" Hanxing, calm down. Don't let him lead you astray!" March 7th reminded them from the side. Facing the formidable enemy before them, the group decided to put aside their differences and unite against him.
Himeko seized the opportunity to "take control of the situation": "Mr. Sunday, even if the Oak Family members don't fully agree with the arrangements regarding the Stellaron, now is probably not the time to discuss Penacony's past and future, is it?"
" The Stellaron issue concerns the life and death of everyone at Penacony. If you have any better proposals, the Astral Express Crew is all ears. Please tell us the whole story of that meeting—that way we'll know what happened to Welt and Robin that prevented them from arriving as scheduled."
"Ah, Navigator, that's exactly what I was thinking. Now that everyone's here, let's start with that meeting." Sunday's voice was somewhat cold. "Let's talk about our predicaments and choices, our respective ideals and beliefs... and the only path we should ultimately take."
"... So you mean, for a long time, some wicked people have been using our Charmony Festival, meant to bless the world... as a tool to achieve their ambitions?" A man and a bird stood before Sunday and his companion. The voice was all too familiar to Hanxing and his companion. " Dream Master."
"Indeed, Lord Dream Master, once the Charmony Festival begins, the power of the Stellaron will spread throughout Penacony with the singing... At that time, everyone in the dream will be unable to wake up." The Robin said to the Dream Master, with Sunday and Welt standing to one side.
"Hmm, that does surprise me. Dreams are the result of the joint efforts of the five great the Family. If someone were to use Harmony to recklessly spread the power of that Stellaron, that person would inevitably hold a high position..." It must be said, the Dream Master is indeed exceptionally talented in acting.
"Do you have anyone you suspect?" "Excuse me, are you truly unaware of the existence of the Stellaron?" Welt asked sharply. "Ha, I never imagined that this Nameless would directly point the finger at me; it's truly astonishing."
"If we have offended you, Astral Express sincerely apologizes. However, the situation is urgent and we cannot afford to investigate further. This is also for the sake of the dream's stability, so please dispel our concerns." Welt stared intently at the Dream Master. " Dream Master, as long as it is proven that the Charmony Festival has nothing to do with the Stellaron and that we were overthinking things... I will return to the stage to sing as promised," Robin added.
"Hmm." A hint of seriousness appeared on the Dream Master's face. " Sunday, Robin, I have watched you grow up and know your character well. You are now truly His most devout messengers... I know your determination. This is a matter of great importance, no trivial matter. Since Mr. Welt has so earnestly requested this, I will personally respond. If necessary, the entire Oak Family is at your disposal."
The Dream Master looked at Sunday and said, " Sunday, may you plead with Him to send down your light and ask me questions on His behalf, so that all lies may be exposed?" "As you wish," Sunday replied with a smile. " Robin, may you witness this, record the events, and proclaim my innocence, so that all the slander may vanish?" "As you wish," the Robin answered.
"We desire that your will be carried out on earth... as it is in heaven." The Dream Master murmured incomprehensible words. "O soul of the three faces, brand his tongue and palms with a hot iron, so that he may not lie or make false oaths." Sunday chanted the incantation, and a strange audio sound resounded around him.
"Let's begin, I have nothing to prepare," the Dream Master said generously. "Yes," Sunday agreed, and then began the "interrogation": "I ask you: Have you always been devout to your God and never worshipped other gods?" "Of course." Nothing happened, indicating that the Dream Master was indeed telling the truth.
"Do you love your God as you love yourself, and always remember His admonitions?" "Of course." "Have you turned away from the path your God expects, and failed His name?" "Never." "Have you ever made presumptuous demands of your God, attempting to exceed the duty of a created being?" "Never."
"Then, one last question—can you swear an oath to ensure that you will fulfill all your promises, past, present, and future?" "By the Aeon, if I am lying or break my promise, may I be cursed according to the Dominicus."
After asking the five questions, Xipe gave no response, indicating that the Dream Master's words were true, but something was amiss. "... He saw your beliefs and approved of them. This proves—" "Please wait a moment." Welt seemed to have noticed something and stopped the whole thing. "What's wrong, Mr. Welt?" Sunday's expression seemed a little guilty.
"Gentlemen, I have another question I'd like an answer to," Welt said, emphasizing each word. "As far as I know, the harmony and prosperity of our the Family has never relied on any so-called ' Dominicus '... Is the 'god' you two just spoke of truly Xipe?"
Faced with the forceful questioning, the Dream Master also felt a hint of panic. " Mr. Welt should know that his the Family and people are as close as brothers, embracing unity and being of one mind under His light. All disloyalty is exposed before ' Harmony.' Such an exquisite and complex symphony, if not for the divine Lord Xipe, which other deity could perfectly harmonize it?"
"Perfect harmony... that's the problem. What subtly alters this Harmony isn't an external enemy, but rather the dissonance that arises within this very melody." Welt, after careful deduction, said, "In the distant past, a Aeon existed in the world. He plucked the strings of his fingers, weaving the laws of the galaxy, and his followers formed a ' Celestial Choir,' spreading solemn and majestic hymns throughout the universe."
"Later, He fell. The path this Aeon followed clashed with ' Harmony, ' and He was swallowed up and assimilated by the latter. The chorus that resounded throughout the universe fell silent for a time, and when it sounded again, it had become a hymn of Harmony... Even if the Aeon perished, He would leave behind Path without a master. In the all-encompassing ' Harmony '... naturally, old discordant voices may quietly arise."
" Mr. Welt..." The Dream Master's voice was somewhat cold: "Being overly perceptive is never a good thing, especially when you're isolated and helpless." "Hmph, I knew it." The Dream Master's reaction confirmed Welt's suspicions; the mastermind behind it all was " Order."
"For the sake of our great cause, Sunday, please take a rest," the Dream Master commanded. "What...?" the Robin exclaimed in surprise. Sunday closed his eyes reluctantly, then glanced at the Robin. A strange melody appeared, Tuning began.
"I'm sorry, Robin, you're the only one... I didn't want you to know any of this. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned."