A clear male voice echoed through the silent theater, accompanied by the sound of steady footsteps.
"Mr. Ranger!"
Robin called out, her worried frown vanishing from her brow in a flash of relief.
Leon didn't answer. Carrying the greatbow of The Hunt, he walked slowly, glancing left and right along the way.
When he finally stopped directly in front of Robin, Leon's gaze returned forward.
"Do you think it's fun to arbitrarily change people's forms?"
"What do you take human life for?"
He coldly questioned the absent Sunday.
"I do not accept baseless accusations, sir."
Sunday paused his recitation for "The One."
"There will be no casualties in my paradise."
Sunday answered his question.
"You see only an illusion, and you have been deceived by it. You believe unwaveringly in what you see, completely failing to look past the surface to the true essence," Sunday debated with him from afar.
"Sir, I have not altered anyone's form, nor have I taken anyone's life. What you can see is merely what I want you to see," Sunday spoke calmly, seemingly with complete confidence.
"Five million, eight hundred and seven thousand, four hundred and thirty-two. That is the number of guests present today. From the moment they stepped into this grand theater... They, along with the one hundred and seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-six members of 'The Family,' were already one with me, all integrated into my being, becoming a 'Conceptual Entity' that carries the ideal of 'The One.' I call this conceptual existence the Spiritual Adam," Sunday explained unhurriedly.
"I have not toyed with anyone's life, because the people in this grand theater have already merged into one with me. These members of the Dreamjolt Troupe are merely a manifestation of the power of 'Harmony.' What I must do is resurrect 'Order' from within 'Harmony,' allowing it to transcend!" Sunday's voice still sounded full of confidence.
"What is all this gibberish? What the hell are you?"
Leon hadn't listened to a single word. He was a super big cup, after all!
In his eyes, someone like Sunday who relied on external power didn't even qualify to be rated. He was going to die once the dream was over anyway, so was there any need to pay him any mind? Even saying it went in one ear and out the other would be showing him too much respect.
Towards someone living out a king-sized delusion, his attitude had always been the same: Not worth listening to, not worthy of speaking.
"Whatever you're planning has nothing to do with me."
After speaking, Leon walked past Robin and approached the microphone.
"I came here for only three things."
With that, Leon shouted into the microphone.
"Justice, more justice, and goddamn justice!"
His shout echoed throughout the theater.
The Dreamjolt Troupe members, appearing as conductors, remained in their seats like string puppets, showing no reaction to Leon's words. Only March 7th clapped softly from the side.
"In my paradise, fairness is the absolute first principle. What are you trying to say, Ranger?"
Sunday responded to his shout.
"Your paradise?"
Leon's tone was utterly dismissive.
"Your paradise has insufficient damage, trash mechanics, and is full of limitations. Don't even get me started on its versatility—it's worse than a bug's disease. The streamer is not impressed."
The epitome of a Sigma male.
"On what grounds do you so arrogantly pass judgment?"
Sunday retorted, refusing to back down.
"On the grounds that my stats are real!"
Leon hadn't given him a proper look from the very beginning. Someone who could only live in a dream was especially pitiful, let alone a dream within a dream.
If you have the ability, then turn your ideals into reality. Change the imperfect world into what you want it to be, just like those revolutionaries, the Galaxy Rangers. Don't just deceive yourself with dreams here.
Although he didn't know what Sunday's ideals were. No matter what they were, if he had truly resolved to overthrow the entire world for them, then Leon would have at least given him a proper look.
Just like Robin. Though her strength was small, she was also striving for her ideals in the real world, with real stakes.
If Sunday could truly bring the entire world under his control, then Leon would acknowledge his ability. But as for now? Heh, he could only tell him to go play somewhere else.
A guy with no stats of his own can only borrow power from others. Something that doesn't belong to you is, in the end, a fake.
He wondered if Sunday had any internal struggle when he made this choice. If he did have an internal struggle and still chose the 'dream within a dream' proposal, then one could only say that his grand ambitions had tragically misplaced their trust in him. He was not worthy of his ideals!
"Do you know Mikhail?"
To seek justice for Mikhail, to fulfill his last wish and save Penacony—this was Leon's purpose for coming here.
"I do not."
Sunday had indeed never heard the name.
"Tell me, what was Penacony in the very beginning?"
"Doesn't know. What a convenient lack of knowledge!"
Hearing this answer, a flicker of love and hate crossed Leon's brow.
Until his death, Mikhail had cared for Penacony, a place in the same predicament as his own homeland. He never once thought of revenge against anyone; he only wanted to save people.
Mikhail: Look, there are people!
The Family: Not my style. stomp
"It was the Corporation's 'Frontier Prison'."
Sunday answered his question.
"In Amber Era 2147, the prisoner Hanu started a massive war and achieved victory."
"The Corporation called it the 'Frontier War,' while the Asdana people called it the 'War of Independence.'"
Sunday recalled the history he learned in primary school.
"Mr. Hanu was a great man."
"But we shouldn't shy away from the fact that while he could bring the prisoners freedom, he did not know how to grant them true freedom."
At this point, Sunday vaguely realized who the Mikhail he was talking about might be.
"For this reason, three Nameless once stayed here. Attempting to convey the teachings of 'The Trailblaze' to the Frontier Prison. Perhaps the Mikhail you speak of was one of them."
"But unfortunately, it was to no avail."
Hearing the words 'to no avail,' Leon laughed with anger.
"After the three Nameless left."
Sunday answered his question in full.
Leon just found these people shameless. That Penacony is what it is today is without a doubt thanks to Mikhail's immense contributions.
In every aspect, Mikhail's contributions could be said to account for the vast majority. But The Family was capable of doing something as beastly as erasing him from history, making him invisible, and then taking all the credit for themselves.
That saying was right after all: History is written by the victors. Leon realized this clearly. This phrase was perfectly embodied by The Family.
They even managed to belittle the Nameless while revising history.
"After the three Nameless left."
Left? Left my ass!
Mikhail had bid farewell to the Astral Express with the resolve to dedicate his entire life to Penacony. The other two Nameless must have been the same. After deciding to stay, how could they possibly leave?
The Path of 'The Trailblaze' is all about never giving up easily!
The three Nameless worked diligently their whole lives, only for The Family to swoop in and reap the rewards at the end. What an injustice! Seriously, with such a narrow mindset, do they even deserve to be called 'Harmony'?
A 'Harmony' where those who obey prosper and those who resist perish, is that it? Leon could only tell them to go eat a big bowl of crap.
"You've got some nerve!"
Leon was truly speechless.
"The three Nameless, the three true builders of Penacony, dismissed in a single sentence. What a 'Family' you are."
He didn't give them a shred of respect. If you've got a problem, let's fight.
"It's clear that The Family were the ones who just picked up the scraps, who didn't accomplish a single real thing, yet in your words, their role becomes irreplaceable."
Sunday fell silent and did not retort.
Neither of them was from that era. Who could guarantee that the history they spoke of was the absolute truth?
"Do you believe me, little bird?"
Leon glanced sideways at Robin.
"I believe you!"
Robin answered without a moment's hesitation, her expression serious.
"No matter what you say, I believe you!"
As a follower of 'Harmony,' she was most sensitive to changes in people's emotions, not to mention the buff of natural telepathy from her Wingweaver heritage. The emotions coming from Leon couldn't lie. He was genuinely fighting for the justice of someone named Mikhail.
"Because I can save Penacony?"
"Because it's you!"
Robin replied with unwavering conviction.
If the emotions emanating from him were the rational reason to believe him, then Leon's very existence was the emotional reason for Robin to believe him. From the matter of Kasbelinat before to Chadwick's situation just recently, it was all enough to see what kind of person Leon was.
Clear in his rewards and punishments, 'The Hunt' only seeks vengeance at the source! A Galaxy Ranger. To establish a conscience for the world, to secure a destiny for the people! She believed with all her heart that a person like Leon would never speak empty words!
If he said there was a problem with The Family, then there was definitely a problem she didn't know about. Just like this 'Order' incident. She had been kept in the dark from start to finish.
Leon smiled.
"Take this."
He materialized a black notebook with the words 'Death Note' on it and tossed it to Robin along with a pen.
"Now, write down whatever I say."
Perhaps giving it to March 7th would have been better, but he had his own conviction. He wanted the people of Penacony to personally acknowledge Mikhail's name. Having Robin record it was undoubtedly the best choice.
"Okay."
Robin caught it, only half understanding. Although she didn't know what he was about to do, the situation couldn't possibly get any worse. He could save Penacony. The only one who could awaken her brother from the dream was him!
"Listen well."
Leon's gaze swept across the Dreamjolt Troupe.
Robin opened the notebook as he had instructed. She bowed her head, listening intently. The pen tip rested on the page, waiting to begin its work.
"Heroes must be remembered, not forgotten!"
Since everyone in Penacony was here, this was the perfect opportunity! Leon would clear Mikhail's name!
The moment he finished speaking, Robin wrote the last stroke of the final word on the page. Immediately, a sudden, perfectly synchronized sound erupted.
Robin looked up after she finished writing. An unimaginable scene met her eyes. The members of the Dreamjolt Troupe, who had been sitting quietly just moments ago, abruptly stood up from their seats in unison!
[Superpower "If You Come in Winter"]
[Completion Rate increased to 60%]
A 40% jump... It showed just how far off the right path forgetting history truly was.
"Tones of gratitude"
They uttered obscure sounds, inexplicably beginning to dance and gesture towards Leon, as if expressing their gratitude.
"What did you do?!"
Sunday's voice, clearly tinged with panic—or perhaps disbelief—rang out at the same time. This was the first time he had shown any sign of unease since the Charmony Festival began.
Before Leon spoke, his tone had been one of complete confidence. Now that tone was shattered.
"A method far superior to 'Harmony'…"
Sunday could feel it clearly. The bridge built by 'Harmony' between him and the five million, eight hundred and seven thousand, four hundred and thirty-two guests had been severed.
But the problem was, how was that possible! Assimilation and brainwashing were exclusive paths of 'Harmony,' the strongest in that domain in the entire universe!
Leon was an Emanator of 'The Hunt.' Without ever having received a shred of recognition from 'Harmony,' where in the world did he get such a method?!
That wasn't the biggest problem. Fine, you have your methods, even if they're unorthodox. But for an unorthodox method to overpower the orthodox one is just ridiculous, isn't it?!
If this bizarre reality weren't unfolding before his very eyes, you could beat Sunday to death, and he would still think such a thing was pure fabrication! Because there simply couldn't exist a method of control in the universe that could surpass 'Harmony'!
But now that such a method had appeared, he had no choice but to accept it!
Sunday gritted his teeth in the shadows. He felt that what had seemed like a sure victory just a moment ago had instantly become thorny, the difficulty skyrocketing several times over.
"Sir and my sister, I have understood your resolve."
After a moment, Sunday took a deep breath and spoke, having steadied his mind.
There was no need to worry. They were all 'Emanators.' No one was that much higher than anyone else. Even if there was a gap, how big could it be? The final outcome was still uncertain!
Even without the aid of those five million-plus guests, Sunday still had one hundred and seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-six members of 'The Family.' And Leon was just one person. The advantage was his!
At worst, he would throw the entire 'Stellaron' into the mix. Use its immense energy to accelerate the Penacony reality-dream project, forcing this group of people back under the control of Order! No matter what, no one would stop him today!
"Now, I grant you the right to gaze upon the sun!"
As he spoke, their vision was completely covered in red. Vast red curtains suddenly surged in from all four directions. The speed was incredible. In the blink of an eye, the stage was sealed off.
The three of them seemed to be in a prison. The ubiquitous red curtains blocked out all the Dreamjolt Troupe members who were still expressing their gratitude.
If you can't have it, destroy it.
"Are day and night equal?"
"Are the righteous and the sinner equal?"
Sunday began to recite his verses, on the verge of ascending to his throne of honor!
"If mortals are born weak—"
The cold wind blows in the valley of despair! He gave 'meaning' to all beings in the world, and all of creation was complete. He rested from all his work of creation. This was the seventh day!
"From which god should the weak seek solace?"
The red curtains parted again, and the three were instantly transported to another world. A burst of golden light erupted from the empty space before them!
The pressure of an 'Emanator' burst forth!
"Upon these one hundred and seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-six cornerstones—the strings of the almighty, omnipotent Charmony, are mine to command!"
"Harmonious Choir, Dominicus!"
"Come forth and be judged, you who wander lost in the silent death!"
A massive figure, colored yellow and black, with a host of abstract sprites before it, appeared before them—Sunday, in the form of a maestro.
"The time has come! Creation shall be reborn from the shrine!"
Sunday waved his conductor's baton. The four abstract sprites before him flew from their positions as if under his command, poised to strike.
"Whose god and what king are you?"
Leon unslung his bow. He drew the string, confronting him head-on. A flowing wind mixed with thunder stirred up from the ground around him!
"You think you're a king now? Typical mid-cup thinking. Kneel!"
An unquestionable command rang out.
Sunday's body moved against his own will. He was forced to lower his baton, bowing his massive head towards Leon, his huge body bending as if crushed by some immense gravity. The majestic figure from a moment ago was instantly transformed into a subservient one.
Without a doubt, he was now full of openings. Or rather, his life was now a candle in the wind. The final countdown had begun. The moment the arrow was released, he would die!
The 'New World God Trial Card' has expired. It's time to wake up!
Leon wasn't going to indulge him. You like comparing mechanics? Let me show you what a true all-rounder is! A 'dreamer,' not even worthy of being ranked, dared to challenge him? Kneel for your master!
Under Leon's control, The Great Septimus was as helpless as a netizen watching their favorite music get turned into a cutesy 'hakimi' remix by a popular producer, filled with a deep sense of powerlessness. He was completely unable to mount any effective defense.
"Eat shit!"
The power of the Luofu's Divine Foresight and Yaoqing's Divine Foresight superimposed, flowing wind and crackling thunder fused, and an arrow of clear wind wrapped in golden arcs of lightning was nocked on the string of The Hunt!
Under the sky once controlled by 'Order,' 'The Hunt' tore apart its dictatorship! Dark clouds blotted out the once-bright sun! Snatching sovereignty from the sun god, The Great Septimus. Thunder roared in the high heavens, as violent winds rose from all directions!
Swish!
Without any hesitation, the arrow was released from Leon's fingers!
As the thunder-wind arrow flew, phantoms of a golden Divine Foresight and the moon-eating beast Feihuang appeared in the world, launching their attacks on The Great Septimus! The Divine Foresight raised its long saber to strike, while Feihuang opened its cavernous maw!
"Urgh, super big cup impact!"
"I'll ram you to death!"
The arrow struck The Great Septimus square in the chest! The attacks of the two divine phantoms followed close behind, all landing on its body!
The brilliant long saber, wreathed in lightning, slashed diagonally! Half of The Great Septimus's body was severed, separated from its waist! The head was separated from the body, the cut perfectly smooth!
After the Divine Foresight's attack, the furious roar of a beast followed! Feihuang threw back its head, and a dark blue orb of immense Imaginary energy condensed in its mouth! Then, it spat the orb out! It struck the remaining half of The Great Septimus's body!
The extremely compressed energy exploded, forming a world-shaking semi-circular vortex that engulfed The Great Septimus!
After a wave of devastating destruction, the shattered remains of The Great Septimus fell to the ground, unable to rise again. It had lost to straightforward, unadorned stats.
Everything seemed to have ended smoothly. But Leon knew this was all just an illusion. No matter how real it seemed, it was still fake.
It was because he had sensed this that his actions were so clean and decisive. How could the archer not know if the damn feel of the bow was right? You'll have to live another lifetime to fool me!
"When did you get the illusion that 'I' had fallen into the 'Dream of The One'?" Leon looked at the downed Great Septimus, a far cry from the majestic maestro at the beginning, showing no reaction to its fall, and spoke nonchalantly.
Everything before he cleared Mikhail's name was real. But everything after that was an illusion. Sunday had specially performed a play of his own defeat for him, hoping to deceive him.
Letting him pretend he had saved Penacony, thinking he had fulfilled Mikhail's final wish, reached his ideal destination, and then continue his journey within the 'Dream of The One.'
"I take back what I said. The mechanic is not bad."
Unfortunately, Leon never deigned to associate with fakes.
'Dream of The One.' The real within the fake, the fake within the real. To be able to blur the line between reality and virtuality without one noticing was indeed a decent mechanic.
If not for his unwavering will that kept him unaffected, anyone else would have long since fallen for it. Like March 7th and Robin. Those two had fallen for it without realizing. Their presence beside him now was also an illusion.
"But its versatility is still a pile of crap."
As he said this, the scenery around him changed once more.
The 'Dream of The One' was broken. Now, the real show was about to begin!
_____
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