At the Golden Hour, in front of the Clockie statue...
Stelle found March 7th, who was there, feeling sad alone.
Seeing Stelle approach, she couldn't help but exclaim:
"Since even Miss Robin... isn't she part of the Family?"
Stelle comforted her, "This isn't the time to be down. We can try to find the culprit."
March 7th said with a headache:
"While I deeply regret what happened to Miss Robin, I'm also afraid that our Astral Express Crew might follow suit.
And you've been bullied several times already. There are too many bad people here. We should listen to Uncle Welt and Himeko."
Stelle, however, put her hands on her hips, a mischievous expression on her face.
"It's fine. Come on, bully me."
This left March 7th speechless: "You... what can I even say to you?"
Then March 7th's tone became a little somber again.
"Maybe it's too sudden, but I always feel like Miss Robin isn't dead. She's still alive and well somewhere? Everything is just a... prank..."
At this point, March 7th seemed to have thought of something, and her tone became high-pitched and confident.
"That's right, isn't this a dream? How could anyone die in the Dreamscape? Only good things should happen... right?"
Then March 7th shook her head: "No, no, I've overused my brain today. I can't let my thoughts run wild anymore."
Stelle interjected, "Are you suspecting the Family?"
But before March 7th could answer, another voice came from behind.
"No need to suspect. The Family does have problems."
Welt and Acheron walked over from behind, and Himeko, Dan Heng, and Black Swan also approached them.
"Any new discoveries?"
Himeko asked.
"Yes, Miss Acheron and I have already dealt with the Dream Master of Penacony."
Himeko frowned and asked:
"Problems?"
Welt nodded.
"Big problems. I suspect Penacony has already deviated from harmony and embarked on a more extreme path."
Dan Heng suggested at this time:
"Penacony is definitely not safe now. Based on the existing clues, the Family is no longer trustworthy. How about we temporarily return to the Astral Express? I have a premonition that a major event will definitely happen in the next two days."
Meanwhile, Stelle noticed someone sending her a message, so she lowered her head to look at her phone.
Welt pondered for a moment, then spoke.
"This is not a bad idea. The clash between the Family and the IPC will come sooner or later. Even if we ourselves are quite strong, it's unlikely we'll emerge unscathed from this clash."
March 7th thought for a moment and then hesitated, saying:
"Then should we send Jiang Lin a message? To retreat to the Astral Express together?"
After reading the message on her phone, Stelle, no longer joking, said very seriously:
"Aventurine just sent me a message. He said the IPC lost an employee on Penacony and has decided to use force to suppress all of Penacony."
March 7th listened to this, her face full of disbelief:
"Ah? It's going to be war already?"
Welt and Himeko's expressions also instantly became solemn.
Dan Heng was decisive and immediately picked up his phone to message Jiang Lin.
"I'll notify Jiang Lin and tell him to return to the Astral Express immediately. Things have developed to a point where we can no longer control them. We must return to the Astral Express as soon as possible."
Everyone nodded, indicating their agreement.
Stelle was a little worried at this moment. He looked at Dan Heng and asked:
"Will we warp away directly?"
Dan Heng thought for a moment and said:
"The Astral Express has enough defensive power to allow us to leave safely in the upcoming war."
Himeko spoke at this time:
"This is just to ensure that we don't sacrifice ourselves for meaningless things.
After all, neither the Family nor the IPC are easy to deal with. And our current trailblazing is far from over."
Welt also spoke at this time:
"If the subsequent developments remain grim, perhaps we'll have to consider our next destination. After all, in the face of a war, our strength will also seem insignificant."
March 7th sighed at this moment, "Sigh, I never expected something like this to happen before we came."
Acheron spoke at this time:
"The initiation of war means there are benefits to be gained. Whether for the Family or the IPC, as long as the cost is less than the potential profit, this matter cannot be stopped."
"If worse comes to worst, we can still use the Alliance Jade Abacus. In any case, let's go back first."
————
After Jiang Lin finished reading the message from Dan Heng, he looked up at Sunday.
"How are your preparations coming along?"
Sunday thought for a moment and said:
"Everything is ready. We can... anytime. But before that, I have to entertain another guest first."
As he spoke, Sunday looked towards the door, where a middle-aged man with short brown hair and a scruffy beard walked in.
"Labyrinthine corridors and halls, traps and mechanisms everywhere... The owner of this mansion seems a bit overly suspicious."
Gallagher looked at Sunday, who had his back to him, then looked at Jiang Lin.
"Oh? Is this gentleman here too? It seems you two have reached some kind of agreement that outsiders don't know about."
Sunday didn't turn around and spoke to Gallagher in a very indifferent tone.
"You're very humorous, Mr. Security Officer. I hope that sense of humor has helped you find the culprit of the serial murders."
Gallagher looked at Sunday again, his tone somewhat flippant as he said:
"Just expressing a personal opinion, what? Did I hit a nerve?"
Sunday turned around and looked at Gallagher with sharp eyes.
"Mr. Gallagher, my patience is limited. Inactivity—will only make me suspect your involvement with the real culprit even more."
Gallagher sighed helplessly.
"Sigh... Scoundrel, hooligan, drunkard, ruffian, I've heard too much of that garbage. But I never thought that one day I'd be accused of being an accomplice to a murderer."
As he spoke, Gallagher took a few steps forward, coming directly opposite Sunday.
Then Gallagher's tone changed, and he stared at Sunday, saying:
"I take back what I said. Your problem isn't being too suspicious. You're a lunatic, understand? A lunatic.
You—the Family—broke this old dog's spine, pulled his teeth, and now you're accusing me of murder.
Bastards, only idiots who've had too much Souldew would go crazy at a stray dog on the street."
Gallagher's tone became somewhat agitated as he continued to vent at Sunday.
"What is it that makes you keep talking nonsense here? Shouldn't you be more concerned about the IPC's fiery fleet than me?"
"No need to remind me." Sunday said, looking towards another direction, where there was a purple-black raven.
"My servant has brought me everything I want to know, and I have my own way to deal with it. In fact, I'm somewhat pleased to see the current situation."