Twilight vanished on the spot. Caelus, his back turned to her, didn't even notice. Acheron saw her leave but couldn't stop Twilight's instantaneous disappearance.
Honestly, Acheron felt a bit awkward. The situation was like being invited to a friend's house, only to walk in on their parents suddenly arguing... Standing there, speaking up felt inappropriate, yet silence felt awkward too.
After all, it was strange for an outsider to meddle in a family argument.
Besides, according to Caelus, she too was one of the cold-blooded ones who had stood by and watched Firefly die. The combination of these factors left her unsure whether she should get involved at all.
But now, Acheron felt it was time to say something.
"Caelus, you were a bit harsh on Twilight," Acheron said, walking up behind him and shaking her head slightly. "She relies on you heavily... You shouldn't treat her with that kind of attitude."
In Acheron's eyes, Twilight's attitude towards Caelus was almost doting.
A powerful Emanator actually accepted all of Caelus's requests without question... If not for Twilight's tolerance, even Caelus's navigator, Himeko, would likely have to address Twilight respectfully as "Miss."
Unfortunately, this devotion didn't seem to be met with an equal response.
She understood Caelus's agitation. Witnessing a friend who could have been saved die right before his eyes was a massive shock, enough to make someone lose their reason... But that wasn't an excuse to vent his anger on someone close to him.
"That was a life... a life that can't be brought back!" Caelus clenched his fists, his emotions incredibly complex. Hearing Acheron's voice, he slowly turned to look at her. "You didn't draw your sword back then. Why?"
"I apologize. I was too focused on the girl named Firefly at that moment..." Acheron didn't refute Caelus, merely lowering her head slightly. "I understand your anger, Caelus, but you must remain calm... This place isn't reality. We are still within a dream."
"Firefly dying in the dream might simply mean waking up in reality. All physical suffering leaves no trace once the nightmare shatters. But Caelus, the hurt you inflicted upon Twilight's heart is real..."
"A dream..."
Caelus just shook his head silently. Initially, he had indeed lost his composure, almost forgetting this was a dreamscape. But after thinking it over, he realized that even in a dream, the tragedy might be irreversible.
"A mental death might also affect the physical body, especially for those immersed in the dream, unwilling to wake up no matter what..."
Just like Firefly. For this girl who despaired in reality, perhaps she preferred to die in a free dream rather than return to the cold, cruel world...
Seeing Caelus's attitude, Acheron knew that nothing she said now would help. Unless time or some special method could completely calm Caelus down, perhaps only resurrecting the girl named Firefly could help him regain his proper mindset.
Those who lose a companion for the first time always suffer. Some gradually get used to it, while for others, the regret and pain deepen within their hearts... just like herself.
"Twilight left," Acheron simply stated the fact to Caelus.
He instinctively wanted to turn and look towards where Twilight had been, but he forcibly stopped himself.
"...Let her go for now. Besides, no one in Penacony can hurt her."
"...Caelus, when you still have the chance, don't let yourself have regrets." Looking at the stubborn Caelus, a trace of melancholy appeared in Acheron's eyes. "Because you never know when parting will arrive."
"This is a word of advice from someone who can no longer make amends for anything."
...
Twilight left Caelus, much like a wife choosing to go back to her parents' home after getting angry—such a laughable motive, of course, couldn't be the real reason Twilight left Caelus.
If Caelus wanted to yell at her, let him yell. Even hitting or scolding her didn't matter. As long as he honestly coughed up the corresponding gold coins [emotional energy] in the end, Twilight guaranteed she wouldn't hit back or talk back...
Besides, if Caelus really hit her, his own hand would probably Get hurt more.
Even though she was currently afflicted with a "severe illness" and had to endure great pain, her strength hadn't diminished.
The reason she left was simple—since Caelus was angry because Firefly was taken away by the bus, wouldn't bringing Firefly back solve the problem?
First, she'd scan the deep dreamscape. If she couldn't find her, she'd head straight to Dreamflux Reef... In short, she'd take the most strenuous route possible, fully embodying the spirit of a pitiful puppy doing everything to seek its master's forgiveness.
As for arguing with Caelus about how Firefly wasn't dead, or that she was actually a Stellaron Hunter... Twilight wasn't here to argue. Besides, even winning the argument wouldn't benefit her. But letting the misunderstanding linger meant she could cash in big time when it was finally resolved.
Twilight opened her system map [internal senses] and checked, confirming that [Something Unto Death] had already taken Firefly to Dreamflux Reef.
Hmm, if Firefly is in Dreamflux Reef, I'll search outside. If Firefly comes outside, I'll search inside. Anyway, I'll wait for a suitable opportunity to reappear...
Just as Twilight was sketching out her course of action, thinking about how to make herself look more diligent, she found a familiar person waiting leisurely in the direction she was about to pass.
Well, well, isn't it the big sucker Aventurine? Perfect timing~
...
Aventurine sat silently in the room, fiddling with the chips in his hand. He was waiting for the assistance he had planned for.
In the vast deep dreamscape, trying to find someone specific using this wait-and-see approach [lit. waiting by a stump for a hare] was almost laughable, but Aventurine had placed a bet on himself.
He bet that he would not only meet the person he wanted but also achieve his goal.
Fortunately, he had succeeded again—at least the first part, for now.
Seeing Twilight appear before him as if tearing through the dreamscape, the smile on Aventurine's face instantly broadened.
"Oh, Miss Twilight, my friend—it's been too long! I've received quite a few bills recently; I hope the Astral Express crew is enjoying their time in Penacony to the fullest."
"Hello. Goodbye." Nodding politely at Aventurine, Twilight immediately turned to leave without hesitation, her demeanor strikingly similar to when Dan Heng had pulled her away from Aventurine before.
"Don't be in such a rush, friend. I happen to have a big business deal I'd like to discuss with you..."
Aventurine's words had no effect whatsoever. Memon essence already began to boil, engulfing half of Twilight. In the next moment, she would vanish from the spot.
Left with no choice, Aventurine momentarily threw caution to the wind and blurted out, "Miss Twilight, you wouldn't want anything to happen to your friends on the Astral Express, would you?!"