The Dream of Oneness.
March 7th experienced the exact same scene as just before.
But unlike Leon, she didn't realize anything was wrong.
And so, she began the next part of the journey with him.
"Is it over?" March 7th walked beside him, asking the person next to her.
"Aren't you a force of nature on the scene?"
"Leon" felt her question was a slight against his stats.
"Are you serious with that question? Do you think I can't handle something like this?"
After speaking, "Leon" reached out, took the hat back from her head, and reclaimed this inheritance.
"If I couldn't solve this with my stats, I might as well just reset."
"Leon" didn't understand how she could ask such a question.
March 7th blinked.
She felt something was wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"Maybe it's just my imagination?" March 7th thought to herself.
She buried that inexplicable sense of dissonance deep in her heart.
She chalked it up to everything happening too quickly.
The battle was over in an instant, which was why she hadn't fully come to her senses.
"Where are we going next?" she asked.
"No idea, no idea," "Leon" replied, taking a breath.
"The main problem is, besides the possibility of Mikhail being in Penacony, there's no other news related to the Astral Express or the Nameless. Not a single lead."
"Leon" took out Misha's ticket, rubbing it with his fingers as he spoke.
"Otherwise, we should continue searching for it."
Unlike before when he was just looking, now he had a commission.
Even if not for March 7th, for Misha's sake, he had to find the Astral Express and return the ticket.
After all, this was a Nameless funeral custom.
If possible, Leon still wanted to help Misha complete this step.
He toiled his whole life for Penacony, yet in the end, he didn't even get a proper funeral.
Returning a ticket on his behalf. Let's consider it making up for the sense of ceremony in a burial.
"What's going to happen to Penacony now?" March 7th asked, having thought of something.
"Don't care." "Leon" indicated it had nothing to do with him.
"But leaving it to the little bird should be fine."
The saviors of Penacony can only be the people of Penacony themselves.
He could eradicate injustice and oppression for the people. But he couldn't save those whose backbones were already bent or couldn't even stand up. In that respect, the only ones who could save them were themselves.
If you're unwilling to wake from the dream, then you can only drown.
Everyone's happiness and path should be forged by themselves; others can't help at all.
"What about Miss Robin's brother?" March 7th still didn't know what kind of ending Sunday would have after the defeat of The Great Septimus.
"He's dead." "Leon" said it as if it were a matter of course.
March 7th suddenly stopped walking with him.
At this moment, she finally knew where that sense of dissonance in her heart came from.
"What's wrong?" Seeing her stop, "Leon" turned back and asked in confusion.
"You're not Leon." March 7th said with unwavering certainty.
"Right, I'm the Miracle God." "Leon" just thought she was being clever, knowing to call him by his alternate handle in public.
March 7th still had no reaction, just looking at him with an expression that said, "You're not him."
"Is there a problem with The Hunt getting its revenge?" "Leon" realized why she had suddenly become like this, and was even more confused.
"The Family treated a hero like that, don't they deserve to be retaliated against?" "Leon" didn't know where the flaw in his words was.
"But that was The Family." March 7th pointed out his biggest flaw.
"It has nothing to do with Robin's brother." March 7th knew very well what kind of person Leon was.
"Robin's brother never intended to harm anyone. The fact that I'm standing here right now is the best proof."
Realizing that all of this was fake, March 7th could assert with confidence.
If Sunday had truly intended to harm them, she would never have made it here.
—Because Leon would have killed him first.
Do not bully the weak, do not kill the innocent indiscriminately.
Leon naturally followed this bottom line.
He's a person who clearly distinguishes between kindness and grudges, a firm believer in an eye for an eye!
To stop killing with killing, to stop violence with violence!
Those who want to kill him, he will repay with death!
But for those who don't want to kill him, he would absolutely not use death for revenge, but would use another method instead!
The reason Sunday wanted to create a paradise with "Order"... is because he witnessed too much injustice.
That's why he wanted to use his own wings to shelter others from the storm, to create a paradise where no pain exists.
History is a problem left by The Family, not his.
Brainwashed since childhood by a revised history, anyone would be helpless.
If he knew the truth, he certainly wouldn't allow what happened to Mikhail to happen again in Penacony.
Leon would come to the Grand Theater.
Not to target Sunday, but to stop The Family's plan.
Sunday wasn't the point; The Family wanting to carry out this plan was the point!
The ones he truly intended to kill from the very beginning were only The Family!
Of course, if Sunday had tried to kill him along the way.
Then he would have undoubtedly killed him as well.
But Sunday didn't.
He only wanted to give everyone in Penacony a place to belong, including Leon.
The confrontation with Leon... was just to prove he was stronger than Leon, so that Leon could also immerse himself in this dream, and everything would be shouldered by the waking him, representing "Order"!
A tragic idealist.
For such a person, the best "revenge"... is undoubtedly to make him wake from the dream and atone in the real world.
Leon would never kill the innocent indiscriminately.
At least, the Leon that March 7th knows wouldn't!
As she thought of this, a bright light suddenly emanated from March 7th's pocket.
She took out the item inside.
It was a blue bullet that Leon had given her before entering the Grand Theater.
"March 7th, take this."
"What is it?"
"A little gadget called 'Counter-Time Strike.' My intuition tells me you'll need it later."
"I've taught you how to draw an arrow before."
"Listen up. If you run into any trouble."
"Just shoot it towards the north or south. It will follow causality to find me and then get you out of danger."
"Just remember, absolutely do not shoot it east or west."
"Why?"
"Because there's a Ding Dong Chicken in the east, and an Asi Ga in the west."
"Only the north and south have many paths."
"You still remember how to draw the arrow, right?"
As March 7th recalled the origin of the "Counter-Time Strike," a familiar, yet also unfamiliar, voice sounded by her ear.
"I taught you not long ago." "Leon" had a gratified smile on his face as he unslung the fake Patrol Bow from his shoulder and threw it to her.
"Finish me, and then return to the waking reality!"
A moment later, "Leon" wiped the smile from his face and spoke in a tone that brooked no refusal.
March 7th caught the Patrol Bow.
She looked at the "Counter-Time Strike" in her hand, then at him, seeming to hesitate whether to use it.
This bullet seemed to be very precious.
Since she had already realized this place was fake.
Could she escape using her own power, without relying on an external object?
"Do you remember what I said before?" "Leon's" voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Kid, don't be polite with me!" "Leon" indicated there was nothing more to say, telling her to act quickly.
"A bullet isn't a talisman! If you don't use it when you need to, it's meaningless!"
At the moment the illusion was about to dissipate.
"March 7th."
To make up for his OOC moment just now, he chose to return to character one last time.
Hearing this call, March 7th froze for a moment.
She looked at the familiar face before her, confident but not ostentatious.
She knew quite well what he was going to say next.
March 7th took a deep breath and slowly raised the bow.
The "Counter-Time Strike," now in the form of an arrow, was nocked on the string by her, her expression resolute.
Just as she was about to draw back the bowstring.
While making the final preparations before shooting, she felt a strange sensation creep over the back of her hand.
March 7th sensed it and looked up.
A phantom of Leon appeared behind her.
His illusory body was pressed close against hers.
His right palm was on the back of her hand, his left palm supporting her arm.
As if preparing to teach her hand-over-hand how to truly use a bow and arrow.
Just as his first time was taught by "Lan."
March 7th's first time ought to be witnessed by him.
So he had now come to fulfill this legacy.
Under Leon's guidance, March 7th drew the bowstring.
The arrowhead of the "Counter-Time Strike" aimed straight at the target ahead!
Seeing this, "Leon" just smiled.
He took Mikhail's top hat from his head and threw it back to March 7th.
"—Do it!"
The moment he spoke, the arrow shot out with a whoosh.
Intersecting with the tossed top hat.
The top hat perfectly blocked March 7th's line of sight, preventing her from witnessing his demise with her own eyes.
Leon's phantom raised a hand and caught the top hat.
Placing it back on March 7th's head once more.
"Leon..."
Are you okay?
Before the words could leave her mouth, the phantom vanished into thin air.
He had already fulfilled his duty.
Seeing this, March 7th grew even more worried about the situation in reality.
Besides Mikhail, not a single person from Penacony would want Leon to save them.
He was making an enemy of the world.
At least at a time like this... she wished she could be by his side.
Even if she couldn't do anything, just being there to support him would be enough, as long as he wasn't left all alone...
And now, even she had fallen into the "Dream of Oneness."
Didn't that mean he was fighting all alone in reality?
She wanted to see him... and even more, she wanted to help him...
After this thought emerged in her heart, the surrounding scene suddenly changed.
March 7th did not return to the real Penacony.
Instead, she arrived in a dim space.
The atmosphere here was oppressive, even a little gloomy.
Here— she saw another version of herself.
"...Who are you?" March 7th looked at the identical appearance before her, subconsciously taking a step back and asking with some fear.
"It seems that man is really important to you." "Oblivion" let out a soft chuckle, saying words that made no sense to her.
If she hadn't allowed it, a man-made "Dream of Oneness" isn't worthy of pulling March 7th into it; you'd need the Aeon of "Order" itself to do that.
And the reason she was willing to allow it... was because she knew very well what March 7th would encounter in this "Dream of Oneness."
"Oblivion" wanted to see if this man was truly the destination she had chosen.
From the looks of it, yes.
Becoming a ranger of "The Hunt" like in the old days isn't bad either.
"Honestly, I didn't expect our first meeting to come so soon."
"Oblivion" slowly stepped forward, gradually closing in on her.
"My dear March 7th." She lifted the girl's chin, her listless, lightless pupils facing that pair of beautiful and clear eyes.
"You know me?" Hearing her own name, March 7th subconsciously ignored the intimate gesture and asked innocently.
"Oblivion" chuckled lightly.
"Of course I know you. After all, I am the long night that follows you like a shadow."
"Are... you my 'Past'?" March 7th asked after a moment's hesitation; she had a vague feeling about it.
"Does it matter?" "Oblivion's" teasing actions paused as she intentionally avoided the topic.
"You only need to know that I came in response to your wish."
"You can help Leon?" Hearing this, March 7th blurted it out subconsciously.
"Do you know what kind of situation that man is in right now?"
Although she knew why she was here, hearing her speak of that man right away... "Oblivion" was still a little displeased.
"He is about to face the remnant of an 'Aeon.' That is a realm absolutely beyond the touch of an 'Emanator.'"
She chose to downplay him first and then build him up, hoping to gain a more important place in her heart.
"An ordinary person couldn't even dream of helping him, they wouldn't even qualify to participate—"
Before she could finish, March 7th interrupted her.
"You can help him, right?" March 7th cut her off, speaking again.
In her eyes, which were facing "Oblivion's", there was already a hint of "I'll do anything."
"Yes, I can help him." "Oblivion's" heart softened, and she replied with resignation.
"Tell me, what do I have to do to help him?" March 7th asked seriously.
"Before we discuss the method, have you considered the weight of the word 'price'?" "Oblivion" said pointedly.
"Everything has a price. I can help him, but what price will you pay?"
March 7th became distressed.
Not because she had to pay a price, but because she worried if she could truly afford the corresponding price.
"I'll give you my everything!"
After a moment of thought, March 7th spoke.
This was the only price she could think of, and the greatest price she could afford to pay!
"Everything?" "Oblivion" was slightly stunned.
She hadn't expected her to be so decisive.
To be able to shoulder someone else's life, she's willing to give away her own?
That damn Leon, look what he's turned our March into!
"Even if it costs you your own life?" "Oblivion" asked, a bit sullenly.
March 7th's gaze didn't flinch in the slightest; the answer was self-evident.
"Even if afterward, you will no longer be you?"
This time, March 7th hesitated slightly.
Perhaps it was because she cherished the time she had journeyed with him.
"He deserves someone who would do anything for him!"
But soon, that hesitation became a passing cloud.
Leon had always acted with disregard for his own life.
He never thought he would fail.
So no matter how great the matter, he was willing to brave it without fear of death.
Whether it was for Chadwick or Mikhail.
Or... for her.
He was always like this.
A person like that... deserves to have someone who would also face death for him.
If there was no one, then March 7th was willing to be that person!
"Oblivion" said nothing.
She just silently let go of the chin she held and moved behind March 7th.
"Close your eyes." "Oblivion's" soft whisper sounded by her ear as she raised her right hand to cover March 7th's eyes.
March 7th obediently did as she was told.
"I promise you." "Oblivion's" voice carried a special kind of magic.
"Your 'Future,' I will watch over it for you."
Making one involuntarily relax their mind.
"Leave everything to me, and say goodnight to the world." "Oblivion's" right hand moved down, revealing March 7th's peaceful, sleeping face.
"My dear March 7th." "Oblivion" gently caressed her face.
"Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, you will not lose again."
As her voice fell, March 7th merged into her body, falling into a long night of peaceful sleep.
After "Oblivion" took over the body, "March 7th" slowly opened her eyes.
"Guy with no taste." "Oblivion" took off the Clockmaker's top hat from her head, criticizing Leon's eye for fashion.
It was better for her to hold it than to wear it.
If it weren't for her March's natural beauty, the photos would probably turn out hideously.
"Alright, playtime is over." "Oblivion" placed the top hat into a Memoria space, preparing to return it to her after the matter was resolved.
"The golden dream is about to stir."
To awaken those obsessed with the beautiful dream from this dream-within-a-dream, the Dream of Oneness, a necessary threat to their lives is indispensable.
"Come, sink into the sea of oblivion, and become my guests."
Gallagher had said it before.
To subvert this beautiful dream, unless an Emanator of "Remembrance" or "Enigmata" took action, it would be absolutely impossible— As it happens, she is both!
____
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