"Stardust-like milk tea... so pretty..."
" Teacher Ye Yan, you know so much about milk tea, could you help us identify it and tell us which shop made it?"
Ye Yan smiled and accepted the milk tea, saying, "No problem, Miss March 7th, didn't you want something cold? Here it is."
"After thinking it over, wouldn't doing this just make me no different from those people on the street... um..."
"This beautiful dream... is becoming more and more unreal."
After the discussion, everyone gathered again at the Clockie statue.
"It seems that the Aventurine doesn't have any further requests, so let's handle the Family's request first. Himeko, what do you think?"
"Of the current leads, the two cases witnessed by Hoshi are the most direct, and I suggest we start there," Himeko suggested.
"There's something I'm Curiosity: if someone dies in a dream, what happens to them in reality?"
"Since we have the Family's instructions, why don't we return to reality first and verify Miss Firefly's situation with the hotel... We can also inquire about Miss Robin's whereabouts while we're at it."
Welt agreed with Himeko's idea, "How about this? We'll split up. There are some things in the dream that are troubling me, and I'd like to investigate them first, then rejoin you later."
"Something that's bothering you?" Himeko tilted her head slightly, understanding what Welt meant, and replied with a smile:
"No problem, then I'll leave it to you and Ye Yan."
"Huh?"
March 7th was a surprise; I thought I'd finally see Himeko and Welt together again. What a pity.
"With Teacher Ye Yan accompanying you, Uncle Yang, please be careful!"
"That sounds... as if Ye Yan would harm Mr. Welt. Is he some kind of heinous villain?"
"Oh, don't worry about such details. I just hope Uncle Yang doesn't get into any danger."
Haha, let's keep in touch.
After watching Himeko and the other two leave, Ye Yan sat down on a nearby recliner, ready to watch the show.
"Honorable guest, may I come out and meet you?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Acheron appeared behind him. Even though he was mentally prepared, Welt still hesitated for a moment when he saw that incredibly familiar face.
"Being stared at like that makes me feel awkward... especially when it's two pairs of eyes."
Ye Yan looked up and met Acheron's questioning gaze. He raised his hand in greeting.
"It's okay, you guys chat, don't worry about me... Want some milk tea?"
"Excuse me. My name is Welt Yang, and this is Ye Yan. We are from the Astral Express. I believe you have already met your other companions."
"Hmm... you really have many identities, one minute it's the Church of Eternity, the next it's the Astral Express."
"You're exposing my past right off the bat, Miss Acheron. That's not right of you." Ye Yan stood up, walked to Welt's side, and whispered:
"We're all acquaintances, so feel free to chat. Would you two like to reintroduce yourselves?"
Welt and Acheron shook their heads simultaneously.
"I'm afraid that's unnecessary. Miss Acheron is now a well-known figure at Penacony."
Acheron was silent for a moment. "... What did they say?"
"Some claim you are the real culprit behind this series of murders— the Annihilation Gang who came to the banquet also died tragically at your hands, and now you are trying to unleash one bloody storm after another in Penacony."
" Afrit of the Annihilation Gang... [ Ever-Flame Mansion ]."
Acheron pondered, realizing that she could only be considered an accomplice... or the only witness; it was Fulisina who did the deed.
She told Welt the truth about that day, "Unfortunately, the real culprit who killed the Grand Duke was a priest of the Church; the word 'tragic death' is not quite appropriate."
"That Grand Duke, on the verge of death, transformed into flames, sacrificing himself for his cause. He was a steadfast and heroic Pathstrider, and even villains should not be subjected to such slander."
"Moreover, there are quite a few suspicious individuals who accepted the invitation. Putting aside the one next to you, do they really think... a long sword is more dangerous than the [Black Hole] in your hand?"
Welt's expression instantly turned serious. "... A very keen intuition; even the Family couldn't pinpoint the true nature of this cane."
"So you must also know, Miss Acheron, that peering into a black hole is not a wise move. As a potential dangerous individual, your understanding of us has reached an unsettling level—"
"Reveal your true identity and state your purpose. Otherwise, I'd better be prepared to be torn apart by gravity."
"That kind of thing probably won't happen... but if it can put you Nameless at ease, I'd be happy to help."
"Whether you believe it or not, I am now Galaxy Ranger, Acheron... and my visit to Penacony is solely for a long-held [last wish]."
Just as Acheron was about to continue, Ye Yan spoke up, "Don't worry, that [last wish] has been fulfilled. She was supposed to leave... but I brought her here as an employee."
Listen to this! Such absurd words, yet they sound so normal coming from Ye Yan's mouth.
"You also have a bubble tea shop in Penacony?"
It seems Ye Yan really loves milk tea. Welt, thinking back to his time as a member of the Astral Express Crew in ancient times, probably thinks there will be milk tea shops on every planet in the future.
Even so, it couldn't dispel Welt's suspicions about Acheron's identity. "Miss Acheron, you still refuse to reveal your true identity?"
That's a bit dishonest, considering that a Aeon has already revealed his identity... But you can't say that, Ye Yan is an exception.
"It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I can't... I've walked too long a path, and I can't explain in a few words all that has been done to me."
"Everyone has a past they find hard to talk about, secrets they don't want to easily reveal... I won't ask too many questions about why the Astral Express is carrying a [ Stellaron ] on its journey through the galaxy."
"Is she alright? That Memokeeper... didn't do anything, did she?"
Acheron was very concerned about Xing's situation. After all, she had heard from Fulisina that Xing was the next Chair of the Church of Eternity. She couldn't comment on having someone with Stellaron in their body as the Chair.
"Xing is not in danger. Let's get back to our previous topic. Gaining my trust depends on how much you're willing to reveal."
Aside from her "last wish," based on Welt's understanding of Ye Yan, it's impossible that she was just brought in to work at the milk tea shop; there must be a secret mission involved.
Acheron didn't hide anything from Welt: " Penacony's secret... may be closely related to the past [ Trailblaze ]."
"Therefore, I have come to seek your help... I do not have enough evidence, but I would like to suggest a possibility: the source of all the tragedy lies lurking within the Family."
"If you're willing to trust me, we can work together to find facts to corroborate this."
Acheron glanced at Ye Yan, "What's his opinion?"
"Me? I don't need to." Ye Yan waved his hand, refusing directly; he didn't have time to join in the fun.
Welt then continued Ye Yan's words:
"Share your findings with me—just the two of us. I don't want to interfere with other people's judgment with ambiguous speculation before we find conclusive evidence."