"The people here are strange, but the intel they mention all points to one person: Gallagher." Firefly said softly.
"That man again — always appearing in just the right place at every critical moment, making us wary."
"Stelle, get ready. We're moving out." Welt said gravely.
Right now, the audience is so excited they can hardly breathe.
Dreamflux Reef, Hanunue, the Watchmaker, Gallagher — will these names that stir the heart finally unfold in this strange yet familiar place?
----------------------------
Right from the start, brought a strong sense of anticipation to the audience.
And soon after, Firefly pulls Stelle aside.
At this moment, Stelle is still completely in the dark. Although Welt explained quite a bit earlier, the most important part—about Firefly—still has to be said by Firefly herself.
In the corner, Firefly softly said: "I'm sorry. It wasn't until death that I revealed everything."
"So, why didn't you tell the truth about your identity?" Stelle scratched her head. She actually didn't feel too much hatred over Firefly's deception.
"There are two reasons. First is the script. In the future seen by Elio, conflict between SAM and the Astral express were to be avoided."
"I tried to break free of those shackles, and this is as far as I could go."
"And then there's my personal desire—I wanted to travel with you all as Firefly, not as SAM."
Firefly's subtle expressions in this scene were truly exquisite.
On her delicate little face, memories, unease, and traces of the past all blended together.
It was a look and expression of considerable complexity.
The audience might not know exactly what happened, but just watching this segment, they could feel the emotion—without anything explicitly said.
That is what storytelling feels like.
The following heartfelt and sincere drama—the dialogue scene—thanks to Firefly's performance, didn't bore the audience at all. On the contrary, they found it deeply engaging.
...
: Clearly the face of a young girl, yet it always gives me the feeling she's experienced so much. That acting—who knows how many people it's touched!
: Where does MiHoYo even find so many geniuses?
: The moment Firefly appeared, she made me want to protect her. She's truly special.
: Now I'm even more curious—what exactly is the story behind Firefly?
: MiHoYo, hurry up and give us a PV (preview video) for Firefly!
...
As Firefly finishes her confession, Stelle continues the negotiation with Welt.
During their conversation, they learn the most crucial piece of information, and there's new intelligence from an unfamiliar figure.
"While you were investigating, he provided some rather intriguing intel."
"Mikhail, formerly the Watchmaker, built the current Penacony together with The Family. Later, for some reason, he broke ties with them."
Welt said gravely: "But this is the issue. You were investigating a murder, so why would he, a sheriff, keep dodging the topic and bringing up irrelevant things like the Watchmaker?"
"And now, this same name appears in Miss Firefly's story—it's hard not to feel suspicious." Stelle pondered for a while and came to a conclusion.
After a brief discussion, the two of them brought Firefly along and stepped into the deeper parts of Dreamflux Reef.
At this point, the audience's perspective became quite unique.
Because of the groundwork laid by Myriad Celestia Trailer, everyone already knew about Mikhail's past.
But this didn't lessen their interest—in fact, it made them even more eager to learn about the connection between Mikhail and the current Penacony, and about Mikhail's current situation.
Many people had already begun to imagine what it would be like when Mikhail finally reunites with his old companions from the Astral Express.
...
: So excited, I really want the Astral Express crew to meet Mikhail soon. It's going to be such a heartwarming scene!
: Mikhail has been fighting here for so long. And if Tiernan and the others see Stelle and March 7th—see their wonderful qualities—they'll probably be deeply comforted.
: Just thinking about Mikhail reuniting with the Astral Express crew brings a big auntie-smile to my face. Black tea intoxication!
: Tiernan and Lazalina too! If they get to see everyone again, see Pompom—it's going to be so emotional.
: The original trio of the Express, meeting the current trio!
: So romantic! This is what 'trailblazing' is all about!
: Damn, it wasn't easy—but MiHoYo is finally giving us something wholesome! A rare grand reunion ending! Worth all the heartbreak before!
...
The bullet comments rolled across the screen.
Many people had already suspected during previous episodes that Mikhail might not be alive anymore.
But after the airing of Myriad Celestia Trailer and in light of the current situation, more people are now willing to believe that those who once fought for freedom are still alive—hidden somewhere.
All signs point toward Mikhail still being alive, pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
And only someone like him could remain hidden in Penacony so seamlessly, even from The Family.
As for the age issue—
To be honest, the Honkai: Star Rail universe rarely features ordinary people, which has led everyone to exaggerate the ages of Path Striders.
The idea that Mikhail is still alive fits more with the emotional expectations of the audience.
Everyone is eagerly anticipating the moment when the Astral Express crew reunites with Mikhail.
Next, as the audience follows the trio's movements, they get closer to understanding the unknown realm of the Watchmaker.
They witness a side completely different from the luxurious and grandiose dreamscapes on the surface.
No opulence, no skyscrapers, no extravagant intoxication.
None of that feeling is present.
On the contrary, it's very simple here.
Old streets, dim lights, and decorations that look aged, all infused with elements of the Clockie.
What's even more touching is the nature of people here.
In a place like the Golden Hour, everyone Stelle encounters wears luxurious clothes, appearing graceful and charming.
But in reality, they are always full of desires.
Money, power, scheming.
Or the pursuit of pleasure.
There are always people kneeling on the roadside, angrily condemning the Golden Moment for not giving them a chance, or clutching handrails, shouting wildly.
It's also common to overhear secretive and shameful conversations among passersby.
And those seemingly splendid and expensive clothes become filthy in this process.
Gilded on the outside, rotten on the inside.
A big city. This is the image audiences have of the surface-level dreamscape.
But here, apart from those who have just arrived at Dreamflux Reef, most of the long-time residents are friendly and sincere.
Street vendors proactively tell the trio about matters related to Dreamflux Reef and offer thoughtful tips.
The children and adults they meet don't have the impatience and anxiety of the surface-level dreamscape.
The overall atmosphere is leisurely, truly about living.
It feels as though this is where real freedom exists.
The contrast between these two places is gradually revealed to the audience through Stelle's perspective.
As the story progresses, the trio of Stelle, Welt, and Firefly meet Misha here, which gives the audience a 'reasonable' explanation.
And of course, there's the Clockie.
Then, the plot deepens.
After talking with the leader of Dreamflux Reef, the trio finally receives definite news.
Robin is nearby!
This big star of Penacony is now like a passerby, softly singing a duet in a small alley of Dreamflux Reef.