Perhaps because Fu Zhu had sent everyone back to reality in one go, and his methods were just a tiny bit rough, the Astral Express crew didn't encounter a single soul on their way to the Grand Theater, let alone anyone trying to stop them.
It wasn't until the crew walked into the Grand Theater that they saw the sole decision-maker of the sweet dream world standing in the center of the stage—Sunday.
Sunday stood with his hands behind his back. Seeming to hear the footsteps approaching from behind, he turned around with a smile to look at the group.
"I didn't expect Mr. Fu Zhu to help everyone break free from the dream of [Order] so quickly... No, if it is you all, perhaps even without Mr. Fu Zhu's help, you would have woken up from the dream of [Order] sooner or later. After all, [Trailblaze] will never stop for a sweet dream."
Himeko and the others exchanged glances and drew their respective weapons, aiming them at Sunday. However, Himeko still didn't wish to fight Sunday immediately. Even if the probability was low, she still wanted to try and persuade Sunday to abandon his current course of action.
"Sunday, stop this. It's not too late to turn back now."
Sunday, however, shook his head. "It is too late, Ms. Himeko. And I will not stop. Without [Order], how will the weak survive? This universe focuses on the weak being meat for the strong to eat—survival of the fittest. But the weak are never born just to become stepping stones for others. Only [Order] can change this bloodthirsty reality, constraining everything with [Order]."
Hearing Sunday's response, Himeko sighed silently. She understood now. Sunday was very clear-headed right now; he knew exactly what he was doing. This was a conflict of ideals, not something that could be changed with just a few words.
"But Sunday, do you have the right to choose for others? Are the 'weak' in your mouth perhaps tougher than you imagine? Is the happiness they obtain after striving on their own not true happiness?"
Sunday fell silent. He had heard these words from Fu Zhu before. Back then, he avoided the question, and now, he still couldn't give an answer.
The reason he wove a reason for himself in his heart—that he had to execute the plan step-by-step because of Fu Zhu—was to prevent Fu Zhu from becoming suspicious. That was why he chose this relatively rough method to create the Dream of the Great One.
But he knew very clear that this reason couldn't even convince himself.
Sunday gritted his teeth lightly, unable to maintain that smiling expression any longer. "The world is foolish. They fundamentally do not understand what they need, so there needs to be an existence to guide them. That existence will not be an Aeon, nor will it be me. It can only be [Order]."
As he spoke, the entire stage suddenly shook as if the earth were moving. The Astral Express crew barely managed to maintain their balance and not fall. When they looked up, they discovered a gigantic bust had appeared on the stage at some point. Its massive hands reached out toward Sunday, holding him in their void-like grip before finally embracing him.
"Nameless, if you feel your ideals are correct, then sever my path forward with your own hands!"
Suddenly, a conductor's baton, like those used in an orchestra, condensed in the hand of that giant bust. Following Sunday's grip on it, he waved it toward the Express crew. A curve from a musical score swept toward the crowd.
Welt took the lead, slamming his cane heavily in front of him. His left hand formed a claw shape, grasping at the empty air. A synthetic black hole generated out of thin air, barely managing to block this attack.
Having taken just one move, Welt's brow furrowed tightly. He said coldly to his companions behind him, "Careful, his strength is indeed at least that of an Emanator!"
Protected behind Welt, Xing poked her head out to take a look at Sunday, who was now like a God, and couldn't help but mutter in a low voice.
"Emanator, huh... Can we surrender and only serve half the sentence?"
Standing beside her, March 7th heard her muttering and slapped her somewhat angrily. "Is this the time for your glib tongue?! We're going to be gone soon!"
"I was just roasting the situation... Besides, why hasn't the Top Laner Big Bro of our family returned yet... Does he still want his adorable Support Little Sister and ADC Young Miss?"
"Fu Zhu will come soon, definitely!" March 7th replied with unwavering certainty.
---o---
Meanwhile, on the other side, inside the Dream of the Great One which had completely merged with the Primordial Sea of Memoria.
Fu Zhu stood atop the [World Devourer], looked at the void around him, and couldn't help but snap his fingers.
"Finally done. I can get off work. It's just a pity about these materials."
Fu Zhu looked at the [World Devourer] beneath his feet with some regret. In order to build a [World Devourer] capable of thoroughly destroying the Dream of the Great One, he had completely emptied his entire fortune!
His [Sophisticated Backpack], originally stuffed full and heavy enough to smash through a planet if thrown, was now empty. Only some blocks and miscellaneous materials that weren't used in building the [World Devourer] remained.
"Sigh... I'll have to go to Jarilo-VI to farm some iron later. Otherwise, I won't even have the materials to make an Anvil."
Fu Zhu shook his head. Was it better to sit cross-legged and watch himself in Observer Mode until he returned directly? Or should he commit suicide directly to respawn at a respawn point?
Just as he was debating, a melodious voice mixed with a hint of electronic sound came from the side.
"Mr. Fu Zhu?"
"Huh?"
Fu Zhu turned his head, only to see Robin landing leisurely in front of him.
Robin was just about to speak, but Fu Zhu suddenly slapped his forehead. "I said I felt like I forgot something! Turns out I forgot about you and Firefly! No, wait—why aren't you dead?"
"Huh?" Robin blinked blankly, then asked somewhat weakly, "Can... Can I not be alive?"
"That's not what I meant. I mean, how come you weren't blown up? Did you dodge it on purpose?" Fu Zhu stomped hard on the [World Devourer] beneath his feet.
The power of the [World Devourer] was beyond doubt. But in reality, as long as someone had a bit of ability, they had ways to avoid its explosions. Unless someone chose to face it head-on without using their brain—then, sorry, even Bedrock couldn't stop the [World Devourer]. Fu Zhu didn't believe there was anyone in this Dream of the Great One who could tank it.
Hearing Fu Zhu's words, Robin finally understood what he meant. She explained with a smile, "Yes, I realized earlier that there were problems with this world. I'm afraid my brother created it, right?"
Fu Zhu's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone became unfriendly. "You knew? But you didn't go to stop him?"
Robin bit her lip with a complex expression. "I knew, but I didn't expect my brother... would use this method. So I was curious who exactly built this machine to destroy the Dream of the Great One. I hoped to follow it and go stop my brother."
"The Dream of the Great One is too cruel to others and to him. Mr. Fu Zhu, could you please take me with you to stop my brother?"