Click-clack, click-clack—
In the empty hallway, only the sound of footsteps echoed.
Black Swan and Sylvia walked side-by-side within this memory zone.
After learning that Sylvia had been brought here by Sparkle, Black Swan took the initiative to offer: she could guide Sylvia out of this place, back to the real world.
Though Sylvia felt she could probably find her own way back, it was best to keep one's trump cards hidden. Following Black Swan for now couldn't hurt.
More importantly, Sylvia wanted to know—as a Memokeeper, on this planet saturated with memoria, what information had Black Swan gathered?
"Miss Black Swan, what brings you here to explore?"
On the way, Sylvia asked this question once more.
Instead of answering directly, Black Swan began speaking of memory domains:
"Hehe~ I suppose I did forget to explain to you."
Black Swan suddenly blinked at Sylvia:
"The Family has extended invitations far and wide this time. The Garden of Recollection has come to document this historic moment. As for me... I wish to investigate the true dream of Penacony."
Hearing the term "true dream" suddenly brought up by Black Swan, Sylvia wasn't unaware—she did recall something like this being mentioned in the storylines she'd seen.
But hearing the words "true dream" from someone else's lips only reminded Sylvia of the strange reactions of the [Truth-Seeking Sigil] ever since entering the Asdana star system.
"Hmm, dear, you don't seem all that surprised."
Black Swan tilted her head slightly, a little puzzled by Sylvia's cool reaction.
In her eyes, Sylvia shouldn't have responded so indifferently.
"I'd heard rumors before."
"Oh? I wonder where you came by such information, little one? Your big sister is quite curious."
Black Swan was genuinely curious.
If what Sylvia said was true, then where exactly could one obtain such intelligence?
In Penacony, the Family essentially holds dominion, though thanks to their faith in Harmony, the experience isn't an oppressive one.
Black Swan believed that, even without prior understanding of Penacony, it was only through her skills as a Memokeeper and her adaptation to the environment here that she could uncover Penacony's secrets so quickly.
So how did Sylvia come to know of them?
"That's my little secret. Can't just tell anyone," Sylvia replied with a mysterious smile.
I heard it from you during the in-game story—that was certainly not something she could say.
Better to play mysterious; it might make others think twice.
Just then—
Thud— thud—
Heavy sounds emanated from behind the door at the end of the corridor.
Black Swan smiled slightly:
"Well... it seems our luck isn't great. We're about to run into a troublemaker. Would you like to take a detour?"
"No need. The monsters lurking here should be Memory Zone Memes, right?"
"Oh? So you're already informed about this aspect as well?"
Black Swan, intrigued, made a gesture of invitation. A strange weapon appeared in her hand, accompanied by floating cards:
"I wonder if you'd mind, dear, letting me see how you fight. Of course, I'll do my best to assist you."
Whoosh—
A soft hum rose from Sylvia's hand.
As flames flickered into being, a beautiful greatsword settled automatically into her grip.
With the sword's appearance, a melodious tune began to play within the quiet passageway.
"..."
It was so utterly silent here that the pleasant singing became glaringly conspicuous.
And since her recent vocal practice had shown results, Sylvia had coincidentally switched the audio source to her own voice.
Black Swan watched Sylvia with a smile, a slightly odd expression crossing her face.
She raised a hand to cover her mouth and chuckled softly:
"I must say, little one, your combat style is rather unique as well."
"...It's a method to enhance my state. Learned it from Robin. Not a peculiar habit," Sylvia hesitated, then chose to explain to Black Swan.
But Black Swan's expression didn't improve; instead, it gained a touch more amusement.
"I see. I'll remember that."
"..."
Looks like Black Swan didn't believe a word of it.
Sylvia felt a bit exasperated, though she knew her explanation sounded rather abstract.
After all, Robin conveys Harmony through song using her own voice and the power of her Path.
Using a recorded version and stuffing it into a greatsword for automatic playback just gives off a different vibe.
It really is hard to believe.
But in fact, Sylvia had truly triggered the effect of the skill [This Night, the Stars Echo for Me (Immortal Edition)].
Though there were no detailed stats, Sylvia felt her strength had increased by at least ten percent or more.
And if she could sing even better in the future, the boost could grow further.
Sylvia shook her head, deciding to ignore the current situation.
She strode forward and pushed open the door at the corridor's end.
As long as she herself wasn't embarrassed, then the embarrassment belonged to others!
Bang—
The door swung open in one push.
Inside a dimly lit hall, a towering dragon-like monster—with a body of purple crystal and armor of golden metal—was wantonly destroying everything in sight.
"ROAR—!!"
The creature, somewhat resembling a dinosaur from Sylvia's past-life memories, had relatively small forelimbs, thick hind legs, and a tail.
The moment it spotted Sylvia and Black Swan entering the room, it let out a piercing roar and charged straight toward Sylvia!
"So this is a Memory Zone Meme... It looks quite different in person."
Watching the dragon gallop toward her, Sylvia found it fascinating.
A body composed of such peculiar crystal-like material, yet it didn't move as if made of rigid crystal.
A core-like structure grew on its chest.
With its roar, Sylvia sensed a force surging toward her.
Boom—!
Sylvia flipped and swung her sword down.
The deep, spike-like protrusions piercing from the ground were engulfed by flames.
Along with the attacks aimed at Black Swan, all were swept away by the greatsword, shattered completely.
Black Swan floated mid-air, drifting slightly back, and asked with interest:
"Is this your first time seeing a Memory Zone Meme, little one?"
"Sure is."
Sylvia acknowledged, then flames roiled around her body. The armor of the Herrscher of Flamescion swiftly replaced her original attire.
Then, like a shooting star, she shot toward the towering dragon.
"ROAR—!!!"
Boom— boom—!!
The dragon, its attack blocked, angrily thrashed its tail. With its roar, its entire aura intensified.
The monster lowered its body and charged. As it closed in on Sylvia, its massive head swung down to crush her.
Just as Sylvia raised her sword to strike, a strange array suddenly appeared beneath the creature's feet.
Then, twisted, eerie giant hands—as if shattering a mirror—burst forth from the purple formation.
With tremendous force, they seized the monster by its throat and skull, flipped it over, and slammed it hard into the ground.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.