Sparkle: Come Set Off Fireworks With Me~
It is a giant Clockie sculpture that appears somewhat terrifying in the shadows.
Compared to that glittering Clockie in the square during Golden Hour.
Not only is it much larger, but it also has that ever-smiling clock head.
Because of the desolate atmosphere, it looks like it's grinning maliciously.
Lin Shuang looked around; the tall building in front of her was clearly not so easy to climb.
Let's take the elevator.
Lin Shuang stepped into the elevator, accompanied by the creaking sound of the metal doors closing.
The elevator began its ascent smoothly.
The wait was longer than expected.
The elevator finally reached the top floor of that enormous building.
Outside the door.
Lin Shuang was surprised to find a large number of people gathered outside.
Not only that.
Their faces displayed a range of expressions, but not a trace of fear.
This means that this place is definitely not a dangerous area.
Otherwise, the residents here would never have such expressions.
Speaking of which...
This must be the rooftop of the building.
Lin Shuang stepped out of the elevator.
Lin Shuang's full-body armor and long, silver-white hair drew the attention of many people nearby.
Lin Shuang didn't pay attention, because her gaze was drawn to the sky directly in front of her.
The Penacony Grand Theater, which could originally be seen during Golden Hour.
It is now hanging upside down in the sky, and it looks even bigger than it did at its Golden Hour.
This means that this place is actually closer to the Grand Theater.
Further back in the Grand Theater, the increasingly clear reflection of the Twelve Moments came into view.
"This really is... a strange place."
Lin Shuang was surprised that there was such a settlement in Penacony, and that quite a few people lived there...
Was she deliberately isolated by her Family? Or was she simply ignored?
Then what about that Memory Zone Meme?
Why did I end up here after being stabbed by that thing?
Filled with doubt, Lin Shuang ignored the gazes that were gathering around her.
She walked along the road and could see that the elevator was located in a plaza.
The entire settlement unfolds in all directions from the elevator as its center.
Look down.
Next to the seemingly bottomless skyscraper are escalators that allow you to go down to different floors.
The floors below can be seen where lights are turned on.
The people here must live in these high-rise buildings.
Lin Shuang walked around the corridor-like rooftop, only to find herself in a...
A place that looks like a cemetery.
A small garden containing three tombstones, two with names engraved on them, and one without.
Lin Shuang hadn't looked closely at first, but a glimpse out of the corner of her eye caught her attention to the name carved on the tombstone.
'Lazarina' and 'Tiernan'
Wrong!
Lin Shuang, who was about to pass by, suddenly stopped and looked back.
I gazed intently at the stone tablet that bore the names of the two men.
Lazarina Jean Estella, Boreklin Tiernan.
These two names...
Aren't they just two of those three Nameless Paimon mentioned in the story?!
That means, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this last unmarked monument should rightfully bear the name of the last Nameless named Mikhail?
But why doesn't it have a name...?
Could he still be alive?
No... so what exactly happened at Penacony back then?
Could it be that the Family stole the fruits of the Nameless's labor? Otherwise, why can't these three names be found in Penacony's history at all?
Lin Shuang stared intently at the tombstone, her brows furrowing deeply.
Isn't the Family a devout follower of Harmony? Is it just a facade?
Are they on the same wavelength as Interastral Peace Corporation?
Just as Lin Shuang stood there pondering...
An older man sitting on a bench by the garden seemed to notice Lin Shuang.
He stood up and walked towards Lin Shuang:
"Hello, dear lady, please allow me to introduce myself briefly. My name is Mika, and I am the caretaker of Dreamflux Reef. Are you a tourist who has wandered into this place by mistake, or perhaps someone from our Family?"
Being suddenly spoken to made Lin Shuang's attention be drawn back to herself.
She looked up and sized up the blond man, who appeared to be quite old, but was very strong.
Moreover, his self-designation is quite interesting.
"A gravedigger? So, this really is a cemetery?"
"Yes, but it's just a symbolic cenotaph, to commemorate the heroes who liberated Penacony."
Mika stood beside Lin Shuang and calmly introduced the tombstones to Lin Shuang.
"And what about the one else? What's that empty monument here?"
"When that person built his tomb on Dreamflux Reef and erected his cenotaph, he was still alive. He felt that his day would come too, so he erected his own tomb there as well."
When he spoke of the last person, Mika's tone changed noticeably.
Judging from the implication of his words, it's likely that the Nameless Mikhail had a significant connection with Mika.
After saying that, Mika seemed to have no intention of continuing the topic and instead asked:
"To be honest, I didn't know your name, Miss."
"I'm sorry, my name is Lin Shuang. I was brought here by a Memory Zone Meme..."
Putting aside the Monster's aggressive appearance, judging solely from its behavior and actions, it seemed as if it had forcibly brought Lin Shuang here.
"I see. Sorry, that Memory Zone Meme is called Slumber, and Gallagher takes care of it. It just looks scary, but it never actually hurts anyone. It only occasionally brings Dream Chaser here out of interest."
"..."
In a strange place, I heard a strange name.
Gallagher was originally from this place?
"Then, may I ask you about Dreamflux Reef?"
"Of course, I will tell you everything about this place, Miss, including the history of Penacony and the history of Dreamflux Reef."
For some reason, Mika's tone became more enthusiastic after Lin Shuang asked him.
It was as if they had always intended to give the information away.
~~~~~
296
Chapter 296 Sparkle: Let's set off fireworks together!
On a bench next to the park.
Lin Shuang listened quietly for a long while.
My feelings became complicated.
Three Nameless from the Train, after Train, bravely plunged into Asdana.
Even if I die here, even if I can never board the Train again, even if I can never see Paimon again.
They remained steadfast and unwavering.
The journey of the Star Rail Express has no end, but the Trailblaze journey of each Nameless has its own conclusion.
Perhaps someday in the future.
Will the five passengers on the Train leave one by one?
It's even possible that... they might just perish in some remote Star System without any explanation.
Countless Amber Era could not make this known to other Nameless.
"..."
Although Lin Shuang is not a member of the Star Rail Express.
As a former player, you can play as Xing and travel to several planets.
It would be impossible for Lin Shuang to say that she has no feelings for the current Astral Express Crew.
That's why.
Lin Shuang suddenly felt a little sad.
The same applies to Astral Express Crew.
Will my future self and Gepard also part ways someday?
Lin Shuang hadn't forgotten that Gepard's name contained the title "Bosenmori."
Lin Shuang asked Gepard about this, though she didn't provide a detailed explanation.
But Lin Shuang could still guess that it must be a name inextricably linked to Nihility.
Gepard's journey may seem aimless, but Lin Shuang knows that one day she will probably want to confront Nihility.
Perhaps that day will be the end for them.
Somewhat baffling, Lin Shuang felt a pang of discomfort.
I want to take out my phone and talk to Acheron.
However, it is clear that signals from the real world cannot be connected at Dreamflux Reef.
Put your phone down again.
Lin Shuang looked up at the Grand Theater that seemed to hang upside down in the sky.
"Miss Lin Shuang, are you alright?"
"... Um, it's nothing."
Lin Shuang smiled and shook her head, but Mika, who was standing next to her, suddenly asked:
"This question may be a bit presumptuous, but could it be that Miss Lin Shuang, you are Nameless on the Star Rail Express?"
"Sorry, I'm not Nameless, but I do know the current Train crew members; they should be arriving in Penacony soon."