〘March 7th〙: What did you all get? Can you share? If it's not convenient, never mind.
〘Qingque〙: A set of super beautiful Tile game pieces, and two badges—one with a snowflake on it, and one with an arrow.
〘Gallagher〙: Very practical things.
〘Gallagher〙: By the way, what did the Nameless get?
〘March 7th〙: Stelle got a golden trash can, I got a Light Cone and a book, Dan Heng got a pile of books, Mr. Yang got a mech, and Sister Himeko got… coffee.
〘Gallagher〙: Hmm… It seems the quality of the prizes isn't about their actual value, but rather depends on the person.
Just… a golden trash can? Forget it, better not overthink it. Maybe that's just Miss Stelle's preference.
〘Aventurine〙: I just… won the bet once again, that's all.
〘Jade〙: Oh? Congratulations, child.
〘Topaz〙: Although I don't know what you won, how did it feel to play a gamble where you didn't have to risk your life for once?
〘Aventurine〙: Haha, to be honest, I'd rather risk my life again than go through that gamble ever again. But in the end, the result was as I wished—I won.
{Now Playing — Showing You My All}
〘Silver Wolf〙: Looks like someone's disguise is about to drop~
....
『 At the same time, deep within the Memory Zone.
The screen was pitch black, and then Stelle's voice sounded.
"What happened?"
The images before she lost consciousness flashed through Stelle's mind—Aventurine's pouring rain of chips, and Acheron stepping forward to draw her blade. Then, bang.
An indescribable force severed the Preservation. The surrounding time and space seemed to freeze, and her thoughts were crumpled into a ball in that instant. Her senses failed, with only gravity tearing at her brain as she fell into the boundless darkness…
Stelle opened her eyes and found herself on a platform floating in the Memoria space. In the distance, the silver armor she had seen once before stood with its back to her.
Seeing Stelle wake up, Sam spoke slowly.
"You're awake."
"I have been waiting for you here for a long time."
Stelle slowly stood up from the ground, her eyes locked onto Sam. Her gaze was filled with confusion and vigilance as she asked.
"It's you… What did you do?"
Sam tilted his head slightly toward Stelle, his voice carrying a hint of static, making it sound somewhat ethereal. "I did nothing, except wait for you to wake up. You have already met me, the Stellaron Hunter, Sam."
"I wanted to appear before you much earlier to tell you some truths."
"But the resistance I faced was greater than expected. Eleven times, I made attempts, but they all ended in failure. Unknowingly, my connection to this world became too tight, making it difficult to escape the constraints of the Script."
"Elio was right. In this land of dreams, both you and I will reap unforgettable harvests." Sam raised his head slightly, looking at the sky, and spoke softly. "I do not understand human hearts as he and Kafka do, nor do I have the special skills of Silver Wolf and Blade. Most of what I am good at is only applicable to villains who deserve no mercy."
"So — there is only one means I can use."
As soon as Sam finished speaking, the armor flashed with a blue light. Immediately after, the armor began to disassemble. Accompanied by a pillar of blazing fire, Stelle's eyes widened as she looked at the girl in the pillar of fire. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: Sincerity is the ultimate move!
〘Aha〙: Revive, my love!
....
『 "And that is to show you…"
Looking at the familiar girl, Stelle couldn't help but let out a surprised, "Ah?"
The flames gradually died down. Hotaru turned to look at Stelle, holding a transformation device that resembled a greenish firefly. A slowly fading line remained on her face.
"…my all." 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: The first person to speedrun the Penacony revival match! Let us congratulate Miss Hotaru!
〘Stelle〙: The episode with the least suspense.
{As the saying goes, the universe must be balanced. Since one person won the revival match, naturally, someone else must go down.}
{Now Playing — Gallagher: It's All Because of the Damn Play of Fate}
〘Unnamed Arbitrator〙: Thumbs up.
〘Aha〙: Haha, the yin-yang people are here.
〘Hanabi〙: There's another expert? Let Lady Hanabi see whose subordinate this is.
....
『 While Acheron and the others were fighting in Clock Studios Theme Park, Gallagher, who had previously given clues to the Express Crew, arrived at the Oak Hall.
"Labyrinth-like corridors and halls, traps everywhere... The owner of this mansion must be a bit paranoid.
Gallagher looked at Sunday's back as he stood in front of the Golden Hour model.
"You're so funny, Mr. Security Officer. I hope that sense of humor of yours has helped you find the serial killer," Sunday said without turning his head.
"Just sharing a personal opinion. What, did I touch a sore spot?"
"Mr. Gallagher, my patience is limited. Slacking off—"
Sunday turned around, his gaze locking onto Gallagher in the distance.
"—will only make me suspect even more that you are connected to the real killer."
Gallagher first let out a cold laugh. After laughing, he sighed helplessly and walked toward Sunday.
"Rogue, thug, drunkard, hoodlum… I've heard too much of this garbage talk, but I really didn't expect that one day I'd be treated as an accomplice to a murderer."
Having said that, he stopped not far in front of Sunday.
"Hmph hmph hmph~ I take back what I said. Your problem isn't that you're too paranoid. You're a lunatic, understand? A lunatic."
"You — The Family — you broke my spine and pulled out my fangs, and now you want to accuse me of murder? Ridiculous, only idiots who've drunk too much SoulGlad will berate a stray dog on the streets." 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Wow, the chicken wing boy got roasted.
〘Stelle〙: Gallagher: I'm going all out with you!
....
『 "What on earth is making you talk so crazily here? Instead of me, you should be more concerned about those foreign guests who are making a huge fuss in the theme park."
Sunday shook his head. "I don't need your reminder. The moment that envoy stepped out of the mansion, I knew what he wanted to do. My servants saw everything. His little magic trick did indeed fool me, but no matter, I am very pleased to see the current situation."
As Sunday spoke, the camera angle slowly panned up, showing a Shadowesquire bird, identical to the one in the theme park earlier. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: So this bird is actually a surveillance camera.
....
『 "Why do you think I let him go, and why did I specially leave the stage of that theme park empty?"
"Because my target from beginning to end was you, Hound. The bigger the commotion he makes, the more opportunity I have to make you and your true master pay in blood." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Oh my god, another master of improvisation? You guys have way too many schemes.
〘Aventurine〙: So that's how it is. Why did the theme park later on feel a bit too easy? But doesn't this bring us back to my initial proposal? Isn't it a win-win?
〘March 7th〙: The process was completely wrong, but the result was right.
〘Belle〙: Both of them utilized each other's plans to facilitate the achievement of their own. Impressive.
....