The crew of the Astral Express walked with determination towards the Film and Television Paradise, but Acheron lagged a few steps behind. She called out softly, "Mr. Welt..."

Hearing her voice, Welt stopped and turned to face her.

"Why didn't you reveal my true identity to your companions?" Acheron's tone carried a hint of confusion and puzzlement.

Welt furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze becoming profound. "As I said before, it's not that I'm unwilling, but rather that it's not easily done. That long, convoluted story... it's truly difficult to explain to others in just a few words."

"But I'm willing to trust you. My trust in you stems more from... a personal, subjective judgment."

"I also believe that — even if it were them, they would make the same decision."

[March 7th: Wow, Uncle Yang has hidden powers too!]

[Welt: I'm afraid not, little March. Apart from some knowledge, I don't have any other powers.]

As he spoke, Welt's gaze turned towards the trio in the distance: Himeko, March 7th, and Stella. The three had turned around and were standing by the roadside waiting, their faces radiating warm smiles, seemingly quietly waiting for the two to finish their conversation.

Acheron turned to face Welt, looking him in the eye: "Thank you very much. In return, if a situation unfavorable to the Astral Express arises during the upcoming confrontation... I will stand on your side."

"—I offer what little help I can."

As she finished speaking, the screen switched again, now showing the entrance to the Clockie Film and Television Paradise.

The group of five slowly walked up to the statue of the Clock Boy at the entrance of the amusement park. As they looked around, a strange feeling welled up inside them — the place was completely deserted!

"Back here again. Aventurine really chose such an eye-catching place..." March 7th said with some dissatisfaction. "This guy is being too over the top, does he really think he's a big star?"

[Qingque: Such a big scene yet no tourists, wow... it feels kind of creepy.]

[March 7th: Indeed, where did all the tourists go...]

"Empty? The Hounds dispersed the tourists earlier, and now they're nowhere to be seen either..." Himeko said loudly. "Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. The other side clearly came prepared."

Stella took the lead in entering, followed by the members of the Express crew.

At this moment, Aventurine's voice rang out again from the broadcast:

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Ladies and gentlemen, dreamchasers, tycoons, clockmakers, and esteemed guests of the Family"

"—And the renowned, nameless passenger of the Astral Express! Welcome to the Interastral Peace Corporation's show stage!"

Suddenly, the already somewhat gloomy scene darkened further, as if the lighting in the video scene had been affected.

"You're fashionably late, members of the Astral Express, and over here... our 'uninvited guest'."

His words were clearly directed at Acheron.

Then, three huge screens appeared on the walls of this room, etched with images of spades. The open-air central area was empty, with only speakers transmitting sound.

"We've come as agreed, Mr. Aventurine. According to etiquette, you should make an appearance as well," Himeko said loudly.

"Hahaha, of course I will. But before that, I'd like to properly introduce tonight's protagonist."

With his words, a spotlight shone on Stella.

"A round of applause, please — for Miss 'Stellaron'!"

Caught off guard by the sudden spotlight, Stella smiled and exclaimed to the bewildered gazes of the Express crew, "Mommy, I'm on TV!"

March 7th looked at her with an expression of utter disbelief, as if looking at an idiot. "Uh..."

[Kafka: I'm watching, you know.]

[Silver Wolf: Does Stella always say such strange things?]

[March 7th: Actually, she was quite normal before... Ever since she rummaged through some trash cans a couple of days ago, she's started to act a bit weird.]

[Firefly: I actually think the things she says are quite cute.]

Welt said seriously, "Let me remind you, this stage and Stella's identity should have nothing to do with catching the real culprit."

Aventurine laughed and said, "No, it does. Of course it does. Why else would I have worked so hard to gain your trust and invite you all here?"

"Because she is the only eyewitness who has witnessed all three murders, the best candidate to prove that 'there are no casualties in dreams' is nothing but empty talk!"

"Three murders?" Himeko asked with some confusion.

"Yes, madam. The third murder is about to happen. Right here, at the Clockie Film and Television Paradise," Aventurine announced in a high-spirited tone. "A truly grand death."

"You, you, you, and you... everyone will die — and it's all because of you, Miss Stellaron."

"...You will personally embody death here."

Stella shook her head and replied loudly, "I don't have that much power."

"Don't underestimate yourself." Aventurine laughed heartily. "I told you, you have the power to flip the entire table. Let me be more explicit: I will detonate the Stellaron inside you, causing a little accident in Penacony..."

"Bang! The entire amusement park will turn into a shattered dream. Then, before the Family can react, I will become the flagship of the company's fleet."

"Empty threats won't work on us. If you could really do it, you've had plenty of opportunities before," Acheron replied calmly, placing her hand on her hip.

"Are you betting against me?" Aventurine seemed surprised, as if he had heard something funny. "Fine, I'll bet with you too. I bet I can achieve a complete victory, proving with an unprecedented big explosion that the oath of 'Harmony' is nothing but a complete joke."

"You can't do it," Acheron said calmly.

"Of course I can, it's just another gamble." Aventurine's voice was somewhat flat, his tone as if he were speaking of someone else's exploits.

"I came from the deserts of Tzigonia. For sixty copper coins, people branded me, put me in shackles, sent me to the scaffold, buried me in yellow sand..."

"But the sun couldn't kill me, and the quicksand instead sent me into the embrace of the academy and the corporation. Remember, I didn't just win by chance once, I've never lost."

He said in a serious voice, "Let me share a proverb with you: Sleep is a rehearsal for death. Why does life slumber? Because we are not ready to welcome death"

"Every night's dream is no different from facing death, just like you and I at this moment, harboring the will to die, hiding in the realm of sleep. And death... will come in response to our dream mutterings."