Chapter 304: The Eyes of the Entire Universe! Sunday Takes Center Stage!
"I have understood your true intentions… I concede!"
"Beautiful! Beautiful! What a splendid duel! It is you all who have made me realize that to defend the beautiful name of Idrila, I must still temper and refine myself… What a beautiful lesson!"
"Go, my bosom friends, lovely lady, the crown of the auditions belongs to you…"
"I shall watch you from afar, bathed in the spotlight, and join the audience in offering my most sincere cheers and applause."
After a round of praise, Argenti stepped aside, clearing the path to the championship.
Cheers and applause rose and fell in waves.
A large number of orange-yellow Dream Bubbles floated in the air, looking like SoulGlad gushing out and standing in the sky.
Along with falling confetti and rising televisions…
It was a perfect championship atmosphere!
However,
On the final stage ahead.
What awaited the main cast was not an award ceremony.
But the person they had expected.
—Sunday!
Guinaifen instantly sat up in excitement!
She shouted at the screen, "Sunday! Here we come!"
"What kind of conspiracy do you still have? Lay your cards on the table already!"
…
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
"It's here, IT'S HERE!!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!"
"Oh no, why does he look like he's about to turn traitor?"
"Brother Sunday, you promised to take me to that ideal new world! You won't lie to me, right?!"
"There's still one system hour left! If Brother Sunday still has a conspiracy, we still have time!"
"Sunday is currently being watched by all eyes in the galaxy… If he really has some earth-shattering conspiracy, he will definitely become everyone's public enemy!"
"I believe in Brother Sunday! Even if he deceives me, he couldn't possibly deceive his sister!"
…
The Reverie Hotel.
The hotel lobby.
The number of guests arriving in Penacony had reached saturation.
The once-spacious lobby now seemed slightly crowded.
The Family had added several new sections for this purpose.
At this moment.
All sections were fully packed.
Many people were even forced to stand nearby.
The originally noisy chatter gradually quieted down…
Because the plot was about to reach its most critical stage!
—Sunday's storyline!
Although there were many people now.
Most people still had no idea about Sunday's philosophy and thoughts!
They were just waiting for this part of the plot!
Suddenly.
The atmosphere that had gradually quieted down became boisterous once again!
Escorted by security personnel.
The "highly anticipated" Sunday… actually arrived at the scene!
"Huh?"
"Am I seeing things?"
"Is that really Sunday, not Sparkle or someone else in disguise?"
"To dare to show his face at a time like this, as expected of you, Brother Sunday!"
"Very bold, maybe it also shows his confidence from another perspective!"
Sunday walked to the front desk.
This spot allowed him to face all the guests.
He spread his hands to signal everyone to quiet down.
Then,
He spoke, "Everyone, I am Sunday, the Oak Family Head of Penacony."
"As you can see, I have personally come to this venue…"
"To witness the upcoming plot of Honkai: Star Rail with all of you."
"If you have any doubts or misunderstandings about my actions in the plot, you may ask me directly."
"If I am suspected of harming everyone, you may also crusade against me immediately."
His voice was not loud.
But it clearly reached everyone's ears.
This composure and confidence made many people show expressions of admiration.
They became even more convinced of their decision to stay in Penacony.
The large screen in the hotel lobby unfolded like a scroll.
The game footage clearly appeared before everyone.
On the screen.
Sunday spoke, "Congratulations to the two of you on becoming the superstars of this Charmony Festival. Before entering the Grand Theater…"
"On behalf of the sponsors, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you. May you find joy under His light."
[ What are you doing here? ]
[ Have you already settled things with the Dream Master? ]
[ Only sincere congratulations? Where are my Stellar Jades? ]
Among the three options.
There was always one option that never disappointed!
Guinaifen decisively chose the third one, lamenting that the protagonist was straying further and further down the path of Elation.
Sunday replied, "Your efforts indeed deserve more rewards, and I have prepared accordingly. However, this reward is not material… but an opportunity to be open and honest with each other."
"As promised before, my sister, Mr. Welt, and I have met with the Dream Master. We held an in-depth discussion with him regarding the truth of Penacony and the Stellaron, and we reached a consensus—"
"—I, and the entirety of the Oak Family, cannot agree to your requests."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The crowd instantly erupted!
This meant that Sunday had officially stood on the opposite side of the Astral Express!
Of course, this was also within expectations.
Everyone continued to watch.
"We agree with the views of you Trailblazers. Penacony needs to change, but absolutely not in the way you demand. The Planet of Festivities must not, and will not, return to a chaotic, lawless dreamland where the strong prey on the weak."
"Having fought your way through, you should have more or less felt a microcosm of that era: the weak are ruthlessly eliminated, and equality is nonexistent. In cruel competition, people live in constant fear, struggling to survive…"
"In the end, only heroes like you can succeed."
"But let me ask you—Caelus/Stelle, if you didn't have the special identity granted by the Stellaron, if you were just a fragile member of the masses… which Penacony would you prefer?"
"A wild land where only the fittest survive, or a dream paradise where everyone can be happy?"
Sunday's questioning voice came from the game…
Echoing in the hotel lobby.
It was as if,
This question was not only questioning the Express crew in the game.
But also questioning all the players present in reality.
"So the previous audition trials were meant to explain this point here?"
"Even Argenti was eliminated. If we went up, we wouldn't even make the cut."
"Suddenly, it feels like the roles are reversed. The Express crew are the villains, and Sunday is the protagonist!"
"If it really is a dream paradise where everyone is happy, that doesn't seem so bad."
"The question is—is it really that beautiful? Is there no price to pay?"
"Keep watching! Let's see what the Express crew answers!"
[ Survival of the fittest isn't bad… ]
[ A dream paradise is indeed nice… ]
[ I don't know, why ask this? ]
Guinaifen thought for a moment and still chose the third one.
"That's not the point! Stelle, don't let him lead you on," March 7th reminded.
Himeko took a step forward and said calmly, "Mr. Sunday, even if the Oak Family cannot fully agree on the arrangements regarding the Stellaron, I'm afraid now is not the time to talk grandly about Penacony's past and future, is it?"
"The Stellaron issue concerns the survival of everyone in Penacony. If you have a better proposal, the Express crew is willing to listen. Why don't you tell us the details of that meeting from beginning to end—"
"—So we can also know what exactly happened to Welt and Miss Robin that prevented them from arriving as scheduled."
Sunday smiled slightly, "Heh, Navigator, that is exactly my intention. Since everyone is here, let us start with that meeting."
"Let's talk about our dilemmas and choices, our respective ideals and beliefs…"
"And the only path we must ultimately take."
On the left side of the large screen.
The real-time bullet comments were also scrolling rapidly.
…
"My goodness! Sunday looks so confident!"
"This isn't a traditional fight between good and evil, but a difference in chosen paths and philosophies."
"Brothers, which side are you on?"
"Before this, I was definitely on the Astral Express's side, but now I'm wavering a bit."
"Keep watching, I want to see what Sunday went through to become like this!"
"Everyone at The Reverie, can you see me?"
"I heard Sunday is watching the plot with you at the hotel?"
"Sampo of Jarilo-VI is here, who dares to be impudent?"
"Herta Space Station researcher Rocky sends his regards to everyone!"
"I'm from Belobog… our Underworld finally has internet!"
"Chef Du of the Xianzhou Luofu welcomes everyone to taste…"
"Irrelevant personnel, please do not spam the bullet comments!"