Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start

"It's over, Firefly! Your acting is amazing. You truly are my favorite girlfriend."

"Really?"

Hearing Caelus say that, Firefly felt much better. She remembered her original goal was to pass the trials. She shouldn't have had any extra emotions, but she just couldn't control herself. Now, it seemed her performance was truly excellent.

"Congratulations to both contestants for advancing! We hope you'll bring us such wonderful performances in the next round."

The director said, clapping his hands. There were more similar competitions waiting for them. Only by advancing in all of them and achieving the highest score could they meet Robin.

"Firefly, I have two more scripts here..."

Caelus wanted to perform again to earn more points, as it was relatively easy. However, after he said that, Firefly's expression clearly became less cooperative.

"Let's do the fight scenes instead."

Firefly suggested. Caelus wisely shut his mouth. He felt that if he didn't agree to Firefly's fight scenes, he might be the one getting beaten.

Fight scenes were clearly Firefly's forte. It was as if she wanted to vent all her previous grievances. She made the Dream Ensemble members in the fight scenes cry out in pain, successfully securing the highest score in all the fight scenes. She was undoubtedly in first place. Even the judges and the director were afraid they'd be beaten up by her, so they passed her immediately.

"Wow, you guys really got first place?"

March 7th and Himeko came out of the exit. Upon learning that Caelus and Firefly's team had taken first place, they breathed a sigh of relief. If anything had gone wrong here, they would have really had to impersonate the Stellaron Hunters.

"Easy peasy."

Caelus said, holding Firefly's hand. Firefly's mood had also improved significantly. All her bad feelings had been vented on those unfortunate members of the Dream Ensemble, and a smile appeared on her lips.

After successfully winning the championship, the passage leading to the lower levels of the Grand Theater opened. There was an area for receiving guests, and as agreed, Robin would meet the champions there before they proceeded to the Grand Theater to attend the Grand Gala.

But now, Caelus and the others knew that Robin was no longer there. She wouldn't come out to meet them. So, when they walked out of the passage and saw Sunday dressed in elegant attire, they weren't surprised.

PS: Please collect, recommend, and vote for monthly tickets.

Chapter 116: Praise for the Seven Sundays

"Congratulations to both of you for becoming the Festival Superstars of this Grand Gala. Before entering the Grand Theater..."

Sunday habitually began with pleasantries to Caelus and Firefly, as they had indeed won. As one of the organizers, Sunday had intended to offer some polite words and then talk about his own matters.

"Give me back my Robin wife!"

Caelus shouted, directly interrupting Sunday. Then, everyone watched as Sunday's expression visibly contorted.

"When did my sister become your wife!"

Sunday roared. Caelus the brat was already pursuing Robin, but Robin hadn't agreed to be with him. Now, he openly called her his wife, completely ruining his sister's reputation.

"Robin and I are in love, but then some monster called the Dream Master interfered and broke us up. As her older brother, not only do you not help your sister, but you also help that monster against your own sister, gambling with your sister's happy marriage. I'm heartbroken and wish I could explode right now."

Caelus said with a serious expression, then he directly raised his hand and patted his chest. A phantom image of a Stellaron appeared, truly preparing to self-destruct with Sunday.

"Stop it, Caelus! If you explode here, everyone in Penacony will be doomed."

March 7th exclaimed, quickly hugging Caelus from behind to persuade him. Sunday was also momentarily speechless. He felt he might be a bad person, but that depended on various factors. However, this Caelus fellow was clearly a hundred percent pure villain, threatening to self-destruct at any moment. Was that something a person would do?

"If your emotions are this unstable, how can I trust my sister to you?"

Sunday said, trying to persuade him. March 7th poked her head out from under Caelus's arm, looking at Sunday with a ghost-like expression.

March 7th recalled a phrase Caelus often muttered: "People's temperaments are often a compromise." Just like now, Caelus was demanding something, and Sunday would have scoffed. But Caelus was threatening to take Penacony down with him, and Sunday's attitude softened unconsciously. After all, no one had ever seen a Stellaron self-destruct. Who knew if Penacony could withstand it.

"You must be wondering what I'm going to do. As a reward for your victory, I can speak with you frankly."

Sunday said, placing his left hand behind his back. Hearing him say that, Caelus temporarily abandoned the idea of self-destruction. Although he had said it earlier to scare Sunday, he wouldn't sacrifice himself for so many wives.

"Simply describing thoughts is too abstract. Let me give you a simple example. Perhaps you all know that in some worlds, there are social operating systems called two-day weekends or three-day weekends."

"It is only on these days that people do not have to face the law of the jungle and can live happily for these short days. Unfortunately... two or three days and nights are still too short compared to a long life."

"In my opinion, the ideal social system should be a seven-day weekend. Tomorrow is Sunday, followed by a second, third, and even an eternal Sunday. This is the appearance of the new world, a day of eternal peace and idleness."

Sunday explained the new world he wanted to create in a way that even March 7th could understand. Everyone listened and understood. Suddenly, they felt that Sunday wasn't so bad. He didn't seem like the villain they imagined, wanting to destroy the universe and eat people.

"Thus, everyone can return to their original positions in the Garden of Eden. They don't have to bear extra responsibilities, nor do they need to endure the suffering of reality. Only in this way can humanity face its destined end with the purest posture and live a life full of dignity. This is living happily."

"Miss Firefly, with your 'Lost Heirloom Syndrome,' you must understand what this means, right?"

Sunday turned his gaze to Firefly, seeking some sense of recognition from her. Due to her health condition, Firefly would likely desire such a carefree world the most.

"Sounds pretty good?"

March 7th scratched her pink hair and said. She couldn't find anything to refute Sunday with. He looked like he was fighting for the happiness of all humanity. He was like a god of war!

"So, Dog Egg, no, Big Brother-in-law, what's the price?"

Caelus asked. He felt that Sunday's ideals were good, but miracles and magic weren't free. There must be a huge price to pay.

"The price is negligible, just a personal... eternal martyrdom. If someone has to maintain this paradise for the masses, then one person must remain in lonely clarity until the end of the universe."

Sunday explained. With this, everyone understood. He was the host of the paradise, and he alone needed to maintain its operation with the power of Order. Everyone else just needed to indulge in pleasure.

"Clarity, meaning that paradise is still a dream. Stepping into paradise means giving up reality, right?"

Firefly said to Sunday. Combining this with the current state of Penacony, everyone understood what Sunday's actions meant: canceling the setting to wake up from dreams, letting everyone sleep until the end of the universe.

"This is not giving up, but transcending. Flesh and blood are weak. If matter is the root of spiritual suffering, then we should conquer it."

Sunday said with a look of compassion. He thought of his sister. Only in this way could he protect Robin well.

"Caelus, do you know why Robin always wears such elaborate neckwear?"

Sunday looked at Caelus and asked. Caelus hadn't paid much attention to Robin's attire before; she looked good in anything, after all.

"Isn't it for fashion?" Caelus replied.

"She has a bullet hole in her neck. A stray bullet once entered her neck. If it had been even slightly off, you wouldn't be seeing my sister now."

Sunday's words greatly surprised Caelus. Robin had experienced such a thing? This was something no news outlet had ever reported, so of course he didn't know.

"Who did it?"

"It wasn't an individual act, but the injustice of this universe. A war broke out on a planet, and that's precisely why Robin chose it as her destination... To spread Harmony, to save the lives on that planet, she personally rushed to the front lines. She hoped to soothe people's pain with her songs and was willing to use her own body to provide support for the company's rescue supplies..."

"That incident taught me that wishing for peace alone can't protect anything. As long as injustice exists in the world, countless Robins will die on battlefields they shouldn't be on, holding goodwill towards those barbarians."

"You and I both know Robin's personality. Even if I try to persuade her, she won't give up doing these dangerous things. So, this is the only way I can protect her."

Sunday explained the main reason for his resolve. Since his sister wouldn't listen, he could only create a paradise she liked for her.

Chapter 117: Xipe: I'm Optimistic About You

"This is wrong. Robin wants to live in a clear reality, not in the false happiness you've created."

Caelus shook his head and said. He liked Robin and certainly didn't want her to experience such things again, but this was no different from building a cage and locking her inside, even if it was a very large cage.

Firefly came to Caelus's side, took his hand, and then looked up at Sunday with him.

"In such happiness, people have never overcome hardship, and they have forever lost the chance to overcome it. To put it another way, this is escapism. In my opinion, it is only natural for people to make their own choices, and it is their inherent right."

"Perhaps escapism is the nature of the weak, but who is weak should not be defined by others. In your eyes, am I also to be classified as weak?"

Firefly rejected Sunday's paradise with firm will and words. Her statement also carried the dominance of a seasoned Glamoth veteran. No matter how Sunday classified her, she was a strong person who didn't need to escape reality.

But Firefly didn't speak definitively. She just didn't want Sunday to classify everyone as weaklings who needed his help. The paradise he created was suitable for weaklings who wanted to escape. If they voluntarily entered, the Star Rail Express would absolutely not interfere. However, he couldn't forcibly drag people like Robin into it.

Furthermore, Sunday's attitude was clear: he wasn't giving people a choice, he wanted to drag everyone in Penacony into eternal slumber.

"Since Miss Firefly has stated her views, the Star Rail Express will naturally give our answer."

Himeko said with a smile. She was very satisfied with Firefly and Caelus's answers, and that was all she had to say.

"It's up to you, Caelus. Just as Mr. Mikhail instructed, tell him our choice."

Himeko looked at Caelus and said. Caelus nodded and took the Trailblaze Hat gifted by Mikhail from the Dream Manual, placing it on his head.

At this moment, Clock Boy appeared behind Caelus, staring fiercely at Sunday, Mikhail's enemy.

"The Penacony in Mikhail's dream does not belong to Order!"

Caelus's will was incredibly firm, showing no signs of wavering due to Order. His will was like a shining star in the night sky, attracting the attention of certain Aeons.

A gaze from an Aeon fell upon them. Sunday's expression clearly showed astonishment. Everyone looked up and saw a purple divine body appear. Its skin was purple, and it was draped in a black formal dress woven from stars. Judging by the protrusions on the chest of the dress, its form was female.

This Aeon had smooth white hair, and the irregular star rings behind it were more dazzling than any color. Three faces grew on its head beneath its hair. One smiling face was looking at Caelus with a smile, while the two faces on the sides—the right one showing bared teeth in anger, the left one serene and silent—were directed outwards. At this moment, the smiling face looking at Caelus was enough to represent its will leaning towards admiration.

"The Aeon of Harmony, Xipe."

Himeko uttered the name of the Aeon. Everyone on the Star Rail Express felt power surging within them. Sunday, however, was the complete opposite. He knew that once Xipe discovered what he had done, a mere flicker of its will would be enough to crush him and the Dream Master.

Caelus clearly felt the Path within him changing. He had been a dog of the Clipper, always following the Path of The Preservation. But now, the power of his Path was shifting towards Harmony. Xipe wasn't pulling him out of the Path of Preservation; it was offering him a different path. Caelus could switch back at any time.

"Sister Xipe, your appearance here means you think highly of me, right? I understand. This is the third time. Actually, I've been planning to break up with Mr. Clipper for a long time. I've been bullied so much in Penacony, and he hasn't even sent an Envoy to check on me. Our relationship has already broken down. You're the only one who's good to me."

Caelus accepted the change in his Path with great composure. It was just being a slave to three families, no big deal. He'd get used to being watched by an Aeon.

"Meeting is fate. I don't need a meeting gift. After things are settled here, I hope you'll marry your Child of Harmony to me, that is, Robin."

Caelus said to Xipe. He hadn't had experience when he was being watched by an Aeon before and hadn't thought of making requests. But the first time was an introduction, the second time was familiar, and the third time meant they were old acquaintances. He had to try to gain some benefits, right?

"If you don't object, I'll take it as consent. This is a wedding blessed by an Aeon. Let's see who dares to object."

Seeing that Xipe was still smiling at him and not showing its angry face, Caelus also revealed a joyful expression.

After Caelus finished making his demands, Xipe's gaze completely disappeared. Everyone's consciousness returned to their bodies. The brief glance had only lasted for a moment, not even a second, but everyone was certain it wasn't an illusion. The power of Harmony emanating from Caelus was almost condensing into the notes of a Harmony Sonata.

PS: Please collect, recommend, and vote with monthly tickets.

Chapter 118: Final Battle

"That Aeon would cast a glance at Penacony at such a time... Is it a resonance from the Trailblaze's inheritance? Or have your collective tacit understanding moved even an Aeon?"

Sunday frowned. He wasn't afraid of Xipe because, compared to the magnitude of an Aeon, it was impossible for it to care about a single matter concerning Penacony. Regardless of whether this was the remnant of Order causing trouble, or if Order's Taiyi had truly been resurrected, no one could imagine what Harmony's Xipe would do. The thoughts of an Aeon could not be fathomed by human minds.

Caelus walked up to Sunday at this moment, pointed at his own face with both fingers, and looked at him with sparkling eyes.

Sunday averted his gaze, and Caelus moved to where his eyes could reach, continuing to smile with a mischievous expression.

"What are you trying to do?"

Sunday asked with a stiff face. He wasn't afraid of Caelus launching a physical attack, but he was afraid of this kind of mental attack. Before completely discarding his emotions, Sunday was still quite vulnerable.

"I'm following the Path of Harmony now. Xipe O Yi Si Wu Jiu Si Jiu Ba Yue - Yi Pei Qin Ding, you saw it."

"Mm."

Sunday nodded. He couldn't deny this fact. Honestly, if he were still a dog of Harmony, he would be so jealous that his insides would explode. Why was it that after he had diligently served as a dog for so many years, Xipe didn't even know he existed, yet Caelus, who had only been in Penacony for a short time, had caught Xipe's attention? Was that fair?

"Robin is the Child of Harmony. Don't you think we're a perfect match?" Caelus said with a chuckle.

"I don't think so."

"I don't care what you think, I care what I think. After all this is over, I'll tell her my identity. Given Robin's faith in Xipe, do you think she'll refuse me?"

Caelus said with a smile. Sunday's chest heaved with anger, he felt like he was about to pass out. He had initially thought Caelus's destructive power was limited, but who knew why Xipe had to add fuel to the fire.

"You won't get such an opportunity, because you and your ridiculous ideas will soon be slumbering in dreams forever. I'll make you dream for a lifetime."

Sunday shouted, his voice distorted from sheer rage. He had nothing more to say to Caelus and decided to attack immediately.

"Then I have a question. Can I marry Robin and have children in the dream?"

Caelus asked Sunday, holding up his index finger. Sunday considered the question. If the answer was no, then Caelus's dream wouldn't be a happy one, which would contradict his declared Paradise plan. If the answer was yes, then he would have to watch his own sister being manhandled by Caelus in his dreams, while he, as the only conscious Dream Master, could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.

"I..."

Sunday was so enraged he couldn't speak. He chose to ignore Caelus's question and vanished from sight in an instant.

"I'll be waiting for you at the Grand Theater."

Sunday's voice was the only thing left in his wake. He likely went home to find some blood pressure medication.

"Wow, he actually made the big boss's eyes roll back."

March 7th exclaimed with admiration. She felt Caelus was doing it on purpose, but what he said also made sense. He just wanted Robin as his wife, what was wrong with that? It was just that her brother was too stingy.

"As expected of our Caelus."

Himeko said helplessly. But this might be a good thing. Messing with the enemy's mindset before a fight could easily lead to wrong decisions.

"Firefly, I've just reviewed the newly acquired abilities. They'll be best used to support you, and Himeko can use them too. That way, our team will be complete,"

Caelus said to Firefly beside him. The four-person team was perfect. Firefly and Himeko would be responsible for offense, and Caelus would provide support. This was the ability of Harmony. Moreover, Caelus wasn't limited to support; he could also unleash Stellaron Meteor Crash if danger arose. That was his own ability, unrelated to any Path, making him a support with offensive capabilities. March 7th, on the other hand, was The Preservation, capable of providing shields. It was a perfect combination.

"Mhm, Caelus, I believe in you."

Firefly nodded with a smile. The man she had taken a liking to was indeed extraordinary. To be noticed by an Aeon at such a moment, this was perhaps a classic example of opportunity making the man.

Sunday's true form was undoubtedly within the Grand Theater. Caelus and the others boarded the elevator prepared for champions, ascending from the Hour of the Great Hot Sands like a beam of light, entering the Penacony Grand Theater floating in mid-air.