『 "Rest assured. I have implored THEIR presence to be with us. As long as you are sincere, absolution will be granted." Sunday comforted the panicked man on the other side of the small window in a gentle tone.
Hearing this, the man nodded hurriedly and began to recount his sins.
"Oh! Oh, great... you know, I... I arrived in Penacony as a stowaway. I sold everything to get a ticket... my house, my land... and... my two children..." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: ????
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Huh?
〘Belle〙: Huh?
〘Boothill〙: Muddle-fudger!
....
『 "Hmm… you continue." Sunday's voice was no longer as gentle as before, and it grew somewhat stern. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: He went from "Please" to "you". It seems even Sunday couldn't keep his composure.
〘Luciana de Montefio〙: Why show any courtesy to this kind of scum? Just hit him straight with a bat!
〘Piper〙: Oh, Lucy is indeed angry. This kind of person is better off staying in the Security Bureau obediently.
....
『 "My children were starving, and I hoped they'd have a chance at survival if they became slaves here. If... if I can strike it rich here, I'll lift them out of that situation... and give them the life they deserve..."
"But, but, the Bloodhound Family got wind of it. They're on my tail... hunting me down... I thought I could bring my kids here! It was all my fault... all my fault..."
With that, the man began to cry, looking extremely sorrowful. It was hard to tell whether it was for the two children or because he was discovered by the Hounds.
"The Family is ready to forgive all sinners. I'll ask the Bloodhound Family to cease their pursuit. You don't need to live in fear anymore." Sunday said calmly.
The man immediately stopped crying and nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, thank you! I'll work my hardest to redeem my children and make them part of The Family... P—Praise the Harmony!"
After saying that, the man turned and walked away. What Sunday could not see was that there was not a trace of sadness on the man's face, only a look of pure joy. 』
『 ....』
〘Boothill〙: Muddle-fudger! Someone with a house and land couldn't afford to raise two kids? Don't make me laugh!
〘Aventurine〙: A lie that can be punctured with a single poke. Winghead, where did your shrewdness go when you were scheming against me? To actually believe this kind of nonsense.
〘Belle〙: Even if it were true, looking at his state, he doesn't seem like the type of person who would redeem his children after making it big.
....
『 "...Next. Please step forward."
A luxuriously dressed Pepeshi walked forward. He looked at Sunday inside the window and said in a playful voice, "Hey, long time no see, Mr. Sunday! The most esteemed individual in Penacony and... the next leader of the Oak Family, right?"
"...I have sought THEIR presence with us. Let us proceed." Sunday spoke extremely fast, seemingly somewhat impatient.
The Pepeshi waved his hand, "Sure, let's just go through the required process—cough, cough!"
After clearing his throat, the Pepeshi swayed his head back and forth as if reciting from a book, "I have sinned. Please forgive me! I wasted half a pizza at breakfast... and a bottle of SoulGlad."
"That's it. Nothing more. Can we wrap this up? I've got a Roboball game to catch, you know?"
The Pepeshi's impatient voice made Sunday silent for a moment, after which he read out the next line according to the procedure.
"Do you... seek to atone for your sins through good deeds?"
"My "sins"!? Starting to sound like a saint, eh? Let me tell you something — Neither The Family nor you have the right to judge me." The Pepeshi shook the expensive watch on his wrist and replied in an exaggerated tone.
"You think nobody knows what your precious Family has done? About the Watchmaker, huh? Don't kid yourself, feather-brain. Those Dreamchasers might be fooled by your act, but don't fool yourself."
"Before you start spouting off your holy verses, answer me this..."
The Pepeshi pointed his finger at Sunday and shouted, "Where does the power of the Oak Family come from? And your power? What makes you think you can sit there, all high and mighty, looking down on everyone else?"
"Well, I've spent enough time in confession today to enter the Harmony's paradise, right? Then I'll take my leave. Good luck with your election, and... don't make me regret my investments in you."
Sunday took a deep breath, watching the departing figure of the Pepeshi. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Isn't the Harmony a bit too tolerant here?
〘Belle〙: It has reached a somewhat terrifying level of tolerance.
....
『 As the screen went black, Sunday's calm, narrating voice came through once again.
"O, revered Triple-Faced Soul, hear my doubts..."
"Who can judge the strong when their power hides their crimes?"
"Who can vouch for the weak when they will pay any price to survive?"
"Who can comfort the purest souls when even they get led astray?"
"If 'the strong defending the weak' is truly the foundation of paradise..."
"...then who— who is responsible for the suffering and anguish in this wretched world?" 』
『 ....』
〘Herta〙: He's feeling lost about the Harmony, but there really is one who is the answer to your questions.
〘Ruan Mei〙: Ena the Order, a deceased Aeon.
〘Robin〙: Brother… is this the paradise you chose? A paradise where the strong rule over the weak.
〘Sunday〙: Keep watching, Robin. You will understand.
....
『 "Brother… Brother…?" Robin's concerned voice came through.
Sunday slowly opened his eyes and saw Welt and Robin looking at him. Robin had a worried look in her eyes, "…Brother? Are you alright?"
Sunday shook his head and smiled at Robin to reassure her, "…I'm fine. Perhaps I've been working for too long and just returned from Dreamflux Reef, so I'm a bit unadjusted. I should be fine in a moment."
"Mr. Sunday has been working day and night for the Charmony Festival, and now he encounters such an accident. Even though the Stellaron issue is of grave importance, it is indeed somewhat regrettable to put you through this." Welt spoke as he looked at the weak Sunday.
"Haha, it is of no consequence. The Charmony Festival was originally intended to enhance the happiness and harmony of the cosmos, but since we already know the truth, stopping it in time is the right thing to do." Sunday waved his hand and said.
"To make everyone happy has always been the wish of us siblings… Therefore, we will do our best to persuade the Dreammaster. Once we explain the reasons, the Dreammaster should be able to understand." Robin said, looking at Welt.
"Even if the negotiation does not go smoothly... I'll refuse to go on stage. Without the Chordmaster, the Harmonious Choir would not arrive, and the Charmony Festival would be just a grand performance, and nothing more."
Welt nodded, "Seeing that the two of you have such determination, I am also at ease."
"Y'know, since arriving in Penacony, we haven't had any contact with this Dreammaster himself. I'd heard of the heads of the five major lineages, but the Dreammaster is a mystery to me."
"The Dreammaster rarely appears in public, and it is hard for us to meet him as well. But this matter is of great importance, and he has promised to come in person to discuss it with us." Sunday explained.
"Mr. Welt will probably be the first guest to meet with the Dreammaster in recent years." Robin smiled.
"Let's hope we can reach a consensus that satisfies everyone."
"Yes, hopefully so," Sunday said with deep meaning.
"It's about time. Brother and I need to prepare for the reception first… The situation is urgent; please forgive our lack of hospitality."
"It's fine, I will just wait here for a while."
With those words, Robin and Sunday left. 』
『 ....』