The Trailblaze Crew walked with determined steps towards the Clock Studios Theme Park, but Himeko lagged a few steps behind. She called out softly, "Mr. Welt…"
Hearing her voice, Welt stopped and turned to look at her.
"Why did you not inform your companions of my true identity?" Himeko's tone held a hint of confusion and bewilderment.
Welt frowned slightly, his gaze deepening. "As I said before, it's not that I'm unwilling, but that I cannot easily do so. That lengthy story… is truly difficult to explain clearly to others in just a few words."
"But I am willing to trust you. My trust in you comes more from… a personal, subjective judgment."
"I also believe that even if it were them, they would make the same decision."
"March 7th: Wow, Uncle Yang also has hidden powers!"
"Welt: I'm afraid not, little March, but aside from some knowledge, I have no other powers."
As he spoke, Welt's gaze fell upon the trio in the distance: Himeko, March 7th, and Stelle. The three of them had turned and stood by the roadside, waiting, their faces beaming with warm smiles, seemingly silently waiting for the two to finish their conversation.
Himeko turned and met Welt's gaze. "Thank you very much. In return, in the upcoming confrontation, should the situation turn unfavorable for the Astral Express… I will stand with you all."
"—I will do my utmost."
After these words, the screen switched again, now at the entrance of Clock Studios Theme Park.
The five-person team slowly walked to the Clockie statue at the entrance of the theme park. They looked around, and an unusual feeling arose in their hearts—it was completely empty!
"We're back here again. Aventurine actually chose such a conspicuous place…," March 7th said with some dissatisfaction. "This guy is being too dramatic, isn't he? Does he really think he's a big star?"
"Qingque: Such a grand scene but no tourists, wow… it just feels creepy."
"March 7th: It really does. Where did all the tourists go?"
"Empty? The hounds dispersed the tourists earlier, and now they're nowhere to be seen either…" Himeko said loudly, "Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. The opponent is clearly prepared."
Stelle walked in first, followed by the members of the Trailblaze Crew.
At this moment, Aventurine's voice sounded again over the broadcast:
"Ladies and gentlemen, Dreamseekers, tycoons, Clockmakers, and distinguished guests of the Family,"
"—and the renowned Nameless of the Astral Express! Welcome to the Interstellar Peace Corporation's show!"
Suddenly, the already rather dim screen darkened further, as if the lighting of the scene in the video was affected.
"You're finally here, members of the Astral Express, and also this… 'uninvited guest' here."
His words were clearly directed at Himeko.
Then, in this room, three huge screens on the walls depicted spade images. The open-air venue was empty, with only a loudspeaker emitting sound.
"We've arrived for our appointment, Mr. Aventurine. By etiquette, you should also appear," Himeko said loudly.
"Hahaha, of course I will. But before that, I hope to properly introduce tonight's protagonist."
As he spoke, a spotlight shone on Stelle.
"A round of applause for—Miss Stellaron!"
Stelle was caught off guard by the sudden spotlight on her, and then, facing the Trailblaze Crew's strange gazes, she laughed and cheered, "Mom, I'm on TV!"
March 7th looked speechless, staring at her as if she were an idiot. "Uh…"
"Kafka: I'm watching."
"Silver Wolf: Does Stelle always say such weird things?"
"March 7th: Actually, she was quite normal before… Since she started rummaging through garbage cans two days ago, she's become a bit strange."
"Firefly: Actually, I think what she says is quite cute."
Welt said sternly, "Allow me to remind you, this stage and Stelle's identity should both be unrelated to apprehending the true culprit."
Aventurine, however, smiled and said, "No, they are related, of course they are. Otherwise, why would I try so hard to gain your trust and then invite you all here?"
"Because she is the only witness to three murders, the best candidate to prove that 'there are no casualties in dreams' is an empty promise!"
"Three murders?" Himeko asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Yes, madam, the third murder is about to happen. Right here, in Clock Studios Theme Park," Aventurine announced with a high-spirited tone, "a truly grand death."
"You, you, you, and you… everyone will die—and all because of you, Miss Stellaron."
"…You will personally embody death here."
Stelle shook her head and loudly replied, "I don't have that much power."
"Never underestimate yourself." Aventurine laughed heartily, "I told you, you possess the power to overturn the entire card table. Let me be clearer: I will detonate the Stellaron within you, creating a small accident in Penacony…"
"Bang! The entire park will turn into a shattered dream. Then, I will become the navigator of the Company's fleet before the Family can react."
"Bluster won't work on us. If you could really do it, you've had plenty of opportunities before," Himeko said calmly, raising her hand to her hip.
"Are you betting against me?" Aventurine was somewhat surprised, as if he had heard something amusing. "Alright, then I'll bet with you too. I bet I'll win big, proving with an unprecedented explosion that the harmony's vow is a complete joke."
"You can't do it," Himeko said with a calm expression.
"Of course I can, it's just another gamble."
Aventurine's voice was somewhat flat, his tone as if speaking of someone else's deeds.
"I came from the deserts of Tzigania. For sixty copper coins, people branded me, shackled me, put me on the rack, buried me in the yellow sand…"
"But the sun couldn't kill me, and the quicksand instead sent me into the embrace of The Academy and the Company. Remember, I didn't just win once by chance; I have never lost."
He said in a serious voice, "Let me share a proverb with you: Sleep is the rehearsal for death. Why does life fall asleep? Because we are not yet ready to face death."
"Every night's dream is no different from facing death, just like you and I at this moment, with a will to die, hiding in the land of sleep. And death… will come at our dream's bidding."