Chapter Summaries

Theresa and Himeko read the Family's invitation and arrived in Penacony's dreamscape with Stelle and March 7th. Theresa transformed into Kiana Cat and prepared to tease Acheron, who was immediately captivated by her.

• Theresa and Himeko read the Family's invitation while Yinyueyue chose to stay on the train and finish entering Xianzhou information into the databank.
• Himeko and March 7th packed their belongings, and the Astral Express warped toward Penacony as the passengers entered its memoria space.
• Stelle woke in a hotel-like dream room, where Acheron explained that it was a boundary between reality and dreams.
• Theresa transformed into Kiana Cat, with Himeko in mascot form on her shoulder, and set off to tease Acheron.
• Acheron and Stelle encountered Theresa, and Acheron stared at her in amazement, feeling powerfully drawn to her.

Theresa disguised herself as Kiana and teamed up with Himeko and Stelle to tease Acheron, but Acheron’s other personality, Mei, turned the tables and joined in playing with the catlike Theresa. After Theresa changed back, Acheron forgot what had happened and offered to lead them out.

• Theresa, disguised as Kiana, introduced herself and Himeko to Acheron while Stelle joined their silly group introduction.
• Theresa acted cute as a catgirl, making Acheron get a nosebleed before Acheron suddenly hugged her.
• Theresa pinned Acheron against a wall, but Acheron transformed into Mei and pinned Theresa in return.
• Theresa turned into a white cat and escaped onto Acheron’s head, but Stelle tackled her and joined Mei in petting her.
• Theresa changed back, covered for the incident by telling Acheron she had caught her from falling, and Acheron led the group toward the exit.

Acheron guided Theresa, Stelle, and Himeko through the Dream World, where Theresa used golden dream bubbles to walk along walls and the group encountered corrupted Dream Troupe and Echoes. Acheron showed them the way out, and the three returned to the carriage, though Acheron was unsure whether she would remember them.

• Acheron showed Theresa, Stelle, and Himeko how golden dream bubbles let them walk on walls, and Theresa led them along the hotel walls.
• Acheron defeated the Dream Troupe with her scabbard and explained that the Echoes nearby were fragments of events from the real world.
• Theresa, Stelle, and Himeko watched several Echoes, including Silver Wolf and Sam, Sparkle and Black Swan, and a boy welcoming them to the Daydream Hotel.
• Acheron told the group how to leave the Dream World and admitted she might not remember them after waking.
• Theresa led Stelle and Himeko through the doorway, and the three returned to the carriage in the real world.

The Express crew arrived at the Daydream Hotel on Penacony, where Stelle insisted on joining the adventure despite feeling unwell. Theresa devised a way for Pam to explore through a doll, and began transferring a strand of his consciousness into it.

• The train arrived at the Daydream Hotel, and March 7th, Himeko, and Welt admired the enormous entrance and heard about Penacony’s dreamscape.
• Theresa warned that Penacony had hidden schemes beneath its festive appearance, while Stelle said she could not remember her dream and admitted her head hurt.
• Pam suggested Stelle remain on the train, but Stelle refused to miss the journey, and Himeko reassured her that her companions would help.
• Theresa offered to place a strand of Pam’s consciousness inside a Pam doll so he could accompany the crew, and Pam eagerly agreed.
• Theresa activated a Herrscher of Sentience Authority ticket, causing Pam’s perspective to split as part of his consciousness moved into the doll in March 7th’s arms.

Pam tested his doll clone’s shared perspective, while Yinyueyue chose to stay aboard the Astral Express. The others arrived at the Daydream Hotel, where Theresa’s suitcase of Dr. Ratio dolls concealed a memetic trap.

• Pam discovered that he could experience the doll clone’s perspective and synchronize its stored memories with his own.
• Yinyueyue said she would remain on the train to organize the Xianzhou databank and adjust to her body.
• Himeko, Welt, March 7th, Stelle, and Theresa teleported to the Daydream Hotel, leaving Yinyueyue to watch over the train.
• Welt explained the Pepeshi and Screwllum’s mechanical lifeforms to the others as they entered the hotel’s security line.
• Theresa revealed that her suitcase was packed with Dr. Ratio dolls and handed them to the security personnel, infecting them with a memetic virus.

Theresa and the others entered the Daydream Hotel, where they met Misha, a bellboy whom most people could not see. After Misha introduced Penacony’s dreamscapes and vanished, the group checked in, choosing not to investigate the hotel’s secrets.

• Theresa handed out Dr. Ratio dolls and used a spell to get the Daydream Hotel security guards to let the group inside.
• Theresa, Stelle, and Himeko noticed Misha speaking with guests, though most people ignored him.
• Theresa asked Misha about places to visit, and he described Penacony’s Twelve Epochs of Dreams, including several dangerous or restricted areas.
• Misha said that people had always ignored him, then became transparent and disappeared as he walked away.
• Himeko told the group not to get involved in the hotel’s mysteries, and Welt approached the front desk to check them in as Stellaron Hunters from the Astral Express.

The Astral Express crew struggled to find enough Platinum Rooms at the crowded Daydream Hotel, and Theresa recognized Aventurine and revealed knowledge of his past. Aventurine agreed to vouch for Stelle and Theresa, but he could not secure another room, leaving the crew short on accommodation.

• Welt learned that the hotel had only four Platinum Room reservations for the Astral Express crew, while all other Platinum Rooms were booked.
• Stelle offered to take Dan Heng's reservation, and Theresa offered to share a room with Himeko, but Airi could not resolve the remaining shortage.
• Aventurine introduced himself as a Strategic Investment Department representative and asked Theresa's name after staring at her.
• Theresa identified Aventurine as Kakavasha and referred to his confiscated suitcase, unsettling him with her knowledge of his past.
• Himeko asked Aventurine to vouch for Stelle and Theresa, and he agreed but said he could not open another Platinum Room.

Sunday and Ms. Nightingale arrived at the hotel as the Stellaron Hunters sorted out their check-in arrangements. After Theresa hinted that Penacony would soon receive a third Envoy, Sunday gave her a free Supreme Suite and a golden Dream Passport, leaving Aventurine to negotiate with him as the others settled in.

• Sunday and Ms. Nightingale arrived at the hotel, where Theresa hugged Ms. Nightingale and the guests teased them.
• Welt told Sunday that Dan Heng could not check in and asked to transfer his room to Stelle, while Theresa and Himeko needed a room to share.
• Theresa privately told Sunday that Penacony would soon welcome a third Envoy, and Sunday ordered Airi to give her a free Supreme Suite.
• Airi gave Theresa a golden Dream Passport containing ten million Clover Coins, and Sunday left with Aventurine, who began negotiating with him.
• March 7th recognized Ms. Nightingale as the singer behind “A Heart Free From Sorrow,” while Himeko happily joined her.

Ms. Nightingale welcomed the Stellaron Hunters and explained that her brother Sunday had brought her to help them. Theresa healed Ms. Nightingale’s old injuries, earning Sunday’s gratitude and a promise to cover the Stellaron Hunters’ expenses in Penacony.

• Ms. Nightingale introduced herself as a guest invited to sing at the Harmony Festival and said Sunday was her elder brother and the festival’s organizer.
• Theresa coaxed Ms. Nightingale into petting her cat ears, and Sunday arrived to find the two of them cuddling in the hotel lobby.
• Sunday asked Theresa to let go of Ms. Nightingale, but Theresa healed the scar on her neck and the damage to her throat.
• Sunday thanked Theresa, apologized for speaking harshly, and offered to cover the Stellaron Hunters’ expenses and fulfill their requests.

Theresa healed Ms. Nightingale’s neck scar, and Sunday thanked the Astral Express by upgrading their rooms and welcoming future cooperation. After Himeko was accidentally left in Ms. Nightingale’s arms, she transformed into a nine-tailed fox girl and agreed to accompany her into the dream.

• Ms. Nightingale thanked Theresa for healing her scar, and Theresa explained that the Power of Abundance in her body could help heal future injuries.
• Sunday said Aventurine had gone to meet with the Oak Family, offered to handle Stelle’s guarantee, and upgraded the Astral Express crew’s rooms.
• The Astral Express crew headed to the VIP floor, while Theresa followed March 7th and Stelle and Himeko was accidentally carried away with Sunday and Ms. Nightingale.
• Sunday noticed Himeko in Ms. Nightingale’s arms, and Ms. Nightingale apologized for forgetting she was there.
• Himeko transformed into a nine-tailed fox girl and offered to protect Ms. Nightingale, so Sunday entrusted her to his sister’s care.

Himeko listened as Ms. Nightingale explained how she had studied vocal music and inherited Harmony’s power to help people through song. Meanwhile, March 7th, Stelle, and Theresa discussed their plans for Penacony before Theresa led the lost Acheron toward her own room.

• Himeko admired the Supreme Suite, and Ms. Nightingale described her brother’s support and how she used Harmony’s songs to bring hope to disaster victims.
• March 7th, Stelle, and Theresa talked about entering the Dream Pool and what they wanted to do in Penacony.
• March 7th planned to shop at Moment of Dusk and attend Ms. Nightingale’s performance, while Stelle said she would cause trouble with Theresa.
• Theresa imagined disrupting the Family’s and the Corporation’s plans, and March 7th accepted Theresa’s Dr. Ratio mask to keep for later.
• Theresa met the lost Acheron, introduced herself, and invited Acheron to follow her into her room.

Theresa’s attempt to tease Acheron backfired when Acheron recognized her and pinned her down, then remembered their earlier dream meeting. Acheron decided to travel with Theresa, and they entered Penacony’s dream together, where they reunited with Stelle.

• Theresa transformed into Kiana Cat to tease Acheron, but Acheron became Real Yomi and restrained her.
• Real Yomi questioned Theresa, then licked and petted her until Theresa was flushed and exhausted in the Dream Pool.
• Acheron remembered meeting Theresa in an earlier dream and explained that being near her eased the erosion of Nihility, so she wanted to travel with her.
• Theresa and Acheron entered the dream above Penacony, and Theresa used the Authority of Binding to slow their fall and land safely.
• Stelle crashed into the central plaza, and Theresa pulled her out of the crater.
• Stelle said March 7th had gone shopping and agreed to travel with Theresa; she then recognized Acheron as familiar.

Theresa and Acheron met Sunday and Ms. Nightingale after Stelle arrived in Penacony, and Theresa demonstrated power that impressed and warned the Family. Sunday gave the group an Oak Family seal and withdrew, canceling some of his planned tests of the Stellaron Hunters.

• Himeko reunited with Theresa, while Ms. Nightingale checked on Stelle and welcomed her to Penacony's dreamscape.
• Sunday offered Ms. Nightingale's Harmony power to help Stelle adapt, and Theresa agreed after Stelle accepted.
• Ms. Nightingale tuned Stelle to the dreamscape, then Theresa used a whisper of Binding to ease Stelle's discomfort and affect everyone present.
• Sunday gave the group an Oak Family seal to protect them from Hound security, and Ms. Nightingale and Sunday left on friendly terms.
• Sunday canceled some of his planned tests of the Stellaron Hunters after Theresa's display and apparent knowledge deterred him.

Theresa, Stelle, and Acheron explored Penacony while chatting with the Astral Express group and the Aeons, whose teasing provoked Nanook. Their outing was interrupted when a silver-haired young woman pursued by Family Bloodhounds hid behind Stelle.

• Himeko transformed into a tiny mascot and joined Ms. Nightingale, promising to protect Sunday’s sister.
• Theresa invited Acheron into the group chat, where Stelle recounted Theresa’s unsettling display of power and the Aeons joked at Nanook’s expense.
• Theresa offered to show Acheron around Penacony, and Stelle followed them.
• A man shouted after a silver-haired young woman as two Family Bloodhounds pursued her through the street.
• The young woman spotted Theresa, Stelle, and Acheron, then ran behind Stelle to hide.

Theresa used Sunday’s seal to protect Liu Ying from the Hounds, while Stelle vouched for the silver-haired girl. Gallagher arrived, dismissed the guards, and apologized, but his explanation of Penacony’s security left him eyeing Liu Ying and Acheron suspiciously.

• Stelle stepped in to protect the silver-haired Liu Ying as the Hounds moved to arrest her for entering the dreamscape illegally.
• Theresa showed the Hounds Sunday’s seal, and Liu Ying accepted Theresa’s offer to claim they knew each other.
• Gallagher arrived, examined the seal, and ordered the Hounds to leave after reprimanding them for nearly offending Sunday’s guests.
• Gallagher apologized to the group and explained that the Hounds guarded Penacony and were pursuing suspected infiltrators.
• Gallagher glanced at Liu Ying and Acheron as he described the security alert, prompting Acheron to wonder if he suspected them.

After Gallagher let Liu Ying go, she reunited with Stelle and offered to guide Stelle, Theresa, and Acheron around Penacony’s Golden Epoch. The group accepted her invitation and ended up at a food shop near the Aude Shopping Center, where Liu Ying offered to treat them.

• Gallagher let Liu Ying go and warned the group to enjoy Penacony’s beautiful dream before leaving.
• Liu Ying thanked Stelle and introduced herself as an Iris Family performing artist who also worked around Gracchus Avenue.
• Liu Ying offered to guide Stelle, Theresa, and Acheron around the Golden Epoch, and they agreed.
• Liu Ying showed them the main avenue, explained Clover Coins, and pointed out the Aude Shopping Center and its shops.
• Liu Ying led the group to a food shop near the shopping center and offered to treat them with her limited savings.

Liu Ying, Stelle, Theresa, and Acheron visited a Penacony restaurant, where Theresa used her golden Dream Passport to treat everyone to a lavish feast. The food arrived in abundance, leaving Liu Ying and Acheron stunned.

• Liu Ying brought Stelle, Theresa, and Acheron to Solesse No. 1 Restaurant and offered to pay, though she worried about her limited Clover Coins.
• Theresa revealed a golden Dream Passport with a one-million Clover Coin credit limit and insisted on treating the group.
• Theresa and Stelle ordered one of every dish on the menu, while Liu Ying worried they would not be able to eat it all.
• The attendants served a huge spread of Penacony specialties, and Acheron and Liu Ying stared at the feast in shock.

Theresa joined Stelle, Liu Ying, and Acheron for a meal, using her power to suppress Acheron’s Nihility corrosion so she could taste food again. The group then visited Doctor Edward’s Dream Emporium, where Theresa created an unusual dream bubble that left him laughing wildly as onlookers gathered.

• Theresa restrained Acheron’s Nihility corrosion, allowing Acheron to enjoy food and taste an Oak Cake Roll for the first time in a long while.
• Acheron fed Theresa cake, while Liu Ying fed Stelle, and the four finished most of the meal before Theresa paid with her Dream Passport allowance.
• Liu Ying suggested visiting Doctor Edward at the Dream Emporium, and Theresa agreed to customize a dream bubble.
• Theresa used Doctor Edward’s device to create a Dr. Ratio Meme Virus dream bubble, causing Doctor Edward to laugh wildly and drawing a crowd.

Theresa unleashed a Dr. Ratio memetic effect across Penacony, transforming tourists and Family members and throwing the Golden Epoch into chaos. She revealed that the affected people would awaken in real Penacony, then Liu Ying disclosed her identity as a Stellaron Hunter and said the Stellar Core was deep within the Penacony Grand Theatre.

• Theresa turned Sparkle, disguised as Sampo, into a wise-eyed Dr. Ratio and spread the transformation through the gathered crowd.
• The Dr. Ratios overwhelmed Penacony, infected mechanical lifeforms, and combined into a gigantic Dr. Ratio as the Family called for reinforcements.
• Theresa told Stelle, Acheron, and Liu Ying that the transformed people would be sent to real Penacony when attacked in the dream.
• Theresa revealed that she knew Liu Ying's purpose and Acheron's prophecy about three deaths.
• Liu Ying identified herself as a Stellaron Hunter and the sole survivor of the Lagomorphic Cavalry, and said the Stellar Core lay deep within the Penacony Grand Theatre.

Dr. Ratio’s Meme Virus overwhelmed Penacony, forcing Welt, Himeko, Ratiō, Aventurine, Sunday, and Ms. Nightingale to flee or fight as people were assimilated. The chapter left the dream’s survivors facing Theresa’s unexplained upheaval, while Himeko warned that her own power could truly erase them.

• Welt and Himeko rallied the tourists in a restaurant and fought off Dr. Ratios when the horde broke through the doors.
• Welt’s Quasi-Black Hole swallowed the attackers and sent them into the true depths of the dream, where Tide of Dreams was overwhelmed by arrivals.
• Ratiō and Aventurine fought a vast horde, but the Dr. Ratios broke through Aventurine’s shields and assimilated them.
• Sunday and Ms. Nightingale fled through the overrun Family territory with Himeko, who suspected Theresa had flipped the board to disrupt the schemers.
• Himeko told Sunday and Ms. Nightingale that she could not intervene because her erosion authority could truly erase everyone.