Yan Huan reminded him:
"You just mentioned that Firefly and I had snuck in."
Gallagher nodded slightly and continued:
"I really am getting old."
"But on the Planet of Festivities, sneaking in isn't all that rare, and it isn't hard to investigate."
"The Hounds took action immediately afterward, tracking them through both the dream and reality."
"But the result... was nothing but bad news."
"And it was the most troubling news of all."
Gallagher looked at everyone:
"The young lady vanished into thin air. She left no trace in the dream, and we couldn't find her body in reality either. It was as if she'd never come to Penacony."
Yan Huan raised his hand again:
"Just so you know, you couldn't track me down either."
"Which means," Gallagher said through gritted teeth,
"your cases are a first for the Hound Family."
Himeko asked:
"So death really does happen on Penacony?"
Gallagher nodded without denying it:
"You already know. What's the point of hiding it?"
"Every city with a bright, polished face has a side it doesn't want anyone to see."
"I don't need to explain how the adult world works."
"If that alone is enough to make you question The Family, you're being naive."
"Accidental deaths happen even in sweet dreams. So what?"
"An event that rare affects only a handful of people."
Gallagher grew solemn:
"If you really want to dig into this case, you need to understand The Family's real predicament first."
Himeko smiled faintly:
"I'm guessing this is where the story of Mikhail comes in."
"I know!" Yan Huan raised his hand again.
"Mikhail... is the Clockmaker, right? The Family wants him dead."
Gallagher: "..."
"Why don't you step outside?"
Yan Huan shrugged, shut his mouth, and left the floor to Gallagher.
Gallagher said to Himeko in