["He's not a person. He's a 'memetic entity' manifested from a 'Memory Bubble' someone left behind."]
Oblivion's voice echoed in his ear.
["You're not seeing him on the 'physical' plane, either."]
["Strictly speaking, he is a scene projected directly onto your spiritual plane, not something seen by your eyes."]
["If not for something on you resonating with the medium that constitutes him, no one in reality, besides me, would be able to see him."]
As they were both products created with the help of 'Remembrance,' it wasn't strange that she could see him.
"I thought so."
Since only he could see him, Leon figured it had to be a ghost.
["Perhaps he's your breakthrough."]
["For a leftover 'Memory Bubble' to subtly materialize into this form, he must have been a powerful Pathstrider in life."]
["And since he resonates with you, he might just be the person you're looking for."]
Oblivion offered her advice.
"Makes sense."
Leon felt there was nothing wrong with that statement.
In fact, the very fact that Herta doesn't know if Mikhail is dead or alive suggests that even if he is still in Penacony, he has long since been sidelined by the current powers that be. As one of the builders of the Planet of Festivities, Penacony is thriving day by day, yet there hasn't been a single word from him in so many years. Not only is it suspicious, but it's also certain that an ordinary person wouldn't know any related information.
The waters of Penacony run deeper than he thought.
But it didn't matter. When in doubt, just run them over with an arrow.
There's no problem that can't be solved with one arrow. If there is, then it takes two.
"Misha, do you know someone named Mikhail?"
Thinking that Misha was a spiritual product, Leon asked silently in his mind.
No sooner said than done. Those of The Hunt have always been straightforward.
"Mikhail?"
Misha was taken aback, clearly not expecting a guest to mention that name.
"Sir, do you know Mikhail as well?" Misha replied, quite surprised, "I don't know Mikhail, but Mr. Mikai often mentions that name."
"Is that true?"
Leon hadn't expected to stumble upon a lead just like that.
Haha, to seek something high and low only to find it when you least expect it!
"It's true!" Misha nodded repeatedly.
"Where is he? In the dream world?"
"Yes. If you wish, sir, I can take you to Mr. Mikai after you enter the dream."
Misha was an enthusiastic child, and his fervor was quite likable.
"You must be Ms. Herta's esteemed guest, correct?"
Just as Leon was about to say, "Then I'll be counting on you," a greeting rang out that almost revealed his name.
"Ah, I'll wait for you in the dream. You should handle the matter at hand first."
Misha noticed the greeting as well.
He hurried away, as if afraid of interrupting the conversation between Leon and his friend.
Can a man also be beautiful and intellectual?
Leon added another label to his impression of the young man.
"Please, allow me to introduce myself."
The newcomer was a boy with chicken wings, dressed in a proper white suit.
"I am Sunday, here to greet you on behalf of the 'Dream Master'."
Sunday placed his white-gloved right hand on his chest and bowed his head slightly.
"Look at you, making a special trip just to say hello."
Leon grumbled at the bird-man, having forgotten to turn off his Freljord-style friend-making passive.
"Before you enter the dream, the 'Dream Master' has a matter to discuss with you both. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to step aside with me to talk?"
Sunday spoke gently, his voice even and steady.
"And what if I say no?"
Leon's intuition told him the newcomer was slightly on guard.
"Sir, I know your true identity. We both know the forces behind each other, so please do not make things difficult for 'The Family'."
Sunday adhered to the principle of 'not hitting a smiling face,' his handsome features still holding a faint trace of goodwill and...
"Let's go. Show me what you're plotting."
Leon wasn't surprised by his words.
Damn it, feels like anyone can dox him these days. Using a smurf account is only good for messing with some backwater cosmic cops.
His identity and deeds, while intentionally controlled by the Xianzhou Alliance and the Corporation to prevent widespread dissemination, were not beyond the reach of a prominent faction like 'The Family,' whose intelligence network was surely not lacking.
"Thank you for your understanding. On behalf of the 'Dream Master,' I express my gratitude for your cooperation."
Sunday gave a slight nod.
"This way, please."
Leon led March 7th and followed.
The Reverie Hotel, VIP reception room.
"This is a rather famous beverage in Penacony."
As Sunday spoke, he placed two glass bottles of SoulGlad soda on the large table.
"It has a rather catchy slogan: 'Drink this SoulGlad, for happy dreams to be had!'"
Sunday took the main seat and gestured for them to sit as well.
"Penacony is the land of dreams. There is no suffering here, so I won't be serving you two tea."
Sunday said with a gentle tone.
"Is photography allowed?"
Leon saw March 7th's eager heart and spoke up to ask.
"Of course. Within reasonable limits, 'The Family' will satisfy all of your requests."
This was a chance to make a good first impression, one Sunday certainly couldn't pass up. He quickly extended 'The Family's' sincerity.
"Mm, I'll return that sentiment to this 'Family' you speak of."
Leon showed March 7th how to open the bottle cap and then exchanged some pleasantries with him.
"Your relationship with the young lady beside you is surprisingly good."
Sunday looked at March 7th, speaking pointedly.
'The Family' had never heard of this Arbiter-General being accompanied by anyone. Their intelligence had always described a lone wolf. Who was this expert?
"Something Herta entrusted to me."
Leon saw right through his bullshit. "Are you sure you want to keep asking?"
He didn't have to answer about March 7th's origins, but if he didn't, this group might start investigating. Without giving a real answer, Herta was a very good shield.
"Then I have been presumptuous."
Sunday lowered his head slightly.
Regarding a member of the Genius Society, it was indeed best not to inquire too deeply.
"I still do not know your name, sir."
"You can call me by the identity you already know."
Leon scoffed. He was asking the obvious.
"Another Emanator of The Hunt, the eighth Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Alliance, is that right?"
Sunday stated what he already knew.
"I don't think I am."
"Haha, you are quite humorous."
Sunday gave a polite laugh.
"But since we're being frank with each other, I won't waste time with pleasantries."
Sunday got to the point.
"The 'Dream Master's' intentions are clear."
"You and the young lady may enter Penacony as normal and enjoy its world-famous dreams."
"But the 'Heliobus' that follows you... it must remain in reality."
Sunday said, staring at the stupid-looking rabbit head.
Honestly, given the characteristics of a 'Heliobus,' it's actually more akin to a product of 'Remembrance'.
Influencing emotions, attracting emotions, until finally replacing the host—is that really so different from the memory theft practiced by the Memokeepers?
"To Penacony, a 'Heliobus' is a creature of uncertain danger. We hope you understand that we cannot allow it passage."
As Sunday's words fell, the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense.
____
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