Star Railway: The Last of the Grammer Riders

Chapter 160 Three Questions, Gongsun Ming Never Chooses a Answer

"Congratulations! All four of you have tied for first place, making you the stars of this grand musical celebration. However, before entering the Grand Theater..." The group entered a spacious room. "On behalf of the organizers, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you. May you enjoy joy under His light."

"Who is he? We seem to have seen him somewhere before? Do you know him, Ming?" Kiana asked Gongsun Ming beside her, looking at the somewhat familiar-looking man in front of her.

"Him... according to what I've heard, he's the head of the Pinocchio Oak family, Sunday. He's also the person in charge of this Harmonious Music Festival. And he's the older brother of the superstar Robin," Gongsun Ming said, revealing the information he knew. "But to be honest... we've never met him in person. Maybe online? Hmm... or maybe we've seen someone who looks like him before?"

“It seems you don’t know me, so let me introduce myself first. My name is Sunday, the current head of the Oak family, and also the person in charge of this Pinocchio Harmony Festival,” Sunday introduced himself.

“Oh, so you’re the one who’s going to take us into the Grand Theater?” Kiana said.

“You unknown guests, you plan to enter the Grand Theater for that Star Core, right?” Sunday asked.

"How...how did you know?!" March 7th exclaimed in shock.

“You don’t need to know how I know your purpose. Just know that the Star Core is now sealed, and its power serves as the energy driving the entire dream world. He cannot break through it now,” Sunday explained. “Of course, I won’t stop you. After all, this sealing device was created by the Nameless One from the past. If you can inspect it to ensure that the dream is safer.”

Kiana had a strange feeling of familiarity about it…

Gongsun Ming also sensed it…

Sniff…

Oh, it smells like scheming~
“But before that, I’d like to ask a few questions to the Trail Blazers…” Sunday said.

As he spoke, the large screen behind Sunday changed.

"I will now share my experiences, and I hope that you will make the choices you believe are right based on your own conscience." The surroundings darkened.

But the big screen was still lit up.

The picture above shows a brother and sister who one day encountered an injured harbinger pigeon in the garden.

"The first choice is related to the story of a fledgling bird. This story happened when the robin and I were very young. We were victims of the Star Core Disaster. It was Mr. Gopher, the family's ancestor, who later became the Dream Master of Pinocchio, who took us in after seeing that we were helpless."

"After that, I spent a relatively carefree time with the robin. One evening after dinner, my sister and I unexpectedly found a lonely little harpy pigeon in Mr. Gopher's yard."

"The fledgling was still very young, its feathers hadn't fully grown in, and it couldn't sing. When we found it, it lay dying in the grass, seemingly abandoned by its parents. We immediately decided to build it a nest. But after thinking it over, we realized that winter was very cold, the wind was strong in the yard at night, and there were many poisonous insects and wild animals lurking around..."

"There was no doubt that if the fledgling was left in the yard, it wouldn't survive until spring. So I suggested taking it back home and placing it on the wooden shelf by the window, and asked an adult to build a birdcage. We agreed that we would release it back into the sky when it was able to spread its wings and soar on its own..."

"Unfortunately, we never imagined that this bird's fate had already been sealed long before that..."

"Its fate is entirely up to us. Now, I will hand over the choice to you. Faced with this situation, what will you choose? Will you take our initial plan and build a nest for the little happiest pigeon on the spot with cushions? Or... will you choose to build it a cage and carefully raise the bird in a warm house? I look forward to your answer."

The voice on Sunday sounds like a narration, playing frame by frame along with the visuals.

It finally landed on a chorus pigeon with bandages.

On the left is a fluffy rug.

On the right is a cold, lifeless birdcage.

Looking at the scene, everyone fell into thought.

However, most people agree that building a birdcage for it is a good option.

After all, we can't be sure...

Could there be a natural enemy of that harbinger pigeon in that garden?

and also…

Based on the appearance in the picture, this time period is the beginning of winter.

The temperature will be very low at night.

This bird is unlikely to live to see the arrival of spring.

Therefore, almost all of them chose to build birdcages for the Harmonious Pigeon.

But apart from Gongsun Ming and Xing.

One option is to choose neither, and the other is to not know which one to choose.

Looking at the two people who hadn't finished.

Sunday frowned.

He did not stop them from choosing one of the answers.

"Gentlemen, since you didn't choose this answer, does that mean you... have a better option?"

"She... probably didn't know how to choose, so she simply didn't choose. But I do have an idea. Why not compromise... bring the bird home, but don't build a birdcage to confine it?"

"Can you explain your reasons for doing this?" Sunday paused for a moment before asking.

"A bird's life is inherently free. Confining it in a cage will only rob it of the desire to fly freely, but leaving it unattended will cause it to freeze to death or be attacked by predators. Presumably, Sunday chose the second option, and in that second option, the bird ultimately fell to its death from a great height, didn't it?"

“Yes, as this gentleman said, the little cheerful pigeon did indeed fall to its death from a great height, but you have offered a unique perspective. A perspective I had never considered before,” Sunday praised.

“In that case, let’s continue…” Sunday finished speaking and the surroundings darkened again.

The screen flickered again.

It was turned into a confessional in a church.

Visitors came one after another, seeking answers.

Until a nervous dreamer sat down in front of Sunday.

"This story takes place during my time as a 'Duoyin' (a special position within the Oak family), responsible for listening to the confusion and bewilderment of the dream's inhabitants and offering them guidance. It was during that time that I was able to hear voices from all sides of the dream: joy, sorrow, arrogance, regret… the complexities of human nature weave together the world, and I was fortunate enough to glimpse a part of it." "He was a dreamer, and also a stowaway. Like everyone else, he came to Pinocchio with a longing for a better life, but the price he paid… was enough to be described as 'giving everything.' He told me… 'I sold everything I could't afford—the house, the land, and my two children… He said he couldn't support them, and being a slave at least provided them with food.'"

"He had a plan to redeem his child after he became rich and share the dream of Pinocchio. Unfortunately, his smuggling plan was a bit clumsy and was detected by the pack of hounds."

"Upon hearing the story of this dream chaser, I immediately requested the hunting dog family to cease the pursuit so he could live in peace. Unfortunately, my vision was too limited; I never imagined that this self-righteous act of kindness would later bear bitter fruit..."

"The answer will be announced later. Now, I hope you will make a choice... Will you make the same decision as me, persuading the Hound family to stop the search so that the Dreamer can survive and fulfill his wish? Or will you remain silent, letting him eke out a living under the hounds' pursuit until the inevitable verdict comes? I look forward to your choice; perhaps it can avert that tragedy."

Hearing this, the others, except for Xing and March 7th, could probably guess what would happen next.

This is a story about a farmer and a snake.

Half of the people (Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya) chose to do their jobs and ignore the situation, while the other half (Himeko, Seele (Black Seele chose the other half), Hoshi, March 7) chose to ask the hounds to stop the hunt.

Gongsun Ming still did not choose any answer.

“Since you have chosen not to make a choice again, sir, you must have guessed how things will end and have your own thoughts. Why not speak them?” Sunday understood that Gongsun Ming, who was not making a choice, thought neither option was suitable.

"I will choose to report it directly," Gongsun Ming said simply and directly.

"Why?" Sunday asked, frowning.

"To come to this dreamland, he sold his child to slaves, making it sound so noble—that he couldn't raise the child himself, and that slaves would at least provide food. If that's the case, why not become a slave yourself to earn money to feed the child? You could at least have a meal yourself. Besides, if you don't have money, why have a child? Isn't that just asking for trouble?" Gongsun Ming clearly pointed out the problem. "So, from the very beginning, this person's words were problematic. They were a lie. Even if it's true that he sold his child, he's definitely not a good person. I've seen far too many people sell their children to traffickers and then enjoy the money themselves."

“I didn’t expect you to think so clearly, sir. You’ve also seen and heard a great deal. I’ve only scratched the surface of things.” Sunday replied, having also gained some insights. “Then let’s move on to the next question, and this time the protagonist… is myself. The others don’t need to answer this time; I’d like to hear this gentleman’s ‘answer.’”

Then, the large screen switched again.

This time, the big screen was split into two images.

One of them received a letter on Sunday, from his sister.

The other is a robin, but it's different from the robin that usually appears in front of the audience.

The robin looked haggard and weak, and the bandage around her neck suggested she had been injured.

"This story takes place on the day I became the head of the Oak family. At that time, Mr. Gopher had become the current Dream Master, and at his request, we had a private conversation. To my surprise, the Dream Master did not say anything but sent me a letter. He asked me to read the contents of the letter, and that letter... was from my sister."

"The letter contained nothing more than everyday pleasantries, along with snippets of her travels through various realms. Just as I was beginning to wonder what the letter had to do with the meeting, the Dream Master told me something..."

"The robin was hit by a grenade in the 'Kaspelling VIII'."

The people who heard this were all very shocked.

Of course, Gongsun Ming was an exception, because he had already heard about this matter.

Tavern…

It is always the fastest at transmitting information.

Whether it's old or new, obscure or sensational, true or false, a few words or a long article, you can find it all.

For example, there are hundreds of versions of Rupert's death thousands of years ago.

But out of all those versions, there's one that's true...

For example, something that happened 1 minute ago...

Now not only do fools know, but all the taverns and all the customers know. (The story of the Black Swan)

“How could this happen… Miss Robin… I never imagined she would go through something like this…” March 7 said, her voice filled with shock and a hint of helplessness.

"That's all in the past, so please don't dwell on it. I'm sharing this only to help you understand the limitations and dilemmas of 'harmony.' No matter how noble the vision of 'the strong helping the weak' may be, it's often just wishful thinking."

"Similarly, I have prepared a final question for you all, a final choice. But rest assured, this choice will not have any heavy consequences. In fact, nothing will happen. Because this is just a fantasy, a nightmare that has haunted me for countless nights. If you had the chance to make a choice like I have... would you still support the robin on his journey of 'harmony'?" Sunday asked.

"So... Mr. Sunday, you betrayed Tongxie?" Himeko roughly guessed the meaning behind Sunday's words.

“No, I just think the concept of harmony doesn’t apply to Pinocchio’s dreams. But before that, I’d like to hear your answer, sir,” Sunday said.

"Regarding this, I can't offer much advice. I was an orphan abandoned by my parents from a young age, never having met my biological parents, let alone adoptive parents. I grew up in an orphanage with a few friends, but we separated as we grew up. However, fate brought us together again. By then, we were warriors fighting against the 'Honkai,' the vanguard protecting countless families behind us. Until the fall of one civilization, we awakened in the next, helping that next civilization defeat the 'Honkai.' During this time, I also met my current 'family,' Kiana and Mei. We are both warriors fighting against the 'Honkai,' but I respect their decisions. If they want to overcome the hardships to defeat the 'Honkai,' I will fight alongside them; if they don't want to, I will protect them. Just like my answer to the first question, a bird's life is free."

“One of my close friends once asked me, ‘Why do birds fly?’ What do you think is the reason?” Gongsun Ming countered.

“I don’t know,” Sunday replied.

"Why can birds fly?" There is no single, definitive answer to this question. Different people have different opinions. Some philosophers believe that birds can fly because of an instinct, a divine gift granted by the gods.

"And what about idealists? 'Why do birds fly? Because they want to fly, so they fly.'"

"And my beloved boss Theresa demonstrated her answer through her own actions: 'Why do birds fly? Birds want to fly to the sky, so they build themselves wings.' Of course, this is also an idealistic answer."

"And what was his answer? His answer was: 'Why do birds fly? Because they must fly into the sky, otherwise they cannot escape their predetermined demise—the final meteor that fell in the Cretaceous period.'"

"So what is your answer to this question?" Sunday asked.

"This answer... I've already given it. Birds are free; why they fly is their freedom. We can't define why they fly based on our own views. So, my answer to your question is: there's no definitive answer. Whether or not she shares the same beliefs is her own choice. We, as her parents and relatives, shouldn't interfere too much. If she needs help, we'll help; if she's tired, weary, and wants to rest, we'll give her a place to stay," Gongsun Ming said with a smile.

"Is this...your answer..." Sunday nodded after hearing all of Gongsun Ming's answers.

No one knew what he was thinking.

Perhaps it's because they agree with Gongsun Ming's answer?

It could also be an affirmation of one's own ideals.

(End of this chapter)