TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
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Miyabi forcibly anchored her consciousness, returning her body directly to reality.
Hmm, the virtual reality system and Null_Face were both destroyed—HIA Club staff would have to reconstruct it.
Next time, though, she'd let herself try it alone first.
Soon.
The four members of Hollow Special Operations Section 6 reunited in reality.
Yanagi, who had fainted from using her abilities, quickly regained consciousness. Even though her body couldn't handle repeated bursts of power, one use wasn't too problematic.
"Waa! Yanagi-senpai's awake!"
Soukaku shouted, quickly offering her treasured candy to Yanagi, worriedly saying, "Yanagi-senpai, have a piece of candy. It's sweet, so it won't hurt as much."
This was the candy she had treasured from Sol, even more delicious than ordinary candy.
She rarely ate it herself, but giving it to Yanagi-senpai was different.
"Mm."
Yanagi patted Soukaku's head and smiled, popping the candy into her mouth.
"Yanagi, are you feeling better?"
Miyabi looked at her, eyes full of concern. "We'll go to the Cunning Hares to get some medicine later—it should help you."
Recently, the Cunning Hares had been selling high-quality medicine, almost without side effects.
Even the major TOPS corporations were paying high prices to obtain it for research.
Among the medicines was one that could enhance physical condition—the same kind that Wise, Belle's brother, had used. Strengthening the body should alleviate some of Yanagi's side effects.
"Mm, I can try that later."
Yanagi nodded slightly, smiling.
"Yanagi-senpai! Yanagi-senpai!" Soukaku, seeing that she was fine, became curious. "How did you defeat that fake section chief just now? The real section chief is so strong!"
"That's thanks to Sol," Yanagi said, patting Soukaku's head. "The section chief and I were already near our respective limits; in terms of ordinary physical strength, there was little room for a breakthrough."
"But what Sol taught us gave us a huge breakthrough in the heart, a force that data cannot replicate. The section chief's data entity is only half of him, while I am my whole self. Winning wasn't easy."
She felt immense gratitude toward Sol for allowing her to surpass her limits.
It was hard to imagine how one person, even away from New Eridu, could have such a profound influence.
"I see~"
Soukaku nodded, half-understanding. "But… I haven't seen him in a long time."
Yanagi stroked Soukaku's forehead, smiling. "When he comes back, we'll thank him properly in person."
"Mm."
The other three nodded in unison.
A ripple stirred in Miyabi's heart. It had been seventeen and a half days since Sol left. According to his words, he'd return in one or two months—at most forty-five days, at minimum thirteen days.
Mm… only thirteen days left until she could see Sol again.
"By the way, Null_Face died when the virtual reality collapsed," Miyabi said calmly. "I'll ask her to help find his hiding place, see if there are any other clues."
Naturally, she was referring to Belle. As a legendary Proxy, she would certainly have unique methods to track someone down.
The four of Hollow Special Operations Section 6 got into the vehicle, heading together toward the Cunning Hares.
…
A few days later.
The Grand Stage of Penacony.
Today was the day of Sunday's public trial, with the Astral Express serving as a neutral party, and everyone previously trapped in dreams acting as the judging body.
Inside the Penacony Grand Theater, the atmosphere was intense.
Many had missed the event due to limited seating, but a network conference was opened for fairness.
Under the heated debate and passionate protests of countless people,
Himeko, the captain of the Astral Express, could only declare with a helpless expression: "Prior to the judgment, Oak Family head Sunday is found guilty of passive negligence. Effective immediately, the creation of dream paradise is reinstated, with a maximum of seven days off per month."
"For previous offenses, fifteen days of detention are imposed. Since he already served fifteen days in advance, he is released immediately."
She had intended a light sentence for Sunday, but it ended up lighter than expected.
These people were completely devoted to Sunday—they would have minimized the sentence even if it were the death penalty.
"Hooray! Long live Lord Sunday!"
"Lord Sunday, let us dream again!"
"We'll do anything!"
Countless spectators were passionately cheering, wishing they could rush forward and celebrate with Sunday personally.
Heavens, they had never experienced such beautiful dreams before.
This damn reality—they didn't want to spend another second in it!
"..."
Sunday, handcuffs removed, was left helpless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Even though his dream was illusory, unrealistic, and broken by hope, these people still revered him.
He would have preferred their scorn, rather than this adoring fan-like behavior—it wasn't the paradise he had intended to create for everyone.
"Are you sure this is okay, Sol?"
Robin, anxious, clutched Sol's arm.
"It's fine. I'll take care of it."
Sol gently stroked Robin's smooth hair, calm as ever.
In principle, this was not allowed—but he was the principle.
Existence itself had meaning. Sunday's dream expansion, even on a large scale, moved toward the void.
But maintaining a small area, giving those in comas, the paralyzed, and the dying elderly a beautiful dream—that was truly good.
As Sunday had said, there were genuine weaklings in the universe who needed protection.
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