Into a Dream / He Doesn't Look Like a Good Person ...

"Caelus, I thought you'd keep those women."

Acheron spoke on the way back. Caelus nearly twisted his ankle at her words, then looked at her resentfully.

"What do you take me for, a pervert?"

"Aren't you?"

"Of course not! I may be lustful, but I have my own principles. Those people were all children Afleet raised. You killed their father—any normal person would want revenge, right? The smart ones would first thank you for sparing them, then lie low and stab us when we least expected it. You want me to gamble my safety, and Asta's safety, on what our enemies are thinking? I'm not a gambler."

Caelus spoke very seriously. He wasn't afraid of revenge, but Asta managed such a massive Space Station. How could she not fear retaliation from bad people? Even for Asta's sake, he had to pull out the roots. Only then could he sleep soundly.

A faint smile appeared on Acheron's face. Even if Caelus had spared those people, she wouldn't have said anything. But it was reassuring that he thought things through before acting. Since they had already become enemies, they might as well kill them all. There was no need to hold back.

"Besides, Constance may have some looks, but there are plenty of beautiful women out there. Isn't my Mei beautiful? There's no comparison at all, okay? You're the most beautiful woman in my heart."

Caelus took Acheron's hand and spent the rest of the journey praising her. She wasn't just beautiful—she was incredibly strong too. She could practically lead him through the galaxy unopposed. Could other women do that?

Acheron was a little uncomfortable from all of Caelus's praise, mainly because his words were too mushy. Fortunately, the exit was close at hand. She quickly stepped out of the spatial rift and appeared back inside the Space Station with Caelus.

"I'm going to tell Asta the good news."

As soon as Caelus returned, he ran into the medical bay. Asta was still lying there resting, and she couldn't help finding it strange to see him come back so soon.

"Where did you run off to?"

Asta asked curiously. She was bored stiff in the medical bay. The doctor wouldn't let her do anything except sleep, and only chatting with Caelus could distract her.

"I went to get revenge on Grand Duke of Fiery Nether," Caelus said seriously.

"Huh?"

Asta's expression instantly became complicated. She stared blankly at Caelus. Of course she had considered retaliating against Eternal Fire Manor. Her family was a shareholder of the Interastral Peace Corporation—if they couldn't handle something like that, they might as well stop being shareholders. But she hadn't expected Caelus to act first, or to return so quickly.

"It bullied you like that. How could I stand it? I went straight to its lair and wiped out its whole family."

Caelus spoke with righteous indignation, then started telling Asta the story. However, he replaced Acheron with himself as the protagonist. It became a tale of him wielding a katana against Grand Duke of Fiery Nether for five hundred rounds before finally killing it.

"So impressive. Just as expected of you, Caelus. My investment paid off."

Asta nodded. She didn't suspect that Caelus was merely trying to cheer her up. She was willing to believe anything he said he could do. Who could doubt someone who had risked his life to save her? Besides, what Caelus said fit Grand Duke of Fiery Nether's profile, especially their dialogue. It perfectly matched Asta's impression of a destruction-crazed maniac.

"I worked so hard getting revenge for you. Aren't you going to kiss me as a reward?"

After saying that, Caelus pressed his face close to Asta's. He seized every opening he could. He had to claim credit for his accomplishments. If he did something and said nothing, wouldn't it all be for nothing?

"It's not like I told you to go."

Asta pushed Caelus's face away. There was soot from burns on his face, but the Station Master wasn't falling for that. She had said she wouldn't date Caelus yet, and she meant it.

"Then hold my hand. I'll feel at ease if I'm holding your hand."

Caelus held out both hands. This time, Asta didn't refuse. She placed her palm in his, and Caelus held her fair, smooth hand with both of his. His fingers brushed over her palm and fingers before he clasped it carefully in his hands.

Asta's cheeks visibly reddened. No matter how much she denied it, their relationship had already become close enough for them to hold hands freely. They were more than friends but not yet lovers. She didn't want to date, but she didn't object to Caelus pursuing her. Every now and then, she even gave him shy, girlish responses. That left Caelus deeply satisfied. It felt like he was playing a raising simulator—raising a little rich girl into a big rich girl. Wouldn't that mean he had it made for life?

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PS: I've had a lot going on lately, so updates have been late. Sorry. (:∠)

Entering the Dream

"Asta, get some proper rest. I've taken care of the bad guy. You and the Space Station will be fine now."

Caelus placed Asta's hand back beneath the blanket and raised a hand to feel her forehead, hoping she could finally sleep peacefully.

"You're leaving?"

Asta looked at Caelus with her bright eyes. She had indeed worried about Grand Duke of Fiery Nether's future retaliation, but Caelus had removed that concern for her. At least she wouldn't have to think about it when trying to sleep.

"Yeah, I still have to return to Penacony. It would be nice if I could take you with me."

Caelus nodded. Asta wasn't interested in Penacony. Otherwise, with her status, she certainly could have received an invitation. She still preferred staying on the Space Station and watching the stars.

"Then have fun. Just come back and tell me your stories."

Asta smiled. Caelus nodded, then quickly returned after leaving the medical bay, this time carrying Peppy. He placed Peppy on the hospital bed to keep Asta company in his stead.

"Dog bro, I'm leaving Asta to you."

Caelus rubbed Peppy's fluffy head. Peppy nodded with surprising understanding and even raised a paw. Caelus lifted his hand and bumped it against the dog's paw, their brotherhood plain to see.

"If you and Caelus are sworn brothers, won't our family hierarchy get all messed up if we end up together?"

Only after Caelus left did Asta poke Peppy on the head and laugh. Caelus was ridiculous. He had gone and sworn brotherhood with a dog without considering how they would address each other in the future.

"Woof!"

Peppy barked, meaning they could each use their own terms. Caelus called him dog bro, and he called Caelus male master. Problem solved.

"Caelus has led you astray. You're not allowed to play with him anymore."

Suppressing a laugh, Asta squeezed Peppy's cheeks with both hands. With the Space Station's crisis resolved, her mood had lightened considerably. She secretly took a selfie with her phone and sent it to Caelus. She didn't usually wear this hospital gown.

Caelus brought Acheron back beside the Realm Anchor. As a passenger of the Star Rail Express, he could activate the anchor whenever he wished. Everyone else could only watch helplessly. Once he activated it, a burst of Trailblaze light enveloped them, and the next moment, they were back in the Star Rail Express carriage.

"How did it go, pa?"

Pom-Pom asked as soon as Caelus returned. Pom-Pom seemed quite familiar with using the Realm Anchor by now.

"It's done. This function is so convenient, Station Master. Put one in my Belobog next time."

Caelus happily picked Pom-Pom up. This Station Master was genuinely useful—no wonder March 7th liked Pom-Pom so much. If Caelus wanted to be affectionate with his wives in the future, he would have to rely on Pom-Pom more.

"You really are impossible, pa. If you bring back Penacony specialties for me, I'll do it, pa."

Pom-Pom seemed to have become used to being held. Pom-Pom didn't refuse Caelus's request. After all, an anchor could be made whenever needed.

"No problem. Everyone knows I'm so poor that all I have left is money."

Caelus patted his chest in assurance. March 7th also brought Pom-Pom souvenirs, but her allowance was limited. Caelus was different. He could buy one of everything he saw and bring it back. He definitely wouldn't disappoint Pom-Pom.

After saying goodbye to Pom-Pom, Caelus and Acheron left the Star Rail Express and returned to the Daydream Hotel in Penacony. The receptionist was still Elara. Caelus actually felt a little uncertain. It had been difficult enough when he checked in under Dan Heng's identity before. Acheron had directly killed someone and taken their things—would they really let her stay here?

"The invitation is valid, and the token is valid as well. Here is your room key. Please keep it safe."

After Elara took a look at the invitation and music box, she said nothing more and handed Acheron Penacony's special room key. Caelus's eyes widened. For the first time, he felt the unfairness of different treatment.

"How could this happen?"

Caelus couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought. Acheron naturally didn't know the connection either. She only knew that an invitation allowed someone to stay here. The rooms and guests weren't things she concerned herself with.

Since nearly every building here looked exactly the same, Acheron's tendency to get lost reached its peak. If Caelus hadn't held her hand and led her to their room, she definitely would have wandered into someone else's.

The Daydream Hotel's doors had a very distinctive design. This place had originally been a prison, but the doorframes had now been remodeled into keyhole shapes. The doors themselves were wooden boards blocking the keyholes, giving them a very unique appearance.

Acheron opened the room with her key card. Unlike a conventional hotel, even after renovation, the interior space hadn't grown any larger. So the luxury suite had no kitchen, bathroom, private theater, large bedroom, small bedroom, or anything of the sort. The first thing they saw upon entering was a large pearl-colored shell. It looked like a bed, but it was filled with liquid. There was a sofa on the left and a television and record player on the right. One glance was enough to take in the entire room.

"What a strange place."

Caelus voiced his judgment. Anyone unfamiliar with the place would surely be baffled the first time they entered. But unlike Caelus, who had been born with a Stellaron in his body, the other tourists who came to Penacony had spent half, or even most, of their lives' savings on a ticket. They had already memorized every guide before arriving.

"I've traveled throughout the universe for many years, yet this is the first time I've seen a room like this."

Acheron agreed. At first glance, the room didn't even seem to have a place to sleep. Yet the most unusual thing about it was the liquid inside that shell.

Before coming to Penacony, Pom-Pom had mentioned Memory Matter and the many problems within this star system. But a genius had combined those problems and turned waste into treasure, creating the device before them—the Dream Pool.

As long as someone lay inside the shell and immersed most of their body in the liquid, they would fall asleep and begin dreaming. In the dream, they could experience the true grand world of Penacony. Everyone's dreams were connected. Penacony became a sprawling metropolis in the dreamscape, where people could experience only one thing: joyful revelry. There was no need to think, and no need to worry. The dream world offered guests an unforgettable experience, and countless people immersed themselves in dreams, unwilling to wake.

That was why Robin had wished Caelus and the others sweet dreams when she said goodbye. In Penacony, there was no possibility of having nightmares.

Caelus took out his Dream Manual and began reading it. Acheron did the same. The two of them roughly understood what the Dream Pool was. In theory, it could only be used by one person.

Doesn't Look Like a Good Person

"I'm worried about you. Let's use it together."

Caelus raised a hand and took Acheron's palm. He couldn't leave her now. Otherwise, the two of them might not meet in the dream, and considering how bustling the dreamscape was, he had no idea how he would find Acheron after she got lost.

"Mm."

Acheron answered softly. She knew Caelus would not leave her. He cared about her so much and always chose to stay by her side. She didn't say it aloud, but her heart had already completely turned toward him.

"There are people who possess an unwavering will and conviction, yet have no intention of using it for a righteous path. And on Mr. Aventurine's face, I saw a familiar expression."

Acheron suddenly spoke. Caelus paused, realizing she was warning him not to trust Aventurine.

"If one carries a blade, one must eventually use it to cut something down. And before a gambler loses everything, he will surely make a desperate, all-or-nothing wager."

Acheron continued while looking at Caelus. Her words emphasized Aventurine's danger. If Acheron had previously meant that Aventurine might be a swindler, then now she was practically saying that he was a madman.

"I understand. You mean Aventurine isn't a good person, right? It's fine. You're with me. If he tries anything, I'll cut him down."

Caelus nodded. Of course he trusted his girlfriend without condition. As he spoke, he hugged Acheron and kissed her cheek hard.

"Mm."

A faint smile appeared on Acheron's face. She liked the feeling of being cared for by Caelus, and she was willing to accept his kisses. Their feelings had rapidly warmed through their repeated experiences together, though neither had clearly said that they liked the other.

In another room at that moment—the guest room that should have belonged to Caelus—Aventurine stood motionless. The smile on his face had already become somewhat stiff. He opened his pocket watch and looked at it, unable to stop himself from wondering where that Stellaron had run off to.

Caelus and Acheron stepped into the Dream Pool together. Caelus had originally suggested taking off all their clothes before going in, but Acheron picked up the Dream Manual, flipped to a certain page, and handed it to him. One look made Caelus feel terrible. It clearly said that if someone entered the dream unclothed, they would also be naked in the dream. They would end up running naked through the streets. He had nearly become a pervert.

The Dream Pool had been designed for people to enter while dressed. Their clothes and shoes were disinfected and cleaned when they entered the room, so there was no danger of dirtying the water and turning it into a pickle brine bath.

Once they entered the Dream Pool, drowsiness swept over them. Just as Caelus was about to joke that the sleeping pills must be popular, his consciousness had already fallen asleep. Acheron was the same. Their heads leaned against each other as they gradually sank into dreams.

When Caelus regained consciousness, he found himself falling, as though he had dropped from a height of a hundred meters. The world below gradually came into focus. It was a magnificent city beyond compare; even the phrase "resplendent in gold and jade" couldn't describe one percent of it. Pedestrians of every race filled the streets, while countless luxury cars sped along the roads. Everyone who came here seemed to be a celebrity of the universe, dressed in extravagant clothes. Credits were tossed around by guests like worthless scraps of paper. Watching from above, Caelus suddenly understood the true meaning of decadent extravagance.

Then Caelus realized a problem: he didn't seem to have wings. So how was he supposed to land?

"Man!!!"

As Penacony Square rushed closer and closer beneath him, Caelus only had time to cry out once before smashing into the ground with a crash. He ended up lying on his side with his limbs curled up, his condition unknown.

"Are you all right?"

A gentle voice, like a warm current from a hot spring, woke Caelus. He brushed the dust off himself and sat up, immediately seeing Robin standing beside him and looking at him with concern.

"The moment I wake up, I see the woman I've been thinking about. Am I still dreaming?"

Caelus stared blankly at Robin. He had been thinking about the little bird just before, yet they had met so soon.

"This really is a dream. Welcome to Penacony."

Robin didn't get angry at Caelus's somewhat presumptuous words, because he had obviously been dazed by the fall. Though even without that fall, Caelus would have had the same personality.

"You two? What a coincidence."

After standing up, Caelus saw Robin and Sunday. That truly was quite a coincidence. He had randomly chosen a spot to land face-first and still ran into these two important figures.

"We were discussing the concert here. I didn't expect you to fall from the sky."

Robin smiled. Caelus thought about it and remembered March 7th mentioning that before the Grand Gala began, Robin would hold a concert in the dreamscape for her fans.

"Do all other guests enter the dream like this too?"

Caelus asked in confusion. He hadn't been injured, but the process was still strange. Caelus could fly using the Stellaron's power, but when he tried to use it earlier, he found that his power was unavailable. It might have involved certain rules.

"This happens when one first arrives here. It is like someone first learning to swim: they often sink because they cannot properly adjust to buoyancy. But once your body becomes accustomed to the current, you can float freely upon the water."

Sunday spread his hands as he spoke. The white gloves on his hands were immaculate, and Caelus found himself wondering what would happen if he flicked some ink at them.

"Penacony's beautiful dream is, in essence, a world made of Memory Matter. Only by understanding its properties can you move freely within it."

Robin added. The siblings worked together to explain the general rules of the dream world.

"So that's how it is. Thank you, Uncle... Brother Sunday."

Caelus nodded. He had been about to thank his future uncle, but killing intent suddenly surged from Sunday, so Caelus obediently changed his wording.

"Please enjoy the dream paradise the Family has created for everyone. We will take our leave now. Have fun."

Robin smiled. She wasn't some naive little princess, so she could naturally tell that Caelus was interested in her and was constantly testing her brother's limits. She actually found the situation rather interesting. Robin didn't dislike such open pursuit, since she couldn't control other people's feelings. What she hated were those who acted polite on the surface and praised her beauty and grace, while secretly plotting to possess her.

"I'm happy as long as you're here."

Caelus said with a grin. Sunday finally couldn't help shooting him a glare. Caelus, meanwhile, put both hands behind his head and whistled toward the side, looking completely unafraid of his future uncle. Pursuing his future wife from the hands of a sister-obsessed brother was naturally a near-impossible task, but Caelus wouldn't retreat at the last moment.

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Sweating Bullets Now, Aren't You?

After Robin and Sunday left, Caelus touched his pocket and found that even his phone had been brought into the dream world. He had even received messages from March 7th.

Ice Girl: So amazing, you can send messages in dreams too!

Ice Girl: Have you arrived yet?