday's eyes widened in shock.
"That's... my voice?!"
To be continued…