Honkai Impact: Dreams and the Holy Grail, but the Servant is Rei.

"Hello, lovely camera lady." A woman with short purple hair and black-rimmed glasses greeted Camille politely.

As a camera lens among intelligent machines, skilled in photography—and literally so—Carmelo could clearly see the signature of the letter Miss Zhong Shan was writing, even from a distance:

"Yours truly, Zhong Shanshan"

Carmel pretended not to see it. Although she had the gossip spirit of a journalist, she restrained herself from prying into other people's secrets.

At this moment, Giovanni spoke up: "Thank you for providing the starship at the last minute. It really helped me a lot. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get here on time."

Zhong Shan put away the letter she had written and said to him with a smile, "No need to thank me. I travel to different planets looking for fun, and I have more than one high-performance means of transportation."

If she knew her car was about to get a ticket for illegal parking, would she still be smiling so happily? Camille thought to herself, looking at the smiling Miss Zhong Shan.

Of course, she had no doubt that Mr. Giovanni's financial resources would easily allow him to pay a very satisfactory compensation.

"Ms. Zhong Shan, do you know anything inside information about this opening ceremony?" Miss Camille asked. As a renowned journalist, her professional skills and news sense were always excellent.

“I don’t know the real inside story, but I do know some interesting things about ‘Xiao Meng’.” Zhong Shan smiled and pointed to a spot in the center of the square where many people were queuing up. There was a fountain that looked like a bottle of soda. “Would you like a drink too? Just say your favorite drink in your mind and you can catch it from the fountain.”

"And you can drink as much as you want, because they'll disappear in half an hour, so take small portions frequently," she joked, mimicking the tone of the buffet manager.

"Is this the hotel owner's ability? That 'Little Meng'?" Giovanni and Camille were very surprised. The latter, as a machine reporter, asked the question directly.

"Yeah, he's a very special guy. He's not as good at pranks or making jokes as his other brothers and sisters, but his remarks are sometimes very interesting, often from angles we wouldn't expect." Zhong Shan looked at the [Aha's Pleasure Tavern] tucked away behind the bustling square not far away.

Like a real tavern, it is not particularly grand or luxurious except for a private room on the top floor; it is a small to medium-sized building in the Hervé style.

“That tavern was built by us and him together.” As if anticipating the question the reporter was about to ask, Zhong Shan answered in advance.

"However, he later told us very sincerely that he might be forced to stage a good show, and advised us not to go near the tavern before the official opening, otherwise we would be in danger from some powerful enemies who were only targeting him."

Inside the tavern, the person who remembered, disguised as Giovanni, looked at the incapacitated Meng Weiyu and asked with a smile:

"Brother Meng, do you have any last words?"

Chapter 49 A Sword's Frost Chills Across Fourteen Provinces

"Last words..." [Meng Weiyu] seemed to want to give a bitter smile, but his stiff muscles only allowed him to make a sound without making an expression. "We've talked for so long, and I've told you so many interesting [memories], can you give me a better ending?"

"For example?" Giovanni raised his eyebrows behind his mask.

"For example... I think it would be good to protect me properly and restrict my personal freedom. Just don't turn me into a [Light Cone] and store it away. That kind of thing is considered a level two controlled commodity within the Interstellar Peace Corporation's sphere of influence." [Meng Weiyu] told a lame joke at the end, but no one responded.

"Good grief, they're hiring bodyguards for free, huh?" the narrators thought to themselves.

“This is a bit tricky, Brother Meng.” Giovanni shrugged with difficulty. “The Light Cone can preserve memories, abilities, and experience; it’s the best option.”

"How about this?" The person impersonating Giovanni snapped his fingers, and a phantom, transparent book appeared out of thin air in front of Meng Weiyu.

“I’ve shaped the light cone into the form of a book. Once you and the Holy Grail are inside, let’s call it ‘A Collection of Extraterrestrial Visitors.’” He bowed slightly to Meng Weiyu in Giovanni’s likeness. “Your story will be its first chapter!”

"So you've been rambling on about nothing, all this time you're preparing this book..." Meng Weiyu said calmly. Perhaps he really lacked a lot of humanity, because at this moment his voice no longer carried any fear.

"You got it right, but there's no reward." The Memory Man said to Meng Weiyu in the tone of a girl, a tactic he used when he was also a Masked Fool to toy with his prey.

A fleeting hint of rage flashed in Meng Weiyu's eyes, as if a true dragon had its scales touched.

"Don't look at me like that. I am also a believer of His. It would be very interesting to turn someone as special as you into an exquisite work of art."

Just as Giovanni was about to take the Holy Grail and the young man into his possession and add a sarcastic remark, he heard the latter calmly say:

"Excuse me, I happen to have a copy of that book as well."

A book with a different cover instantly materialized in front of Meng Weiyu—the formal attire: [As I Write]!

As soon as it appeared, it was as if someone had opened it from the middle. The book flipped rapidly, and pages fell out one by one, then were lifted into the air by an invisible wind!

"The power of [Memory], it's her! Impossible! But she's not..." Before [Giovanni] could finish speaking in shock, his vision was covered by countless fluttering pages!

Scenes began to rewind, and at the end of the rewind, the person impersonating Giovanni found himself looking seriously at the young man in front of him and said, "Brother Meng, this joke is not funny."

"Is there any point in continuing this pretense now?" Meng Weiyu looked around the luxurious room, repeating the same words she had said not long ago.

This scene happened not long ago! Has time reversed at this moment?!

The memory user with the [Fool's Mask] was suddenly startled, as were the other memory users who emerged from the surrounding walls.

“This isn’t regression, it’s a cycle! We’re repeating the same events from the past!” one of the people recalling the events suddenly realized.

"Impossible... This is impossible! All his abilities are clearly restricted by us, it's impossible for him to project such a Noble Phantasm comparable to the [Symbol of the Laws of All Things]!" [Giovanni] shouted somewhat out of control.

"That's not all I'm capable of, you fake Mr. Giovanni. Do you know how the other me woke up in the second layer of illusion within the Holy Grail?" Meng Weiyu's voice rang in everyone's ears.

The memory-keepers used all sorts of abilities, like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, but they still couldn't break free from this cyclical illusion.

"That's because our Lord bestowed upon him a system—a system that only [Outer Realm Pioneers] possess," [Meng Weiyu] murmured when they couldn't see him.

"What a pity, I also have a similar system, and it's much stronger than his." The memory readers heard a hint of mockery in his words, like a cat playing with a mouse.

"Farewell, everyone. I was very happy to spend time with you all." [Meng Weiyu] said softly. He looked at the memory sufferers whose consciousness kept repeating in their memories, but whose bodies remained motionless in the room. A phantom transparent longsword took shape in his hand.

He casually swung his sword at the rooftop, ignoring the memory-bearers around him who were bound to their spots by their thoughts and bodies.

【Slay the Delusion - Level 999 (1000/1000)】!

Amidst a massive explosion, a soaring white sword light blasted the [Aha's Tavern of Pleasure] out of the illusion and into reality, then completely destroyed most of the tavern's structure!

Both those who remembered and the imposter Giovanni were reduced to ashes by the aftershocks of that devastating attack.

"I thought I had already restrained more than 90% of my power, but I didn't expect the destructive force to still be so strong." [Meng Weiyu] sighed amidst the ruins, recalling her momentary rage just now, "I never thought that I, in my current state, would still be affected by emotions..."

"Never mind, this is how I envisioned my performance on stage."

Although it wasn't the target of the sword light's attack, under its terrifying pressure, the once bustling square became a mess, as if it had been hit by a hurricane. Apart from a few destined travelers, most ordinary people were shaken to their sides by the fluctuations and shockwaves caused by the sword light.

"Miss Camellia, are you alright?" Zhong Shan greeted her politely, then looked up again at the white sword light that shot into the sky and disappeared into the horizon, seemingly lost in thought.

"I'm fine. Luckily, the shell on my head is quite sturdy, otherwise I would have had to go back to report it for repair," the camera operator said, looking slightly disheveled.

"Thank you. Is this how that 'big shot' makes his entrance?" Camille muttered to herself, watching Giovanni help her up.

“This is not a joyful occasion; something seems to have gone wrong,” Giovanni said gravely.

At this moment, everyone's attention was drawn to a figure standing above the half-ruined [Aha's Tavern of Pleasure]. He was dressed in spotless white clothes, and beneath his short black hair was a [Fool's Mask] covering the upper half of his face. The black and white wings behind him did not flap, seemingly just a symbol of his ability to fly.

"Xiao Meng! It really is you." Zhong Shan said in a low voice.

Carmel looked around and found that quite a few of the Masked Fools also recognized the young man in the air.

"Dear brothers and sisters and distinguished guests, there was a slight mishap just now. I had to deal with the traitor who betrayed my comrades and brought wolves into the house. I am very sorry."

Meng Weiyu, holding a phantom-like, transparent white one-handed sword in one hand and a tattered Fool's Mask in the other, bowed slightly to the crowd.

The real [Fool's Mask] was completely destroyed in the aftermath of [Slaying Delusion], and what he holds now is merely a projection.

That was the earth-shattering sword strike that this young man just unleashed!

Upon seeing the tattered "Fool's Mask" and the illusory longsword in his hand, this horrifying thought surfaced in the minds of everyone in the square.

Many people recognized that this was an extremely skillful sword strike, containing immense destructive power without harming any innocent bystanders.

Apart from the tavern and the nearby square that was affected, nothing was damaged.

It was like a dazzling signal flare, proclaiming the power of the releaser to all those who were watching!

"To express my apology, all drinks this week will be free starting today!" [Meng Weiyu] bowed slightly again, then deactivated the projection of the tattered mask in his hand and snapped his fingers.

In the next instant, everything affected by the sword light's pressure, including [Aha's Pleasure Tavern], reverted to its previous state!

The entire venue fell silent; everyone was once again stunned by what they had just witnessed!

"I only have one request: I wish everyone good food, good drinks, and lots of fun!" Meng Weiyu smiled at this moment.

The once quiet crowd suddenly erupted into noise. Most of them realized at that moment that, just like the executioner of the God of Wisdom, the "Silent Lord," a "Polkacamum" who specialized in eliminating certain "Masked Fools" had entered everyone's sight and taken the stage!

He stepped out from behind the scenes and into the limelight, burying all his enemies amidst cheers and laughter.

Chapter 50 Stepping onto the Stage, the Performance Begins (Part 1)

Every party eventually ends, just as every story eventually comes to a close.

After attending the opening ceremony and engaging in lively conversations with the Masked Fools and other distinguished guests, Meng Weiyu returned to her luxurious room on the top floor of the "Tavern" and retrieved the Holy Grail from the safe.

He summoned the Mystic Code "As I Write" once again.

"Open this book, I'll be waiting for you in the past!" In the room, it seemed as if the familiar voice of an unseen girl rang out at that moment:

"I will keep waiting. One day, someone will turn the page to this almost eternal chapter, follow in our footsteps, and write an unprecedented ending."

"That must be a romantic story unlike any other."

"You think so too... right?"

Meng Weiyu stared at the dress for a while, sighed, and put it away.

At the same time, the Holy Grail also canceled the pause and resumed playing the scenes inside.

"Compared to the previous opening ceremony, the place I'm going to now is a real stage for me, no matter which version of me it is." He shook his head with a wry smile, and then disappeared into thin air.

In the nighttime scene of Pinocchio, constructed by the Holy Grail, Meng Weiyu and Caster [Xi Lian] exchanged a glance. As they held hands, they simultaneously grasped the Holy Grail with their other free hands.

The surrounding scenery began to change rapidly. At that moment, Meng Weiyu felt as if she had grasped the Portkey, an item from Harry Potter that was imbued with teleportation magic!

As the light and shadow shifted, Meng Weiyu's vision turned into complete darkness.

In the darkness, it seemed as if countless voices were coming from him, as if they were speaking in his ear or coming from the depths of his mind.

I had heard these familiar voices and words before when I was exploring Bengtie before I transmigrated, but it seemed like I had witnessed them again not long ago...

They are like echoes of one's own overlapping and intertwined memories:

"So...why does life fall asleep?" the lonely idealist, trying to bear everything, asked him.

"My journey ends here. From now on... this is your path." The voices of the child and the old man rang out simultaneously.

"Well, may your journey always be smooth, and your schemes never be exposed," the peacock-like blond man offered his blessing.

"The other side... is very cold. One last time... may I borrow your body heat one more time?" Xia Die asked shyly.

"Thank you for making this wish come true for me," she whispered. "This brief moment of embrace is proof that I have lived..."

"Now that the project is complete, that's all I have to say." At that moment, Xia seemed to disappear beside him, laughing loudly.

“I will take my last bath in warm gold,” Aglaia said calmly, stating her final words.

"I am—the one who bears the weight of the world! I am—the blazing sun that will rise!" Bai E shouted as he drew [Dawn's Invasion].

“Why not… let anger… incinerate fate…” the heavily wounded Fire Thief whispered intermittently.

"Since you care so much about other people's safety—why don't you take a closer look?" Hanabi teased in his ear.

"I dreamt of scorched earth, and a new bud breaking through the soil, blooming in the morning sun, whispering to me..." He then heard the familiar voice of fireflies:

"Fireflies fly towards the flame, living even in the face of death... May we meet again in this sober reality!" Her voice overlapped with Sam's.

"The so-called 'exploration' means to follow the path that no one has gone before and go even further!" came the resolute voice of myself in the game in my mind.

"No, that last line was spoken by the Trailblazer in the game; I haven't experienced it here," Meng Weiyu murmured to herself.

No, why do I subconsciously feel like I've experienced what other people are saying here?

Meng Weiyu suddenly woke up. It was still dark all around, and the fair little hand that had been holding his was gone.

What about [Xi Lian]? Although in this dreamlike world, he still maintains the [Emiya Archer] state that he activated not long ago.

Although he was no longer bound by time, he no longer felt at ease without the small hand that had been gently holding his and constantly providing tactile feedback.

"Partner, I'm here~" [Xi Lian's] voice rang in his mind. "This place is very special. I can only appear in the form of [memory]."

Meng Weiyu felt a surge of joy, as if that sense of peace had returned.

At that moment, he heard a soft sigh from the underworld, coming from who-knows-where:

"In the long night ahead, you will likely encounter many setbacks and witness numerous tragedies. In the end, all you will see will be black and white."

"But believe that in a world of black and white, there will be a fleeting touch of red, but when you make your choice—it will surely be realized again." He seemed to hear the soft sound of a long sword being drawn again.

"And you, carefully ponder its meaning, then return to the world of lucidity (as before)," the self-destructor admonished. "We will eventually find the answer."

"May we weep for the departed, our tears falling like rain, filling the river...surging forth like a tide, leading you home." Then came a deafening roar that ripped through the heavens and earth...

Meng Weiyu slowly opened his eyes amidst a persistent dizziness. He gradually recalled all his previous experiences and was surprised to find himself standing behind the scenes of a huge stage.

There seemed to be an invisible curtain drawn and lowered in the distance, shutting out the noise and audience in front of him. There were no other people or props around him, only himself all alone.