Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

Page 74

"Someone has to go to the front lines of interstellar pioneering. Now Pinocchio is the only one left who has never been before. Why can't it be me?"

Mikael's tone hardened: "It's because we only have you left! Have you forgotten Tirnan? The galaxy isn't what it used to be; it's too dangerous! What will Pinocchio do if we lose you too?"

Mikhail: "What will Pinocchio do if we can't find a way out?"

“Tirnan…how could I forget him? Every sleepless night I ask myself, why didn’t I set off with him back then?”

"The nameless traveler's footsteps never stop... Don't worry, Michael. It's just returning to his old ways. Rest assured, I'll be back. But if, and I mean if..."

"If I fail to escape unscathed, then you will become the next watchmaker."

[Amber: Michael, isn't he the gravedigger at Dream Reef?]

[Himeko: He was well prepared; pioneering is never smooth sailing. But please rest assured, since you've entrusted the future of Pinocchio to us, we will certainly live up to your expectations.]

[March 7th: That's right, this is the promise of our new generation of nameless travelers.]

The pioneers helped us achieve liberation, and now… not a single one of us remembers them. How tragic! We have betrayed them.

[Mike: He's a stubborn person, always with a strong sense of confidence in pioneering.]

The compass turned, and the figure grew old, wearing a thick coat.

In the scene, Mikhail, with white hair and carrying a compass, reaches out and grabs the doorknob, while a young figure behind him also reaches out to pull him back.

Gallagher: "Old man, where are you going?"

Mikhail's aged voice: "Oh, so you're here?"

Gallagher: "Answer my question, what do you want?"

Mikhail: "Don't be nervous, Galakh. I just had a brilliant idea. Want to hear it?"

Gallagher: "Come on! Every idea you come up with is just pushing yourself into the fire. Old man, don't blame me for being blunt, but you're the only one left of Pinocchio's heroes."

"If you die, the secret of the star core... will never see the light of day again."

Mikhail sighed, "Yes, we've probably run out of options in Pinocchio. So we can only look beyond Asdna."

“We’re going to hold a grand event, using the watchmaker’s legacy as our justification. Then… we’ll extend an invitation to the entire galaxy and gather everyone here.”

Gallagher: "Are you planning to throw caution to the wind and destroy the family?"

Mikhail: "Isn't there you, my friend? Haha, this is difficult, but what hasn't been difficult along the way? Oh, and whatever method you use, remember..."

"Make sure to send the invitation to the Star Train."

He always believed in the descendants of those who pioneered the way.

[Qingyi: I think everyone invited by the entire galaxy is just a cover for the Star Train.]

[At that time, it seems the train hadn't been fixed by Ms. Himeko yet.]

[Xingqiu: Gallagher has persisted from his youth until now.]

[Yao Jiayin: The pioneering spirit is truly touching; friendship, family ties... the train is its successor.]

The figure on the compass was already leaning on a cane, and his steps had become smaller.

In the picture, an elderly man with white hair and a white beard sits quietly in a wheelchair, while a clock boy floats in the air, as if it were a figment of the old man's imagination.

Watch Boy: "Misha! Where are you going?"

Mikhail's hoarse, deep voice said, "Hmm, Clock Boy, take me to Dream Reef..."

"Last night, I had a very long dream about the day we met. I want to write this dream down."

The clock-watch boy asked curiously, "Why are you recording this...?"

"So that I won't forget some things. Clockwork boy, do you remember how you got your name?"

Clock Boy: "Of course I remember! You told me that when you were little, you lived in the clock room, and those wall clocks and pocket watches were your best friends as you grew up!"

The old man smiled and said, "Yes, but I didn't tell you that there's a wonderful misunderstanding behind this story."

“I was young then. In my memory, there was a special pocket watch. It was always with my grandfather, accompanying him on his voyages and guiding him in every adventure story.”

"I also really wanted to own a pocket watch, and then, you appeared in my dreams."

The clock boy exclaimed happily, "Yes, every night, we board the Compass and set sail together!"

"But you know what? It wasn't until the day Grandpa gave it to me that I realized it wasn't actually a pocket watch..."

"It is a compass."

"So your name should be Compass Boy..."

"And the watchmaker... is just an anonymous person."

Chapter 93 The Will to Explore

Time never stops, and exploration never ends.

[Hu Tao: Clocks are compasses, watchmakers are anonymous pioneers; everything returns to its starting point—pioneering.]

Wow, this gave me goosebumps! It felt like a destined encounter.

[Ring: If this were made into a movie, it would definitely be a blockbuster.]

The compass that guides navigation is also the compass that guides exploration.

Amber: I'm really moved to tears.

Wendy: I always thought the core of Pinocchio's campaign was harmony, but now it seems it's clearly about pioneering.

[March 7th: This is the story of Mikhail's pioneering life, from a child to a great anonymous traveler, who ultimately remained here forever.]

Xiaomisha stood at the bottom of the steps of the rooftop garden, silently watching the back of a wheelchair-bound figure in the pavilion.

Clockwork Boy: "We've arrived at Dream Reef. Where to go next?"

Ragvok Shar Mikhail slowly ascended the steps and spoke softly with a sense of relief.

"Clock Kid, I probably... won't go anywhere else."

Mikhail climbed onto the platform and walked step by step toward the empty wheelchair, with the clock boy beside him.

“I’ve come far enough. It’s time to take a short break…”

[Zhong Li: Mikhail has done too much, and he's tired. But countless others will follow in his footsteps, venturing to even greater heights. His duty has been fulfilled.]

Even so, I'm still so heartbroken. Why do we only understand this after it's all over?

[Waaaaah. Goodbye, Mikhail!]

[The Robin: Goodbye, Mr. Mikhail!]

The clock-watch boy thought it was just a simple rest. "Oh, then we'll set off again after you've rested?"

He tilted his head slightly, then turned to look at the clock boy seriously and explained.

"No, I'll probably stay here. And then... it'll be over."

The ever-smiling clock boy realized something was wrong and withdrew his expression, puzzled: "The end? Misha, what does this mean?"

“You clearly said that the pioneering journey would never end.”

Every journey has an end.

[Ring: Just like a movie, no matter how long the plot, there's always a moment for the curtain to fall.]

Mikhail: "Yes, I did say that..."

"So now, it's your turn to decide your next destination."

The clockwork boy opened his eyes wide and spread his hands: "My next stop? Where should that be? I've always followed you..."

"Misha? What's wrong? You're acting strange today! If you're unhappy, we can do what we always do—the clock trick!"

[Clockboy: Misha, you're my best friend.]

Misha: You're also my best friend, along with the origami bird, Miss Mirror...

Mikhail chuckled and shook his head: "No need, I'm not unhappy. As for the clock trick... yes, in this dream, it seems to solve everything."

"So do you know what the clock trick is?"

Clockwork Boy: "What is it? I don't know."

Mikhail turned to look at the building (the Grand Theatre) that was constantly emitting a blue halo overhead and spoke gently.

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

"But there's no need to be afraid. Just as people feel lost, there are moments when 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."

Mikhail took a few steps forward and looked back at the clock boy.

"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, called the will to explore."

[Xingqiu: So the trick of the clock is actually a compass, and each mark represents an emotion.]

I initially thought it was the power of harmony, but it turns out it's pioneering spirit.

[March 7th: So it's not about controlling emotions, but about guiding the emotions that already exist within you, giving them a small push.]

[Wendy: Those were just the thoughts people had in their hearts, lacking only one crucial element. This, it turns out, is the true power of the watchmaking trick—expansion.]

[Star: This is the will to explore!]

Yes! Everyone has moments of confusion; I just didn't know where to go. I'm sorry, Brother Zhou Tian, it's dawn, time to wake up from this dream. My family and friends are still waiting for me.

It turns out I wasn't weak; I was just used to running away.

[Gold Sand: Hmph, how could someone who can afford such high room rates be weak?]

Mikhail smiled knowingly at the clock boy, as if saying goodbye, took his final step to the wheelchair, and slowly lay down.

My journey has come to an end, but the journey of exploration has no end.

The clock boy stood sadly by the pillar, his four fingers touching, reluctant but not stopping Misha.

Because it understands.

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

As the camera zooms in, Misha, in her wheelchair, hugs the hat to her chest, closes her eyes, and holds it tightly.

"But in the end, people still have to move on," (Child)

The silhouette of the Pioneer Star flashed by, and in the wheelchair, an elderly man with white hair held a dream bubble in his arms and fell into eternal sleep.

"Like your compass needle, it always points ahead." (The old man)

"My journey has come to an end. From now on..."

"This is your path."

Holding the hat in her arms, Xing slowly squatted down and bowed deeply, then suddenly stood up and put the hat on.

The spirit of pioneering is passed on here.

[Star: The will of the Nameless One will be carried on by me, and by future Nameless Ones!]

[March 7th: Star! Have you forgotten me? I will carry on this legacy!]

[Danheng: Me too!]

Himeko, Welt: Yes, and us too.

[Pam: You are all the best anonymous guests.]

[Aha: How could we forget Aha? Aha is the best anonymous guest too, hahahaha!!!]

[Fireworks: The God of Fun!]