Honkai: Star Rail Wiki

Hello, (Mr./Ms.) (Trailblazer). Someone just donated a dream bubble to our store. After conducting psychometric spectral analysis on it, I suspect you would be interested in the contents of this dream bubble.

Sounds suspicious...

Sounds suspicious...

Don't worry, all the dreams in our store have been strictly inspected and there is absolutely no possibility of hidden harm.

Who donated it to you?

Who donated it to you?

How did you know I'd be interested?

How did you know I'd be interested?

It's the magic of psychoanalysis, (sir/madam)!

The donor is an elegant lady with the name "Black Swan." If you have the time, we would love to have you any time.

Accepted Mission

Masquerade Duet

Speak with Dr. Edward[]

Mission Description

You receive a message from Dr. Edward. Dr. Edward has invited you to the Dreamscape Sales Store to experience a dream left for you by a lady named "Black Swan." Of course, you know who Black Swan is but cannot think why she would have left a dream for you. Go to the Dreamscape Sales Store to see. Perhaps you will only receive your answer once you experience it for yourself.

Golden Hour

(Talk to Dr. Edward)

Dr. Edward: Trailblazers from the Astral Express — Welcome to Dreamscape Sales Store!

Is that usually how you welcome customers?

Dr. Edward: Please excuse me. I struggle to think of an appropriate way of addressing such esteemed guests as yourselves.

Long time no see, ol' big eye.

Dr. Edward: Long time no see, diamond in the rough.

Dr. Edward: You must be here to experience those dream bubbles. I've already made the necessary preparations. Be careful, though — we did pass the safety inspections stipulated by "Article 027-Damaged Faris" and "Article 076-Real Wasteland..."

Dr. Edward: ...However, this dreamscape will feature unfiltered and unpolished fresh memories. It will make for a very vivid experience.

Dr. Edward: Veteran gamers call this type of dream a "thrill-dream" — I don't know if you're into that kind of thing? If you feel any discomfort, please leave the dreamscape immediately and seek professional medical help.

Dr. Edward: ...Luckily, I just so happen to be an excellent doctor, albeit a psychiatric one, haha! Let us begin. Please close your eyes, and rest your forehead on the dream bubble.

(Touch the dream bubble)

Dr. Edward: Oh yes, I nearly forgot — that elegant girl mentioned something before she left—

???: "The nature of this memory is special. Don't ruin the dreamscape experience for anyone else by spoiling the ending."

I'm not so sure about this...

Dr. Edward: If you need time to prepare, we can humbly wait as long as you need.

(Talk to Dr. Edward again)

Can tell me more about Black Swan's dream bubble?

Dr. Edward: Are you ready to experience Miss Black Swan's dreamscape? Please close your eyes, and rest your forehead on the dream bubble.

(Enter Exploratory Excursion Black Swan's Dream Bubble)

Black Swan: ...In my estimation, there's no question about it. This is murder.

Bloodhound Family Member: Murder... Such a foreign word to us. The people of Penacony could never come to any harm while under the watchful protection of The Family.

Bloodhound Family Member: In a dream, even if you're bashed a thousand times with a hammer, at worst you'll still wake up in reality in a hotel.

Sampo: Not necessarily. Even if the result does not constitute harm, the criminal intent is... clear enough? You specifically came here to cordon off the scene because of the unsavory nature of this case, right?

Bloodhound Family Member: You're not wrong. Even if there are no casualties, being smashed over the heard with a hammer in the middle of the street for no reason at all... this is not the kind of thing that happens on Penacony.

Bloodhound Family Member: You are guests of the Oak Family, so you may investigate the crime scene. I'll be on standby over here.

Sampo: Are you a witch?! Just how did you manage to convince them in the blink of an eye that we're some kind of detectives...

(Tell the truth.)

Black Swan: Just some suggestions at the memory level. If something happens in everybody's memory... then that something becomes a fact.

Black Swan: If we had a little more time, I could have even convinced her I was Xipe the Harmony.

(Offer no explanation.)

Black Swan: Just some suggestions at the memory level. If something happens in everybody's memory... then that something becomes a fact.

Black Swan: Rather than hearing endless explanations, would you like to experience it for yourself?

Sampo: No no no, hey, you can save that for the enemy!

Black Swan: Then on to the next order of business - let's discuss your companion, shall we?

Mask: "Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection: I've been watching you for quite some time."

Mask: "You stole a glance at me when you first entered the hotel. You followed me wherever I went inside the dreamscape; in the windows along the commercial street, in the pondwater reflections of the Aideen Park, even in the reflections of the wine glass... Everywhere!"

Mask: "...My dear, do you have a crush on me? Well then, seeing as you're so interested in me, let's play a little game."

Mask: "I left a puzzle for you near Oti Mall. Solve it and prove that you're capable of pleasing me. If you can solve it... then we can talk."

Mask: "Don't leave me waiting, my dear. Before Penacony gets flipped upside down, try to find me~ catch me~ and stop me~"

Black Swan: There's actually more than one Memokeeper who's come to Penacony — she mixed me up with someone else. But no harm, no foul...

Black Swan: The address that the mask gave you is right here. But you never would have thought... that when Miss Sparkle mentioned a game, she was talking about wanton slaughter on the streets of Penacony.

Black Swan: Such a direct act of provocation is enough to get my competitive side worked up too.

Sampo: Madam, forgive me. I had no idea about anything she said — As you say, I went through a brain scan and everything.

Sampo: I am just a friend, helping her deliver a letter, that's all — I never knew this was actually a declaration of warfare! They say you shouldn't kill the messenger — so maybe you can just, you know, let me go. You all are the big shots here. I'm really not on your level...

Black Swan: What a frightened look you have. Don't worry. Since this has nothing to do with you, I won't be suspecting you of anything. Why don't you come take a stroll with me?

Sampo: Ah, seems like I can't escape being an assistant detective... Fine. It's all fine, no big deal!

Ask the Bloodhound Family Member about the case[]

Step Description

It seems that there was a "murder case" (fortunately, in Penacony, it is almost impossible for people to actually be "murdered"), and the murderer is without question the enigmatic Sparkle. It seems that Black Swan has no intention of telling the Bloodhound Family about the murderer's identity. She is instead planning on playing with Sparkle. You cannot grasp what either Sparkle or Black Swan is thinking.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Talk to the Bloodhound Family Security Guard, optional): The two Bloodhound guards are protecting the crime scene, ensuring no one unrelated to the matter is able to get near.; Sampo: You don't think they'll realize we aren't actually detectives, do you?; Black Swan: No way. Please put more trust in me.

(Talk to the Bloodhound Family Member)

Bloodhound Family Member: If there's anything you'd like to know, please ask away.

Regarding the victim...

Black Swan: Who was the victim?

Bloodhound Family Member: An IPC employee named Shamari. Eyewitnesses reported that a tall, strong man wearing a large robe with long sleeve walked right past Shamari, then suddenly assaulted him with a hammer...

Bloodhound Family Member: Shamari collapsed on the spot and woke up from the dream. The murderer vanished in a flash.

Sampo: That sounds just like Sparkle. Her best asset is transforming her appearance to look like someone else.

Regarding the Sweet Dreams Troupe present at the scene of the crime...

Black Swan: Who are those two little guys?

Bloodhound Family Member: Seems like the assailant stole the troupe from elsewhere and deliberately placed them here. What nerve... They don't even have the slightest consideration for public order.

Bloodhound Family Member: Those two have clammed up. I wonder if you two could help pry open their mouths.

Sampo: Looks like a puzzle that Sparkle has left behind for you.

Regarding evidence at the scene of the crime...

Black Swan: Any leads yet?

Bloodhound Family Member: This is a developing case, so there aren't many clues yet. All we have to go by are the weapon used by the assailant and the victim's ID...

Bloodhound Family Member: They didn't even take the weapon with them. Sounds like they're trying to provoke us. Despicable.

Can we summon the victim?

Black Swan: Where is Mr. Shamari right now? I'd like to met him.

Bloodhound Family Member: I'm afraid you can't. The Oaks came forward and calmed him down. Mr. Shamari expressed that he understands the unpredictable nature of dreams, and went on to vacation in another dreamscape.

Bloodhound Family Member: Best not to bother him. Guests' experiences always have to come first.

Sampo: I'm afraid by the time we find him, half of Penacony will have been sent back to reality by Sparkle...

Black Swan: Looks like we'll have to play this little game of Sparkle's then.

(Talk to the Bloodhound Family Member, optional)

Bloodhound Family Member: Do you two need anything else?

Just want to confirm case details again.

I don't have any other questions.

Black Swan: Thank you. I don't have any further questions.

Bloodhound Family Member: You're welcome. If there's anything you'd like to know, please ask away.

Black Swan: Next up... let's interview those two over there.

Sampo: That girl said they're always silent, but if they gave you a reaction, it means they're actually one of Sparkle's puzzles.

Speak with the constable and the bailiff[]

Step Description

Sparkle left a lot of items behind at the crime scene and used them to construct a bizzare stage play. It seems that this "murder" was simply a bait to attract the attention of her audience, and this "puzzle" was actually the challenge that she had left for Black Swan.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Talk to the Constable): Constable: Lady Black Swan, you're here! I'm the constable, and this here assisting me is the bailiff for this case.; Bailiff: Mr. Cold Feet — Why did you do it?; Sampo: So they can talk after all! Miss Black Swan, they're heading straight for you...; Constable: Don't interrupt. I wasn't talking to you. Ahem... I understand Lady Black Swan has quite the intellect. I'm sure you'll be able to get to the bottom of the Sparkle murder case!; Black Swan: The Sparkle Murder case? Wasn't the victim Shamari from the IPC?; Bailiff: You're wrong, Lady Black Swan. The victim is evidently none other than the matriarch of the Goldhammer Family: Miss Sparkle Goldhammer!; Black Swan: ...Oh, I guess Miss Sparkle has written herself into the skit here, and this has nothing to do with the actual case, Goldhammer — is that her real surname?; Sampo: Never heard of it. Sounds made up. Sparkle doesn't sound like a real name, either.; Constable: Miss Sparkle was supposed to receive three valiant warriors at the Goldhammer residence today but upon their arrival, all they found was her body.; Constable: Miss Sparkle had been smashed over the head by a hammer, and died on the spot... Such a brutal act of violence!; Bailiff: My investigations discovered that the three warriors were supposed to escort supplies back to their territory the day before, but they were unexpectedly ambushed by the Annihilation Gang.; Bailiff: They narrowly escaped and barely got away with their lives, finding their supplies almost completely raided. So they all shared a motive for killing Miss Sparkle — to escape punishment!; Black Swan: So the three of them teamed up to kill her?; Bailiff: ...; Constable: ...; Sampo: ...Is the case closed?; Constable: No, there can only be one murderer! It's not an unsolved mystery if there are three murderers... Hang on... Wait...; Constable: ...; Sampo: ...; Sampo: If you can't justify it, don't bother...; Constable: Got it! Those three were all vying against each other to be number two. They couldn't have cooperated on anything! So it must have been one of them acting alone.; Sampo: That actually doesn't make much sense. Even if they were on bad terms, those three...; Constable: Please begin your investigation, Lady Black Swan! There are lots of clues at the crime scene that are sure to help you apprehend the real culprit.; Bailiff: I've got the case file right here. If you want to learn more about the suspects, talk to me.

Ask the bailiff about suspects[]

Step Description

Black Swan begins collecting clues, trying to solve the puzzle that Sparkle left behind. You can't help but wonder why Sparkle would go through all this effort. However, when it comes to people like Sparkle, asking "why" normally means you are on the wrong track. Why not play with Black Swan the logic game that Sparkle left behind... Perhaps Sparkle's true motive is concealed within.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Talk to the Bailiff)

Bailiff: Lady Black Swan, please allow me to introduce the three suspects to you —Lefton, Zhongshan, and Wright.

Bailiff: Lefton is one of Miss Sparkle's chief lieutenants, whose right hand was unfortunately severed while he was valiantly fighting off the Annihilation Gang. He's now learning how to write and hold a fork with his left hand — how tough that must be!

Bailiff: Then there's Zhongshan — this guy's a coward who ran away as soon as the group spotted some bandits along the road. He ended up smashing into the side of a cliff and getting his face disfigured. It's a real shame, he used to be one of the rare handsome men left around town.

Bailiff: Last of all comes Wright. This guy was so insatiably greedy that he still came back to try and embezzle the rest of the supplies after they narrowly escaped with their lives, lying about how the gang had taken off with everything... Lefton and Zhongshan were so incensed that they broke his legs.

Sampo: Hang on. I'm confused here... Lefton... Wright? Is this some kind of joke?

Bailiff: What? Where did you get that idea from? Do you need me to go over it all again?

Yes please.

Black Swan: Got it. But... it sounds like Mr. Assistant Detective has his own misgivings... Would you like to go over it again?

Bailiff: Lefton is one of Miss Sparkle's chief lieutenants, whose right hand was unfortunately severed while he was valiantly fighting off the Annihilation Gang. He's now learning how to write and hold a fork with his left hand — how tough that must be!

Bailiff: Then there's Zhongshan — this guy's a coward who ran away as soon as the group spotted some bandits along the road. He ended up smashing into the side of a cliff and getting his face disfigured. It's a real shame, he used to be one of the rare handsome men left around town.

Bailiff: Last of all comes Wright. This guy was so insatiably greedy that he still came back to try and embezzle the rest of the supplies after they narrowly escaped with their lives, lying about how the gang had taken off with everything... Lefton and Zhongshan were so incensed that they broke his legs.

Bailiff: That's all the intel we have on the three suspects.

That won't be necessary.

Black Swan: That won't be necessary. I've memorized every detail.

Bailiff: No wonder you're a Memokeeper.

(Obtain Case Review (I))

Investigate the evidence at the crime scene (0/2)[]

(Talk to the Bailiff, optional)

Bailiff: Have you got any more questions?

I'd like to hear about the suspects one more time.

Bailiff: Lefton is one of Miss Sparkle's chief lieutenants, whose right hand was unfortunately severed while he was valiantly fighting off the Annihilation Gang. He's now learning how to write and hold a fork with his left hand — how tough that must be!

Bailiff: Then there's Zhongshan — this guy's a coward who ran away as soon as the group spotted some bandits along the road. He ended up smashing into the side of a cliff and getting his face disfigured. It's a real shame, he used to be one of the rare handsome men left around town.

Bailiff: Last of all comes Wright. This guy was so insatiably greedy that he still came back to try and embezzle the rest of the supplies after they narrowly escaped with their lives, lying about how the gang had taken off with everything... Lefton and Zhongshan were so incensed that they broke his legs.

Bailiff: That's all the intel we have on the three suspects.

No questions.

Black Swan: I have no questions about the case, but I'm just curious... How did Sparkle manipulate you?

Bailiff: I'm just a lowly bailiff. I don't know anything except for this 'ere case!

(Talk to the Constable, optional): Constable: Please begin your investigation, Lady Black Swan! There are lots of clues at the crime scene that are sure to help you apprehend the real culprit.

(Investigate the hammer): Sampo: Holy moly, this hammer is super heavy... This must be the murder weapon for the Sparkle Murder Case.; Black Swan: Miss Sparkle also used it to attack Mr. Shamari.; Sampo: I'm barely able to lift this using both hands. I have no idea how Sparkle could ever use this to hit a target...
(Obtain Evidence: Giant Wooden Hammer)

(Investigate stack of papers): Sampo: Look, an ID card: "Talent Motivation Department Shamari"... Is this the victm's?; Black Swan: Mr. Shamari's belongings should have disappeared alongside him as he woke from the Dreamscape. The fact this ID is here means Miss Sparkle placed it here on purpose to prove that she definitely attacked someone.
(Obtain Evidence: Shamari's ID)

Sort through the clues that you have collected so far[]

(Approach marked location): Sampo: Is that all the evidence? How are we meant to solve this with so little to go on...; Mask: *coughs*; Sampo: You scared me! When did you pop out?; Mask: The two pieces of evidence that you found are related to the attack on Shamari. Miss Sparkle didn't leave them lying around for no reason — they are clues to the puzzle.; Mask: But, there are still some other clues that were placed in other areas so they won't spoil the crime scene...; Black Swan: Isn't that a bit unnecessary?; Mask: No no, it's disruptive to have a stack of irrelevant things crowding a crime scene! Miss Sparkle is a law-abiding citizen who'd never bring extra trouble to The Family!; Sampo: Seems quite nice of her, if you ask me...; Black Swan: Looks like Miss Sparkle is adding a little spice to the investigation. Let's take her up on her offer then — Mr. Assistant Detective, this way.

Enter the room where Sparkle hid the clues to the puzzle[]

(Enter doorway)

Investigate the "evidence" that Sparkle left (0/3)[]

(Investigate button): Black Swan: Mmm... What's this little device here for? Could you please let me know? It looks like a little button.; Constable: Don't push it! Lady Black Swan, whatever you do — don't push it!; Constable: That's the "Mutual Assured Destruction" button that Miss Sparkle installed. Once pushed, Miss Sparkle and the entirety of Penacony will instantaneously go up in smoke!; Constable: Miss Sparkle also has her own button. The second she pushes hit, you and the entirety of Penacony will in instantaneously go up in smoke!; Black Swan: That sounds like... both buttons can do the exact same thing?; Constable: Correct — exactly the same.; Sampo: ...; Black Swan: Oh...; Constable: Aren't you going to ask me why?; Black Swan: Okay... Why?; Constable: Because she is fair.; Sampo: This is nuts!
(Obtain Evidence: "Mutual Assured Destruction" Button)

(Investigate Dream Jigsaw): Sampo: What's this... a plush toy?; Black Swan: Regardless of why it's designed like the conductor aboard the Astral Express, this doll — Is it connected to the case?; Constable: Have you ever heard of something called a Red Herring in detective stories? It's a fake clue that leads you down the wrong path!; Black Swan: I see. But when it's so obvious, doesn't that defeat the purpose?; Constable: Th—That's just in case you didn't realize the ingenuity of Miss Sparkle, and were worried about her throwing out a random useless clue...; Black Swan: I see — thank you for your keen insight. Then let's pretend we were misled by a Red Herring. Hmm... this doll... Could it be connected to the case?; Sampo: You don't have to play along that hard, you know...
(Obtain Evidence: Pom-Pom Toy)

(Investigate notice)

Black Swan: This notice... seems like a hint for us from Miss Sparkle.

(Quick Read)

Goldhammer Residence Security Regulations

To prevent criminals from hurting our great and lovely Miss Sparkle, the Goldhammer Residence shall abide by the following regulations from today onwards:
1. All retainers and visitors must enter and exit the Golden Hammer Residence using the facial recognition system.
2. Those who cannoy pass through the facial recognition system will be killed on the spot.
3. These regulations are in effect indefinitely.

Sampo: That sounded like a story from ancient times... and why did the facial recognition system suddenly go out?

Black Swan: This is so her style, isn't it?

(Obtain Evidence: Goldhammer Residence Security Regulations)

(Once all three pieces of "evidence" have been found): Black Swan: Doesn't look like there are any more clues. Let's head back to the crime scene.

Sampo: Next, should we pin down the identity of the perpetrator? This evidence... I've been staring at it all day but, there's nothing that can identify the perp.

Sampo: Lefton. That guy lost his hand...

Sampo: Remember Zhongshan's face was disfigured after the incident at the cliff, right?

Sampo: I remember this one best. Wright has a broken leg.

Black Swan: Why don't we flip the question and start by asking who COULDN'T be the murderer? After all, there are only three suspects, so elimination could be a valid method.

Sampo: If you put it like that, then do you already have someone in mind? Tell me, c'mon.

Figure out the answer to the puzzle[]

(Optional, exclude Wright): Sampo: So who exactly is the murderer?; Sampo: I remember this one best. Wright has a broken leg.

(Submit incorrect evidence): Sampo: Err... is that so? I feel like the evidence doesn't really match? How about you think it over again?

(Exclude Lefton): Sampo: So who exactly is the murderer?; Sampo: Lefton. That guy lost his hand...

(Submit incorrect evidence): Sampo: Err... is that so? I feel like the evidence doesn't really match? How about you think it over again?

(Submit Giant Wooden Hammer): Black Swan: Based on the bailiff's statement, Lefton's dominant hand was seriously injured to the point where he had to learn how to live using only his left hand. Swinging that giant sledgehammer to murder someone... that must be hard for him. Probably impossible.; Black Swan: Lefton's suspicion level can be downgraded.

(Exclude Zhongshan): Sampo: So who exactly is the murderer?; Sampo: Remember Zhongshan's face was disfigured after the incident at the cliff, right?

(Submit incorrect evidence): Sampo: Err... is that so? I feel like the evidence doesn't really match? How about you think it over again?

(submit Goldhammer Residence Security Regulations): Black Swan: Poor guy. He was seriously injured and was all wrapped up in bandages to keep his good looks safe. If that's the case, then he couldn't have made it through the Goldhammer residence's facial recognition system.; Black Swan: That would suggest that Zhongshan is not the murderer.

(Once Lefton and Zhongshan are excluded): Sampo: By process of elimination, it seems that only Wright could be the murderer. That was easy. Let's tell the constable our answer and see what he thinks.

(Speak to the Constable): Constable: Please begin your investigation, Lady Black Swan! There are lots of clues at the crime scene that are sure to help you apprehend the real culprit.; Black Swan: The murderer is Wright.; Constable: ...; Constable: Beep beep beep — ! You have answered correctly. As expected, you didn't disappoint, Lady Black Swan. Game rules stipulate I must tell you where the next puzzle is.; Sampo: Huh? The next puzzle? I didn't sign up for this.; Black Swan: Looks like the key to winning lies not in the puzzle itself, but in the motives behind Miss Sparkle's strange behavior... I'm afraid this chase may just go on forever.; Sampo: I have to remind you that Sparkle is a Masked Fool. Do you plan on finding logic in the mind of a Masked Fool?; Black Swan: That's exactly what I plan on doing. Even if it's just subjective, there must be an overall principle behind the behavior — memories cannot lie, and hers may just understand more about her than she does herself.; Black Swan: Right now, let's follow her train of thought and head to the next puzzle. I hope this time we can get ahead of the Bloodhound Family. I want to try and avoid using my Memokeeper powers.

Hurry to the scene of Sparkle's upcoming crime[]

Step Description

You have solved the puzzle, but the game is not over. The "constable" has told Black Swan that Sparkle is about to commit another murder, and Black Swan definitely would not have enough time to stop her. You feel a brief but intense surge of emotion flash across the Dreamscape, likely because Black Swan dislikes this feeling of being led on a wild goose chase by others.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Talk to the Constable and Bailiff again, optional): At this moment, the constable and the bailiff lay lifelessly, mere husks of their former selves. It seems they have already completed their mission.

(Approach marked location): Sampo: So, why are you so focused on Sparkle's challenge? Or should I ask... are you more focused on Sparkle herself?

(Approach marked location): Black Swan: I told you, it's purely out of a spirit of competitiveness.; Black Swan: And, as a Memokeeper, I also have to fulfill my responsibilities and harvest some interesting memories.

(Approach marked location): Sampo: Wow... This place is a complete mess. And those two weirdos are probably here, too.; Black Swan: There's nobody else at the scene. Seems like Miss Sparkle used the same method to "send" dreamers back to reality... Let's talk to those two there then.

Speak with the sheriff and the deputy sheriff[]

Step Description

Another murder, another play, and another puzzle. Sampo seems extremely distressed and ready to escape back into his secluded and quiet Winterland. Black Swan, on the other hand, seems calm and contented, thoroughly enjoying the detective game that Sparkle prepared. However, they are not the type to have their emotions displayed across their faces, so you are uncertain whether they are really distressed or calm. However, the Dreamscape Sales Store is still a place of entertainment, so perhaps it would be better to focus on investigating the puzzle Sparkle left behind rather than trying to assess the true thoughts of these "characters." Let's enjoy and game of logic and deduction.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Talk to the Sheriff): Sheriff: Oh, Detective Black Swan and Detective Sampo. You finally made it!; Deputy Sheriff: We don't know what we'd do without your help!; Sampo: Uh, why are you talking like that? Is this some sort of artistic performance that young people are into these days?; Sheriff: Is there something wrong with the way we are talking? Deputy Sheriff, am I talking in a strange way?; Deputy Sheriff: Of course not, Sheriff. The way you talk is no stranger than the cat that climbs the apple tree in my grandma's backyard.; Black Swan: The skit this time is a modernist one.; Sheriff: Let's discuss this difficult case, then! The victim is a galactic business magnate named Sparkle...; Sampo: Her again? Sparkle really is obsessed with scripting her own death.; Sheriff: Oh, for The Laughter — if you undercut me one more time, I swear I'm gonna kick you in the butt!; Sheriff: Ahem... Miss Sparkle came to this fashion store to buy herself a brand-new tie... She didn't come back out.; Sheriff: After a long time, the shopkeeper went in to see what was going on, but instead discovered Miss Sparkle's body! She had been strangled to death!; Sheriff: There were three suspects on the scene, namely a Pepeshi shopkeeper named Wright, a Foxian gambler named Zhongshan, and a wealthy Intellitron trader called Lefton.; Black Swan: Our old friends.; Sheriff: It's not just to aid your memory! We've added more descriptions to help tell them apart.; Deputy Sheriff: Miss Sparkle is so gracious!; Sheriff: Based on surveillance footage, witness testimony, and various pieces of evidence, the killer is ultimately among these three — and they were not working in cahoots.; Sampo: You're too lazy to be a suspect, right?; Sheriff: Oh, for The Laughter — if I talk any more with you, it'll make my pure soul filthy!; Deputy Sheriff: Detective Black Swan, the dossiers are over here. You can learn more about the suspects from me. I trust you will be able to cut through the hogwash and find out who Miss Sparkle's killer is.

Ask the deputy sheriff about the suspects[]

(Talk to the Deputy Sheriff)

Deputy Sheriff: Let me introduce the identities of these suspects to you. It's very straightforward —

Deputy Sheriff: First of all is the shopkeeper, Wright. He's one of the Pepeshi people and only stands as tall as Sparkle's waist, which is often a source of teasing for him. He can get pretty salty about it.

Deputy Sheriff: Next up, you have the merchant Lefton. He wants to join up with the Penacony trading guild, and is in direct competition with Miss Sparkle. That could be a motive for killing her.

Deputy Sheriff: Finally there is the gambler, Zhongshan. He lost a best to Miss Sparkle, and he had to hand over his family heirloom. It's possible he harbored a grudge against her.

Deputy Sheriff: That's all the information we have. Do you need me to repeat it?

I'd like to hear about the suspects one more time.

Dr. Edward: (Sorry to interrupt your dreamscape experience, (Sir/Madam) (Trailblazer). That segment doesn't seem to be in this dream bubble.

Dr. Edward: (But don't worry. I'll replay the records for you.)

Deputy Sheriff: First of all is the shopkeeper, Wright. He's one of the Pepeshi people and only stands as tall as Sparkle's waist, which is often a source of teasing for him. He can get pretty salty about it.

Deputy Sheriff: Next up, you have the merchant Lefton. He wants to join up with the Penacony trading guild, and is in direct competition with Miss Sparkle. That could be a motive for killing her.

Deputy Sheriff: Finally there is the gambler, Zhongshan. He lost a bet to Miss Sparkle, and he had to hand over his family heirloom. It's possible he harbored a grudge against her.

That won't be necessary.

Black Swan: That won't be necessary. I remember it all.

(Obtain Case Review (II))

Investigate the evidence at the crime scene (0/2)[]

(Investigate book): Black Swan: There's an accounting book lying on the ground. It must have been specially placed there by Sparkle.; Sampo: On the title page is written "Qian Ketong"... is that someone's name? A codename? I think it's the name of the owner of this book.; Black Swan: This Qian Ketong person should be Sparkle's targeted victim this time around.
(Obtain Evidence: Qian Ketong's Account Book)

(Investigate pile of boxes): Black Swan: And there's the tie.; Sampo: That skit before said that the deceased was strangled. Is this tie some kind of joke murder weapon?; Black Swan: The tag on the tie reads "Only for Imperial Master Lefton"... Seems like it's one of Miss Sparkle's personal belongings.; Sampo: That's not how you use the word "Imperial"...
(Obtain Evidence: Lefton's Tie)

(Talk to the Sheriff, optional): Sheriff: How's it going, Detective Black Swan? Have you found out who the killer is?

(Talk to the Deputy Sheriff, optional): Deputy Sheriff: Anything else, Detective Black Swan?; I'd like to hear about the suspects one more time.; Deputy Sheriff: First of all is the shopkeeper, Wright. He's one of the Pepeshi people and only stands as tall as Sparkle's waist, which is often a source of teasing for him. He can get pretty salty about it.; Deputy Sheriff: Next up, you have the merchant Lefton. He wants to join up with the Penacony trading guild, and is in direct competition with Miss Sparkle. That could be a motive for killing her.; Deputy Sheriff: Finally there is the gambler, Zhongshan. He lost a bet to Miss Sparkle, and he had to hand over his family heirloom. It's possible he harbored a grudge against her.; Nothing.; Black Swan: I'm just a little curious. Isn't it really tiring for Miss Sparkle to play so many different roles?; Deputy Sheriff: If you really love Miss Sparkle from the bottom of your heart, then behave nicely and let her have a little fun!

Sort through the clues that you have collected so far[]

(Approach marked location): Sampo: So it's just like the first case, then — only two pieces of evidence. The rest... hidden inside her memories again, right?; Mask: Miss Sparkle doesn't want to distract your investigation!; Sampo: She doesn't want to "distract" our investigation? What a law-abiding citizen this Sparkle is — why doesn't she surrender, then?

Enter the room where Sparkle hid the clues to the puzzle[]

(Enter doorway)

Investigate the "evidence" that Sparkle left[]

(Investigate little stool): Sampo: A little stool that seems quite normal. There are two small footprints drawn on it in crayon.; Black Swan: The footprints, which are half as big as standard, must belong to a Pepeshi person.; Sampo: Perhaps it's just that this person's drawing skills are extraordinary.
(Obtain Evidence: Wright's Stool)

(Investigate box): Sampo: ...What's that smell? Why is there a smoked red herring there?; Black Swan: Mr. Sampo, take a closer look... this is a wonderful smoked red herring.; Sampo: Somebody save me from this cringe joke...; Black Swan: Even among the fools I know, Miss Sparkle's sense of humor stands out from the rest.; Sampo: Have you dealt with many Masked Fools before?; Black Swan: No, only a handful. After all, I prefer warm memories baked in sunshine. They're the ones that usually belong to kind people.
(Obtain Evidence: Smoked Red Herring)

(Investigate Dream Ticker): Sampo: This clock is...; Black Swan: Open it up and take a look.

(Awaken Dream Ticker): Sampo: So there's a ring inside. This is evidence, too. Why was it planted inside another device?; Sheriff: Because this ring was found inside the victim's mouth. We want to reconstruct the scene of the crime.; Black Swan: In the victim's MOUTH...?; Sampo: Hey, there's something engraved inside the ring: "Zhongshan Family Heirloom..."
(Obtain Evidence: Zhongshan's Ring)

(Once all three pieces of "evidence" have been found): Sampo: That should be it. Let's head out.

Black Swan: I have to thank you, Mr. Assistant Detective. But... the puzzle this time is pretty strange.

Sampo: Have you found out who the killer is?

Black Swan: Just some shallow intuition... Anyway, let's report back to the sheriff for now.

Figure out the answer to the puzzle[]

Sheriff: Oh, for The Laughter! Didn't think I'd be seeing Detective Black Swan so soon! What's that? You've found out who the killer is?

Black Swan: Pretty much.

Sheriff: You live up to your reputation, Detective Black Swan. As smart as the nest of magpies roosting in the roof of my uncle Frank's garage!

Sampo: This guy is mixing up his birds here.

Sheriff: Then, go ahead — who is the killer, and what evidence do you have to prove the case?

Identify the murderer.

Sheriff: Good! Then let us appreciate your powers of deduction.

(Denounce "Lefton")

Sheriff: Hmm... Have you solved the case?

Sheriff: Lefton is a wealthy merchant who has been competing with Miss Sparkle for decades — they're always at each other's throats!

(Optional, submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: It doesn't? Looks like Miss Sparkle is more careful than I thought.

(Submit Lefton's Tie): Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: This tie belongs to Lefton, and it just so happens to be the murder weapon in this case. Could the evidence be any more solid than this?; Sheriff: Lefton snuck into the changing room and waited for poor Miss Sparkle to enter, before using this very tie to brutally kill her! And then he stuffed Zhongshan's ring into her mouth as a way to try and frame him.; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the murderer would still be at large!

(Denounce "Zhongshan")

Sheriff: Hmm... Have you solved the case?

Sheriff: This guy Zhongshan is a card shark who used to play "Get the Koi" with Miss Sparkle. He gambled away his entire family fortune.

(Optional, submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: It doesn't? Looks like Miss Sparkle is more careful than I thought.

(Submit Zhongshan's Ring): Black Swan: This ring is a piece of evidence, right?; Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: What would a penniless wretch of a gambler like Zhongshan be doing at such a fancy fashion store as this? Because he was planning on robbing it!; Sheriff: He'd stolen Lefton's tie and was just about to get away when he saw Miss Sparkle — the one who'd stolen his family fortune from him. So he darted into the changing room, and tried to get back his ring...; Sheriff: Who could've known that Miss Sparkle would end up swallowing that ring! All Zhongshan could do was use the tie in his hand to try and strap down her neck to prevent her from swallowing that ring — but he unexpectedly managed to strangle Miss Sparkle to death.; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the murderer would still be at large!

(Denounce "Wright")

Sheriff: Hmm... Have you solved the case?

Sheriff" Wright is a Pepeshi citizen, and Miss Sparkle was a low-key bigot, always laughing at his height.

(Optional, submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: It doesn't? Looks like Miss Sparkle is more careful than I thought.

(Submit Wright's Stool): Black Swan: This stool is a piece of evidence, right?; Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: Miss Sparkle always teased poor Wright until he was unable to take it any longer. Eventually, murderous intent was born!; Sheriff: Taking advantage of his position, he stole Lefton's tie and told Miss Sparkle: "Miss, please come with me to the changing room. I'd like to show you a matching tie."; Sheriff: Miss Sparkle never thought Wright would retaliate against her, so she went back with him to the changing room. As Wright stood atop the stool and helped Miss Sparkle try on the tie as usual...; Sheriff: ...he then suddenly pulled it tight! And THAT'S how he killed Miss Sparkle!; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the murderer would still be at large!

Do not identify the murderer.

Black Swan: In my opinion, there is no murderer for this case.

Sheriff: ...What do you mean by that?

(Optional, submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: It doesn't? Looks like Miss Sparkle is more careful than I thought.

(Submit Lefton's Tie): Black Swan: This tie is a piece of evidence, right?; Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: Miss Sparkle stole Lefton's tie to see if it would fit her... But who knew that Lefton had an anti-theft device installed on it!; Sheriff: After Miss Sparkle affixed the tie to her neck, it rapidly contracted, thereby strangling the poor lady! She tried swallowing her ring to preserve her breathing passage, but unfortunately... she was beyond saving.; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the three suspects would all be facing grave injustice!

(Submit Wright's Stool): Black Swan: This stool is a piece of evidence, right?; Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: Miss Sparkle's business failed, and she was on the brink of bankruptcy. As she passed by her regular fashion store, she ran into her old nemesis, the bullying shopkeeper from the store, and the gambler whose life she'd ruined...; Sheriff: And those three all looked happier than her! Miss Sparkle's ego wouldn't allow that to happen!; Sheriff: And so she stole Lefton's tie, placed Zhongshan's ring in her mouth, stepped up onto the stool, and hanged herself from a beam in Wright's shop! And her motive was to try and frame all three of them.; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the three suspects would all be facing grave injustice!

(Submit Zhongshan's Ring): Black Swan: This ring is a piece of evidence, right?; Sheriff: ...That's right. That's the one!; Sheriff: Zhongshan stormed into the changing room to try and get his ring back — flustering Miss Sparkle, who swallowed it! Who would've guessed that the ring would get stuck in her throat?; Sheriff: Zhongshan repaid evil with kindness, and tried to borrow a tie to help Miss Sparkle squeeze out the ring. But sadly... she couldn't be saved.; Sheriff: What a tragedy. If it weren't for your incisive detective work, the three suspects would all be facing grave injustice!

Think again.

Black Swan: Don't worry. Let me think again.

Sheriff: Then please hurry up with it. Time waits for no one!

Sampo: Err... Is something wrong here? This is too easy. The first case wasn't hard, but this one...

Black Swan: As you can imagine, the conclusions that the evidence points to are not mutually exclusive. Which means... this is probably another prank from Miss Sparkle.

Black Swan: Mr. Assistant Detective, please feel free to point out a suspect as the murderer.

Sampo: ...Ah, I see. Sheriff, the murderer is Lefton. The evidence is the tie, right?

Sheriff: Correct, Detective Sampo! I never thought you'd be able to deduce the truth!

Sampo: Sheriff, the murderer is Wright. The evidence is the stool, right?

Sheriff: Yes! For The Laughter, how did I fail to realize this formidable intellect of yours!

Sampo: Then... right from the start, there was no murderer? The evidence is the ring... Whatever, I'm just spitballing here...

Sheriff: Goodness me! Deputy Sheriff, is he really a genius? How could such an unfathomable mystery be solved so easily by him!

Sampo: ...

Black Swan: Look, Miss Sparkle has given us a puzzle where every single answer is correct.

Sheriff: Why take it so seriously? Miss Sparkle is a Masked Fool, not a Masked Genius. If it's a challenging puzzle you want, please go out there and turn right until you get to the Intelligentsia Guild. We're only responsible for providing an entertaining detective experience!

Sheriff: Anyway! Since our genius detective, Black Swan, has cracked the case, I will now share Miss Sparkle's next puzzle with you.

Sampo: So that's it... This is just going to go on and on forever. We can't do that.

Black Swan: ...

Sheriff: Then I wish you both the best! Oh yes, if you're not in a hurry, I can tell you the answers for some of the outcomes you never chose.

Hurry to the scene of Sparkle's upcoming crime[]

Step Description

Black Swan has solved the puzzle that isn't a puzzle... Clearly, the game is still not over. Once again, Black Swan follows Sparkle's instructions and rushes to the next crime scene. You feel as if you sense another brief burst of emotion... Black Swan is getting a little tired of these games.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Optional, talk to the Deputy Sheriff): Black swan: Excuse me, is the deputy sheriff still around?; Sheriff: Its work is done and it's taking a long vacation now. Come talk to me if you need anything!; Black Swan: But I preferred the character design of the deputy sheriff. Can it come back?; Sheriff: No! Playing so many roles is tiring.

(Optional, talk to the Sheriff)

Sheriff: Detective Black Swan, would you like to hear about the other answers that you didn't guess?

Sure.

Black Swan: Why, I wouldn't miss it for the world — seeing as you put so much work into everything.

The murderer is Lefton.

Sheriff: Lefton is a wealthy merchant who has been competing with Miss Sparkle for decades — they're always at each other's throats!
(Submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: Nothing? I thought there was an answer for every single permutation.; Sheriff: Don't go too far. Miss Sparkle will get tired.; Sheriff Lefton is a wealthy merchant who has been competing with Miss Sparkle for decades — they're always at each other's throats!

The murderer is Zhongshan.

Sheriff: This guy Zhongshan is a card shark who used to play "Get the Koi" with Miss Sparkle. He gambled away his entire family fortune.
(Submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: Nothing? I thought there was an answer for every single permutation.; Sheriff: Don't go too far. Miss Sparkle will get tired.; Sheriff: This guy Zhongshan is a card shark who used to play "Get the Koi" with Miss Sparkle. He gambled away his entire family fortune.

The murderer is Wright.

Sheriff" Wright is a Pepeshi citizen, and Miss Sparkle was a low-key bigot, always laughing at his height.
(Submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: Nothing? I thought there was an answer for every single permutation.; Sheriff: Don't go too far. Miss Sparkle will get tired.; Sheriff: Wright is a Pepeshi citizen, and Miss Sparkle was a low-key bigot, always laughing at his height.

There is no murderer at all.

Sheriff: ...What do you mean by that?
(Submit incorrect evidence): Sheriff: Hmm? This evidence doesn't really prove that he is the murderer...; Black Swan: Nothing? I thought there was an answer for every single permutation.; Sheriff: Don't go too far. Miss Sparkle will get tired.; Sheriff: ...What do you mean by that?

Stop playing now.

Nothing.

Black Swan: I'd rather not play around. We don't have very much time.

(Approach marked location): Sampo: Just as you said, solving puzzles is all just a cover for something else. That girl is toying with us. What should we do now? Just keep getting led around by her?; Black Swan: Truly, Miss Sparkle is a fascinating person. She seems chaotic inside, but easy enough to understand — like a performer on the stage, or a child hungering for attention.; Black Swan: This game will be over soon... This time, we're going to catch her.

(Approach marked location): Detective: Miss Black Swan, Mr. Sampo: you're finally here! I am the famed detective of Penacony, and next to me here is my assistant detective.; Assistant Detective: A murder in a locked room has left us all stumped!; Sampo: As expected, another change in setting...; Detective: Yesterday, my assistant and I were visiting the famed artist Miss Sparkle, and we stayed the night. But this morning, Miss Sparkle didn't come out of her bedroom.; Detective: The butler, Zhongshan, said that the door was locked from inside, so he ought not to have disturbed her... But Miss Sparkle had never slept in so late, and no matter how hard he knocked, there was no answer from inside.; Assistant Detective: As soon as I heard, I knew something must have happened! So I acted decisively and broke the door down to get inside...; Detective: The room was covered in spattered blood! Miss Sparkle's body was lying right in the middle, her face as white as snow. One look told me she'd been dead for some time...; Assistant Detective: Thinking quickly, I grabbed the artist's canvas to staunch Miss Sparkle's blood, but... Alas, poor Miss Sparkle. She's left us now, forever!; Detective: Besides us and Zhongshan the butler, Lefton the cook and Wright the driver were also at the scene of the crime... What would you like to do?; Black Swan: Presumably... Miss Sparkle is now carefully arranging the next crime scene, right?; Black Swan: Why don't you skip all this rigmarole and just have a heart-to-heart conversation with me? It might tickle a little.; Detective: Wait up... wait up!; Black Swan: Hmmm... honest kid. I know where you are, Miss Sparkle.; Detective & Sampo: No cheating!; Black Swan: Huh, Mr. Assistant Detective? You seem to be getting anxious?; Sampo: Ah, no... I, it's... Haha, this locked-room murder case is pretty fun. I wanna guess who it was...; Black Swan: Let's go — can't keep a girl waiting, can we?; Detective & Assistant Detective: Hey! Miss Black Swan, wait up. Wait up! Miss Sparkle has one final message to announce...

(Cutscene plays)

Sparkle: Ding-a-ling~ Now comes the most exciting and romantic moment in any drama: the audience challenge!

Sparkle: Everyone knows that the mighty Masked Fool Sparkle can change her appearance to look like others. And in this drama, the villain, Sparkle, has disguised herself as another character.

Sparkle: So then, I put to you: Which character is it!

Sparkle: Also, if you're interested in the locked-room case that the Memokeeper ignored, you can try out your powers of deduction. I put lots into coming up with the puzzle, so don't let it go to waste!

Sparkle: Thus the Masked Genius Miss Sparkle has thrown down the gauntlet! All the clues are in motion — happy hunting!

Hurry to Sparkle's hiding spot[]

Step Description

"Challenge the audience"... You have read a lot of detective novels that March 7th shoved into your hands and are no stranger to this kind of plot. Although, normally it's the job of the author or the detective to challenge the reader (or audience), is it not? How is it that in Sparkle's game, it's the murderer who's throwing down the gauntlet? Surely this is closer to "threatening the audience" than challenging...? It's just what you've come to expect from Sparkle. Either way, happy hunting.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Optional, investigate Detective & Assistant Detective): The detective and the assistant detective have become two lifeless bodies. It seems they can no longer complete their mission.

(Approach marked location): Sampo: Miss, Why didn't you just do this earlier?; Black Swan: Such a crude approach violates my aesthetics of memory, but as a means to an end... I need to put this aside for a more indifferent process.

Inspect the unusual trashcan[]

Step Description

What stands before Black Swan in this moment is undoubtedly a trashcan. A Belobogian-style trashcan. This sight is supposed to shock you, but it does not. You have seen many strange things on your journeys. This sense of being unfazed by the bizarre makes you feel like you have really gained some life experience.

Black Swan's Memory Bubble

(Investigate trashcan)

Sampo: There's no weird Sweet Dreams Troupe, nor is there evidence strewn all over the place... We've finally caught up with her. Um, but what's that thing... A Belobogian trashcan? In Penacony?

Trashcan: Hey! Dear Memokeeper, and Mr. Cold Feet — you made it!

Trashcan: I didn't expect you to skip the final puzzle. That's on me! Alright, alright, Miss Sparkle cares not for the faults of ants like me. Come then, this is the final question...

Trashcan: Listen up! What creature has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night?

Black Swan: No murder case this time around?

Trashcan: Sometimes it's nice to take things easy! Come on dear, give me your answer then~

People.

Black Swan: Since it's a classic puzzle, the answer is... "people," right?

Trashcan: Wamp wah — wrong answer. How could it be as boring as that!

Bugs.

Black Swan: Mmm, what is it then... My answer is "bugs." Is that right?

Trashcan: Wamp wah — wrong answer. That's funky, but a wild guess.

Sweet Dreams Troupe.

Black Swan: Seeing as we're in Penacony... the answer is "Sweet Dreams troupe," right?

Trashcan: Wamp wah — wrong answer. That's funky, but a wild guess.

A trashcan.

Black Swan: Seeing as you're right here in front of me like this, then I guess... the answer is "a trashcan," right?

Trashcan: Wamp wah — wrong answer. That's funky, but a wild guess.

Trashcan: The correct answer is: "Sparkle"!

Trashcan: When sleepy in the morning, she can't get out of bed. She runs around all afternoon in a fluster, so is exhausted by evening — but has to still raise a hand to hold a toothbrush. Poor Sparkle!

Trashcan: So naturally she's got "four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night"~

Sampo: What the heck was that jibber-jabber...

Black Swan: What a cute answer.

Trashcan: Thanks for the compliment, my dear. But you can't try to fool me seeing as you've just tried to cheat! Wrong answer... accept your punishment!

(After a fight against Dreamjolt Troupe's Spring Loader (Lv. 82), Lordly Trashcan (Lv. 82), and Dreamjolt Troupe's Spring Loader (Lv. 82): Sampo: H—Holy smokes! What's up with this guy? He just came out swinging from nowhere!; Trashcan: ...; Trashcan: ...; Sampo: Huh, no voices? This guy's pretty quiet. Miss, let's hurry up, flip open the lid and find the girl...; Black Swan: ...Wait. Don't move.; Black Swan: ...Something's off.

(Cutscene plays)

Sampo: Ah... Ahhh! Miss, you... you killed Sparkle!

Sampo: H—How is this possible? How can people die inside Penacony's dreamscape? In the Garden of Recollection... what did you do!?

Black Swan: ...

Sampo: You did this, didn't you? Killing people in their dreams... only the Remembrance has the powers to do that! You planned it out all from the start. Because she teased you and was pranking you... you wanted to kill her!

Sampo: Oh... I understand. You refused to let me go because you wanted to drag me into all of this! If I don't agree, I'll end up... just like she did...

Black Swan: There is no death inside Penacony's dreamscape. That's the promise of the family and the blessing of the Harmony. Not even a Memokeeper can break this barrier.

Black Swan: There's no need to take such great pains. If you just want confirmation... I've already told you the answer, Miss Sparkle.

Sampo: Miss... Miss Sparkle? Who are you talking to?

Black Swan: You.

Black Swan: "Sparkle has disguised herself as another character"... Wouldn't that be you, Mr. Sampo?

Sampo: This... Don't jump to conclusions!

Sampo: ...If you want to accuse me of being Sparkle, you have to provide the evidence. Oh, I'm afraid evidence is a little hard to come by... so "deduction" will do.

Black Swan: The hint for the final question was a little too obvious.

Sampo: Oh, you mean the locked-room murder? I thought you weren't planning on doing that one.

Black Swan: All the painstaking effort that Miss Sparkle put into it — how could I ever miss it?

Black Swan: The key to solving the puzzle lay in two pieces of information put forward by the detectives: First, the large splatter of blood at the crime scene. Second, the victim had been dead for some time.

Black Swan: Based on my shallow understanding, I can only draw two conclusions: One is that the murderer did not need to create a locked-room case — because a locked-room always needs a reason to exist...

Black Swan: But based on the detective's description, this locked-room did not delay the discovery of the body. There was no third party at the crime scene to frame, and the blood everywhere didn't look like a faked suicide...

Black Swan: That being so, the murderer seems to have no reason for creating a locked-room. There is also reason to speculate that if the crime scene was a locked room — then its creator might not necessarily be the murderer.

Black Swan: As for my second conclusion, it's even more obvious still. When everyone broke into the scene of the crime, why did the assistant rush off to staunch the blood? A trained professional was somehow happily destroying a crime scene just to save someone who's obviously been dead for a while?

Black Swan: The answer is simple: It's because the assistant detective is the murderer.

Black Swan: At the time I was in such a hurry that I didn't hear the whole mystery. I tentatively speculated that the murderer had killed the victim the night before, but hadn't locked the door from the inside.

Black Swan: And so when he learned this piece of information, he realized that the victim had created their own locked-room mystery.

Black Swan: That's why he had to rush to the crime scene as soon as possible, to confirm whether or not the victim left any evidence implicating him. And judging by his behavior, it probably had something to do with that canvas, like some final words.

Black Swan: Of course, this is just a simple mind game. The answer to the puzzle isn't important. Miss Sparkle just wanted to pass on one hint to me: That the murderer is the assistant detective...

Black Swan: ...which means it's you, Mr. Sampo. I've been using this term of address — but it was you who first came up with it.

Sampo: Has anyone ever told you that you're more like a detective than a Memokeeper?

Black Swan: In my opinion, there is no difference between the two. Follow ripples along the surface of the water. Use some abilities and tricks to keep diving deeper, and touch that secret deep inside people's hearts. Salvage it, and protect them carefully...

Black Swan: The truth does not lie. Neither do memories.

Sampo: Exquisite reasoning, and very close to the truth... But I have another answer. Would you like to hear it?

Black Swan: Another answer?

Sampo: The great artist Sparkle locked herself away in her bedroom, using red paint to create the semblance of spattered blood everywhere. And that assistant detective who was first on the scene who confirmed her death...

Sampo: ...was not the murderer, but rather an accomplice who assisted her in faking her own death.

??? What a pity. Such a pity. My dear, you were so-so-so-SO close to the right answer. Unfortunately, the right answer is...

Sparkle: ...Miss Sparkle's body.

Sparkle: Sparkle was disguised as Sparkle's body.

Sparkle: Ding-a-ling — I won~

Black Swan: ...Does "Miss Sparkle's body" even count as a real character?

Sparkle: Why not? "Miss Sparkle's body" appeared in all three of those skits just then.

Black Swan: It's a little bit forced, but it's fine... So... who is this Mr. Sampo, then?

Sampo: Beautiful lady, I already confessed everything to you earlier on — I really didn't know a thing. I just helped a friend send a letter, that's all.

Black Swan: So I've been running a fool's errand this whole time.

Sparkle: My dear, why so serious? Haven't you been having a great time? I have, at least.

Sparkle: You take memories, and I get joy. We get what we need from each other. Seeing as we're such kindred spirits but also such loners... Why don't you come and work with me? We can dance ballet together~

Black Swan: Oh... Am I understanding this correctly? A Masked Fool, inviting me to work together?

Sparkle: A show of unprecedented splendor is about to be staged in Penacony. If you're too late to take the stage, you can work behind the scenes.

Sparkle: If you want to appreciate this drama, you have to stand up under that spotlight as you take the stage and watch the dancing envelope you — come with me, this is the best seat in the house!

Black Swan: ...I don't really understand why you're so fixated on destroying Family barriers, but as I said before, a Memokeeper can't help you. It's frankly above my pay grade.

Black Swan: Also, I don't consider you a loner. Oh, I don't mean him, but rather behind you...

Black Swan: The one who hired you to come to Penacony probably doesn't want you secretly linking up with other forces, right?

Sparkle: ...How did you know?

Black Swan: Memory is like the deep blue sea. But if you try to catch two fish with one cast... You might not be satisfied with your catch.

Sparkle: So you mean you're refusing?

Sparkle: Memokeeper... Did you think you could just leave?

Black Swan: Why not?

Sparkle: ...

Sparkle: My dear, I don't want to scare you. You'll know the answer sooner or later! We're just getting to know each other a little today. If you ever change your mind, come find me at the tavern — that is, IF you can find me, haha!

Sparkle: Let's go, Sam... Sampo?

Sparkle: ...Sampo... Who is... Sampo?

Sampo: Eh, this is... This is Belobog, right?

Black Swan: I said... why not?

Black Swan: Don't worry. Such a crude approach violates my aesthetics of memory, so once you leave my sight, you'll be able to remember everything again. And also...

Black Swan: I'm sorry, my dear. My dream dance partner... I've already got my sights on someone else.

(Exit Black Swan's Memory Bubble)

Speak with Dr. Edward[]

Step Description

This wonderful dream has finally come to an end. Dr. Edward would like to hear your thoughts — go and talk with him. Oh, don't forget what Black Swan told you at the start: "The nature of this memory is special. Don't ruin the dreamscape experience for anyone else by spoiling the ending."

Golden Hour

Dr. Edward: What a special dream this has been. Did you notice its nested structure? Being part of a play inside the dreamscape is as weird and captivating as being in a dream within a dream.

(Speak to Dr. Edward)

Dr. Edward: That's the end of Miss Black Swan's dream bubble. Are you satisfied with your experience?

How fascinating.

Dr. Edward: I also found this dream suitably fascinating. You've gained joy from it. You've gained joy from it and Miss Black Swan surely also feels gratified, yes?

Dr. Edward: If we meet again, I will pass your esteemed praise on to her.

How boring.

Dr. Edward: I understand. The dreamscape is inherently different for everyone, so inevitably there are some people who it won't suit.

Dr. Edward: But, I also think Miss Black Swan must have her own reason for holding on to this dream bubble. And as an outsider, that is not my place to judge.

It was kinda easy.

Dr. Edward: Sure enough, those puzzles are going to be easy for a Trailblazer with the vast experience that you have.

Dr. Edward: But I'm afraid that Miss Sparkle would argue: "We're Masked Fools, not Masked Geniuses!" ...haha.

Sampo turned out to be...

Dr. Edward: I noticed that the people in your dream were familiar to you. It's worth repeating that dreams are just dreams, and in Penacony dreams can be processed or even tampered with.

Dr. Edward: Things in our dreams cannot be trusted, let alone in someone else's dreamscape. If there's any information that you'd like to confirm... please do so by the cold hard light of reality. Sweet dreams.

(Teleported to VIP Lounge): Sparkle: ...Really, I wouldn't do anything to her.; Sampo: Don't worry about that Memokeeper. Let's talk about my thing. I've helped you out with everything you've asked, as agreed...; Sampo: Shouldn't you give my mask back to me now?; Sparkle: Since when did the Masked Fools suddenly start respecting agreements?; Sparkle: ...Haha, just kidding! I love seeing that look on your face. Take this key to the tavern cellar. Third barrel on the left. You never saw me.; Sparkle: But Sampo... After all this time, what made you suddenly want to take back your mask? This doesn't seem like the Sampo I know...; Sparkle: Let me guess: A catastrophe is coming to Jarilo-VI, am I right?; Sampo: Well, no comment about that. But I loved that line you said, "If you're too late to take the stage, you can work behind the scenes" — That really makes sense.; Sampo: Sometimes, even an old-timer like me feels like taking the stage and making a fool out of myself.; Sparkle: If you're all out of options, please get in touch with me. I'm the kind of person who values friendship highly.; Sampo: Forget it. You'll be doing me a favor if you stay away from Belobog. After all, the Elation that Miss Sparkle seeks... isn't something ol' Sampo can stand by.; Sampo: Go. Tell Giovanni I said hi.; Sparkle: Fine, I'm just spitballing here. Don't take it so seriously...; Sparkle: ...Why so serious?

(Return to Golden Hour): Messages
Sparkle
Black Swan has sent you a message request.
Black Swan
(Trailblazer), I imagine you have already seen that dream bubble?
Relax, I just want to know if anyone has come looking for you yet
Black Swan?
(Trailblazer)
You're Black Swan?
Black Swan
Indeed, the Memokeeper you know.
What's up?
(Trailblazer)
What's up?
Black Swan
I'll make this simple: That Fool named "Sparkle" is currently searching all over the place for that dream bubble
I do not know what her intentions are, but allowing it to slip into her hands will only make this situation more confusing
(Trailblazer), can you do me a favor and go to reclaim that dream bubble?
Of course!
(Trailblazer)
Of course!
Black Swan
Your attitude is reassuring, I will go with you
Why don't you do it yourself?
(Trailblazer)
Why don't you do it yourself?
Black Swan
I didn't expect you to refuse me... I guess I could go myself
Black Swan
But I don't remember where that dream bubble was left
Can you remind me?
In the Dreamscape Sales Store
(Trailblazer)
In the Dreamscape Sales Store, Dr. Edward has it
You don't remember?
Black Swan
Heehee~
Well, my memory is nothing compared to a true Memokeeper
Ah, I can't believe I got the intel so easily. I was really worried I was going to be exposed!
I stole it
(Trailblazer)
I stole it, stuffed it in a SoulGlad bottle, and threw it away
It's probably still floating around in some trashcan's dream
Black Swan
Do you really love trashcans that much?
I told you, Trashcan Kingdom was super fun! No one ever believes me
Looks like disguising myself as Sampo was actually worth it
How could a Memokeeper forget a memory?
(Trailblazer)
I'm curious... How could a Memokeeper forget a memory?
Are you really Black Swan?
Black Swan
Hm? You've figured me out?
Well, I'm not a true Memokeeper, after all
I can't believe you figured me out so quickly, how dull
Black Swan
Pranks are all about the back-and-forth! You've seen how much fun I have with that Memokeeper...
You should learn from her, young Nameless
This is just the beginning, I'll be back!
Bring it on
(Trailblazer)
Bring it on, we'll see who tricks whom next time!
Please don't come back
(Trailblazer)
Please don't come back! Nothing good ever comes from hanging about with a Fool...
Message failed to send.
This user does not exist.

Post-mission[]

Messages
Black Swan

(Trailblazer), I imagine you have already seen that dream bubble?

Relax, I just want to know if anyone has come looking for you yet

What happened?

What happened?

I'm getting déjà vu here...

I'm getting déjà vu here...

You may also know that interesting young Fool, Sparkle.

She's recently gotten into disguising herself as other people. (Trailblazer), has she tried this with you already?

Wait... Then you might be...

If that's the case, you could be Sparkle in disguise, too.

I see you're on high alert. What would you have me do to prove I am "me"?

A unique expression?

Some unique linguistic habits, like whether you add full-stops or not to messages

A unique action?

Some unique actions you do out of habit, like looking in the mirror a lot

But, if that little Miss Fool excels in observation, there is a chance that she could perfectly imitate everything about a person.

I think that the only thing that can differentiate someone from another is their "memories." There is no way for an outsider to completely steal or imitate every ounce of a person's memory.

It's just like when we met in Penacony, is it not? A strange dreamland surrounding us, a series of strange murders, people with differing dreams, the truth that lies beneath the water's surface...

Do you need me to go on?

That's enough

I think that's enough

I need more

I think I need more

I can't be the one doing all the talking. By your logic, you should also have to prove that you are not Sparkle, (Trailblazer).

Huh?

Huh?