"Whatever the mastermind behind this scheme intends to achieve through the Charmony Festival... as long as the festival cannot proceed normally, they can accomplish nothing!"
On Penacony's Dreamscape Reef, Robin's voice rang with unwavering resolve.
"Hey, little bird," Herta's voice suddenly cut through the air, startling everyone as they began to breathe a sigh of relief. "Do you really think that just by refusing to take the stage, you can thwart the mastermind's entire plan?"
"Madam Herta, what do you mean...?" Robin, ever sharp, quickly grasped Herta's implication after a moment's thought. Still, she pressed her lips together and posed the question aloud.
Under the weight of everyone's gaze, Herta slowly began to speak. "If the mastermind's goal is to exploit the Charmony Festival for their own purposes, then besides you, they have another option..."
At this point, Herta glanced meaningfully at Robin before deliberately falling silent.
Robin: ...
Robin was no fool. Herta's words had been clear enough. She couldn't possibly misunderstand the implication now.
Yet Robin couldn't bring herself to believe that her own brother, Sunday—the brother who had made a promise to her—could actually be a remnant of the Order...
Yet... Herta's reminder forced Robin to cast a suspicious glance at Sunday.
Because he practically met all the criteria to be considered the "murderer": a member of the Family, holding a high position, and those comments he had made in the past...
"So that's it. If it's him, the possibility is quite high," Himeko and Welt both nodded in agreement after a moment's reflection.
"So who is it already?! Stop being so cryptic!"
"Can't you just say it clearly?!"
Looking at Robin's expression, then at Himeko and Welt's, March 7th's gaze finally settled on Herta. Hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out, she huffed indignantly.
Cryptic people, get the hell out of Penacony!!!
"There, there, go play somewhere else," Herta said dismissively, waving her hand as if shooing away a child.
March 7th: ...
"You—"
"It's Sunday. As the head of the Charmony Festival and the Head of the Oak Family of Penacony, he's currently one of the most likely suspects."
Seeing March 7th's expression, on the verge of exploding at Herta's patronizing tone, Lumina smiled and explained calmly.
"Ah, him? I knew he was up to no good," March 7th exclaimed, raising her dainty pink fist and shaking it in the air. To an outsider, she might have looked like an escaped lunatic from a mental asylum.
Robin: ...
"Ah, I'm sorry, Miss Robin! I didn't mean to say your brother is a bad person... No, wait, that's not right. I didn't mean to say anything bad about your brother... Er, that doesn't sound right either..."
A moment later, noticing the subtle shift in Robin's expression, March 7th frantically waved her hands, trying to explain she hadn't meant to insult Sunday. But no matter how she tried to rephrase her words, they all came out sounding awkward.
After all, Sunday clearly wasn't a good person...
"No, there's no need to apologize, Miss March 7th," Robin said after a moment, shaking her head. Her expression and tone gradually regained their earlier resolve. "If my brother is truly the mastermind behind all this, then I absolutely won't let him succeed!"
"Penacony's paradise, the paradise we siblings promised each other, will never be dominated by Order!"
Robin's voice rang with unwavering conviction, expressing the firmness of her resolve.
"Miss Robin, our immediate priority should be to find Mr. Gallagher and get a clear explanation from him," Himeko said, her voice calm.
Listening to Robin's words and observing her determined demeanor, Himeko, though showing no outward signs, could sense the girl's inner hesitation, doubt, and reluctance. To ease her discomfort, Himeko shifted the conversation's focus, drawing everyone's attention to Gallagher.
"Gallagher? Who's that?" Herta asked, her expression puzzled by the unfamiliar name.
"A thirteen-year-old child," Lumina replied matter-of-factly to Herta's question.
"Oh, just a brat then," Herta remarked, dismissing the matter with a shrug and returning to her usual indifference.
Under the suspicious gazes of everyone present, Lumina chuckled softly, her gaze settling on Himeko and the others. She spoke slowly, "You've likely already sent people to search for Gallagher, haven't you? Instead of standing here idly waiting, why not do something meaningful?"
"Didn't the Astral Express Crew entrust me with finding traces of the three Nameless? I've discovered some clues within Dreamscape Reef."
"Come with me. It's nearby, so you needn't worry about the Gallagher search party returning and not being able to find you."
Without further explanation, Lumina strode forward, leading the way.
Just before leaving, she deliberately elbowed Herta, as if saying:
"Come on, Little Herta, let's go."
"Don't treat me like your servant," Herta retorted, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes, before retaliating with a sharp elbow jab.
"Hmm, Little Herta, have you heard this saying before?"
"If the thought hasn't crossed your mind, you wouldn't have imagined it in the first place."
"So, Madam Herta, the #83 seat in the Genius Society and Emanator of Erudition, wouldn't possibly want to be my servant, would she?"
"No way, no way."
Lumina walked ahead, covering her mouth to muffle her laughter as she continued to mock Herta.
"Hmm... but if you got down on your knees and begged me, I might just consider it~"
"Get lost!"
If not for the others present, Herta would have already kicked Lumina squarely in the rear with her small foot.
Too arrogant! Herta thought coldly. If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll really think she's the master here.
Sensing the presence of several figures behind her, Herta decided to let Lumina off the hook for now.
As for the others behind her—excluding Himeko and Welt—their gazes remained fixed on Herta's retreating figure, practically itching to take her place and interact with Lumina themselves.
Himeko and Welt exchanged glances, their expressions clearly saying, "Are we third-wheeling here?" They sighed helplessly.
Miss Lumina and Madam Herta have such a close relationship, Welt and Himeko both mused inwardly.