Chapter 324: Penacony Arc 『 Part Nineteen 』, The Unbreakable Cycle of the Penacony
「 "What are you looking at?" Stelle asked suddenly.
In the next heartbeat, the girl's gentle expression returned to its usual calm. She offered Stelle a perfectly measured smile.
Her voice was a bit stiff as she spoke: "…There's no time to lose. Why don't I show you around?"
A playground stretched out before them. After Hotaru gave Stelle a brief introduction, she exchanged some Aideen Tokens for her, encouraging her to enjoy herself. Midway through, Hotaru mentioned she was going to get two drinks; however, by the time Stelle had spent every last token, Hotaru still hadn't returned.
"Hotaru is taking forever… Why isn't she back yet?"
Stelle scanned the area and spotted Hotaru standing by a nearby drink counter. She approached her, and the two began to chat over their drinks.
"…I'm truly grateful that you chose to help me. Because of that, I'm able to introduce you to this dreamscape—it's a place that's willing to accept me, even though I don't belong here. I love it, and that's why I wanted to… share it with someone else." Hotaru looked at Stelle with genuine sincerity.
"Wait… are you actually an intergalactic stowaway?"
Hotaru clutched her chest nervously: "I... I'm a lawful resident... at least now I am..."
As she finished, her gaze flickered toward the distance before she warily pulled it back—unconsciously, she lowered her voice and beckoned Stelle closer. She had a question she was desperate to ask.
"…Tell me, did you travel here alone?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Mob Psycho 100 World〜
Inside the Spirits and Such Consultation Office—
The air conditioner hummed softly. Reigen Arataka sat with his legs crossed, twirling a ballpoint pen. Upon seeing Hotaru's question to Stelle, he couldn't help but let out a series of clicking "tsk-tsk-tsk" sounds.
"You see, Mob?"
He pointed importantly at Hotaru on the celestial screen, wearing the expression of a seasoned veteran who had seen it all.
"Women like this—beautiful, pitiful, fragile… they're all scammers!"
"Uh… what?"
Mob didn't react immediately, looking up blankly.
Dimple floated nearby, looking utterly disdainful.
"Hey, hey, Reigen, don't go filling Mob's head with dangerous, wrong-headed ideas. Where's the scam? Have you ever seen a scammer who starts by dropping twenty thousand credits on their mark?"
Reigen remained unfazed, waving a hand dismissively.
"Heh, I've seen right through her—through every fiber of her being. This woman has been signaling her accomplices from the very beginning—just like now! She looked away again. Does she really think such a clumsy trick can fool anyone?"
"Do you have a persecution complex or something? If you're sick, get help; don't influence Mob,"
Dimple rolled his eyes.
"So, tell us, what is she trying to steal?"
"Emotions and money, obviously. Both at once."
Reigen spread his hands, looking at Dimple with contempt.
"How could a beautiful girl just fall from the sky and like you for no reason? Even in Penacony, that kind of daydream doesn't happen. Those twenty thousand credits were just bait, cast out to make Stelle feel guilty so she'd be easier to hook later!"
"Look, she's already asking if Stelle came to Penacony alone. What does that tell you? Hmm?"
Mob stared down at his teacup, dazed.
"Master… what does it mean?"
"It means she's already planning her exit strategy for after she's swindled her out of her money and her heart, just in case Stelle comes looking for her."
Reigen looked pained and regretful.
"Alas, Stelle is still young. To fall in love with a female scammer like that… she can't handle such an illusory romance… It should be left to me. I'll talk to Miss Hotaru; I'll handle this for Stelle's sake!"
Dimple promptly delivered a sharp flick to the back of Reigen's head.
"You bastard! That was your real motive all along, wasn't it?!"
—
「 "I am. At least for now," Stelle replied with a slight smile.
"I see. I understand… You might have realized it, or maybe not, but I've been taking you the long way around, visiting all sorts of places. That's because…"
Hotaru's gaze sharpened: "…Because someone is following you."
Stelle started to turn around, but Hotaru immediately stopped her: "—Don't look back. I'm certain his target is you. He hasn't lost us since we said goodbye to Mr. Gallagher. I wondered if he might be a friend of yours, but my intuition tells me otherwise."
Hotaru closed her eyes, recalling the details: "He's about one hundred and eighty centimeters tall, give or take two centimeters. He has a sturdy build, clearly well-trained. His stride is long, but his footsteps are silent—very light. That kind of footwork leaves no trace…"
"…It seems he's an expert in combat—the stealthy kind. His palms are broad, but his fingers are long and nimble. I'd guess he's accustomed to using blades. Short swords, daggers…"
"Do you know someone like that? A burgundy coat, green eyes, deep blue hair…"
Hotaru opened her eyes and looked warily behind Stelle: "Ah... He's coming our way!"
Stelle whipped around, coming face-to-face with Sampo's trademark swindler's grin and his fly-like hand-rubbing.
"Yo, if it isn't my loyal star customer—the Trailblazer sister herself!" Sampo waved at Stelle. "It's been a long time, hasn't it, dear?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Type-Moon World, Today's Menu For The Emiya Family Worldline〜
"Wait, isn't this guy supposed to be in Belobog?"
Rin Tohsaka's eyes widened.
"Has Jarilo-VI already achieved interstellar warp capabilities for space travel?"
Saber set her teacup down gently.
"Perhaps Belobog has flourished once more with the IPC's assistance? Or perhaps…"
She frowned slightly.
"His fellow Masked Fools brought him to this land of dreams."
Shirou Emiya scratched his head.
"Well, either way, it's actually kind of nice to see a familiar face here…"
Rin suddenly noticed Archer's unusual silence. He stood with his arms crossed, saying nothing, his sharp gaze locked firmly on Hotaru.
"Archer? What are you thinking about?"
Rin waved a hand in front of his face, thinking he was zoning out.
Red A gave a soft huff and shook his head.
"Forget the swindler. Clearly, this girl named Hotaru is the one worth watching. She was able to determine his height, dominant hand, and even his weaponry through distant observation alone, and her conclusions were flawless. That kind of insight… it only belongs to someone who has crawled their way out of a mountain of corpses."
"Indeed… such precise intuition and judgment are not things an ordinary person can easily achieve."
Saber nodded, agreeing with Archer's assessment.
"…This girl is likely strong… No, she is exceptionally strong."
—
「 "Um... this gentleman is?" Seeing how familiar Stelle was with him, Hotaru lowered her guard slightly.
Hearing this, Sampo pouted in dissatisfaction: "Oh, come on, Miss March, you don't remember me? After all the help I gave you back in Belobog…" 」
「 ..... 」
( Translator-kun: It's a bit late, but the Himeko SP, Himeko Nova gameplay is finally out in version 4.4, and she's rocking a freaking mecha! This time she's wielding a lance instead of a sword, so no more 'last lesson.' )