Ironclad Group Chat: Red and Black Lists Engraved with Heroic Epics

He longed to go to his old friend and beg for forgiveness, but fear always crept into his heart. He was afraid that what he would see reflected in Mikhail's monocle was the face of a traitor, and even more afraid that Mikhail's already tightly closed eyes would reflect endless alienation and indifference.

That was more painful than the sword of curse from the same source, tearing his soul apart.

Now, he had no choice but to witness this scene.

"Mikhail... will you forgive me?"

[Pam: No! No! Wait a little longer, Pam! Just a little while, you haven't gotten back on the train yet, and you're eating my homemade pie, my homemade pie. I'll be quick, really quick...]

[Star: Mikhail-senpai? Senpai? Are you still there?]

There was no response. Just like their previous conversation, it was nothing more than babbling in a dream.

Worry, sadness, regret... all sorts of emotions spread among the stars through eye contact.

Along with it came the sound of Pam wailing inconsolably.

……

Mikhail sighed, "I've come far enough. It's time to take a short rest..."

The watch boy, still full of energy and oblivious to what was about to happen, said, "Oh, then shall we set off after you've rested?"

Just like before, they will always move forward!

Mikhail shook his head slightly: "No, I'll probably stay here. And then... it'll be over."

"The end?" The watch boy looked confused, completely unable to understand what his partner was talking about. "The end? Misha, what does that mean?"

"You clearly said that the journey of exploration would never end."

Mikhail's voice was weak and light: "Yes, I did say that..."

He laughed and said, "So now, it's your turn to decide your next destination."

Walter: The journey will naturally not end, but human strength has its limits. Fortunately, the will can ultimately be passed on.

The watch boy was at a loss: "My next stop? Where should that be? I've always followed you..."

He feared his friend might be ill, so he used all his abilities to help: "Misha? What's wrong? You're acting strange today! If you're unhappy, we can do what we always do—perform the [Watch Trick]!"

"No need to come, I'm not unhappy," Mikhail laughed. "As for the [watch trick]..."

He looked up at the golden moment on the opposite bank, at the Clockwork Boy statue, the area he was most proud of in his life.

"Yes, in this dream, it seems to be able to solve all problems."

[Star: That's... the Star Train?!]

Yes, the city planning during the prime time is ingenious. The most central and popular photo spot, the Clockwork Boy statue, and the surrounding park are clearly the locomotive of a train!

The long central avenue, left behind, resembled a winding train carriage, its dazzling lights like an endless starry sky. The train Mikhail had longed for seemed to have come from beyond the stars!

[Yao Guang: Needless to say, every lonely night, he would look up at that place, his eyes yearning. Hoping that besides the clamor of voices, there would be a loud, drawn-out sound that would startle him, wouldn't it?]

[March 7th: Stop talking, I can't hold back anymore.]

[Himeko: There's no need to endure it. The fact that someone is weeping for his passing is the greatest recognition of his life's achievements. How tragic it would be if no one were willing to play mournful music for someone in their sleep.]

Mikhail smiled with satisfaction.

His meticulously crafted blueprint ultimately coincided with reality.

He lowered his head and tested the watchmaker: "So, do you know what watch tricks are?"

The watchmaker looked dejected: "What? I don't know."

Mikhail patiently explained: "Everyone gets lost sometimes, hesitant and unsure which way to go. It exists in this dream, and it exists everywhere outside of the dream."

He gazed back at the gentle moonlight, as if telling a child a bedtime story: "But there's no need to be afraid. Just as people sometimes feel lost, at certain moments they also make a bold yet remarkable decision..."

"Whether it's calm, joyful, angry, or sad, all they need is a small push, and then they can take a step forward and move towards their own future."

"I'm leaving this small amount of power to you, and I hope you'll share it with more people..."

"This is the [Clockwork Trick], the will called [Pioneering]."

[Walter: Like Mikhail, when he entered Pinocene, he faced devastation and countless unknown difficulties, making it impossible for him to see the complete road ahead.]

[Himeko: So he gave himself a push, and then, in the darkness, carved out a glorious future.]

[Yao Guang: As the ancient sage Xianzhou once said, "Think thrice before you act." But in reality, the sage was denying this. His true answer was, "Twice is enough." Excessive deliberation inevitably leads to hesitation and inaction. Mr. Mikhail's wisdom is remarkably similar to that of the ancient sage.]

"Hmph~~" Mikhail smiled faintly.

The clock boy looked very troubled; he clearly couldn't yet comprehend Mikhail's lifelong wisdom.

But the nameless man was not worried; he believed he would understand.

And I... after telling this story, I can finally rest.

"The hands of a clock go round and round, just like a person's confusion, worries, weaknesses... swinging endlessly."

He propped himself up on his arms, nestled into the armchair, and rested in the moonlight.

The ticking of the clock flowed gently, each second captivating the heart.

But ultimately... people still have to move forward...

Misha, clutching his top hat, fell peacefully asleep. Star and the nameless guests arrived one after another, standing silently before him.

The camera pans to behind the group, and when it pans back out, the figure in the armchair seems to have transcended time and space, transforming back into the elderly Mikhail.

Xing knelt on one knee to receive the gift from her senior and offer her respect at the same time.

Mikhail's words still resonate in our ears.

"Like your pointer, it always points ahead."

"My journey ends here. From now on... it's your path."

Xing took the hat and solemnly placed it on her head.

[Pam: Mikhail!!!]

Pam collapsed against the car window, sobbing uncontrollably. He even wished he could rush inside and hug that wonderful passenger. But he couldn't.

[Jingyuan: May the departed rest in peace...]

[Yao Guang: May the departed rest in peace. May they have a safe journey.]

[Gold Placer: May the King of Amber protect and bless those who explore.]

[Star: Don't worry, Mikhail-senpai, we will carve out a complete future from the darkness to complete the path you left unfinished!]

Mikhail: Well said! Go! Let that black-winged head understand the difference between getting what you deserve and accepting your fate!

[March 7th: That's right, we're here... Ah? No!]