Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start

Robin came up to Caelus, grabbed his arm, and shook him gently. Though her tone held a hint of complaint, it was clear she was in good spirits, otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken like this.

"You also think he wasn't truly happy, right?"

Caelus took the opportunity to hold Robin's hand as he spoke. She was already accustomed to being held by him and didn't react to it.

"This is indeed unhappiness, because all of it is an illusion. When the beautiful dream ends, in the end, nothing is gained. True happiness is something that can be experienced in reality. No one can change their reality, so they give up on reality and choose to escape into illusory beautiful dreams."

"Happiness like this is too false, like overdrawing all the remaining years of one's life in an illusory world. After waking up, perhaps only a burnt-out soul will remain."

Robin nodded as she spoke, her voice very gentle. It was clear she truly hoped these people would emerge from their beautiful dreams instead of being lost in them.

"Everyone has their own choices. From a moral standpoint, we cannot interfere with others. But as long as we discard morality, we can help them."

Caelus said this to Robin with a serious expression. However, these words made Robin think of that person from Pipi Xi, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Heh, why don't you ask them if they want your help?"

Although Robin had told Caelus not to use violence, he had indeed managed to bring a person who had lost their mind back to their senses. It could be considered a good deed, barely.

"Ahem, Robin, we should go meet the Dream Master."

Sunday coughed to remind them, his blood pressure about to skyrocket as he watched Caelus openly take his sister away.

"Okay."

Robin replied, then took Caelus's hand and walked towards an open space with fewer people.

After walking not far, the group saw a beautiful woman standing at the intersection ahead. She was wearing the same outfit as Robin, had the same Sky Ring on her head, and even looked exactly the same.

"Is that... me?"

Robin also clearly saw the woman's face. She looked in the mirror every day, so she recognized the person who looked exactly like her at a glance.

"Hi, brother."

The fake Robin waved at Sunday, her voice identical. Sunday immediately frowned.

"Fool, put away your tricks. They're useless against me."

Sunday's expression was somewhat grim. He hated this Masked Fool who was disguised as his sister, just as much as he hated Caelus.

"Fool, this is our second meeting, isn't it? You didn't fare well by Caelus's side last time."

Robin raised her hand to stop Sunday, not wanting her brother to clash with the Masked Fool at this moment. She decided to handle the interaction herself.

The fake Robin's appearance quickly changed, reverting to her original look: black hair, twin tails, and a butterfly-shaped mark below her eyes. This was the true appearance of the Masked Fool, Sparkle.

"It's that little grey-haired one, and the Stellaron Hunter pretending to be a weak girl."

Sparkle looked at Caelus and Firefly, putting on a comical expression. Upon hearing this, Firefly clenched her fists. She had heard before that Sparkle had used her appearance to cause trouble. If the occasion weren't unsuitable, she would have taught Sparkle a lesson.

"What did you do to us before? Why were we in the Dream Hotel after we woke up?"

Caelus was quite friendly towards pretty girls. He wanted to know what method Sparkle used to teleport him away. This ability might be useful.

"I originally just wanted to teach you a lesson. Who knew someone would throw you into that dreamscape? It must have been unpleasant being chased by monsters, hee hee."

Sparkle said with a smile, her grin widening at the end. Although her expression was exaggerated, she was indeed cute, which only made people want to clench their fists.

"It's a good thing you were helped by the Rememberer again, otherwise, it would have been even more entertaining."

"Sparkle, your surname is really Asakusa, isn't it?"

Caelus said helplessly. The others didn't understand his words, but Sparkle, being the wily old fox she was, immediately understood. Not only did she not feel insulted, but she even enjoyed it.

"I owe it, I owe it. Come get me if you can~"

Sparkle stuck out her tongue at Caelus. Although her persona was a bit abstract, this was the Masked Fool. If she wasn't joyful enough, how could she have walked the Path of Joy?

"Fool, you should leave. If you keep talking, Caelus will hit you. He really will do it."

Robin said helplessly from the side, trying to dissuade her. Others might ignore Sparkle, but Caelus never followed the rules; he would act the moment he decided to.

"Alright, alright, I'll leave. But, Miss Robin, I must advise you to think carefully: can people living in dreams truly stay away from pain and achieve true happiness?"

Sparkle raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, but before leaving, she spoke words that made Robin uncomfortable. There was no need to answer this question; everyone knew it was impossible.

"I've finished everything I needed to do. I'll give you the last two gifts. If the Grand Gala is still unfortunately held... remember to use them at the performance venue. Don't lose them, it'll be very exciting!"

Sparkle took out two boxes with buttons from her pocket. The colors matched her own vibrant red. Robin and Sunday accepted these items, which clearly looked suspicious, probably because they didn't want to talk to Sparkle any longer.

Although Caelus wanted to settle the score with Sparkle, the current situation was not suitable. So, he tapped his lips with his index finger and then tapped Sparkle.

Sparkle recalled being forcibly kissed by Caelus before. Her smile remained unchanged, but a vein clearly throbbed on her forehead. She admitted she was somewhat angered. She hadn't felt any joy from Caelus, which would undoubtedly make her a failed Fool. She needed to find an opportunity for revenge.

With Sparkle's obstruction gone, Robin and Sunday successfully arrived at an unnoticed open space on the street. At this moment, the cry of a night raven echoed, clearly indicating that the Dream Master was about to arrive.

"Right on the main street?"

Caelus asked curiously. He had expected the meeting with the Dream Master to involve some sort of ritual, but it was just an open space. A single call was enough, feeling like calling a pet.

"The entire dreamscape is under the Dream Master's control. Where the meeting takes place isn't that important."

Sunday explained. At this moment, he and Robin were already standing in the open space. Sunday took a gem from his pocket and held it up. With a faint glow...

"Since it can see me, I won't avoid it. Let's also call Uncle Yang."

Caelus said as he took out his phone, sharing his location with Welt. At the same time, a person walked over from not far away. Her appearance was ordinary, like a working woman. She stopped in front of Sunday and nodded blankly.

Chapter 109: The Intrepid Welt

"Mr. Gofei Mu, it's been a while."

Sunday bowed with his left hand behind his back and his right hand over his chest. Robin mirrored his gesture, though she didn't place her hand behind her back.

Caelus looked at the woman before him with surprise. She didn't look like someone who would be the Dream Master; she seemed more like a substitute. The Dream Master was clearly a cautious individual, which Caelus could understand.

"Sunday, Robin, it's been a long time. Especially you, little bird. How many years has it been since we last met?"

The Dream Master nodded at Sunday, then his gaze fell upon Robin. His face was expressionless, but his tone carried a hint of indulgence.

"Mr. Gofei Mu..."

Robin looked at the Dream Master with complicated emotions. She recalled how meticulously Gofei Mu had cared for her when she was a child. Without him, she would have died long ago. He had raised her, but his chosen Path conflicted with her own beliefs, causing her pain.

"This friend..."

The Dream Master looked at Caelus beside Robin. He had known who Caelus was for a long time, but he feigned meeting him for the first time. This was the person Acheron wanted to protect, so he couldn't make a move.

"Hello there, Mr. Gofei Mu. I'm Robin's boyfriend. I've come with her today to meet her parents."

Caelus said with a smile. He didn't hold Robin's hand, but instead, he lightly touched her hand with the back of his own, appearing intimate.

"Uh... Robin is also at that age. This is a good thing, right?"

The Dream Master's substitute's expression clearly showed bewilderment. His thoughts were in disarray, feeling like the cabbage he had grown was being gobbled up by a pig. Although he wanted to use Robin for nefarious purposes, he didn't want to see her ruined by an outsider.

However, at this moment, the Dream Master had to maintain his image and persona. He couldn't show the same aversion to Caelus as Sunday did; that would be too ungentlemanly. Thus, he inexplicably felt wronged after meeting Caelus.

"That's not true! We're just ordinary friends."

Robin quickly denied it, glaring at Caelus. Even if she were willing to date, it wasn't the time to announce it, especially with important matters at hand.

Caelus averted his gaze and whistled, acting as if he had done nothing wrong. Robin was amused by his behavior. It was at this moment that Welt arrived.

"Mr. Gofei Mu, I am Welt Yang from the Star Rail Express. I am here today to discuss an important matter."

Welt stated his purpose directly. He didn't have time for pleasantries with the Dream Master and immediately confessed everything he had heard on Dreamflow Reef.

"...I see. You mean to say that for a long time, villains have been using the Grand Gala, which we bestow upon the world as a blessing, as a tool to achieve their ambitions?"

After hearing Welt's words, the Dream Master showed no surprise. His true face was one of neither joy nor sorrow, and now he merely posed a question.

"Precisely, Lord Dream Master. Once the Grand Gala begins, the power of the Stellaron will spread throughout Penacony with the music. At that time, everyone in the dream will be unable to wake up."

Robin stood by Welt's side and added her explanation. This was the outcome she had been trying to avoid. Penacony would become a prison for everyone.

"Hmm, this is rather surprising. The dreamscape is the result of the joint efforts of the five great families. If someone were to use the Grand Gala to spread the Stellaron's power indiscriminately, they must hold a high position. Do you have any suspects?"

The Dream Master's words were sincere, but Caelus and Welt remained unmoved. The entire dreamscape was controlled by the Dream Master. His words were like a homeowner claiming someone was digging up their backyard, yet the owner walked past every day without noticing. Who would believe this wasn't tacit approval?

"May I ask, do you truly not know about the existence of the Stellaron?"

Welt posed his question sternly, essentially telling the Dream Master to stop pretending. Everyone knew it was him. Even if he wasn't the one doing it, he at least knew the information.

"...I never imagined that this Nameless would directly point the finger at me. It is truly astonishing."

The Dream Master hadn't expected Welt to be so blunt and direct, immediately suspecting him. Thus, he could only offer his reply. These Nameless were indeed audacious.

"Lord Dream Master, as long as it is proven that the Grand Gala has nothing to do with the Stellaron and that we were mistaken... I will return to the stage and perform as promised."

Robin still stood with Welt. Compared to the silent Sunday, she clearly stated her position, also suspecting the Dream Master and requiring him to prove his innocence.

"Sunday, could you perhaps implore Him to bestow His radiance and question me on His behalf, so that all lies will be exposed?"

The Dream Master nodded, not angered, and prepared to use some means to prove himself.

Sunday agreed. His method was the same one used against Aventurine previously. If one lied, they would become a puppet of Harmony, forever singing its praises.

"O soul of triple aspect, brand his tongue and his palms with hot iron, that he may not weave lies or take a false oath."

Sunday began to speak. The surrounding space seemed to distort, and both Caelus and Welt felt as if some presence was watching them. The Family was a subordinate of Harmony, so this must be Xipe's ability, preventing them from lying.

Next, Sunday asked several questions about the Grand Gala and the Dream Master's innocence. The Dream Master's answers did not trigger the power's punishment, indicating that he was telling the truth.

"Thus, I have completed my self-verification."

"Wait a moment."

Welt spoke up. At this point, Robin was about to believe the Dream Master's words, but Welt remained unconvinced.

"What is it, Mr. Welt?" Sunday asked.

"Everyone, I have one more question to ask. As far as I know, the Family's harmony and shared prosperity have never relied on so-called decrees. Are the gods you speak of truly that Xipe?"

Welt voiced his doubt. Caelus looked at his Uncle Yang in surprise. Had he always been this brave? Not only did he express disbelief in the Dream Master's self-verification, but he also questioned the change in their faith. Such a betrayal of faith, once discovered, would surely bring an Envoy of Harmony to have a chat with him.

"Besides that Aeon, who else could compose such a magnificent symphony?"

The Dream Master retorted, intending to corner Welt. Unexpectedly, this played right into Welt's hands.

"That's precisely where the problem lies. The symphony can indeed only be composed by Harmony, but what if the dissonance originates from within Harmony itself?"

"There was once an Aeon famous for composing, but His Path clashed with Harmony, and He was subsequently consumed. Though the Aeon perished, His Path remained. Within the all-encompassing Harmony, His will may yet be reborn."

Welt's bravery once again impressed Caelus. This wasn't a conversation; it was practically pointing at the Dream Master's nose and calling him a traitor. Caelus thought that even if the Dream Master was innocent, Welt's words would likely lead to a fierce battle. Truly worthy of Uncle Yang, he was incredibly brave. Now he knew who the little March was like.

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Chapter 110: A Friend for a Credit

"Being overly perceptive is never a good thing, especially when you on the Star Rail are isolated and without aid."

The Dream Master remained silent for a moment before speaking. His words signaled his intent to act. Caelus, already prepared with his lance, quickly pulled Robin behind him, raising his shield in a fluid motion.

"Dream Master, we have Acheron here. I advise you not to be ungrateful."

Caelus threatened. His confidence in meeting the Dream Master stemmed from Acheron's presence as his trump card. Previously, Acheron had cleaved through the dreamscape with a single strike, and Caelus was eager to see how many more blows the Dream Master could withstand before crying.

"I know what you're thinking. The Envoy of The Void has already been expelled from the dreamscape by me. She cannot be your reliance."

The Dream Master spoke dismissively to Caelus. Caelus froze for a moment, realizing why he hadn't seen Acheron's figure here, even though she had returned to the dreamscape.

"It's not that I look down on you, but you can banish Acheron? I suspect the opposite is true."

Caelus retorted with equal disdain. The two maintained their mocking expressions for a while before the Dream Master cracked first.

"That Envoy voluntarily left the dreamscape to protect your safety, and I promised her I wouldn't kill you."

The Dream Master's expression grew increasingly grim. Although this was akin to giving Caelus and the others a protective charm, it didn't matter, as his objective was never to kill them in the first place.

"Heh, can we come to an understanding? Let's be friends."

Caelus's demeanor changed with astonishing speed. He pulled two Credits from his pocket and offered them to the Dream Master. After a moment's thought, he seemed reluctant and withdrew one of them.

"You..."

The Dream Master nearly swore. He hadn't been this angry since he gained control of the dreamscape. Was this a situation that could be resolved with money? And even if it could, why would he take one back? Did he not deem him worthy of two?

Sunday felt a sense of empathy. He had been tormented by Caelus in a similar fashion before. To see that the remarkable Dream Master was also being driven to disgust by Caelus filled Sunday with a strange sense of satisfaction.

"Firefly, get Caelus out of here!"

Welt suddenly shouted. He had completed his charge, and a black hole appeared in mid-air, manipulated by the staff in his hand.

"Firefly Type IV!"

Firefly made her decision almost instantly. Holding her transformation device, her body was encased in silver-white armor. She then grabbed Caelus's arm and pulled him into her embrace. The thrusters on her back unleashed two fiery wings, and the two of them shot into the sky, disappearing into the horizon.