If resentment could become physical attacks, Xia Wen would have been obliterated by now.
But this was exactly what he wanted.
When playing the game, the impact of this plot would require watching many analyses and historical references before gradually sinking in.
But Xia Wen, for the sake of today and many similar future segments, specifically created the "Past of Clockie" chapter in Dreamville Adventure.
Considerately laying the groundwork for the audience's anticipation.
Allowing countless viewers to effortlessly feel the tragic sorrow of great heroes who never had happy endings — without having to cram any background knowledge.
Not for anything else, but because Xia Wen... was just so kind-hearted!
---------------------------------------
When the audience was filled with immense anger, a deeper doubt also arose in their hearts.
When exactly— and who—
Because in the Myriad Celestia Trailer, although Hanunue sacrificed himself, he also successfully repelled the IPC.
At that time, the Astral Express Trio unquestionably had the prestige and qualifications to easily take control of Penacony.
After the war ended, what on earth happened to the position of the Victorious Seat?
...
: Tsk... I just realized, this damned Myriad Celestia Trailer was purely set up to trap us!
: Right! Damn, it looked like we learned Penacony's history, and even started anticipating the upcoming plot because of it. But in reality, everything we invested emotionally is being held hostage!
: Instead, because we've gotten familiar with the Astral Express Trio, our hearts have been tied up, especially eager to see the three of them.
: I was too naive. Back when I saw MiHoYo suddenly release a new Myriad Celestia Trailer without warning, I thought they were being kind. Turns out it was all a trap!
: In fact, we still know nothing about the current situation. We don't even understand why Penacony became what it is now. But I've got to say, damn, it really gets you thinking.
: We're screwed. We've been baited by MiHoYo like hooked fish.
...
On screen, the atmosphere suddenly turned a bit heavy.
Stelle and March 7th were silent, unsure what to say.
The symbolic tomb of the senior still stood here, as if silently voicing the burden of forgotten names and suppressed truths.
"All right, no need to be so heavy."
Gallagher withdrew his gaze, turned, and said, "These doubts—someone will answer them. Let's go to another place, he should be finished on his end."
Following Gallagher, the group made their way to the sibling's location.
At this moment, Sunday, Robin, and the others had also arrived.
Virtually everyone was now assembled.
"Mr. Gallagher, we finally stand before you. Surely, you owe us a proper explanation for all of this?"
Welt adjusted his glasses.
Not just those present— even the audience beyond the screen was especially curious.
"Of course, of course."
Gallagher appeared relaxed and spoke candidly, "But before we begin, let me reintroduce myself."
"Founder of Dreamflux Reef, assistant to the Watchmaker, and also the one who sent the invitation."
"A History Fictionologist, follower of The Enigmata."
As soon as the words left his mouth, March 7th's eyes widened as she retorted, "So you're that History Fictionologist—so everything you told us before was fake?"
"Hahaha, actually, everything I told you was true— except the part about re-establishing the Dreamflux Reef under the prestige of the authorities."
Gallagher laughed heartily.
Then, he looked toward Himeko and Welt.
The two members of the Express Crew didn't voice any opposition.
Gallagher nodded, knowing it was time to reveal the real core of the drama.
Why he went through so much trouble to stage an inheritance battle.
Why he invited factions from all over the universe to Penacony, stirring unrest in the Fat District.
"The answer you seek is actually quite simple."
Gallagher stared with his half-asleep eyes and calmly said: "It's the Stellaron."
"The Stellaron?!"
Welt adjusted his glasses and asked in confusion, "Penacony seems completely accessible, not like it's been sealed by a Stellaron."
"But that's the reality."
Gallagher shook his head: "Dreams don't just appear out of thin air. If you compare the Memory Zone to a vast ocean, then building Penacony is like reclaiming land from the sea."
"To achieve something like that would require either memory or the intervention of a mysterious Aeon."
"Other than that, nothing could explain it."
"To do this requires immense knowledge, manpower, and resources. At this point, you should understand."
"The Planet of Festivities—
is the Stellaron Disaster of the star system of Asdana!"
The explanation ended.
But the confusion among those present had not diminished much.
And the audience even more so.
Myriad Celestia Trailer revealed things related to the Stellaron, but during that period—whether in war or development—the focus was firmly on resistance and heroism.
Completely different from the Penacony of today.
What role did the Stellaron play in all this?
The Planet of Festivities, Penacony doesn't seem to have suffered the effects of the Stellaron Disaster at all.
Fortunately, Gallagher hadn't finished speaking.
"The story begins a long time ago."
"After the Watchmaker liberated Penacony, it was extremely difficult to develop it from nothing. At that time, they planned to use the Stellaron to maintain pressure and control."
"But the Nameless were the ones who understood the Stellaron best, and under their urging, people abandoned that idea."
"Everything changed after Tiernan's death. The two companions of the Nameless died one after another, forcing the Watchmaker to head to the front lines of the Trailblazing, and that gave certain schemers an opportunity..."
"By the time The Family from the Montour system responded to the Watchmaker's call and arrived here, the Stellaron had already been activated and hidden within the Dreamscape."
Mikhail did indeed issue a call to rally.
He hoped capable people from across the universe would come and help build Penacony.
The Family were the first to respond.
Up to this point, the audience felt it was simply a tragic story.
Everyone could only imagine how devastated Mikhail must have been after the deaths of his two companions.
And how, despite his grief, he continued to push for the development of interstellar development of Penacony.
But at that moment—
Himeko calmly said, "I guess The Family just happened to possess knowledge of how to seal the Stellaron?"
This navigator, with a shrewd gaze, had already seen through the truth.
"More than that!"
For the first time, Gallagher lost his composure and said, "They understood the Stellaron even more deeply than most. They quickly helped Mikhail quell the internal unrest, and then joined Penacony's development under the name of Harmony."
"That period, known as the Dream-Chasing Era, spanned three epochs. The Watchmaker, kept in the dark by The Family, extended invitations to the entire universe and ignited a frenzy driven by dreams."
Welt realized the real story was coming to light and asked, "What do you mean by 'kept in the dark'?"
"Because The Family' method of sealing the Stellaron was by using beautiful dreams."
"And the construction and maintenance of those dreams... is my domain!"
With a deep, grim voice, Gallagher revealed the chilling truth: "The grand and resplendent dream was built on spiritual death. They used the easy happiness within the dream as bait to lure people into indulging in it. Those who became addicted— their minds eventually flowed to the end of the dream and became the last straw."
"Ah…" March 7th was startled.
"And we discovered it too late. By the time we reacted…"
"The Family already had influence everywhere. All those who opposed them were exiled or controlled."
...
The comment section exploded.
From the very first episode, the villains in Penacony kept changing.
Gallagher, the IPC, Aventurine, the Ever-Flame Manor.
And finally, the audience realized…
The one who caused all of this, the one who buried the heroes and led to their corruption—Was The Family!
The Family faction, whose reputation had always been positive!