At the end of the road, a giant, silent silhouette loomed in the distance.
It was Sunday.
Upon seeing Sunday, the audience—who had just been enjoying the cheerful scene—was suddenly snapped awake.
Because next to Sunday, there was… no one!
...
: Friendly reminder—Welt has suffered—wait, what the hell! Why is there no one next to Sunday?! Where's my big man Welt?!
---------------------------------
: No way! Welt got taken out by being suppressed?
: It's only been a few minutes!
: Welt! Come out!
: Damn, stop joking around at a time like this. What happened to Welt exactly?
: I don't think someone as strong as Welt would go down that easily, right?
: Damn it, we were just laughing happily, and now we can't laugh at all!
...
After Welt and Robin were attacked by Sunday.
The story immediately shifted to Himeko and Stelle, and the audience had no idea what had happened in between.
The audience, who had been enjoying the audition arc, suddenly fell silent.
Under the anxious gaze of the audience.
On screen, Sunday calmly waited for the Express Crew's arrival.
And the Express Crew never imagined that what awaited them at the end was Sunday.
"Congratulations to you two for becoming the stars of this Charmony Festival. Before entering the Grand Theater…"
"On behalf of the organizers, I extend sincere congratulations. May you enjoy joy under Their light."
Sunday said with a gentle smile, the Express Crew now realized that something was wrong.
The key difference was that Sunday was no longer accompanied by Robin and Welt.
Instead, standing here was standing alone.
Thinking back to the words Welt left before leaving.
Himeko had to prepare for the worst.
"Where is Welt?"
Himeko asked coldly.
"Don't worry, Miss Himeko. Mr. Welt is just taking a little rest. He's very safe."
Sunday explained truthfully.
"I see. So, the negotiations failed, didn't they?"
Himeko stared intently into Sunday's eyes.
"Exactly."
Sunday's expression didn't reveal any emotion, still smiling as usual: "After discussions between my sister, Mr. Welt, and myself, no agreement was reached. The Oak family cannot meet your demands."
"As expected!"
Firefly crossed her arms, frowning slightly, her expression full of restrained tension.
But Sunday ignored Firefly and instead spoke sincerely to Himeko: "I agree with your views. Penacony needs change, but definitely not in the way you propose. The stars of the festival must not, and will not, return to a chaotic, law-of-the-jungle state!"
After saying this, he looked toward Stelle and Firefly, lowering his gaze slightly, and continued:
"Just now, you made it through all the challenges. The questions set by the judges, while absurd, were a reflection of that era."
"The weak were ruthlessly eliminated. Equality disappeared. In harsh competition, people lived in constant fear, barely surviving."
"In the end, only groups like yours — the so-called 'heroes' — could rise."
When saying the word "heroes," Sunday emphasized it, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
This emotion lasted only briefly before he restrained it again, continuing:
"But let me ask you, Stelle — if you didn't have the special identity granted by the Stellaron, if you were just another fragile individual among the masses, what kind of Penacony would you want?"
"A savage land where only the fittest survive, or a dreamland where everyone can find happiness?"
Every sentence carried with it Sunday's divine and sorrowful aura, almost spilling out of the screen.
This wasn't someone else speaking to the audience — it was something the audience could feel for themselves from Sunday's very presence.
And this line of questioning was even more direct.
When people observe something, their eyes are often drawn to the heroes, ignoring the ordinary people behind them.
Sunday's question was aimed precisely at that overlooked issue.
You are a hero, but if you weren't a hero — just an ordinary person.
Would you still have your current status, your current freedom and ease?
This discussion touches on broad concepts and can easily pull someone into Sunday's logic, putting them at a disadvantage.
It was a brilliant counter-question.
But unfortunately, the one he asked was Stelle.
"Why are you asking me! I don't know!"
Stelle clenched her fists and replied forcefully, even though she lacked justification.
What damn hero or not, Stellaron or no Stellaron.
And if? If what? Is "if" tasty?
...
: I was almost shaken by Sunday's questioning, frantically trying to recall my knowledge to refute him – as if I were being crushed under the same factory image of knowledge pollution.
: The best way to deal with knowledge pollution: I am mentally challenged.
: Hahahaha, the atmosphere was clearly tense, but the moment Stelle opened her mouth, I couldn't hold back.
: Innate Aha Characteristics exposed.
: But strictly speaking, Sunday's perspective is really unique. With his background, he's actually viewing things from a grassroots angle.
: And his demeanor when speaking, including the ideals he previously expressed, gave me a strong sense of divine compassion, as if he must sacrifice himself to do something.
: Kind of like a passage from the Bible.
: Tsk... once again proving how broad the Honkai Star Rail writing team's references are.
...
After Stelle finished that part, Himeko took the initiative to pick up the conversation and banter with Sunday.
"Mr. Sunday, even if the Oak family doesn't fully agree with the Stellaron arrangements, now may not be the time for lofty debates."
"The Stellaron issue concerns the life and death of everyone on Penacony If you have a better proposal, we're all ears."
"Just so happens, we'd also like to know what just happened."
Himeko got straight to the point, directly interrupting Sunday's verbal dodging and pointing to the core issue.
The core issue isn't what Sunday wants to do to block the Astral Express.
It's the Stellaron.
The nameless guests of the Trailblaze absolutely do not allow an unsealed Stellaron to exist in the universe and be "used" by others.
But Sunday's plan requires its assistance.
Then, Sunday detailed to everyone the encounter between him and Welt, Robin with the Dream Master.
Which is the scene the audience had just seen.
The whole time, he didn't conceal or embellish anything, explaining everything plainly.
After listening, Himeko frowned.
"Incredible. There are still remnants of 'Order' in Penacony."
Sunday nodded gently, once again expressing he had no intention of opposing the Astral Express.
"You've all been tirelessly working for justice in Penacony, and everything is clear to the eyes."
Himeko suddenly understood: "You want to negotiate with us? But imprisoning Robin and Welt looks more like threatening us with their lives."
"You misunderstand, Miss Himeko."
"They're very safe."
"Just as The Family has always promised – no one will be harmed in a dream, let alone in the beautiful new world that belongs to 'Order'."
Sunday stepped forward, left hand on his chest, expressing his intention in a formal tone:
"The entire world is built on the cries of the weak, and only those who walk the path of Order have the power to end this absurd farce!"
"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...