Chapter 314: Penacony Arc 『 Part Nine 』, The Seven Day Symphony Shattered
「 "I don't recall this passage being in the invitation… are you saying there's a hidden message within it?"
"That is precisely what makes this so intriguing. The invite sent by The Family was nothing more than a music box that, when wound, would play an accompanying tune. However, the one delivered to us contained discordant background noise. After transcribing it, I discovered the frequencies align perfectly with the gravitational waves of the Express during a warp jump. Using the engine's spatial curvature as the decryption key, I obtained the message above."
Welt lowered his head in contemplation: "…It is a distress signal commonly used by the Nameless."
"We cannot draw a definitive conclusion just yet." Himeko rested her fingertip against her chin. "It could be the handiwork of the Masked Fools. Judging by the methodology alone, the Riddlers or Inquisition Spirits could have done this themselves."
"When did you discover this?" Welt asked.
"While you were dealing with the Stellaron on the Luofu, I informed Pam immediately."
"No wonder you requested to step forward just now. That IPC envoy also mentioned the name 'Watchmaker.' I suspect the invitation he received contained a similar hidden message—and that it, too, has been decoded."
Welt crossed his arms: "...There's something else on my mind. When the invite was brought up, that Family leader mentioned being one of the 'actual administrators' of Penacony, and that it was their duty to 'relieve' us of any problems."
"In hindsight, there was more to that statement. He also had Miss Robin with him... I'm no singer, but her voice sounded a little strange... Would a singer really take to the stage if their voice wasn't in top shape?"
Himeko narrowed her eyes, her finger absentmindedly tracing the rim of her SoulGlad glass: "Are you saying... You suspect that The Family did not send the invite, and... is hiding something from us?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
The piano music stopped abruptly.
Evelyn's fingers, which had been organizing the itinerary, froze. The interruption of the music was too sudden—the Young Mistress's performances were usually seamless, never pausing mid-composition. She looked up to see Yao Jiayin staring blankly at the keys, her fingertips suspended in mid-air as if snagged by something invisible.
"Miss?"
Yao Jiayin blinked as if waking from a dream, but she didn't respond immediately. Her gaze drifted past the piano toward the shimmering canopy of the cityscape outside the window. Evelyn followed her gaze—on the celestial screen, Penacony shone with exceptional brilliance, its magnificent vistas dyeing the entire New Eridu night sky in dreamlike hues.
"I hope no one has done anything terrible to Robin…"
Yao Jiayin suddenly spoke, her voice as soft as a whisper to herself.
"No wonder I felt such a strange sense of dissonance when I heard Miss Robin speaking."
Evelyn set down her documents and moved quietly to the side of the piano. She noticed the Young Mistress's left hand was unconsciously pressed against her chest—a small habit she had whenever she felt uneasy.
The Young Mistress had always held music in high regard. Ever since hearing that the world-renowned songstress would be performing, she had shown great anticipation. But unfortunately… accidents always tend to precede expectations.
"Miss, there is no need for excessive concern; her brother is the head of the Family in Penacony."
Evelyn handed over a cup of black tea at just the right temperature.
"Even if you lack faith in the Family's strength, you should believe in a brother's protective heart for his sister."
"But…"
Yao Jiayin took the teacup but did not drink. Her fingertip traced circles around the rim, her gaze still fixed on the sky:
"Even I can see that Penacony is not stable at all. It feels like everyone has their own hidden agenda. I'm afraid Miss Robin will be caught in the middle and become a sacrifice…"
Evelyn frowned slightly. She didn't want the Young Mistress to be overly sentimental, nor did she want her worrying about things in the far reaches of the cosmos that were beyond her touch. But when she saw that profile reflected in the sky's light, wearing such a heart-wrenching expression of worry, the words of reproach failed to leave her lips.
"Miss…"
Evelyn chose her words carefully,
"The Astral Express crew has saved countless people throughout their trailblazing, haven't they? Have faith in them. If Penacony truly is brewing some conspiracy to turn Robin into a sacrifice, they won't just stand by and watch."
—
「 Welt also lamented that this grand ceremony might not be as simple as imagined. He wondered why these details hadn't been shared with Stelle and the others.
Himeko shook her head: "If this is merely an internal matter of Penacony or the Family, we shouldn't interfere recklessly."
"But you also said this might be related to the 『 Trailblaze 』."
"I did say that, so…" Himeko gave a graceful smile, looking toward March 7th and Stelle as they slowly approached from behind Welt. "…So before we set out, I already told little March and Dan Heng."
Hearing this, March 7th scratched her head sheepishly, while Stelle stood beside her with a totally smug expression.
Realization dawned on Welt, and he couldn't help but laugh: "So I was the only one kept in the dark."
The issues now were clear: it was still unknown which faction sent the invitations, what the purpose was for gathering all these groups in Penacony, and furthermore, why the Family was keeping what they knew to themselves… Himeko suggested they should not act rashly until these questions were clarified.
Until then, everyone just needed to enjoy the sweet dream.
"Who is this Watchmaker?" Stelle suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"When discussing the Planet of Festivities, one cannot omit the 'Watchmaker,' a tycoon known to every household in Penacony. Wealth, fame, status… he built the career everyone aspires to with his own two hands, becoming a symbol of dreams."
Himeko explained patiently: "But how much of these stories is true… There is no trail to follow. There are many conflicting accounts of the Watchmaker's origins and past; some suspect he is merely a fictional figure created by the Family. His legacy… is more like a narrative used to attract attention." 」
「 ..... 」
〜DC Extended Universe, Earth-1〜
Bruce Wayne leaned back in his chair, his knuckles pressed against his chin. His gaze was locked on the slight furrow in Himeko's brow as she spoke of 'Penacony's Watchmaker.'
"A tycoon known to every household?"
He murmured.
"…An interesting way to put it."
Alfred approached with a silver tray, placing a cup of steaming black tea on the edge of the desk:
"You seem quite interested in this historical figure from Penacony's millennium-old past, sir?"
"Not interested—suspicious."
Bruce did not look away.
"A man called the 'Father of Penacony' cannot simply be a tycoon associated with money and status relative to the creator of this dreamscape. It is possible he was one of the three Nameless who came to Penacony, and the three of them joined forces to create Penacony."
Alfred raised an eyebrow slightly:
"Not just one of the three?"
"Penacony is vast; that is not a miracle that could be created by one person alone. Furthermore, I am more inclined to believe the Watchmaker is an organization or a codename. After all, a thousand years have passed—the Family has had more than enough time to blur that historical concept."
Bruce paused.
"I even have a theory… that the Watchmaker who originally built Penacony might still be alive—but for some reason, he has been imprisoned by the Family."
Alfred narrowed his eyes:
"Did you reach that conclusion through that hidden message, sir?"
—