88. March Is the Best / 89. It's Topaz! We're Saved

"Cough, March 7th, we really did do this together."

Caelus was awkward. It was rare for March 7th to trust Acheron so much, yet he could only cruelly reveal the truth. Even he felt a little embarrassed.

"What?!"

March 7th stared at Caelus as though she had seen a ghost. Himeko and Welt also looked over. Before this, they had not cared about what Caelus and Acheron had secretly been doing, assuming they had simply found a way to get the invitation.

"Didn't we split up for a while earlier? While you were in the guest room, Acheron and I went to the Space Station and happened to take out a Grand Duke of Fiery Nether."

Caelus briefly explained what he and Acheron had experienced. Since it had all happened so quickly and he had not met up with the Express crew afterward, he had planned to share it over a meal later. But now, he had no choice but to say it.

An exclamation mark seemed to pop up over March 7th's head. She wanted to complain about what Acheron had done, but then she remembered that the Grand Duke of Fiery Nether had brought it upon himself by attacking the Space Station. If she had been there, she definitely would have acted too. The Space Station was an ally of the Express—not just anyone could bully it.

"I killed someone?"

Only now did Acheron understand what Caelus meant. She asked strangely, and what was frightening was that her tone held no attempt to defend herself. She often could not remember things clearly. Perhaps she really had killed someone in a dream and forgotten about it.

At that moment, Black Swan, wherever she was, suddenly shuddered all over and quickened her pace through the dreamscape. She had to stay farther away from that person.

"Someone has accused you of being the true culprit behind this murder. The Annihilation Gang members who came to attend the banquet also died beneath your blade. And now, you intend to stir up another bloodbath in Penacony."

Welt pushed up his glasses and explained it to Acheron in the roundabout phrasing of an adult. For some reason, it hit March 7th and Caelus's funny bones, causing them both to burst into laughter.

"Come to think of it, we never knew why someone as powerful as Miss Acheron came to Penacony. And she even stole her invitation. It does seem normal for people to suspect her."

After laughing, March 7th asked Acheron. Caelus and Firefly also turned their eyes toward her. Caelus trusted Acheron completely, so there was no need to ask. Firefly, meanwhile, was simply curious about the purpose of a woman she could not even defeat.

"I came to Penacony only to fulfill an ancient wish. I am here for the Clock Keeper's legacy. That is all."

Only then did Acheron reveal why she had come to Penacony. She was not here for sightseeing or leisure, much less to bring carnage and bloodshed. However, her goal overlapped with Firefly's, so it was no wonder the two women had clashed.

"After arriving in Penacony in search of that legacy, I visited various dreamscapes and conducted many investigations. During that time, I came into contact with quite a few guests. Through this process, I gradually realized that Penacony's secret might be deeply connected to the Trailblaze of the past."

Acheron was talking about things even Caelus did not know. No wonder she had wandered everywhere in the dreamscape. It turned out she did more than just get lost—she investigated things too.

"I do not have sufficient proof, but I would like to suggest a possibility. The source of every tragedy may be lurking within the Family. If you are willing to trust me, we can find the facts needed to prove it together."

Acheron continued. Aventurine's suspicions were not entirely unreasonable. She had no way to prove that she had not killed Robin, because she truly had the ability to do it. She was already accustomed to outsiders doubting her. What she actually cared about was only Caelus's attitude.

"Acheron, don't be so formal. I'm here with you. No one on the Express will ever doubt you. Whatever you want to do, go and do it."

Caelus placed both hands on Acheron's shoulders and spoke seriously. Forget whether Acheron was the culprit or not—even if she really were, Caelus would stand on her side. Feelings were just like that, often impossible to sort out clearly. Caelus only knew that he truly loved Acheron.

"Mm."

Acheron responded softly. Caelus had not disappointed her, and she had never believed he would doubt her. The feeling that a single word from her could certainly earn his trust was a kind of happiness to her as well.

"Then let's reply to Aventurine first. Tell him we're willing to help investigate the truth, and accept the Family's commission as well. At the very least, that will let us move freely within the Family's territory."

Welt settled the matter. He had watched Acheron's journey all the way here. Acheron's blade only struck those who deserved to die; she would never harm the innocent. Everyone recognized that.

Upon hearing Welt's words, Caelus took out his phone, found Aventurine, and had a brief conversation with him. Aventurine was delighted that their cooperation had been established. He even transferred 200,000 Credits to Caelus as payment. In Aventurine's eyes, Caelus had persuaded everyone on the Star Rail Express to help the company, so he deserved compensation for his efforts.

"Everyone, I got us some money. Drinks are on me. Once we finish drinking, we get to work."

Caelus said happily, then headed to the drink shop beside Clock Boy Square. He planned to have one last drink in the dream before investigating the truth.

Acheron's lips curved slightly. She and Caelus had thought of the same thing. She also wanted to have a glass of wine before leaving. Alcohol in the dream world was different from that outside, and every sip meant one sip less.

"Um, thank you for keeping my secret."

Firefly found an opportunity to be alone with Acheron. The Express crew stood scattered around, each lost in their own thoughts. Whether apart or together, they were all outstanding people.

"I have no hobby of exposing other people's secrets. Since you chose to hide it, you must have your own reasons."

Acheron spoke calmly. Firefly being a Stellaron Hunter would not harm Caelus, so there was nothing for her to expose. She would simply let things proceed as they were.

"Yes. I'll tell Caelus when the time is right."

Firefly nodded. She could also feel the undercurrents surging beneath Penacony. If things continued like this, she might have a chance to help Caelus. It would not be too late to reveal everything then.

"You saw it too. We're together now—we're lovers. So I want to ask, what kind of relationship do you two have?"

Firefly asked Acheron curiously. Caelus and Acheron looked like lovers when they were together. In truth, she was testing a rival.

"We are not lovers."

Acheron answered calmly. Firefly felt slightly relieved, only to hear Acheron continue.

"We are the most important people in each other's lives. I have no fixed home and have wandered the universe for countless years. But with him, I found my own place to belong."

Acheron's voice was no longer calm. It was the tone of someone introducing something she loved, and Firefly could feel it clearly.

"I see. I won't lose either. I want to be the number one person in his heart."

Firefly had fought Acheron before and gained no advantage, but she did not retreat because of it. Even if she could not defeat Acheron, she wanted to become the most important person to Caelus.

Faced with Firefly's declaration of rivalry, Acheron merely raised a hand, pulled a white peach from her sleeve, and took a bite, savoring the flesh of the fruit.

"Would you like a peach?"

As she spoke, Acheron took out another peach and offered it to Firefly. It was a polite gesture of sharing with whoever happened to be present.

"Thank you."

Firefly did not reject Acheron's kindness. She accepted the peach and curiously took a bite. It was sweet, exactly the kind of flavor she liked.

Caelus soon returned carrying the drinks he had bought. It was a liquor called Awakening from a Dream. Both its flavor and meaning were excellent, perfect for dream detectives like them.

"Where's Little March?"

After handing the drinks to Acheron and Firefly, Caelus asked. March 7th, another beautiful girl, was unexpectedly nowhere to be seen, which struck him as strange.

"She seems to be over there."

Firefly pointed toward the steps in the square. It was a famous viewing spot, and she had gone there with Caelus before.

"That's where you introduced the Grand Theater to me, right? Little March is really mischievous."

Caelus said with a smile. That casual remark made Firefly's heart race. He still remembered the details of their stroll together, and she felt sweet inside.

Once Caelus climbed the steps, he saw March 7th's back. She stood on the viewing platform and watched the distant Penacony Grand Theater. Although the musicians had long vanished, it continued playing its songs in the background as though nothing had happened.

"Little March, what's wrong?"

Caelus held a glass beside March 7th's cheek and lightly tapped her pretty face as he asked. When March 7th lost her smile, something was never simple.

"I just still can't accept that Miss Robin is dead. We only met her not long ago, and then she just..."

March 7th spoke with a sorrowful expression. It was not simply because she liked Robin's songs. Even if an unrelated person had died, March 7th would be upset. After all, every life was alive and vivid.

"I keep thinking that maybe Miss Robin is still alive somewhere. This is a dreamscape, after all. Dying in a dream is like having a nightmare, isn't it? You should wake up eventually."

March 7th continued, but Caelus immediately stood at attention. March 7th's sixth sense was amazing. She had actually guessed the truth. She was practically made to be a detective.

"And you, Caelus. Didn't you want Robin to be your wife? Why were you so calm when you heard she had died?"

March 7th looked at Caelus in confusion. Based on what she knew of him, shouldn't he have cried his eyes out when a woman he liked died? Even if he did not cry, he should at least have looked more heartbroken.

"Because my tears dried up long ago."

Caelus said solemnly, and March 7th immediately rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh, get lost."

"Okay, I was joking. It's because, just like you, I believe Robin is definitely still alive. Think about it—if someone's alive, you see them; if they're dead, you see the body, right? We only saw Robin die in the dream. But where is her body?"

Caelus took March 7th's hand. Taking advantage of her distraction, he got to touch Little March's soft hand again. He liked that.

"In the hotel guest room, probably," March 7th said.

"Exactly. But her body may have been hidden by the Family now. Still, that doesn't necessarily mean Robin was already dead."

"So as long as we uncover the truth, we might be able to save her."

March 7th followed that train of thought and found that it really did make sense. They had not seen Robin's corpse, so how could they say she was dead? Thinking that way made her feel much better.

"You're so smart. You deserve a kiss as a reward."

Caelus praised her with a smile, then leaned in to kiss March 7th on the cheek. If he did not kiss her, then all that comforting would have been for nothing.

"No way. You're always trying to take advantage of me. Is Firefly prettier than I am?"

March 7th pushed Caelus's face away and spoke unhappily. If he did not go after other women, March 7th might have been willing to give in to him. But after seeing Firefly, who was pretty in every way and had such a good figure, March 7th began to wonder whether she was not liked anymore.

"No. I never rate women. You're all equally pretty."

Caelus would never answer such a deadly question directly, so he gave a safe, all-purpose response.

"Hmph. You'd better watch out for those bad women. Besides me, who else in this world will give you shields?"

"Yes, yes, Little March is the best. Anyone who doesn't marry March 7th isn't human."

Caelus said cheerfully. March 7th's cheeks turned red. After he coaxed her for a while, she reluctantly let him kiss her cheek. After the kiss, she became much more obedient and was even more willing to hold his hand.

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"Then let's return to the hotel in reality first and see what's going on."

Caelus spoke to Acheron and Firefly beside him, then looked at them as he waited for their responses.

"I can't leave here. Sorry."

Firefly looked at Caelus with reluctance in her eyes. Even if she woke up, she would not be at the Daydream Hotel. She had entered illegally and could not appear openly.

"I understand. I look forward to the day we meet in reality."

Caelus took Firefly's hand. She smiled softly. If she had previously been unwilling to wake up, she now had a reason to do so. If she wanted to see Caelus again after leaving Penacony, they would have to meet in reality.

"I still have some things to investigate," Acheron said.

"I'll stay too."

Welt was also preparing to remain in the dreamscape and investigate the Family. He was a reliable adult and would surely accomplish quite a few things.

"See you later, then."

Caelus spoke, then left the dreamscape with Himeko and March 7th. When he woke up, he was already lying in the dream pool.

Acheron was still sleeping beside Caelus. Thinking about it, she seemed not to have awakened even once since entering the dream. Caelus smiled at the thought.

"Don't tell me you don't want to wake up because you're sleepy. What a sleepyhead."

Caelus raised a hand and stroked Acheron's hair. He lowered his head to kiss her cheek before getting up from the dream pool and heading toward the hotel lobby.

Compared to the tense and thrilling dreamscape, the hotel was much quieter. Guests who had entered the dream had no reason to wake up and were all waiting for the Grand Gala to begin. No new guests were checking in either, leaving the hotel quite empty.

"I'd like to ask, what traces do people usually leave behind when they enter a dream?"

Himeko approached the front desk and asked the receptionist, Elara. What she truly wanted to know was what traces Robin had left when entering the dream, but she could not say so directly. Therefore, she could only ask in a curious tone.

"Do you mean the dream pool records? The equipment monitors physiological indicators such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and body temperature in real time, then includes them in the statistics. The Family screens the data for abnormalities, and once illegal activity is discovered, measures must be taken immediately."

Elara looked at Himeko somewhat doubtfully, but she still explained what the Family did when people entered dreams. With that answer, Himeko's line of thought became clearer. She wanted to know what had happened to Robin's body at the moment of her death.

"Could you retrieve those records for us?"

March 7th asked directly. Himeko had thought the same thing, but she had not spoken because she knew it was unlikely.

"Sorry... the hotel doesn't have that authority. The information is centrally managed by the Hound Family Line. It is only transferred here when a specific issue arises."

Elara looked at March 7th strangely. Her gaze had already grown somewhat suspicious, because this was not a request a normal guest should make.

March 7th felt a little embarrassed, then left the front desk with Caelus and Himeko. They went to the lounge area to continue talking.

"At least we know who to look for next. We can also ask the Hound Family Line about the case."

Himeko said while rubbing her chin. Like Caelus, she had a thought: was Robin really dead in reality? Could she have suffered brain death? Or perhaps her heartbeat and pulse had stopped too? All of that was worth investigating.

"Y-you... who are you people?"

Just as Himeko finished speaking, the frightened voice of a hotel attendant came from outside. March 7th and Caelus turned toward it and saw a large man in powered armor enter the lobby, followed by two subordinates.

"A notice to all guests: the Interastral Peace Corporation will be conducting special operations within the hotel. Please follow the employees responsible for evacuation to the designated safe area. Otherwise, compulsory measures will be taken!"

The armored brute shouted in an energetic voice. Caelus and March 7th both wore expressions of utter disbelief. Someone was actually enforcing the law through violence in territory controlled by the Family, and they seemed to be from the Corporation. That was truly bold.

"Compulsory measures, my ass! You people never learn, do you? I told you not to drink random things while you're on duty!"

A stern female voice rang out. Caelus found the voice very familiar, and when he looked toward its source, his expression immediately turned to delight.

Topaz had just finished scolding her drunken subordinate and was about to offer an explanation. But Caelus suddenly rushed forward, slid across the hotel's red carpet, and arrived beside Topaz's thigh in an instant. He wrapped his arms around the thigh he had missed day and night.

"Topaz, my wife, I missed you so much. Why are you here? I'm not dreaming, am I?"