(T/N): I've been a bit busy for the past two days so updates I may temporarily slow down my usual updating (or my usual update time may change). Also never try to pose chapters while doing something else the same time because I ended up posting the chapters in the wrong order😭
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The boisterous bar finally quieted down, the lingering warmth of the feast still in the air.
Himeko walked alone towards the bar counter, her mood exceptionally good tonight, a gentle and captivating smile always gracing her lips.
"Hello, I'd like to settle the bill."
She handed the payment terminal to the waiter, her movements elegant and unhurried.
The waiter took the terminal, and after a few operations, smiled and handed her a long bill.
"Alright, ma'am. Your total consumption is 1,173,400 Credit Points. We've rounded down the odd change for you. Would you like to pay directly?"
The perfect curve of Himeko's lips froze.
She momentarily thought she had misheard due to her excessive joy.
"...How much?"
The waiter straightened his posture, his voice utterly clear: "One million one hundred seventy-three thousand..."
"Stop."
Himeko raised a hand to interrupt the waiter.
She took the bill and scanned it from top to bottom.
The first few tens of thousands of Credit Points for drinks and meals were perfectly normal, entirely consistent with the expenses of a grand party.
It wasn't until she saw the last line that Himeko's blood vessels pulsed uncontrollably.
"[Store's Treasure · Stelle Sea Embers (Collector's Edition)... 1,000,000 Credit Points.]"
The 'Ordered By' column clearly stated two characters: Phainon.
A scene automatically formed in Himeko's mind.
Phainon, expressionless, leaned against the bar, and in a calm, unperturbed tone, as if he had only ordered a cup of Sulleda, said to the waiter: "Give me the most expensive bottle."
That brat!!!
The waiter noticed her change in expression and thoughtfully explained:
"Ma'am, the Stelle Sea Embers ordered by Phainonwas not finished; there's still more than half a bottle left. According to our rules, you can choose to store it here at our establishment, or take it with you directly."
Himeko's facial muscles twitched slightly, a forced smile on her face.
She could clearly hear the roaring rush of blood beneath the veins in her forehead.
Take it with her?
To take it back for that brat to drink like a beverage?!
She gritted her back teeth, "Now, pay!"
Ding—
The crisp sound of Credit Points being deducted was like a small hammer, precisely striking Himeko's heart.
She retrieved the terminal and turned to leave.
Her back remained composed and elegant, only her eyes, however, burned with a murderous intent named "education."
She pulled out her phone, her fingers pressing firmly as she sent a message to Welt: "Welt, where is Phainon?"
Soon, Welt replied: "He is on the Astral Express, seemingly looking for Black Swan with Stelle and the others."
"Very good," Himeko murmured, putting away her phone and striding towards the train.
—
That night, in the Astral Express's observation car, the atmosphere was somewhat anxious.
"Miss Black Swan? Are you there? If you're not, at least make a sound!"
March 7th paced back and forth in the carriage, peering around, finding nothing.
"I think I saw a flash of light just now... and then she was gone," Stelle recalled, chin in hand, not entirely certain.
Suddenly, Stelle remembered there was a special "resident" on the train.
With a 'let's try it' attitude, she quietly approached a full-length mirror in the corner.
"Hey, is anyone there?"
The mirror's surface rippled, and a small girl wearing a helmet peered out.
"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Do you know where Black Swan went? She suddenly disappeared in Penacony."
The Memokeeper in the mirror pondered for a moment before replying:
"She returned to the party car quite early. It's just... she glimpsed a memory that was too vast and needed some time to digest it. I think she should be almost ready now."
Stelle's curiosity was piqued: "How could someone as powerful as she fall for that? So, what exactly did she see?"
The Memokeeper gave a wry smile,
"That is a past too heavy to bear. I advise you not to touch it."
It would have been better if she hadn't said that; by saying so, Stelle's curiosity was successfully aroused.
"I bet it has something to do with Phainon, right? Can you show me?"
"I am a law-abiding Memokeeper, and I absolutely do not do such things." The Memokeeper shook her head and added,
"Oh, and remember to call Phainon. It's better if you both go to see her together."
Stelle nodded thoughtfully: "Alright."
Then, she turned and announced to everyone in the observation car: "I've found Black Swan's whereabouts!"
March 7th gave her a suspicious look: "Found her? Didn't you just talk to a mirror for ages? Was that really a magic mirror from a fairy tale?"
Stelle's lips curved into a smile, hands on her hips: "No! Because I am a genius!"
"Let's go, Partner." Phainon came up behind Stelle. "It's better to go see Miss Black Swan first."
Before heading to the party car, his gaze lingered for a moment on the shattered full-length mirror... Soon, the two arrived at the party car.
Stelle and Phainon pushed the door open and immediately saw a familiar figure.
Black Swan, like a disheartened traveler, was slumped dejectedly over the bar counter.
The "Shut Up" robot on the bar counter flashed theirlights, executing their comforting program.
"Detecting that Miss Black Swan's mood is still low, it is recommended to tell some amusing jokes to boost her mood value."
"Since Miss Black Swan is a Memokeeper, would you like to hear some jokes about the Aeons?"
Seeing no reaction from Black Swan, "Shut Up" began to tell jokes to itself,
"In the era of the Swarm Disaster, the gods fought endlessly. One day, Qlipoth of Preservation found Tayzzyronth of Propagation and said to him: 'I know you are a very strong Aeon, but from today on, you don't need to be strong.'"
"Tayzzyronth asked: 'Huh? Why do you say that?'"
"Qlipoth replied: 'Because your wall has arrived.'"
"Joke analysis: 'wall' and'strong' are homophones, which is amusing."
Stelle's fists clenched.
"I'm going to take it apart."
"No rush." Phainon held her back. "I have a way."
The next moment, Phainon slowly walked towards the bar counter.
Black Swan sensed his approach, her body suddenly trembled, and she retreated to a seat three steps away, her eyes full of wariness.
Phainon didn't look at her, but instead said to "Shut Up": "I have a line I've treasured for a long time. Next time, you can perform it for Mr. Welt. I believe he will have a great emotional reaction."
"Shut Up" immediately replied:
"Thank you, Lord Phainon! As a robot striving for improvement, I have always pondered how to gain the affection of the Trailblazers. I am all ears."
Phainon leaned close to "Shut Up" and whispered for a moment.
He straightened up and asked with a smile: "That's it, did you remember?"
"Shut Up" emitted an electronic sound that could be described as "excited": "That's wonderful! I will definitely research the most emotionally resonant way to perform these lines!"
With that, it really walked aside and began to repeat the lines over and over.
"Power... destiny... ideals... I have, surpassed him..."
Stelle blinked, her face full of admiration: "Amazing, Partner."
Phainon nodded slightly, then turned and walked towards Black Swan.
"Miss Black Swan, stop hiding."
Black Swan watched him warily, her body still tense: "I'm fine now. With the help of other Memokeepers, I am slowly digesting that memory."
Phainon spoke calmly: "You should know why we came to find you."
"Don't worry." Black Swan took a deep breath, regaining a hint of a Memokeeper's composure, "I will guide the Astral Express towards Amphoreus."
But the next moment, she changed her tone, her brows furrowed tightly,
"Lord Phainon, even while you were still unconscious, I discovered that your soul was encrypted by an extremely sophisticated method. When I truly touched your memory, however, I found that—"
"It wasn't merely encryption; it was more like a... 'beacon'."
"I'm warning you, not out of curiosity."
She deliberately emphasized her words, her voice very low.
"I just hope you understand that the purpose of the entity who locked you up..."
"From the very beginning, it was to use you as bait to throw into the abyss!"