Some time later, aboard the Astral Express.
Today, Stelle unusually woke up early, ate a simple breakfast, and headed to the observation car to wait.
Today was no ordinary day because, in ten minutes, the train meeting would begin, with Conductor Pom-Pom announcing the crew's next destination.
Though Stelle already knew the outcome of this meeting.
The [Land of Dreams], Penacony, the [Star of Festivities] pioneered by the Nameless Mikhail, Razalina, and Tiernan, the domain of [Harmony]. Undoubtedly one of the most dazzling worlds in the galaxy.
It was a world rich in memoria, where people could enter dreams created by the Family through the "Dreamscape Pool," enjoying inexhaustible resources.
"Sigh, I hope there are fewer plot twists this time. In terms of dungeon difficulty, Penacony is several tiers higher than the Xianzhou."
Stelle rubbed her temples, murmuring to herself.
Ten minutes later.
"Everyone's here, pa!"
Pom-Pom stood in the center of the car, counting heads one by one: "Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, Himeko, Welt, and Shush. Alright, everyone's here, pa!"
"So... why is Shush joining the train meeting this time?" Stelle covered her face, asking helplessly.
She was already used to these unexpected situations.
"From a certain perspective, Shush is a mechanical lifeform, so it counts as one of our members, pa," Pom-Pom explained. "Besides, this Trailblazing expedition is different from the ones before."
Pom-Pom: "This time, our destination is the legendary [Land of Dreams], Penacony—a true vacation paradise with no danger. So, I called Shush out to give it a break too, pa."
Shush gave a slight bow to Pom-Pom: "Question: Why is a mirror always so grateful to others?"
Pom-Pom: "...Shush, don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Shush: "Because it's 'taken care of' by so many people every day. I mean, thank you for your care."
Pom-Pom: ...
Seeing this, Stelle couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. She had glimpsed a fraction of this version of Pom-Pom's quirks before. Perhaps because Aha had once boarded the train, this Pom-Pom always seemed to carry a hint of [Elation].
But a [Joyful] Pom-Pom being silenced by Shush? ...Ohhh! She got it!
So, this was the counter to Joy!
Cold jokes! They could freeze a joke solid!
"...Ahem, back to business. Although Penacony is renowned across the galaxy as the Star of Festivities, you should know that the brighter the light, the darker the shadows."
"While the salary conditions there are indeed top-notch, the corresponding work intensity... is outrageous. So, if you come across something like that, don't be too surprised."
Pom-Pom scratched its head: "And one more thing—I'd like to ask a favor of everyone, pa."
"Penacony's founder, Mikhail, was once a passenger on the Astral Express. When you get there, please pass on my regards to him and bring him a gift from me."
Stelle nodded: "Of course, no prob—lem?"
"Hm? What's wrong, Passenger Stelle? Do you have a question?" Pom-Pom asked, puzzled.
"Is Mikhail... still alive?" Stelle asked, shocked.
March 7th immediately pressed Stelle's head onto her lap, laughing: "Conductor, she's always been bad with words. Just keep going."
"'Is Mikhail still alive'?" Pom-Pom repeated Stelle's words, then burst into wild laughter:
"...Hahaha, if he knew his junior thought of him as a historical figure, his expression would be hilarious—"
Dan Heng cleared his throat, explaining helplessly: "Stelle, I think I know what you mean, but next time, try not to be so blunt."
"Penacony's father, Mikhail, was indeed a figure from ten Amber Eras ago, but with the galaxy's current medical technology, extending someone's life is almost as easy as eating or drinking—of course, provided you have the money."
"As far as I know, Mr. Mikhail was at Mr. Gallagher's concert just last month."
March 7th, still holding Stelle's head, smiled brightly: "Hear that? Think before you speak next time."
Stelle flailed her arms wildly: "Mmph mmph mmph—mmph! (I got it, I was wrong, I'm gonna die!!)"
A few minutes later.
—"The train is about to initiate a jump. All passengers, please prepare!"
Pom-Pom's cheerful voice came over the intercom: "Three, two..."
"..."
The broadcast suddenly cut off, as if the connection had dropped.
"...What's going on?" Stelle looked around in confusion, asking.
—"One!"
Just as everyone's attention wavered, Pom-Pom's teasing voice rang out abruptly again. The train lurched violently, and the crew, caught off guard, toppled to the side like dominoes—
As the train fully jumped, Stelle suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness hit her. Her eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and within seconds, she fell asleep on the spot.
...
When Stelle woke again, she was standing in the dim, quiet lobby of a hotel.
"This is..."
Stelle's thoughts gradually cleared. She remembered: at the start of Penacony's storyline, she would enter a dream due to memoria and meet the dentist... Acheron, seeing through the lens of [Finality] the people she would encounter in the future.
—[This is the Reverie Hotel.]
A line of text suddenly appeared before Stelle's eyes, as if answering her confusion.
"Huh?! What's that?"
Stelle instinctively stepped back, nervously eyeing the text.
—[No need to be so surprised, right? You're dreaming, after all.]
Stelle paused: That makes sense.
The hotel lobby's atrium stretched endlessly upward, filled with blue, swelling dream bubbles. Soda bottles floated in the air, a dreamy sensation that should belong to a beautiful dream but now felt somewhat eerie.
In the lounge area, Sparkle, Aventurine, Robin, Sunday... many characters she would meet in the future sat like statues, motionless.
—[Go forward. There will be a guide to lead you back to reality.]
The text shifted again, directing Stelle onward.
"Oh, oh, oh, right! I should find that ridiculously overpowered woman!"
Stelle had a sudden realization and followed the text's guidance toward the lobby's exit.
But then—
Stelle stopped in her tracks, looking at the future characters she would meet, and fell into thought:
Right now... they can't move, can they?