At Dreamflux Reef, Misha, along with Ye Yan and March 7th, successfully reunited with the Astral Express Crew and also met a burly, light-gold-haired man.
"Looks like everyone's here." Himeko counted the number of people and then introduced the blond man next to her to everyone.
"Perfect timing, let's meet Mr. Mikhail, one of the leaders of the Land of Exile. Mr. Mikhail, they are my companions."
"Greetings, fellow Nameless."
"You don't seem surprised to see us..."
"Haha, I've been keeping an eye on you all ever since you stepped into Penacony," Mikail explained with a laugh.
"It's a pity that if Dreamflux Reef and the Twelve Dreamscapes hadn't been separated long ago, we could have met in a more dignified manner."
"Let's get to know each other formally. I'm Mikail, the [Gravekeeper] of Dreamflux Reef."
"The gravedigger...?"
Xing was surprised; she didn't know Dreamflux Reef offered this kind of job.
Life on Dreamflux Reef is very free, and there's no organization to speak of. Everyone lives their own life, and we don't interfere with each other. All I can do is clean a few tombstones every day at set times.
" Mr. Mikhail is too modest. Whenever lost Dream Chaser are brought here, it is always Mr. Mikhail who takes on the responsibility of guardianship, either sending them back to their beautiful dreams or Church them how to survive in the chaotic dream world."
Hearing Misha's words, Welt remarked, "So she's a patriarch."
"Hmm? Mr. Welt, are you talking to me?"
"... Um?"
Upon hearing this, Welt and Himeko frowned, noticing something amiss.
" Mr. Mikhail, what kind of tombstone are you referring to?"
March 7th didn't understand; she and Ye Yan hadn't seen a cemetery on their way here.
"Hehe, calling them graves is just a few symbolic cenotaphs. Since Miss March 7th asked, why don't we go and see for ourselves? If I'm not mistaken, you should all find quite a bit of treasure there."
"However, before that, there is an important guest who will be accompanying you."
After Mikail finished speaking, he took over Misha's role as guide and led the way for everyone.
"This way, everyone. The roads at Dreamflux Reef are in disrepair, so watch your step."
Taking the opportunity, Xing walked over to Ye Yan and muttered, "Why didn't you tell me Firefly's identity? So she's a [ Stellaron Hunters ]?"
Xing then thought of Fulisina's attitude towards Firefly. No wonder she kept it from her; it turned out the Church of Eternity was cooperating with the Stellaron Hunters.
It's the Interastral Peace Corporation [ Strategic Investment Department ], it's the Family, and now there's a Stellaron Hunters. Chair Blake must be having a tough time.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner
The Robin smiled and patted one of the children on the head, "You all sang wonderfully! I rarely try this style of music, and I learned a lot!"
"I really don't know how to thank you, Miss Robin. The children have made such great progress in just a few days," said the hunchbacked old man next to Robin with satisfaction.
" Ms. Grisha, I only Church them how to speak, but it was you who Church them to have hope for life."
After saying that, she seemed to remember something, and her tone became somewhat heavy. "... Life in reality must be very tough, right?"
The elderly woman named Grisha paused for a moment, then said, "You noticed."
"Each time we said goodbye, the children were reluctant to leave this land of dreams. But I walked through every corner of Dreamflux Reef and visited every person, and they all told me that this shattered dream... was not worth cherishing."
"Heh, no wonder he's hailed as the 'son of humor' by all."
As Grisha introduced the four children to the Robin, she said, " Emma and Andy are orphans I adopted, Caro, who is blind, works in the nutrition center on the outer ring of Penacony, Gary has had autism since childhood."
"They are not yet adults, and they cannot live up to the Family's dreams."
"If people are likened to birds, these children are like fledglings born with incomplete wings. But in this dream, they are given complete wings, and although they fly with stumbles and falls, they are soaring through their own strength."
"As for me, an old man who has lost both legs... without this dream, I wouldn't even be able to reach them."
The Robin looked at Grisha, "I'm so glad you've started a new life in Penacony's dream. But..."
She wanted to say something more, but the old man stopped her.
"Don't worry, Miss Robin. Dreams have meaning, but they're not everything. My children and I understand that. No matter how long we fly in our dreams, we always have to fly back to reality eventually."
"But look, Emma and Gary are no longer insecure, Caro is gradually learning how to cope with the challenges of blindness, Andy is much more lively than before, and even I have become more optimistic."
We Guild to live in our dreams, then return to reality... Guild to survive.
The Robin understood this deeply. "... if one's wings are unfortunately damaged, then lend one another's wings."
"There's no need to yearn for the illusory sky of dreams, for we have the right and the ability... to fly towards a wider world."
Snap snap snap snap snap snap!
A burst of powerful applause suddenly rang out behind them.
The Robin turned around and saw a man in a black and white priest's robe sitting leisurely on the rusty iron railing.
The Robin naturally recognized the face... and the infinity cross on his chest, a symbol of Eternity.
"A very good speech, Miss Robin." Blake gracefully raised his hands, as if in a hymn. "Especially your last sentence, it resonated with me deeply."
" Mr. Blake?"
As he moved, a soft holy light shone from behind him, like a warm veil, gently enveloping him and bringing a sense of Eternity peace.
This light did not make people uncomfortable; on the contrary, it brought a pure warmth.
But shouldn't this Church Chair be at the Morning Dew Mansion right now, discussing the content of the [ Charmony Festival ] with her brother?
Why would Blake appear in this remote corner of Dreamflux Reef?
"Even a bird with broken wings has the right to spread its wings and fly..." Blake slowly lowered his hand, holy light flowing around him, "But... Miss Robin better than anyone that the wings of dreams are ultimately just an illusion."
Blake's gaze shifted to the bewildered yet hopeful children, his tone tinged with an indescribable pity:
"When they leave the shelter of this beautiful dream, when they lose this protective umbrella, how will the cold winds of reality tear apart their already fragile wings? Where... should they go?"
He paused for a moment, maintaining a gentle smile on his face.
"Of course, I'm not questioning the good intentions of the [ The Family ] in creating this beautiful dream. It's just... the Church can fill this gap, giving them something 'real,' allowing the crippled fledgling to soar high in the sky once more."
As soon as he finished speaking, to the astonishment of the Robin, Grisha, and the children, Blake's finger traced an elusive path through the air.
Five cups of milk tea, each a different color, appeared out of thin air above his outstretched palm, hovering steadily.
"This one is sugar-free, so even older people can drink it." Blake smiled and gently handed one of the warm milk teas to Grisha.
"Wow! A golden-haired big brother!" Emma's eyes lit up instantly as she pointed at the floating milk tea. "Are you doing magic?"
In the blink of an eye, the four children had gathered around Blake, their little faces full of surprise and anticipation.
Blake bowed slightly and handed the remaining four cups of milk tea to each child.
"In a sense, it really is a magic trick."
"This is merely a trivial, even poorly executed, imitation of the supreme power of our Lord... Please forgive me."