Before continuing to watch the dream bubble's recorded content, Stelle suddenly realized something. This timeline was clearly over a thousand Amber Eras ago—why was there soap?
In her mind, soap had always been Pontiff Blake's signature tool. Adrian should've given milk tea instead.
Ah… now she understood why Pontiff Blake was obsessed with soap. So the real mastermind behind it all was Adrian! Truly "heinous"!
"Listen up. Today we're switching training locations. The commotion we caused before was too big—I got dragged in by the local sheriff for a lecture."
At those words, the silver-haired elf girl with cascading locks and slightly trembling pointed ears flushed crimson, like a freshly bloomed snow lotus kissed by dawn light.
She lowered her head shyly, long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, whispering an apology to Adrian: "…I'm very sorry, Lord Ite."
"(I can't—this is too dramatic with March's voice… but yeah, this totally feels like something she'd do.)" Stelle muttered while watching.
Adrian smiled and habitually reached out to ruffle Freesna's moonlit silver hair.
Emanators… you have to raise them from a young age. Train them well.
"L-Lord Ite, when do we start!" Freesna snapped her head up, earlier shyness instantly replaced by pure excitement. Her emerald eyes sparkled brilliantly.
This rare, almost leaping adorableness from the usually aloof priestess left the observing Stelle stunned.
The view suddenly zoomed out, shifting to a vast, boundless cosmic curtain. Flowing nebulae emitted dreamy, distant glows.
In this breathtaking expanse, an out-of-place [Tavern] abruptly intruded into sight. Adrian had already teleported there with Freesna.
At the same time, a pitch-black baseball bat appeared in the elf girl's hands.
"That's… an abandoned bar?"
"It does give off an unpleasant vibe." Adrian tilted his head, gaze settling on Freesna.
"Relax. Just like I taught you… take a deep breath first." He guided gently. "Then, swing this soap at the target with everything you've got."
"Mm!" Freesna nodded vigorously. Her silver hair floated gracefully in zero gravity. "A place like this—no one will get mad no matter how much we destroy it!"
She assumed her stance. A clear chant rang in Stelle's ears.
"Pure white sacred gem, sovereign of all realms… When ancient ice congeals, I am the arbiter of Eternity! Here I expose your sins… Ha!"
Freesna tossed the soap high. Her silver hair traced a luminous arc as she spun.
Twist hips, rotate shoulders, swing—fluid and flawless!
The instant the bat struck the soap, that unassuming little block erupted with unimaginable power. It transformed into a streak of light tearing through darkness, trailing a brilliant rainbow of stars, smashing precisely into the [Tavern]!
BOOM!
A burst far more dazzling and intense than fireworks exploded atop the tavern roof. The flash instantly illuminated the surrounding stardust debris.
The visual was absurdly over-the-top. Stelle instinctively rubbed her eyes—she was sure she hadn't inhaled any true sting bug wing powder.
"Wow! Beautiful home run!"
Better late than never—a familiar cup of milk tea appeared in Freesna's hand as reward.
—
The next day, same coordinates under the same brilliant starry river.
Freesna leisurely finished her milk tea, silver hair flowing with soft radiance under the starlight.
She raised the bat again, eyes focused like a hawk locking onto prey:
"Eternal Judgment!"
BOOM!
This time, the explosive brilliance outlined a massive, colorful [∞] symbol above the tavern.
"Almost there." Adrian stroked his chin in evaluation.
—
Third day. Adrian and Freesna stood side by side, both yawning sleepily. They'd arrived even earlier than before.
"The hour of reckoning is upon us! [Eternity] descends here!" As silver hair whipped through the air, the soap streaked out once more in blazing light.
"Hmm… passable." Adrian's comment remained brief.
—
For many "days" and "nights" after, Adrian would bring Freesna punctually within firing range of the [Tavern] and launch another soap.
Whenever asked the purpose, the answer was always simple: "Helping Freesna practice her baseball skills."
Who knows how long the training lasted. The scene remained that familiar [Tavern]… except now, a masked figure radiating pure irritation stood at the entrance.
"Hm? There's an obstacle." Freesna tilted her head slightly, silver hair cascading over her shoulder, curiosity flashing in her emerald eyes.
Adrian and Freesna stared blankly, their utter disregard instantly igniting the Masked Fool's rage:
"Every day! Every single day without fail—you two brain-dead idiots are the ones hurling soap bombs at the tavern?!!"
He jumped in fury, mask barely containing his wrath. "Bastards! You think I'm made of dough?! I'll make you experience… true pain…"
Before he could finish his threats, his vision locked onto the rapidly enlarging object streaking toward him—familiar, deadly, trailing that signature tail:
"Ha… Eternal Annihilation!" A bell-like voice rang out with the crisp crack of the bat.
"AAAAAHHH! Enough! Stop throwing soap!"
The Masked Fool's despairing scream was instantly swallowed by the explosion's roar.
...
"—That concludes this dream bubble's contents. How was your experience?" Doctor Edward's voice returned, pulling Stelle back to the dream.
"That's it?"
For some reason, Stelle felt a tiny pang of disappointment. She wasn't done watching yet.
"Haha, this bubble perfectly matched your subconscious desires! If you'd like to rewatch, you can purchase it for credits… and there's the other one…"
"I'll admit—these two bubbles are pricey. So, will you buy them?"
With hundreds of millions of credits to her name, Stelle wasn't stingy. One hundred thousand credits each—two hundred thousand total, done!
Hearing the payment chime, Doctor Edward's tone shot up: "Thank you very much! Looking forward to your next visit!"
"Oh, right! Since this is your first dream bubble experience—here's a [commemorative sticker] as a gift! Use it to decorate your dream passport and record your unique Penacony journey!"
Leaving the Dreamscape Vendor, Stelle heard commotion nearby and rushed over.
She found a silver-haired girl surrounded by security officers. Facing the scene, the Galactic Baseballer couldn't just stand by—she stepped forward to shield the girl.
Protecting cute girls was her duty!
"Heya~ buddies, she's got an accomplice!"
"Perfect! Take 'em both down!"
...
Seconds later, staring at the two downed officers, Stelle proudly raised her head.
"To beat me… you'd need at least Priestess Freesna!"
Stelle knew her strength clearly: invincible below Emanator level, one-for-one against them.
The late-arriving Gallagher looked at the still-struggling officers and helplessly helped them up:
"Alright, alright, kids—that's enough."
"S-Sir… we've… shamed you…"
The two officers exchanged glances and simultaneously stepped back, shielding Gallagher behind them.
"What kind of work is this? Open your eyes—this girl is the stowaway we're after?"
"Report, sir—this little lady is highly suspicious. It's definitely her!"
One officer stubbornly insisted on the silver-haired girl's guilt.
"Bullshit. Look again! The witness report said a silver guy—you grab a silver-haired girl instead? Same thing? And you picked a fight with a guest… then lost?!"
"Sir… you didn't have to say the last part…"
"Fine, scram. I'll handle this."
After shooing the officers away, Gallagher composed himself and turned to Stelle and the girl.
"Ah… terribly sorry you had to see that, honored guests. I'm Gallagher of the Bloodhound Family—those idiots are pups I'm raising."
"They're young and clueless. Misunderstood my orders and treated Penacony's esteemed guests like criminals… sigh, truly rude. On behalf of the Bloodhound Family, please accept my sincere apologies."
Now Stelle was confused. "Bloodhound Family… what's that?"
"The Bloodhound Family are guardians of the dream—handling security, including apprehending wanted criminals."
"We received reports of shady characters sneaking into Penacony under the festival's cover. With the Charmony Festival approaching, plenty have ill intentions…"
Noticing the silver-haired girl's uneasy expression, Gallagher continued:
"Don't worry, miss. I'm sure this was a misunderstanding. How could such a cute girl be a stowaway?"
"…Thank you. If you two hadn't helped, I really wouldn't know what to do."
Gallagher didn't press further. He left his contact info and departed.
"Thanks to your help earlier! Otherwise I might really… have been arrested."
"Galactic Baseballer—mission accomplished!"
Stelle transformed her mimicry bat into a bouquet of roses and placed it in the girl's hands.
"You're fun! But… I know—favors must be repaid!"
"I just noticed… you're a Nameless, right? First time in Penacony?"
The girl turned her concern to Stelle instead.
"Hiss… are Nameless that famous?"
Stelle thought to herself—she'd have to watch her image more carefully from now on. No paparazzi shots.
"I mean, you were invited by the Family, right? I… I can be your guide!"
Gathering her courage, the girl nearly forgot the most important part—introducing herself:
"Even though the Bloodhounds mistook me for a stowaway, I'm actually a local—from the Iris Family, performer [Firefly]! Though just a temp actress…"
"When I'm not performing, I also handle reception around Trax Avenue. If you don't mind, I can show you all sorts of fun things!"
"If I work hard… maybe they won't keep suspecting me…"