Bang!
Himeko landed steadily on the top floor's platform. Before her stood a magnificent door adorned with dazzling gems.
Even someone as experienced as Himeko couldn't help but marvel inwardly at the extravagance.
Gems, gold… these were the limits of an ordinary person's imagination, yet here they were mere construction materials.
Click click click—
As if sensing Himeko's arrival, the door automatically swung inward, releasing a bone-chilling cold that froze part of the surrounding area.
"…Mr. Mikhail, I'm here?"
Though the door opened on its own, Himeko politely called out. Only after hearing a "Come in" from inside did she step forward into the room.
…This was practically an icebox!
Upon entering, Himeko immediately felt the temperature drop by dozens of degrees. Even with her exceptional physical condition, she couldn't help but feel a slight discomfort.
She'd once regretted not visiting Jarilo-VI to experience its snowy world firsthand, but now that regret was likely satisfied—she could even see polar bears and penguins frozen into ice sculptures.
"Welcome, Navigator of the Astral Express, my junior, Miss Himeko."
At the center of the room, by a long table, Mikhail swiveled his chair to face Himeko, raising a golden goblet. "Please, have a seat."
"…Mr. Mikhail, hello."
Though her heart was filled with urgency, since she'd made it this far, Himeko didn't mind sparing a few seconds. After all, she was here to ask for help. Regardless of his connection to the Astral Express, she needed to show a respectful attitude.
They sat across from each other. Mikhail poured a glass of wine, smiling. "Before the banquet officially begins, I have a small question… Miss Himeko, as far as I know, the current Astral Express has five Nameless, correct?"
"Where are the other four? Did I do something to upset them, making them unwilling to meet me?"
Himeko shook her head, quickly explaining, "How could that be? You're a senior of our Express, and the revered Chairman of Penacony. My companions all admire you greatly."
"It's just… something major happened. One of our companions was attacked by a creature called the 'Capitalist Bird' in The Reverie Hotel within the dream, and now her fate is unknown."
"But since the death occurred in a dream, I earnestly request your assistance in helping us save our companion."
"Something happened, huh…"
Mikhail murmured, casually swirling his goblet. "Miss Himeko, I'd be happy to assist you, but before that, I have one more question for you to answer."
"What is it?"
"Do you think I… resemble the Mikhail you had in mind?" Mikhail said with a faint smile.
Hearing this, Himeko was momentarily stunned. Her warrior instincts began to warn her that something was off about this person's demeanor.
The inexplicable challenges earlier, the eerie chill in this room—through it all, this Mikhail seemed devoid of emotional fluctuation, as if he didn't care about anything that happened.
This attitude didn't even seem human.
Himeko's eyes narrowed slightly. "…What do you mean? Who… are you?"
Though the literal meaning was clear, combined with the setting, tone, and prior events, Himeko sensed something was wrong.
Could this person not be Mikhail?
"Me?" Mikhail thought for a moment. "To be precise, calling me 'Mikhail' isn't entirely accurate."
"My name is actually Mick."
"Hmm… fine. To help you understand the situation, let me tell you a story."
…
In a warm room:
"Penacony is a beautiful dream dedicated to all dreamchasers. The radiance of the Star of Festivities should not be buried by gold; the sweetness of soda should not be tainted by the stench of money."
An elderly man sat at an old desk, muttering to himself, "But… what else can save this world?"
"Razalina, Tiernan, Hanu… after you all left, I'm alone and can't do anything, nothing at all…"
Suddenly, the old man's gaze fell on a pocket watch on the desk, a glimmer of clarity flashing in his cloudy eyes—
Yes… yes, it's not time to despair yet.
There was still the Astral Express that brought him here all those years ago. He still missed it dearly, and he believed the Express would, as it did for him long ago, bring new hope to Penacony.
He had to prepare something for his juniors.
A guide to unveiling the truth, Penacony's original secrets, proof of his life's existence, and a small amount of power… all these he would leave to the future Nameless. This was his unwavering trust in [Trailblaze].
"No… it still feels lacking."
Though he had already secured all his treasures, the old man felt it wasn't enough. His gaze swept the room, finally landing on a small golden Clockie statue on the desk.
Well, you can't take these things with you in life or death, so he might as well leave it to the youngsters. At the very least, it would ensure they had enough capital to navigate the cosmos.
Let it be his repayment to the Astral Express as a Nameless.
…
—"No! What have you done?!"
As the old man shattered his body into seven pieces, one of the fragments, now an incarnation, roared furiously at his fading consciousness:
"Why did you give my money… my money! All of it to the Astral Express?!"
"Why?!"
The incarnation threw a copy of the pre-prepared transfer contract at the old man's feet, demanding again, "Why?!"
"…Sigh."
The old man let out a heavy sigh. His memoria was fading, and he gave no answer.
Seeing no response, the incarnation grew even angrier. "No! You can't do this to 'us'!"
"'We' are your incarnations! Your incarnations! 'We' are the rightful heirs to the fortune!"
"Sigh…"
The old man finally spoke, using the last of his memoria. "No, it doesn't belong to you."
Doesn't belong to "us"?
The incarnation was puzzled, then incredulous, and finally, all emotions turned into a raging fury. He screamed hysterically, "Why?"
"Why?"
"Why?!"
…
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a few seconds, Himeko averted her gaze with slight disdain. "Sorry, I'm not Mikhail."
"…!"
Mick, who had been practically shouting in Himeko's face, froze instantly. He awkwardly turned away, adjusted his composure, and when he faced her again, he had regained his initial air of superiority.
"Let's get back to business, Miss Himeko. The reason I invited the Express here was for the shares Mikhail transferred."