116. Praise Be to the Seven-Day Weekend / 117. Xipe: I Have High Hopes for You...

"It was already over. Firefly, your acting was amazing. As expected of my favorite girlfriend."

"Really?"

Hearing Caelus say that, Firefly no longer felt wronged. She remembered that her real goal had been to clear the challenge, so she really should not have had any unnecessary emotions. But she simply could not control herself. Now, though, it seemed her performance had truly been excellent.

"Congratulations to both contestants on advancing. We hope you can bring us another performance like this in the next match."

The director applauded as he spoke. There were more competitions like this waiting for them. Only by advancing through them all and earning the highest score could they go see Robin.

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

Caelus wanted to put on another performance to earn points, since this was relatively easy. But after he said that, Firefly's expression clearly did not cooperate.

"Let's do the action scenes instead."

Firefly suggested it, and Caelus wisely shut his mouth. He felt that if he did not agree to the action scenes, he might become the one getting beaten up.

Action scenes were obviously Firefly's home turf. As though she wanted to vent all her previous grievances, she beat the Dream Ensemble members appearing in the action scenes until they howled in pain. She successfully claimed the highest scores in every action scene, taking unquestioned first place. Even the judges and director were afraid she would beat them up too, so they immediately let her pass.

"Wow, you really got first place?"

March 7th and Himeko came out from the exit. Learning that Caelus and Firefly's team had taken first place, they both breathed a sigh of relief. If something had gone wrong here, they really would have had no choice but to disguise themselves as Stellaron Hunters.

"Piece of cake."

Caelus said as he held Firefly's hand. Firefly was in a much better mood now. All her bad feelings had been vented on those unlucky Dream Ensemble members, and a smile appeared on her lips.

After successfully winning the championship, the passage leading beneath the Grand Theater opened. There was an area there for receiving guests. As agreed, Robin would receive the champions there, then accompany them into the Grand Theater for the Grand Gala.

But Caelus and the others now knew that Robin was gone. She could not possibly come out to receive them, so when they emerged from the passage and saw Sunday dressed like a distinguished socialite, they were not surprised.

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Praise the Seven-Day Weekend

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

Sunday habitually began with pleasantries toward Caelus and Firefly. They had indeed won the championship, and as one of the organizers, Sunday had intended to exchange a few courteous words before discussing his own matters.

"Give me back my wife, Robin!"

Caelus shouted, directly cutting Sunday off. Everyone watched as Sunday's expression visibly twisted.

"When did my sister become your wife?!"

Sunday roared. It was one thing for that brat Caelus to pursue Robin, but Robin had never agreed to be with him. Calling her his wife right out of the gate was simply ruining his sister's reputation.

"Robin and I are in love, but that monster called the Dream Master opposed us and forcibly tore us apart. As her uncle, it would have been one thing if you did not help your sister, but you even helped that monster deal with your own sister, gambling away her happy marriage. It breaks my heart. I want nothing more than to blow up with you right now."

Caelus spoke as if it were all perfectly true. After saying that, he raised a hand and slapped his chest, and a phantom Stellaron emerged. He really looked like he was about to self-destruct alongside Sunday.

"Stop it, Caelus! If you blow up here, everyone on Penacony is finished!"

March 7th cried out. She hurriedly hugged Caelus from behind to stop him, while Sunday was momentarily speechless. He felt that he might be a bad person, though that depended on many factors. But Caelus was clearly a one-hundred-percent villain. Threatening to self-destruct at the slightest provocation—was that something a normal person did?

"You're so emotionally unstable. How could I possibly feel safe handing my sister over to you?"

Sunday tried to persuade him. March 7th poked her head out from beneath Caelus's arm and stared at Sunday with an expression as though she had seen a ghost.

March 7th recalled something Caelus had always said: people's temperaments were best negotiated in the middle. For instance, if Caelus had simply demanded Robin, Sunday would certainly have scoffed at him. But when Caelus came right out threatening to perish together with Penacony, Sunday's attitude unconsciously softened. After all, no one had ever seen a Stellaron self-destruct. Who knew whether Penacony could withstand it?

"You must be wondering what I intend to do. As your reward for winning, I can speak openly with you."

Sunday said, placing his left hand behind his back. Hearing this, Caelus temporarily gave up the idea of self-destruction. Though he had only said it to scare Sunday, he had so many wives—how could he bear to blow himself up?

"Simply describing an idea is still too abstract. Let me give you a simple example. You may know that in some worlds, society operates under systems known as two-day weekends or three-day weekends."

"Only on such days do people not have to face the law of the strong preying on the weak, allowing them to live happily for those brief days. Unfortunately... two or three days and nights are still far too short compared to a long life."

"In my view, society's ideal system should be a seven-day weekend. After Sunday comes a second, a third, and then yet another Sunday forever. That is what the new world will look like: an eternal day of peace where nothing needs to be done."

Sunday explained the new world he wanted to create in terms even March 7th could understand. Everyone understood after hearing him, and they suddenly felt that Sunday did not seem so bad. He was not like the villain they had imagined, seeking to destroy the universe or drink people's blood.

"Thus, everyone could return to their rightful place in paradise. They would no longer need to bear unnecessary responsibilities or endure the suffering of reality. Only then could humanity face its destined end in its purest form and live with dignity. That was what it meant to live happily."

"Miss Firefly, suffering from Entropy Loss Syndrome as you do, you must understand what that means, don't you?"

Sunday turned his gaze toward Firefly, hoping to find some agreement from her. Because of her condition, she should have been the one who most desired such a carefree world.

"That actually sounds pretty good?"

March 7th scratched her pink hair. She could not even find a way to refute Sunday. He looked as though he were fighting for the happiness of all humanity. He was practically a hero!

"So, Goudan—no, Uncle—what's the price?"

Caelus asked. He felt Sunday's ideal was good, but miracles and magic were not free. There had to be a tremendous cost to pay.

"The cost is insignificant. It is merely a... permanent martyrdom belonging to me alone. If this paradise is to be maintained for the masses, one person must remain awake in lonely clarity until the end of the universe."

Sunday explained. Now everyone understood. He would be the administrator of the paradise, using the power of Order alone to keep it running. Everyone else only needed to lose themselves in pleasure.

"Awake? In other words, that paradise is still a dream. Entering it means giving up reality, doesn't it?"

Firefly said to Sunday. Combined with Penacony's current situation, everyone understood what Sunday intended to do. He would remove the setting that allowed people to wake from dreams and make everyone sleep until the end of the universe.

"This is not abandonment, but transcendence. Flesh is weak and suffering. If matter is the source of spiritual pain, then we should overcome it."

Sunday spoke with a compassionate expression. He thought of his sister. Only this way could he protect Robin properly.

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

Sunday looked at Caelus and asked. Caelus had never paid much attention to Robin's clothing. Whatever she wore looked good on her anyway.

"Isn't it because they look nice?" Caelus replied.

"There is a bullet hole on her neck. A stray bullet once struck her there. If it had deviated even slightly, you would never have seen my sister again."

Sunday's words greatly shocked Caelus. Robin had actually experienced something like that. No news report had ever covered it, so of course he had not known.

"Who did it?"

"It was not the act of any individual, but the injustice of this universe. War broke out on a planet, and that was why Robin chose it as her destination... To spread Harmony and save the lives on that planet, she personally went to the front lines. She hoped to soothe people's pain with her songs, and she was willing to use her own flesh and blood to protect the Company's relief supply routes..."

"That incident made me realize that a heart that merely prays for peace can protect nothing. So long as injustice exists in the world, countless Robins will embrace goodwill toward those barbarians and die on battlefields they never should have entered."

"You and I both know Robin's personality. Even if we tried to persuade her, she would not stop doing such dangerous things. So I can only protect her in this way."

Sunday explained the main reason he had made up his mind. Since his sister would not listen, he could only build her a paradise she liked.

"Doing this is wrong. Robin wants to live in an awake reality, not in the false happiness you created."

Caelus shook his head. He liked Robin, and naturally did not want her to encounter something like that again. But this was no different from building a cage and locking her inside. At most, the cage was large enough.

Firefly walked to Caelus's side, reached out, and held his hand. Then she raised her head and looked at Sunday together with him.

"In such happiness, people have never overcome suffering, and they forever lose their chance to overcome it. Put another way, this is escape. In my view, making one's own choices is only natural, and it is also a right people are born with."

"Perhaps fleeing is the nature of the weak, but who is weak should not be defined by others. In your eyes, must I too be classified as weak?"

Firefly rejected Sunday's paradise with steadfast will and words. Her voice carried some of the imposing spirit of a veteran of Glamoth. No matter how Sunday classified her, she was a strong person who did not need to flee reality.

But Firefly did not make her words absolute. She merely refused to let Sunday define everyone as weak people who needed his help. The paradise he created suited weak people who wanted to escape, and if they entered it willingly, the Star Rail Express would never interfere. But people like Robin could not be forcibly dragged into it as well.

Besides, Sunday's attitude was obvious. He was not giving anyone a choice. He intended to drag all of Penacony into slumber with him.

"Since Miss Firefly has made her position clear, the Star Rail Express will naturally give our answer as well."

Himeko said with a smile. She was very satisfied with Firefly and Caelus's answers. What she wanted to say was only that much.

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

Himeko looked at Caelus. He nodded and took out the Trailblaze hat Mikhail had given him from the Dream Manual, placing it atop his head.

At that instant, Clock Boy appeared behind Caelus, glaring fiercely at Sunday, Mikhail's enemy.

"Penacony in Mikhail's dream will never belong to Order!"

Caelus's will was incomparably firm, showing no sign of having been shaken by Order. His will was like a shining star in the night sky, drawing the attention of certain Aeons.

An Aeon's gaze descended upon this place. A look of obvious astonishment appeared on Sunday's face. Everyone looked up and saw a purple divine form emerge. Its skin was violet, and it wore a black formal gown woven from stars. Judging from the curve at the gown's chest, Its form was female.

This Aeon had long, smooth white hair. The irregular star ring behind Her was more dazzling than any color. Beneath Her hair, three faces grew from Her head. One smiling face looked directly at Caelus and smiled at him. There were also two faces on either side: the right one gritted Its teeth in anger, while the left remained indifferent and silent. At this moment, She looked at Caelus with Her smiling face, which was enough to show that Her will leaned toward approval.

"The Aeon of Harmony, Xipe."

Himeko spoke the Aeon's name. The people of the Star Rail Express all felt power surging forth, while Sunday experienced the complete opposite. He knew that once Xipe discovered what he and the Dream Master had done, only a trace of Her will would be enough to crush them.

Caelus could clearly feel his Path changing. He had originally been a lackey of Qlipoth, always following the Preservation Path, but now the power of his Path was shifting toward Harmony. Xipe was not pulling him out of the Preservation Path, but giving him another road. Caelus could switch back at any time.

"Big Sis Xipe, you appearing here means you think highly of me, right? I get it. This is already the third time. To be honest, I was already prepared to break up with Old Man Qlipoth. I got bullied this badly on Penacony, and He did not even send an Emanator to check on me. That relationship is over. You treat me much better."

Caelus readily accepted the change to his Path. So what if he became a servant with three surnames? It was no big deal. After being watched by Aeons enough times, one got used to it.

"Meeting is fate. I don't need a meeting gift. Once this is over, I hope you'll marry your Child of Harmony to me—Robin."

Caelus said to Xipe. The previous times he had been watched by Aeons, he had lacked experience and had not thought to make requests. But first time was unfamiliar, second time was practice, and by the third time they were old acquaintances. Should he not fight for some benefits?

"If you don't object, I'll take that as agreement. This is a marriage blessed by an Aeon. Let's see who dares object."

Xipe was still smiling at him and had not turned Her slightly angry face toward him, so Caelus wore a pleased expression.

After Caelus finished making those demands, Xipe's gaze disappeared entirely. Everyone's consciousness returned to their own bodies. That glimpse had lasted only an instant, not even a second, but everyone was certain it had not been an illusion. The power of Harmony radiating from Caelus was practically condensing into notes from a Harmony melody.

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The Final Battle

"That Aeon actually cast a glance at Penacony at a time like this... Did the legacy of Trailblaze resonate? Or was your unity enough to move even an Aeon?"

Sunday frowned. He was not afraid of Xipe, because compared to an Aeon's scale, a matter involving a single Penacony was not something She could possibly care about. Whether this was the remnant forces of Order causing trouble or even if Ena of Order truly returned to life, no one could imagine what Xipe of Harmony would do. An Aeon's thoughts could not be measured with a human heart.

Caelus walked over to Sunday, pointed both hands at his own face, and looked at him with sparkling eyes.

Sunday turned his gaze away, and Caelus stepped into his line of sight, continuing to grin with an irritating expression.

"What do you want?"

Sunday asked with a straight face. He was not afraid of Caelus physically attacking him. What he feared was this kind of mental attack. Before completely casting away his emotions, Sunday was still very vulnerable.

"I'm on the Harmony Path now. Xipe personally chose me. You saw it."

"Mm."

Sunday nodded. He could not deny that fact. Honestly, if he were still Harmony's lackey, he would have been so jealous that he split apart. Why had he faithfully served like a dog for so many years, only for Xipe not even to know he existed? Caelus had only been on Penacony for a short time, yet Xipe had already set Her sights on him. Was that fair?

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

"No."

"Don't tell me what you think. I think we are. Once all this is over, I'll tell her my identity. Given Robin's faith in Xipe, do you think she'll reject me?"

Caelus continued smiling. Sunday's chest rose and fell continuously with rage. He was truly about to faint from anger. He had thought Caelus's destructive power had already reached its limit. Who knew why Xipe had come to add fuel to the fire?

"You will never have that chance, because you and all your tedious thoughts are about to sleep in a dream. I will make you dream for the rest of your life."

Sunday shouted. He was so furious that even his voice had changed. There was nothing left for him to say to Caelus. They would simply fight.

"Then I have a question. In the dream, can I marry Robin and have children with her?"

Caelus raised one finger and asked Sunday. Sunday began considering the question. If he said no, Caelus's dream would not be happy, which conflicted with the paradise plan he had described. But if he said yes, then he would have to watch Caelus paw at his sister in the dream. And as the only awake Dream Master, Sunday could only stand there and watch helplessly.

"I..."

Sunday was too angry to speak. He chose to ignore Caelus's question and vanished from before everyone in a flash.

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

Sunday left only those words behind before there was no further movement. Perhaps he had gone home to look for blood pressure medicine first.

"Wow, he made the final boss roll his eyes."

March 7th wore an awestruck expression. She even felt Caelus was doing it on purpose, but what he said seemed to make sense. He just wanted Robin as his wife. What had he done wrong? Was it not simply that Uncle was too stingy?

"As expected of our Caelus."

Himeko said helplessly. Still, this counted as a good thing, did it not? Messing with the enemy's mindset before battle made it easy for them to make mistakes.

"Firefly, I just checked the new ability I gained. It's best used to support you, and Himeko can use it too. That way, our team is complete."

Caelus looked at Firefly beside him. Their four-person party was just right. Firefly and Himeko would handle damage, while Caelus would provide support. That was Harmony's ability. And Caelus was not limited to support either. If they encountered danger, he could still throw out a Stellaron Meteor Crash. That was his own ability and had nothing to do with any Path. He was a support with damage capabilities. March 7th, meanwhile, was Preservation and could provide shields. It was simply a perfect combination.

"Mm, Caelus, I believe in you."

Firefly smiled and nodded. The man she had chosen was indeed extraordinary. Even at a moment like this, he could draw an Aeon's gaze. Perhaps this was the very definition of a hero born from the times.

Sunday's true body was undoubtedly inside the Grand Theater now. Caelus and the others boarded the lift prepared for the champions, transforming from the Hour of the Great Hot Sands into light as they rose upward and entered Penacony's Grand Theater floating in midair.