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.
---------------------------------------
In front of Robin stood a few children and a hunchbacked old lady.
A group of people seemed to be chatting.
As the express crew walked toward Robin, they unconsciously lightened their steps and, without disturbing the group, overheard their conversation.
"I, an old person who has lost both legs, if not for this dreamscape, wouldn't even be able to face myself in the waking world."
The hunchbacked old lady said gently, "And these children, if people are like birds, then these children are fledglings born with incomplete wings. But in this dream, they can gain full wings."
Though her words were very gentle, Robin and the audience understood what the old lady meant.
These children all have congenital defects in reality.
Whether disabilities or something else.
But no one asked for details.
Robin looked at the children and showed a warm smile. Her expression didn't change, but her tone was incredibly gentle.
"If your wings are unfortunately incomplete, then lend your wings to each other."
"There's no need to cling to the illusory sky in the dream, because we have the right and the ability… to fly toward a broader sky."
This response left everyone in silence.
The previous scene and dialogue, just a few short lines, depicted a group of diverse individuals living in Dreamflux Reef.
What they had in common was an inability to summon the courage to step forward in reality, thus they could only immerse themselves in fantasy.
And clearly, given their identities and capabilities, they could not live in the real world.
Only here, in Dreamflux Reef, could they be accepted.
This made Dreamflux Reef's role in the dream world self-evident.
Such a method of presentation and the ability to convey information would be commendable in other shows.
But this is Honkai: Star Rail — it's just standard practice.
What surprised some viewers wasn't the metaphor brought out through dialogue, but Robin's response.
Everyone knew Robin's name.
But no one had deeply understood her. In previous scenes, whether it was Robin herself or Robin portrayed by Sparkle disguised as her, what was shown was kindness and purity.
Viewers instinctively assumed Robin's comfort would be like most people's — reassuring them to live well in the dream.
But the answer Robin gave was both warm and cruel, revealing the truth head-on.
Dreams cannot bear everything; dreams cannot replace reality.
No matter what physical problems one may have, one should bravely face reality.
Even these aging, disabled individuals have the right and ability.
It was a scene packed with heavy information.
But it was buried too deeply, and the live comment section wasn't particularly lively.
Things like:
"Robin is so kind, even comforting people like this."
Some comments were drowned in the sea of scrolling text, stirring no waves.
······
: Kind of unexpected, really. I thought Robin would be the gentle type, kind, just comforting everyone.
: No one's talking about Robin's character? This one's absolutely tough — damn.
: My gosh, Robin. MiHoYo is getting better and better at character design.
: Kindness and purity are of course traits of Robin, but many people didn't realize that. Just a few sentences prove Robin absolutely has her own convictions and aspirations. She's not just a stereotypical rich beautiful girl.
: They deepened the traditional image of the rich beauty, and overturned the audience's previous fantasies with just one line.
: Hiss… this feels like a big strategic move. What is MiHoYo planning with Robin?
: Such excellent design and dialogue — many didn't get it. It's a pity.
······
Most of these comments weren't hidden, but they didn't cause any stir.
Those who noticed it couldn't guess where this design choice would be used.
But soon, they will know.
On screen.
After comforting the elderly and children, Robin finally looked behind her, smiling gently and greeted, "Everyone from the Astral Express, we meet again. I heard that my disappearance caused quite a stir outside, which was... rather unexpected."
"It seems Miss Robin isn't surprised." Himeko spoke.
During the search for Robin just now, they had regrouped with Welt and Dan Heng.
"Mm..."
Robin looked at the Express crew with some concern: "Ever since I returned to Penacony, my voice has become abnormal, gradually turning into the torment of losing it. I originally thought it was just an accident, but now it seems the source isn't within me."
"There is something around me that is incompatible with Harmony. The members of The Family are still verifying it."
Himeko and Welt exchanged a glance, while March 7th and Stelle appeared puzzled and helpless.
Until Robin spoke more definitively.
"I'm very sorry. There is a traitor within The Family. He... or they, abandoned their original beliefs, exploiting human weaknesses in the name of Harmony, and have turned Penacony into a distorted illusion under the guise of peace."
"This is not the strong aiding the weak—it is the weak being used to control the strong! A world that has lost equality will no longer be blessed by Harmony, and the voice granted by It will naturally be unable to sing!"
"After noticing these abnormalities, I asked many people, but no one was willing to answer—except for my brother. In the end, I found this place through some documents. A dream within a buried dream."
Though she didn't say it outright,
The answer was already clear.
Whether it was the concealed Dreamflux Reef, the abnormalities in Robin's voice, or The Family's silence,
They all proved that something far more sinister lay behind Penacony!
Then, Welt's words further confirmed the idea that there must be a traitor within The Family.
After all, on Harmony's turf, unless someone of the level of a Emanator like Acheron made a move, it was hard to believe anyone else could cause chaos here.
Unless...
The enemy comes from within.
······
: Hiss... It really is a traitor, huh. Got it.
: So Robin came here willingly? Beneath that gentle exterior, Miss Robin has a strong heart!
: But who could the traitor be? So hard to guess!
: Robin and Sunday probably aren't the ones. Sunday might also be in the dark about it, unable to give a proper answer...
: Hmm... maybe it's related to that crow.
······
Just as the audience was busy speculating,
Several people suddenly arrived, interrupting everyone's conversation.
"Honored members of the Astral Express, under Mr. Mikhail's orders, we hope you will come and meet him."
One of them said respectfully.
"Mikhail?"
Stelle thought for a moment, suddenly recalling that this guy seemed to be the one in charge of Dreamflux Reef.
Welt and March 7th also remembered, and were a bit curious. The person suddenly urged them.
"There is a graveyard—uh, strictly speaking, a cenotaph. Mr. Gallagher believes it might be of help to you and hopes you'll come take a look."
The Express crew didn't think much of it and agreed under Welt's lead.
But on the screen, the bullet comments had completely exploded.
...
: MiHoYo lied to me again! Gonna hurt me again, huh?!
: Comment's section, fight against MiHoYo...