The audience, who had just been on a wild emotional high, suddenly went dead silent.
Not only did they calm down, they even started doubting whether their minds had broken.
Even so—
Not one of them suspected that this was MiHoYo messing with them again...
-------------------------------------
...
: Is that it? Sunday got taken out?
: Hiss... quiet, I'm taking out some tools which I had stored in my shed, will give MiHoYo a visit later.
: Hey! MiHoYo! No sense of occasion at all with this ending!
: What the hell, after all that buildup and such a grand setting, it just ends like that? I can't accept this!
: I'm trying hard to understand the deeper meaning behind what MiHoYo is doing!
: They could've had the express crew fight an extremely difficult battle with Sunday, then have Jing Yuan and Dan Heng show up to save the day and end the fight—not just end it like this all of a sudden!
: When I saw the Alliance Sigil being used, I got excited! If it just ends like this, doesn't it make the Alliance Sigil seem really cheap?
: Damn it, what is MiHoYo thinking? Even if reinforcements arrived, there should've been a battle! If Sunday got taken down in one blow, doesn't that make him a total joke?!
: Ahhh, I feel so terrible right now! All the amazing buildup, the content, and Sunday as a character—all ruined by this rushed ending!
: Don't tell me those leaks online were true? Is Episode 3 really going to end terribly? Please, no...
...
The audience was utterly shocked—some were even eating snacks.
Everyone's minds were spinning.
From professionals to casual viewers, no one could stop wondering why MiHoYo abruptly ended the climax of the story.
Even grandmas with muddled heads could come up with a dozen better explanations.
Like, have the express crew engage in a grueling fight with Sunday, and finally let Jing Yuan and Dan Heng show up to turn the tide.
That process should have some back-and-forth, with tension and layers.
Only then would the ending feel more emotionally satisfying and worthy.
But now it ended hastily.
What once had the depth of a solid Episode 3 suddenly became like a soap opera—completely losing its class.
If this had been a regular show, maybe the audience would've already dropped it.
But because it's MiHoYo, countless viewers still furrowed their brows and kept watching.
...
On screen.
The just-awakened Stelle looked confused, clearly unaware of what had just happened.
March 7th took the opportunity to explain.
"Long story short, while we were fighting hard, Dan Heng used the Alliance Sigil and brought the General just in time to break us out."
"Then we all returned to the real-world room. See, this is the actual room."
After March 7th finished, Stelle scratched her head and asked in confusion, "But I don't remember anything. Why is that?"
"Because you passed out right away."
"After all, it was a battle between Emanator-level figures. Totally normal."
March 7th shrugged.
Her relaxed expression made Stelle stop overthinking and just believe her.
"Alright, alright, since it's all over and everyone's out of the dream, let's go check in with the others and let them know we're safe, okay?"
With that, March 7th led Stelle out of the hotel room.
Their conversation was intended to give the audience some closure.
But no one was buying it!
Just after they stepped out of the room, a loud voice echoed through the hotel corridor.
"Not going to chat with me, little sleepyhead?"
"Black Swan?"
The voice suddenly in her head startled Stelle.
Just as they entered the hallway, they saw Black Swan standing there, nodding and smiling at them.
"Miss Black Swan? What are you doing here?"
March 7th was puzzled by Black Swan's appearance. After all, this memokeeper had always been elusive and mysterious.
"It's nothing, Miss March. I just saw she woke up and wanted to see how her recovery was going."
Black Swan smiled and greeted them.
"Although the General's strike came just in time, it was still immensely destructive. When Emanator-level forces collide, mental impact is unavoidable."
"But luckily, since the dream is kind of my domain, I managed to get everyone out before the Dream fully collapsed."
March 7th suddenly understood and looked grateful. "Oh, so that's what happened! Thank you, Miss Black Swan!"
"You're welcome. After all, I wouldn't want precious memories to be wasted like that."
Black Swan's lips curled into a smile as she casually walked over to stand beside Stelle and March.
"You're going to see your companions? Mind if I join you for a bit?"
Though a little wary, March 7th thought it through and realized there was no harm, so she agreed.
Stelle didn't mind at all.
Everything was over, and Acheron had been saved.
Even if this mysterious memokeeper had ulterior motives, it didn't matter anymore.
Because they were in the real world now.
The three of them walked together through the hotel hallway and into the lobby.
At that moment, the camera zoomed out.
The soft light and the crowded people painted a stark contrast to the dream world.
Everything in the dream had been dazzling and unreal.
And the people there had no worries.
Unlike now—where a group of differently dressed travelers had gathered, anxious and fearful, talking among themselves.
Clearly, they were still shaken by the chaos from the dream and were demanding answers from The Family in charge.
Seeing this scene, the audience's unsettled hearts finally calmed.
This was reality!
In other words—it really was all over!
...
: Really... that was so mediocre! This ending! So rushed?
: Did MiHoYo run out of budget? But how could that be? With Honkai: Star Rail, MiHoYo must be making bank, right?
: But, even if it ends like this, the whole plot that was built up is just...
: Why are people still defending it? This is clearly a botched ending!
: Damn it, I'm both angry and confused right now. Why did MiHoYo do this? All those amazing storylines and designs, wasted!
: It all collapsed in an instant! Has MiHoYo completely run out of creativity and can't write decent endings anymore?
: I don't think we need to be too harsh! The earlier parts were actually brilliant. MiHoYo is made up of people too, they can't always deliver peak storytelling. From a completeness standpoint, Penacony was actually quite well-rounded—except the plot!
: It's not the plot overall we're criticizing, it's the ending! It's just so disappointing. I can't even imagine the online backlash after this episode!
: I'm already prepared for it. I'm definitely not going to be like those haters who abandon Star Rail just because the ending wasn't perfect. I'll never forget how moved I was during the earlier story arcs!
: Exactly, I'll always support MiHoYo too, but just thinking about those haters getting what they want makes me so mad! Ugh, come on, MiHoYo, get it together!
...
Over 99% of the people are real fans of Honkai.
When they realized the story was really ending, they felt lost, confused, and even a little angry.
Because these viewers truly loved Star Rail, even though they realized the ending wasn't perfect, and perhaps never planned to be.
They were more worried that the already critical online sentiment toward MiHoYo would become even more one-sided.
While the comments were fiercely debating, the story on screen quietly progressed.
Stelle and March 7th had already met Dan Heng and the man beside him, Boothill.
This Galaxy Ranger had a unique and "adorable" interaction with Stelle and March 7th, and after getting to know each other—
"So that's how it was, then I really have to thank you all."
After hearing that Boothill was one of the people who had, together with Dan Heng on the express, predicted Penacony's crisis, March 7th expressed her gratitude.
Boothill laughed heartily,
"No need! Us Galaxy Rangers live by the motto 'draw your blade when injustice is seen.' That's how your Xianzhou people say it, right?"
"More or less."
Dan Heng nodded.
"Eh, wait a sec."
March 7th suddenly had a spark of realization.
She recalled Boothill and Dan Heng mentioning they had been chasing someone onto the express, and asked curiously,
"You were chasing someone? This is the first I've heard—was it someone really dangerous?"
"Good question! That was…"
Boothill was about to give a straightforward answer, but suddenly paused, "Uhh… who was it again? Dan Heng, brother, do you remember?"
"No way, you've already forgotten?" Stelle crossed her arms and squinted.
"No no no, I honestly can't recall."
Boothill shook his head and fell deep into thought.
Dan Heng hesitantly added: "…I don't seem to remember either."
"Uh… what's going on?"
March 7th was utterly confused.
But Boothill clearly didn't intend to dwell on it. He waved it off: "Forget it, probably just some petty thief. Doesn't matter. It doesn't affect our understanding of the big picture anyway."
"…Alright. Once everything settles down, I'll try to recall it through the Memokeeper's domain."
Black Swan suddenly spoke up, ending the topic and changing it: "Let's go. Miss Himeko is still waiting for you. As Penacony's big star, your presence is crucial!"
After bidding farewell to Boothill and Dan Heng, the trio moved on deeper into the area.
The chat, however, was still abuzz from that sudden and strange conversation.
...
: Wait a minute, something's not right—Black Swan also doesn't remember Acheron? That's not normal, is it?
: Sigh, what's not normal about it? Acheron's an Emanator of Nihility, maybe there's a reason.
: Are you suggesting… there's still a hidden clue?
: Clue? No clue. Everything's over... most likely it was a special effect from the battle with Sunday, like a memory suppression.
: But isn't memory erasure the job of Memokeeper-type beings?
: Who knows? Maybe Nihility can do that too.
: Yeah, erasing traces of existence sounds like something they'd do anyway.
...
No one could recall Acheron. That seemed like a major clue.
But from the viewer's perspective, it still made reasonable sense.
After all, this kind of thing could be explained by attributing it to Nihility.
Only someone extremely observant, or someone who deeply trusts MiHoYo, could detect the hidden logic behind that conversation.
And soon after, when the trio reached Himeko, they found her chatting with Welt—who somehow escaped danger—and Jing Yuan, discussing serious matters.
It was about the Family's internal conflicts and the IPC's struggles.
"The IPC is eager for quick results, but after all, peace was the original intention. Though The Family is in a dilemma, they still claim to seek harmony. Our alliance has always relied on reason to persuade others. I believe both sides can abandon past grievances and shake hands in reconciliation."
Jing Yuan's words carried a somewhat literary tone.
But the audience didn't think much of it, because although it didn't sound like Jing Yuan's usual way of speaking, no one could say for sure—perhaps this was how the General of the Xianzhou presented himself publicly.
Just then—
The three heard someone calling from behind!
"Sister Himeko, Uncle Yang! And General!"
March 7th greeted the three energetically.
"Our great hero is here."
Jing Yuan turned his head and, seeing Stelle, smiled and said, "Looks like you've recovered well."
"What? Were you thinking about me?"
Stelle stood with her hands on her hips.
"Hahaha, as expected of the 'Galactic Baseball Hero'—a true hero, sharp-eyed and perceptive!"
Jing Yuan burst out laughing at Stelle's antics.
"Alright, alright, you've been weird ever since that mission!"
March 7 teased, then asked worriedly, "Uncle Yang, how are you? I heard that guy didn't even spare Miss Robin and locked you all up."
"I'm fine. Sunday used some power to imprison me and Miss Robin together. Fortunately, he didn't go any further."
Welt shook his head, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memories, and summed up,
"Sunday is a decent person, but anyway, thanks to the General defeating the Dominicus, we were finally freed from that pressure."
"Now that you mention it, he used Harmony on us too... which means we were almost imprisoned as well..."
March 7th shuddered in fear.
"Mm."
Himeko nodded. As someone who had fought personally, she said, "I can now confirm that he truly wanted to duel us fairly. Otherwise, he could have taken us out... effortlessly."
Her words made Stelle and March 7th gasp, as if they were back in that grueling battle.
In that fight, they gave it their all and barely held their ground against Sunday's true strength.
Thankfully.
Thankfully, the Xianzhou came to help.
After that—
The three began discussing Penacony's future.
This time, neither Stelle nor March 7th could get a word in.
The tug-of-war between The IPC and The Family over Penacony, and the intervention of the Xianzhou and the Trailblazers over judgment rights and the power to fully investigate—
Much of it played out like a political drama.
For example, The IPC accused The Family of being completely infiltrated by the remnants of Order and demanded to intervene in Penacony's affairs.
The Family, on the other hand, blamed everything on the Oak family and Sunday, stating that it was purely an internal matter of Penacony, and that Sunday—and not themselves—was the guilty one.
This led to fierce disputes between the two.
Meanwhile, the Xianzhou and the Trailblazers planned to unite and act as observers, interfering in the negotiations to prevent another serious conflict.
At this point—
The audience had all but given up hope for any twists.
Aside from Sunday's battle ending too quickly, every other plot point connected to the resolution was unfolding exactly as expected.
In other words: this is just the kind of story direction you'd expect after Penacony's conclusion.
...
: Tragic, Sunday is truly being sent off for good!
: They're already wrapping up the final conflicts. Next, it's probably just the three major factions: The Family, The IPC and The Xianzhou arguing while the Express crew preps to jump to the next world…
: This is a no-good ending! My Honkai: Star Rail! How could it suddenly fall apart like this!! I can't accept this!!