"I've always believed that people can understand one another peacefully. Thus, I'm willing to share the aspirations of the Order with you, so you can make better decisions for the Astral Express, Penacony, and everything influenced by Order."
At this point, the audience finally understood.
...
: Sunday wants to resolve things with the Express team through talking.
: No way. Regardless of The Order's ideals, what sane person would support them? It's obviously going to be opposed!
: But I am curious—what kind of world does Sunday want to build? And how exactly does he plan to prove it...
----------------------------
At the audience's curiosity, Sunday invited the express crew to join him in experiencing it.
"Words are pale, unable to depict even one ten-thousandth of that ideal. So, come with me."
"Let us retrace the path we once walked, and see where the road should now lead."
The next second, Sunday disappeared from the scene.
And all the floating TVs around suddenly lit up, broadcasting Sunday's voice.
"Welcome. This is not any corner of the Penacony dreamscape."
"It is a kind of tuning, more powerful and more exhausting."
"Stelle has experienced this before. Himeko should understand."
After Sunday finished speaking, he began to tell the first story.
"This story took place when Robin and I were very young."
"We were victims of the Stellaron disaster, adopted by Mr. Gopher Wood of The Family. After that, we spent a carefree time."
"One day, my sister and I discovered a lonely Harmony Dove."
"It was dying, unable to fly, abandoned by its parents. If we left it there, it would surely die."
"Its survival rested solely on our decision."
The gentle voice faded.
The surrounding screens began to display overlapping scenes: the cute appearance of the Harmony Dove, and various choices.
Build a nest for it on the original site, or create a birdcage for it.
"Hmm…"
Himeko, well-informed as she was, wasn't surprised to see this.
She understood this was a method of negotiation, the other party revealing his heart, hoping these stories would ultimately persuade them.
"No need to overthink. Just choose according to your own habits." Himeko offered a reminder.
"If it were me, I'd choose to build a birdcage."
March 7th said, "After all, if left there, it would definitely be harmed by other beasts, so—yeah."
"As for me, I'd also choose the same as little March. The reason is simple."
Himeko said calmly, "Every bird has the right to fly into the sky, but if it can't survive till then, there's no point in talking about it."
Firefly also nodded and said,
"I'd also build a birdcage. If left in place, it might never get the chance to fly again."
But Stelle scratched her head.
She simply thought that since everyone picked the same, she'd try something different.
But since there was only one chance to choose, the other three didn't make their own selections and let her decide.
So, she pressed the option opposite to the others: build a nest for it in its original place.
"I deeply regret that."
Sunday's voice sounded again.
"Its ending was a painful death, because from my observation, there were three predators nearby that feed on Harmony Doves."
The first choice ended.
Apparently a bad ending.
The story Sunday told— the audience understood—was a memory from the time of his corruption.
But they didn't know how those stories ended.
Now, after hearing Sunday's words, they all fell into deep thought.
Then, Sunday presented the second question.
Also something the audience knew.
The scumbag who sold his child to smuggle into Penacony.
This time, Sunday revealed his own choice.
"At that time, I heard this story and made what I thought was a righteous act— asking the Hounds to stop pursuing him, giving him a chance to make amends later."
"The answer will be revealed shortly. For now, I hope you'll decide."
"Will you choose as I did, and try to persuade the Hounds— or remain silent, letting the judgment fall?"
As the words fell, the image of the Harmony Dove was replaced with a panicked man.
The audience was eager to see the ending of this story and the express crew's choices.
After all, that scumbag was truly vile.
"Hmph! For such scum, there's only one choice—punishment without mercy! Justice must be served!"
March 7th stamped her feet in anger after hearing the story.
"A Dreamweaver's story, huh… but I might give him a chance."
Himeko was silent for a moment, then said as if concluding a doctor's diagnosis.
"I feel the same."
Firefly followed up, but after speaking, she reminded, "This matter has some inner connection to the fledgling. Perhaps that's the breakthrough point Sunday wants to use to persuade us. You need to be careful."
Stelle nodded. She pondered briefly before softly explaining,
"Looks like you're the same as me, wondering whether another choice would lead to a better ending."
"But in reality, his fate was already sealed."
"He smuggled himself into Penacony, and the means of his smuggling destined him to die someday in the future due to mental collapse."
"And if we let the Hounds catch him, he would be punished with no chance at all—the Hounds show no mercy."
That ending was even crueler than the first.
There wasn't a single choice that could bring about a good outcome.
And then—
Sunday spoke of the third matter, something related to himself.
"It's about my younger sister."
"That day, Mr. Gopher Wood had a private conversation with me, mixed in with a letter from my sister."
"At that time, she was touring the galaxy. The letter included some of her experiences, and just when I was wondering what this letter had to do with the talk, the Dream Master spoke."
"The Dream Master told me that Robin had been touring Casbelinyat-VIII, and war had broken out on that planet. To promote Harmony and save lives, she personally went to the frontlines."
"She hoped to ease people's suffering with her song, and was willing to use her own flesh and blood to protect the company's relief supplies. Unfortunately, stray bullets are merciless."
"She was eventually hit by a stray bullet. It struck her neck, but didn't hit a vital spot."
After recounting this period in the Dream Master's tone, Sunday fell silent for a while, his breathing unsteady.
Even after so long, this event still touched him deeply.
After a moment of silence,
Sunday took a breath and told everyone: "Now you know why she often wears such elaborate neck ornaments, don't you?"
"Tell me, if it were you—after knowing this—would you still let Robin embark on the journey of Harmony?"
That question was extremely difficult.
The express crew genuinely admired Robin for her noble character and actions.
This time, only Himeko made a supportive choice.
Firefly and March 7th couldn't decide their answer.
But Stelle, after brief consideration, chose to support Robin.
"Is that so? I understand now."
The images all disappeared.
Sunday appeared before everyone again.
He quietly looked at the group and slowly spoke:
"The purpose of raising these questions was simply to clarify one thing—Penacony's dilemma cannot be solved by Harmony. What can truly save the people… is enforced order!"
...
: So this is the process of Sunday's change...
: Robin is truly strong. She almost gave her life for her ideals.
: I have to stand up for Robin. Compared to Sunday, her story moves me more.
: Harmony's method of the strong helping the weak—when encountering things like what happened to Robin—leads to even more harm. This idea feels a bit like fighting violence with violence.
: But a society based on enforced strength doesn't seem much better. Wouldn't there still be similar problems?
: I think, if Sunday really wants to convince me to support him, he should just give me money. I'd support him instantly.
: Whoa, democracy, huh?
: Don't rush. Let's play along with Sunday and see how far his so-called ideals will go...