Chapter 351: Penacony Arc 『 Part Forty-six 』, The Promised Neverland of the Penacony
〜Type-Moon World, Carnival Phantasm Worldline〜
"Oh? Another one has fallen already?"
Gilgamesh sat languidly upon his throne, his slender fingers rhythmically tapping the rim of a golden chalice brimming with fine wine.
He watched with palpable interest as the lingering trace of agony flickered across Robin's visage.
"That mad dog is proving quite entertaining; to think it would turn its fangs upon the very master who keeps its leash. I wonder what sort of expression Sunday is wearing now. Hmph…"
Gilgamesh narrowed his crimson eyes.
Kotomine Kirei stood shrouded in the shadows, his deep, resonant voice drifting from behind the King of Heroes.
"No… from the looks of it, this Memory Zone Meme has no connection to the Family. It is possible—"
"Kirei."
Gilgamesh took a slow sip of the vintage, cutting him off with a chilling indifference.
"Do not tell me you intend to bore the King with another of your tedious conspiracy theories. First, you surmised that Duke Inferno was the mastermind, playing some grand game of chess, only for him to be crushed like a common insect by Acheron. Every development in Penacony has slipped through your fingers… Your theories are no longer even amusing."
"As you say."
Kirei's hand moved to the crucifix at his chest, his head bowing slightly.
"Kirei, there is no need to guess the outcome of this Penacony dream. One needs only appreciate the spectacle."
Gilgamesh chuckled softly, his golden earrings swaying with the movement.
"I find myself quite fond of that Fool lately. That woman's appearance has made this slaughter far more exquisite. I truly wish to see her cast more and more souls into this primordial dream… to watch them tear at one another alongside that mad dog. It might prove more diverting than the mongrels' colosseum."
—
「 Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Sunday stood solitary upon the streets of the Golden Hour, gazing toward the distant, floating theater.
"…"
As a long sigh escaped him, a familiar voice echoed from behind.
The deceased Robin had somehow reappeared. "Brother, I'm back."
Sunday's tone shifted, adopting a relaxed cadence. "…Welcome back. How are the preparations for the performance?"
"They're going well, don't worry," Robin replied with a gentle nod.
"Going well?" Sunday's gaze suddenly turned cold. "Mmm, that simply won't do… You are the pride of the Family. Do not let such superfluous emotions tarnish your perfect resonance."
"I… I understand." Robin's tone turned to one of concern. "Brother, you look a bit downcast… Did something happen? Is it because of the guests who received the 'Watchmaker's' invitation?"
"Indeed. I received a report… 'Death' has taken one of them. Perhaps at someone's behest. Ah, my apologies. I forgot you've only just returned; you wouldn't know of this yet." Sunday lowered his eyes.
"I know not when it began, but a nightmare named 'Death' has descended upon Penacony. It strikes indiscriminately, bringing the death of the spirit equally to all…"
"But in the beautiful dream constructed by the Family, no misfortune should ever occur. It has gravely disrupted the order and peace of the dreamscape… How loathsome."
Robin asked worriedly, "To think such a thing happened… then… has someone else fallen victim?"
"Yes. Two in total. A stowaway, and…" Sunday closed his eyes. "…You."
"That is enough, Fool. Your antics leave me cold."
Before he had even finished, the Robin behind him had transformed into a black-haired girl with twin tails. Sparkle beamed, offering a chirping compliment: "Sharp as a tack, aren't you~ Chicken Wing Boy?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Fullmetal Alchemist World〜
"That absolute brat of a woman…"
Edward's automail emitted a harsh, grinding screech.
"She actually transformed into his sister right in front of him? That's taking a joke way too far! If she were here right now, I'd punch that disgusting look right off her face!"
He took a sharp breath.
"Calm down, Brother. That's just how the Masked Fools are…"
Alphonse's armored hand rested gently on his brother's shoulder.
"What do you mean 'just how they are'? She must know what happened to Robin! To take pleasure in someone else's pain… Honestly, the Family should never have invited the Masked Fools in the first place. They're just here to sow chaos. When she dropped Stelle and Hotaru into the primordial dream, she didn't care if it killed them! Those Fools are nothing but a pack of lunatics!"
"The Fools are here to pour oil on the fire, to force the situation forward, but Brother, think about it. A Fool is a double-edged sword. While she put Hotaru and Stelle in danger, she also brought them one step closer to the truth of Penacony.""
Alphonse said.
"Alphonse, are you saying… that this double-edged sword is about to cut Sunday?"
"It's a possibility."
Alphonse's voice echoed hollowly within the armor.
"But one thing is clear: with Robin dead, the Charmony Festival will hardly proceed smoothly. Once this news spreads through Penacony, it will cause a massive upheaval. How to suppress this matter is likely Mr. Sunday's most pressing concern."
—
「 Sunday turned around slowly. "The Odes of Harmony talks about honesty — 'The words of a fool begin with foolishness and end in treacherous arrogance'...… Please leave. THEIR dreamscape doesn't welcome you."
"Oh come on, lighten up! Why so serious with all the quotations and references?" Sparkle giggled. "I'm just curious — now that things have come to this, is The Family still unwilling to fight? I mean, your darling sister's already a goner, right?"
Sparkle's tone gradually turned frigid. "Don't you… Want to avenge her?"
Sunday looked away. "It's not yet time. When the fated day arrives, I shall mete out justice with unyielding righteousness."
Sparkle's eyes lit up, and she showered him with mock praise. "Impressive! You can actually endure this~ what a cold-blooded guy. Hey, maybe we'd actually get along?" Sparkle beckoned with a finger. "How about this? I can stand in for your sister at all the events—you definitely don't want people knowing… that the Charmony Festival can't be held anymore, right?"
Sunday turned his head away in disgust. "The Family has its own arrangements. Do not tarnish my dear sister further with your deceitful tongue, Fool."
Sparkle pouted, wearing a wounded expression. "Fine, fine~ I was just saying… if you need me, I'm always here to help. Who could say no to a boy with studs in his chicken wings?"
With that, Sparkle departed with a beaming smile.
"There's no need. The malefactor has been exposed under THEIR radiant gaze and will soon fall by their own machinations."
"Should the transgressor fail to turn away from this path, THEIR sword will be honed, THEIR bow strung, causing the malevolence the perpetrator spreads to befall them."
Sunday looked up at the neon-drenched night of the dreamscape. "When that time comes, the heathen will realize they are but a mere mortal, doomed to descend into the netherworld."
"...And I will join THEIR vanguard to announce this good news(funeral) to you personally, 'Watchmaker.'" 」
「 ..... 」