“Regardless of reality or dream, looking up at the sky is human instinct. Since the day ‘The Golden Hour’ was completed, it has always been there, watching over every night of revelry.”

“But now this night sky has been mercilessly severed, stained by the haze of ‘Nihility.’ And this process… took only a single strike.”

“‘A single strike’… is not accurate,” Himeko corrected meticulously. “Actually, it was two strikes, but the second one was very quick.”

“That’s not the point.” Pepeshi shook his head. “This festival has gathered too many uninvited guests. Even if Harmony embraces everything, for the peace of Penacony, I have no choice but to issue eviction notices to some of them…”

DC Universe.

“Uh, Miss Himeko’s explanation is really… humorous.”

In the top-floor office of the Daily Planet, Louise chuckled awkwardly. Miss Himeko’s serious correction was almost like explaining a not-so-funny cold joke, making the Pepeshi on the other side momentarily unsure how to respond.

However, that Pepeshi also clearly had issues. Not to mention that this small, elf-like group wouldn't emit such a steady, seasoned voice, he seemed quite knowledgeable about Penacony’s history and had witnessed many things.

Like the patriarch of a family.

“This Pepeshi should be manipulated. From his tone, the manipulator should at least be an existence at the level of a family head, like Sunday, otherwise expelling an Emanator-level powerhouse… that’s no small matter.” Clark took off his glasses, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples. “This method of manipulation must have utilized the authority of Harmony.”

“I remember Himeko said earlier that Harmony gathers the wills of many people, something like tens of thousands… All of these people’s consciousnesses are integrated into the concept of Harmony, like a single iron plate.”

“This also means it’s easier for the mastermind to manipulate them,” Clark sighed. “What if Himeko doesn’t want to leave Penacony? Does the family intend to have all these people use force against Himeko?”

In Clark’s opinion, after Himeko turned white-haired, ten thousand people probably wouldn’t be enough for her to cut down. As long as she was willing to draw that blade, Nihility would erode and swallow the entire Penacony—of course, he also didn’t want Himeko to actually resort to force, as the Earth would suffer along with it if she drew her blade.

He didn’t want to see that world swallowed by Nihility again; that pale sense of powerlessness… truly couldn’t be described with words.

“The Planet of Festivities cannot accommodate you, puppet of Nihility. Those who live in the shadows should not step onto the bright stage.”

Himeko gave him a cold glance: “On the point of living in the shadows, we should be no different. At least when speaking to others, you should reveal your true form… Dreammaster of Penacony.”

The Dreammaster chuckled: “One more reason not to let you stay.”

The people around gradually surrounded Himeko, enclosing her completely. They all stared fixedly at her.

“But whether you believe it or not, this is the true ‘me.’ Not only that, every single one is.”

“Is this what the family calls ‘unity of purpose’?”

The Dreammaster said unhurriedly: “My mortal body has long since dissipated. The one hundred seven thousand three hundred thirty-six children of the Oak Family are now my eyes, ears, and mouth. When needed, I will spread Harmony in this beautiful dream. When necessary… they will banish evil from this paradise for me.”

“It sounds like you’re asking me to leave Penacony.”

The Dreammaster nodded with satisfaction: “I’m glad you know your place, but unfortunately, there’s no ‘asking.’”

Himeko’s eyebrow raised slightly: “You think you can do it.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Hmm… I used a period.” Himeko closed her eyes. “This is a… statement. You are not the first, nor will you be the last, to show such malice after knowing my identity. This situation has happened too many times. When faced with my inquiry, people often ask in return, ‘Why not?’”,

The surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees, and the air was filled with a suffocating sense of oppression.

Himeko slowly opened her eyes: “But the result… has always been, ‘Why not.’”

Demon Slayer.

“This line is so cool, so cool, so cool! Miss Himeko is too cool! Beautiful, cool, and strong!”

In the courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Mitsuri Kanroji’s eyes were practically sparkling with stars, her expression that of a lovesick fangirl, making the Serpent Hashira next to her sigh and rub his forehead.

“Mitsuri… perhaps you should calm down. You should know that Miss Himeko is not guaranteed to win in the current situation,” Serpent Hashira reminded her softly.

“Eh? No way? Miss Himeko is so strong? If this Dreammaster insists on bothering her, then just another strike… no, two strikes to cleave all the other dreams too! Until he doesn’t dare to cause trouble anymore!”

Mitsuri Kanroji’s thoughts were simple. Regarding the issue with Himeko, the Dreammaster was simply being unreasonable.

You know, Gold Dust was the one who initiated the attack first, even if he was acting… his chips destroyed quite a few buildings. It was Miss Himeko who stopped him with two strikes, preventing him from causing greater damage. Now, not only is there no thank you, but they’re also trying to kick her out. Why should they?

Just because she cleaved open Penacony’s sky? But if she hadn’t acted, the golden gaping hole summoned by Gold Dust would still be continuously raining down chips!

“It’s not that simple. Do you remember the shackles Sunday placed on Gold Dust back then? Although Harmony looks harmless, that’s just how it looks… It’s hard to imagine how many harmful methods they actually hide,” Muichiro Tokito reminded them calmly from the side.

“Heh, that kind of thing is only useful against Gold Dust. Himeko can cut it open with one strike. What good would that do against her?” Shinazugawa Sanemi snorted disdainfully.

“But that was just a shackle imposed by Sunday,” Shinobu Kocho took over his words. “Shinazugawa Sanemi… we must assume there is a Harmony Emanator in the family. If an Emanator placed a shackle on Himeko, could she still easily cut it open? Himeko is indeed strong, but don’t underestimate Harmony. The situation in Penacony is too chaotic right now, and no one can predict if there are other Emanators stirring up trouble and hiding among them.”

“You are very confident, but please remember—the family is humble, but never weak. The harmonious strings of Harmony pervade the universe. If you do not comply, if that long blade is unsheathed even a fraction, you will never escape the wrath of the ‘Infinite Commander’ for the rest of your life.”

“And before that…” The Dreammaster took a deep breath and slowly began: “…one hundred thirty-seven people. This is the number of foreigners I have personally exiled since becoming the Dreammaster. Some of them once broke my wings, some once burned my body…”

“But today, I still stand here, not minding adding another entry to this number.”