Penacony.
The family.
Before Sunday.
A Nightingale stood quietly on a statue.
Its white eyes shimmered with a faint light.
It, in fact, represented the Dreammaster of Penacony, the true leader of the family's branch in Penacony.
At this moment.
Sunday's expression was cold.
Before the two of them.
Screens unfolded one after another.
There were scenes of players collectively denouncing the family at the Hotel Lobby.
There were also scenes of corporate envoys pressuring the family.
And at the Golden Hour, all the big screens were looping Sleepless Night!
"There's no way to contain this anymore."
Sunday spoke indifferently,
"Forgive my bluntness, Dreammaster, you shouldn't have done this from the start."
The Nightingale before him spoke in a human voice: "This thing called Honkai: Star Rail will expose the [True God] we worship."
"Once everyone knows that the Aeon we truly believe in is actually Ena, who was devoured by Harmony Xipe..."
"The consequences are something we cannot bear."
Sunday nodded.
"Indeed, when I first learned that the storyline of Honkai: Star Rail was about to arrive in Penacony, I couldn't help but feel a sense of panic, fearing that the [grand endeavor] we are undertaking might be prematurely exposed by this game."
"Even the matter of my sister's departure was temporarily beyond my ability to investigate."
"But..."
"After calming down, I realized that this might be a heaven-sent opportunity? Perhaps it is a test from Yu Ling for us?"
The light in Nightingale's eyes flickered on and off.
Though expressionless, one could sense it.
It was also deep in thought at this moment.
And Sunday continued, "I've observed the game developed by Yu Ling. Although the nominal protagonists are the Nameless of the Astral Express, it's not entirely told from the perspective of the Astral Express."
"More precisely, it has always presented the experiences of different characters in a relatively objective manner."
"For example, the Stellaron Hunters, before the release of this game, were clearly terrorists that made citizens across the universe tremble with fear."
"But now, they have become the subject of many players' pursuits, gaining the recognition of the vast majority."
"So, we don't have to position ourselves as the antagonists."
"Perhaps, the future storyline is also an opportunity for us, allowing our ideals to gain more recognition."
"Willingly immersed in the dream of Ena..."
"Isn't this a more perfect future?"
Nightingale's mouth opened slightly.
Clearly.
The Dreammaster was convinced by Sunday's set of ideas.
Suddenly, a burst of hearty laughter erupted.
"Hahaha..."
"Not bad, truly a child I've nurtured with all my strength!"
"Your vision and perspective are clearly beyond what this old man can compare to."
"This time, my perspective was too narrow, and I made a fatal mistake."
"It seems I should step back and hand over the entire family to you to control."
Sunday remained neither humble nor overbearing.
He did not purely believe in the Order of Ena.
More so, it was because the power of Order could help him achieve that ideal nation.
"Then, Dreammaster, please grant the permissions next."
"Let Penacony fully welcome Honkai: Star Rail, ushering in our golden age."
...
...
"What? The family head has changed his mind? Decided to open up the permissions for Honkai: Star Rail?"
"Penacony will no longer block the information flow of Honkai: Star Rail, and the family will apologize to all players?"
"Mr. Sunday is even going to help Yu Ling advertise for free, looping various short films of Honkai: Star Rail at the Golden Hour, and randomly gifting players with 648?"
"Am I sensing this correctly? The change in attitude is too drastic!"
Whether in the real hotel or within the Dreamscape.
All members of the Oak Family were completely stunned upon receiving the news!
They repeatedly verified and cross-checked, fearing they had received some erroneous information!
After confirming that these messages were indeed released by Sunday.
Many members of the Oak Family quickly began to act.
Notifying the Bloodhound Family.
Informing hotel management...
This news spread rapidly like an invisible net.
The Reverie Hotel.
VIP reception room.
The door was pushed open by a servant.
Sunday, dressed in white, appeared in the reception room.
Aventurine and Topaz rose from their seats, showing at least a modicum of respect for the head of the Oak Family.
Ratio, who had remained standing the entire time, had been admiring the murals on the wall.
Now, he too turned around.
He was curious to hear what lofty words the family head would spout this time.
Sunday gave a slight nod and said, "We sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experiences the envoys of the company have had in Penacony."
"The family would like to extend our deepest apologies to all of you."
"Your hotel accommodations and related service fees have been waived, and we are also providing you with premium passes to Penacony..."
Aventurine's eyes narrowed slightly.
Starting off with goodwill?
This was somewhat different from the scenario he had anticipated.
I thought Mr. Sunday would immediately use rhetoric to assert his firm stance.
Aventurine had even prepared some corresponding tactics and phrases.
But then...
"Courteous before forceful, huh?" Aventurine speculated.
However.
Sunday's next words caught Aventurine completely off guard!
"I have understood everyone's intentions, and I have already consulted with the Dreammaster."
"From now on, the family will no longer impose any bans on Honkai: Star Rail and welcomes players from across the universe to come to Penacony to chase their dreams while enjoying the game."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The entire room fell silent!
Even the heads of other families were momentarily stunned!
Even Ratio was momentarily taken aback...
"Did he just compromise so easily?"
"Mr. Sunday's actions are truly baffling..."
...
Golden Hour.
Several Dreamweaver players sat on the steps by the street.
Each holding a bottle of SoulGlad.
Raising their glasses to each other.
Admiring the "masterpiece" before them.
Listening to the looping Sleepless Night.
Feeling both excited and wistful.
"Hahaha... finally got to go wild while we're still young!"
"Can we consider this our moment of glory?"
"I've been tired of Dreamweaving for a long time. After the family fires me, I'm going to become a full-time gamer and stream my gameplay!"
"Great! I support you!"
"I'll come to your stream and send you gifts!"
They chatted idly.
Quietly savoring this moment of peace and Elation.
As they finished the last sip of SoulGlad.
The Bloodhounds had already tracked them down.
"Look, the family's here to hold us accountable."
"Hahaha, wonder how much the penalty will be this time?"
They didn't plan to run.
Instead, they calmly awaited their arrest.
Before doing this, they had already accepted the consequences.
One of the Bloodhound leaders approached them.
Counted the number of people.
"One, two, three, four, five... yep, it's you guys..."
Suddenly.
The Bloodhound took off his sunglasses.
Extended a hand.
Not to arrest these Dreamweavers who had violated the family's covenant.
But to shake their hands!
The Dreamweavers were utterly bewildered.
What's going on?
Is there a player mole among the family's Bloodhounds?
"You guys are in luck."
"Mr. Sunday is aware of what you've done, and he's decided not to pursue it this time."
"So..."
"We Bloodhounds won't take any action against you."
"And as a fellow Star Rail player..."
"Allow me, in my personal capacity, to express my respect for you!"
The Dreamweavers were still in shock.
Their minds were reeling!
They couldn't help but wonder if they were dreaming!
Oh wait.
This is the Dreamscape.
Suddenly.
The image on the large screen in front of them flickered.
Sunday appeared on the screen.
Speaking to the camera, he said, "To all the visitors lingering in the Dreamscape, the family's previous blockade of Honkai: Star Rail has caused unnecessary trouble and confusion for everyone..."
"Allow me, on behalf of the family, to extend our sincerest apologies."
"From this moment on, the family will completely lift the blockade on Honkai: Star Rail..."
"At the Golden Hour, golden rain will fall at the top of the hour."
"Pick up the vouchers among them, and you can exchange them for an equivalent amount of in-game recharge credit at the redemption center..."
"Tonight, all in-game purchases will be covered by the Family!"