Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

After hearing Daziel's arbitrary decision, the light in Black Swan's deep purple eyes, hidden beneath her veil, shifted slightly, a flicker of an indescribably complex emotion passing through them.

"Ah. Aren't your companions, who have quelled Stellaron disasters several times, a powerful asset? I don't understand."

From Black Swan's perspective, having the other Nameless to help might make these murky waters a little clearer, and the situation more straightforward.

"However, your desire not to worry your former companions, that sentiment hidden beneath your indifference, is not too bad." Black Swan's tone suddenly shifted, her voice once again tinged with her usual elegance and composure, as if the momentary deliberation had never happened.

"Since you have decided, then we shall do as you say. We will first return to the real world and reconvene in the lobby of The Reverie Hotel." She turned slightly, her gaze seeming to pierce through the void of Memoria, looking towards the coordinates of reality.

"Once everything is ready, I will personally guide you into that deeper Memory Domain, unique to The Reverie Hotel."

"As for the specific details and matters needing attention, we can discuss them further then."

Daziel nodded, agreeing to Black Swan's proposal.

However, Sparkle suddenly lifted her delicate little face, her unique pink pupils filled with undisguised indignation and grievance.

"Eh—? How come Big Brother Daziel only thinks about the others on the train crew, and doesn't care about me at all? I'm also a member of the crew now, you know? How can you care about them and not me?"

She dragged out her voice, a deliberately cloying, coquettish tone that could set one's teeth on edge, as if she had suffered the greatest neglect.

Daziel's icy gaze swept over Sparkle like a physical force, his tone so indifferent it was without a ripple, as if stating a foregone conclusion.

"Since you have seen everything, and know those secrets you shouldn't know, you are already a piece on this chessboard with no way out, no path of retreat."

"Adding a bit of chaos to the grand and absurd stage of Penacony? Isn't that what you, as a seeker of fun, looked forward to?"

Sparkle tapped her chin with her little finger. "That's true, but… I want it too."

"What, after just a few days without a proper lesson, that deeply ingrained addiction to being controlled and abused is acting up again?" Daziel interrupted her without hesitation, the depths of his grey-gold eyes seemingly seeing through her act.

"More importantly, you Masked Fools have a criminal record with the Astral Express crew. The debt for Aha blowing up the Astral Express has never been paid. Wanting the same treatment as the other crew members is a bit difficult."

Sparkle, choked by his merciless words, pouted, her pink lips pursed in dissatisfaction. In the end, she didn't dare say any more provocative words.

"Hmph, I hate you. It's not like I did it. If you have a problem, go find Aha. Why blame me?…" she muttered under her breath, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, her slender fingers rubbing her faintly aching temples.

"But… to wake up from this damned dream and return to the real world, we still have to go through those terribly troublesome official procedures, handle some dream-leaving paperwork…"

"It's so much trouble!"

Black Swan gently brushed the veil hanging beside her cheek, her voice carrying the unique mysterious charm of a Memokeeper, like the night wind brushing against harp strings.

"There's no need for such tedious complexities. For a Memokeeper who walks the long river of memory, bypassing the official channels set up by The Family is no difficult task."

She extended a slender finger and tapped lightly in the air.

"You two, please close your eyes for a moment and relax your minds."

An invisible, water-like fluctuation of Memoria, like the softest ripple, quietly spread out, gently enveloping the bodies of Daziel and Sparkle. Sparkle closed her eyes, feeling the changes around her, and couldn't help but let out a small gasp of amazement.

"Wow! What a super convenient ability!"

In the next moment, the squalid scene of the cramped alley and its suffocating sense of oppression receded like a tidal wave, as if wiped away by an invisible hand. Daziel's consciousness was like surfacing from the deep sea. The first thing he clearly felt was the sensation of the bed beneath him, so soft it was like sinking into clouds.

The real world, a lavishly luxurious twin suite in The Reverie Hotel.

The soft light from the ceiling scattered like moonlight, and the air was filled with a faint, fragrant aroma, a mixture of high-end perfume and the fresh scent of fabric, serene and warm.

Daziel turned his head slightly, his gaze falling to his side. Himeko was still sound asleep on the other side of the large Dream Pool, her breathing even and long, clearly still immersed in the beautiful dreams of Penacony.

Her signature dark red hair was spread across the soft white pillow like the most magnificent silk. Her silk white nightdress was soaked in the water, outlining her mature, full, and exquisite curves, with special details faintly visible, every inch exuding an astonishing charm. Her sleeping face was tranquil and peaceful, like a cat that had let down all its guards, without a trace of her usual shrewdness and competence.

Daziel's movements were extremely light, afraid that the slightest sound would disturb her peaceful sleep. He got up silently, his bare feet landing on the thick, cool, high-grade cashmere carpet. After getting dressed, he walked silently towards the closed door. Gently turning the metal handle, Daziel opened the door.

The corridor outside was brightly lit, the light soft and not glaring. The floor was covered with a thick, magnificent custom carpet that perfectly absorbed all footsteps, creating an ultimate sense of tranquility.

The air was so quiet you could almost hear your own heartbeat. After all, most of the guests were in their dreams and wouldn't easily come out to walk around.

Daziel walked slowly, and upon reaching the corner of the corridor, his view suddenly opened up. Outside a huge, curved porthole that took up almost the entire wall was the deep, boundless cosmos, dotted with countless brilliant stars, magnificent and mysterious.

A familiar figure was leaning quietly against the cold windowsill. Her short pink hair glowed with a cute luster under the soft light. She wore a comfortable, soft nightdress and was looking up slightly, gazing at the magnificent and intoxicating sea of stars outside the porthole.

It was March 7th, who had woken up from the dream ahead of schedule.

Daziel slowed his steps and walked silently to her side.

"Why are you awake? Wasn't the dream world fun?" his low voice broke the corridor's silence.

March 7th turned her head at the sound. Her clear, bright, crystal-like eyes instantly reflected Daziel's tall figure, a hint of pleasant surprise flashing in them.

"Mmm, although Penacony's dreamscape was super interesting at first, with all sorts of fun things…"

She pouted slightly, her tone carrying an almost imperceptible hint of disappointment.

"But… without you, it quickly got a bit boring. I couldn't get excited about anything, so I woke up early to wait for you."

She paused, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Daziel with unconcealed anticipation.

"See, and now I've caught you."

Daziel's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Looking at her innocent yet slightly aggrieved expression, a teasing smile played on his lips.

"Oh? Are you sure it's not because you were too lonely by yourself, so… you wanted to find me to solve your physiological needs?"

March 7th's fair cheeks flushed a charming crimson, and her gaze began to wander, not daring to meet Daziel's smiling eyes directly.

"Well… maybe a little bit!"

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she instantly puffed up her cheeks and started complaining in a small, yet righteous-sounding voice.

"After all! All those little electric toys I brought were confiscated during the hotel security check!"

Her tone was filled with indignation towards Penacony's strict regulations.

"And that's not all! Who would have thought that inside Penacony, even taking care of things with your own hands is forbidden! It's too much!"

"It made it so I didn't even dare to secretly take care of it at night, afraid that those Hounds with noses keener than dogs would track me down through Memoria fluctuations or something. That would be too…"

Her words suddenly turned, her pink eyes curiously sizing up Daziel.

"What about you, Daziel? Without me around to cause trouble, did you feel a bit lonely in the dream these past few days?"

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, her body unconsciously leaning a little closer to Daziel, the implication clear.

"How about… we go back to the room now and sneak in a round? It's okay to do it in reality, you know!"

Daziel felt the girlish fragrance from her body and that bold, direct invitation. Even though he was long accustomed to such things, an extremely faint, fleeting awkwardness couldn't help but appear on his face.

"Ahem, I… I was alright. There was a lot to do in the dream."

He responded vaguely, trying to change the subject.

"What do you mean, 'alright'?!"

March 7th immediately pouted, her pink lips jutting out.

"You! Spill it! How did you avoid the eyes of those annoying Hounds? You must have been secretly doing something bad! Tell me!"

She pressed on, like a little detective interrogating a suspect.

"And! On this trip into the dreamscape, did you hook up with a few pretty older and younger sisters behind my back again?!"

The more she spoke, the angrier she got, her little fists clenching, her tone dripping with jealousy.

"Seriously! It's so unfair how some have all the luck and others have none!"

"Er, about that…"

Daziel pondered for a moment, thinking about how to explain to March 7th that Gallagher had covered for him.

Just then, from the corner of the corridor, a woman's voice, somewhat lazy and magnetic, yet imbued with an elegant charm, sounded leisurely, like silk gliding over the ear.

"Oh my, I never thought Mr. Daziel would have such a… hmm, innocent side to him."

The voice paused, as if choosing its words, tinged with a playful tone.

"After seeing those two recordings, I thought you were the type of cold man who didn't know the first thing about cherishing women. I didn't expect you to be completely different with this little pink-haired girl."

March 7th followed the voice and saw a graceful, curvaceous, mature woman, wearing a hazy black veil, walking slowly out of the shadows with elegant and composed steps.

It was Black Swan.

March 7th's gaze instantly became wary, sizing up this sudden uninvited guest with undisguised hostility.

"Oh? Is this another new sister Daziel met in the dream? So impolite!"

Although she was more than a head shorter than Black Swan, March 7th's aura was not at all inferior. She puffed out her small chest, striking a pose of declaring sovereignty.

"How many times have you even done it with him? You dare to speak like that?! Do you know how many times I've used just my mouth?"

Daziel felt the instantly bristling aura from the girl beside him and helplessly reached out, gently taking March 7th's arm. The touch was warm and soft.

"Don't talk nonsense. This is Miss Black Swan from the Garden of Recollection. We are currently in… a temporary cooperative relationship."

He explained, his tone as peaceful as possible.

"Cooperation?"

March 7th looked suspiciously at the calm Daziel, then cast a hostile glance at the elegant and mysterious Black Swan, clearly reserving judgment on that statement.

Just then, from the other end of the corridor came the sound of light, lively, even bouncing footsteps.

Sparkle appeared in everyone's line of sight, her small face, which always wore a cunning smile, now filled with the excitement and anticipation of someone who loves to watch a scene unfold.

"My, oh my, Miss Black Swan, you've misunderstood greatly!"

"Our Big Brother Daziel, he's quite adept at treating different people differently, accurately judging how to handle each one!"

She counted on her fingers with great seriousness, her eyes darting between Daziel and March 7th.

"You see, with me, he's quick to act, quite ruthless, just charging in relentlessly! As for others… for example, this cute young lady,"

She winked at March 7th, "the force rises and falls, the rhythm is gentle."

"…"

A vein on Daziel's temple throbbed almost imperceptibly. He felt a headache coming on from Sparkle's act of sabotage.

March 7th, however, as if receiving great affirmation and support, immediately tightened her grip on Daziel's arm, her small face lifted with a touch of charming naivety and immense pride, loudly proclaiming—

"Of course! At least in my eyes, Daziel is the most, most gentle and good man in the world!"

She puffed out her chest, her tone firm and resolute, allowing no doubt.

"He's absolutely the legendary type of true gentleman who can remain unflustered by temptation!"

The expression under Black Swan's veil seemed to change subtly. A flash of surprise crossed her deep purple eyes, then was replaced by a deeper inquiry.

"It seems… because I couldn't see into Mr. Daziel's memory before, I did indeed form many preconceived misunderstandings about him."

She murmured softly, her tone carrying a hint of self-reflection.

"Perhaps, I really should set aside the fixed impressions from the recordings and re-, more carefully… observe this Mr. Daziel."

The light of inquiry and curiosity in her beautiful purple eyes seemed to condense into substance, focusing more intensely on Daziel.

Seeing this, Sparkle, eager to stir up more trouble, sidled up, her little head almost pressing against Daziel, her voice lowered but loud enough for everyone present to hear.

"Heehee, let me give you all a precise summary! He, ah, deep down, has always been concerned about his glorious persona of a 'partner of justice,' a 'Nameless'!"

She smiled slyly, her pink pupils twinkling with mischief.

"But now, this broken universe is in such a mess, with all sorts of sins of desire, memetic agents, and other ghostly things everywhere."

"So he's started to become particularly awkward. On one hand, he has to act like a cold-hearted man who would be ruthless and unfeeling to achieve his final goal."

She mimicked the cold expression Daziel might have, making March 7th almost laugh out loud.

"But on the other hand, he can't help but act like one of those gentle-hearted protagonists from the trashy light novels back in my hometown, carefully protecting the girls he's dragged into this, afraid they'll be hurt even a little."

Sparkle looked smugly at Daziel, raising an eyebrow.

"My analysis is correct, right? Hmm? Big Brother Daziel?"

Daziel finally couldn't take it anymore. He raised his hand and gave Sparkle a light flick on her smooth, full forehead.

"You talk too much!"

"Ouch! That hurts! What did I do?"

Sparkle immediately covered her forehead and jumped back dramatically, her eyes instantly turning red as she complained pitifully.

"I was kindly helping you explain your complex inner self, and you hit me! You're so mean~ Big Brother Daziel~"

Her tone was three parts real pain and seven parts feigned, pitiable teasing, enough to give one goosebumps.

Black Swan watched this chaotic yet bizarre scene with great interest, the corner of her mouth under the veil curving into an imperceptible arc. Her gaze, like the most precise instrument, slowly swept between the exasperated Daziel, the pouting and defensive March 7th, and the hyperactive Sparkle who was eager for chaos. Finally, it settled once again on Daziel's face, which was still calm but seemed to hold many more stories.

This man was far more complex, more contradictory, and more… interesting than she had initially judged.

March 7th finally snapped out of this chaotic mess and forcibly pulled the topic back on track, as she still had a bellyful of questions.

"So! Why did you all wake up from the dream together?"

Her sharp gaze landed on Black Swan, filled with undisguised scrutiny and a hint of vigilance.

"And, what did you mean just now about cooperating with this… Miss Black Swan? What are you going to cooperate on?"

"Daziel, are you going to shoulder the responsibility all by yourself behind my back again? You're great in every way, except for this one thing… I hate it so much…"

A subtle tension filled the air, mixed with curiosity, vigilance, and a faint hint of jealousy.

_

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