HLnovel Chapter 412 The Truth Behind Pinocone
Chapter 412 The Truth Behind Pinocone
Gallagher chuckled softly, "Not a single word is wrong."
"Hey, what are you laughing at... Did you write this? Your writing is quite good," March 7th asked.
“I’m the sheriff in charge of the investigation, how could I not know… I bet you’ve also realized that this message didn’t come from the family—or that the two families aren’t even that close?” Gallagher spread his hands.
"This is just speculation at the moment, and it's hard for us to believe that the father of Pinocchio, the 'watchmaker,' and the family that actually manages it are so at odds."
Walter Young already had a guess in mind, but he wasn't entirely sure.
The train crew had initially suspected that the person who sent the invitation might be an adversary of the family, or even a traitor to the family.
However, under such strict family control, they could not find any evidence to support this argument.
“Now I can tell you, it’s absolutely right,” Gallagher said firmly.
These words shocked both March 7th and Walter Young.
"The family has long considered the 'Watchmaker' an enemy, but the latter is elusive, existing only in the business myth he created, and the hounds have been unable to catch him."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you all a further question: Have you ever considered why the family tolerates the 'Watchmaker' sending out such a ridiculous message to the outside world, allowing you to accept the invitation and make such a mess of this place?"
"You want to use this opportunity to expose 'The Watchmaker'?" Walter Young adjusted his glasses.
"Now you can understand why the Oak family authorized the anonymous guest to assist in the investigation, yet kept things from you at every turn."
"Because 'The Watchmaker' is not a legend of a dreamland at all, but rather the most unspeakable stain in the history of the Pinocchio branch; he is the instigator of all the dream anomalies."
"But what does this have to do with Mikhail?" March 7th asked, puzzled.
Gallagher sighed. "Still not getting it? I mean..."
“Mikhail, the traitor to the family—he's none other than the infamous ‘Watchmaker.’”
"What!" March 7 and Walter Young exclaimed in unison in shock.
"How is this possible?" March 7th exclaimed incredulously.
Walter Young then began to ponder the matter carefully.
"You all know that Pinocone used to be the company's prison planet, right? The prisoners were brought here to help the Memory Palace salvage the leaked memory matter from the large hole..."
“Indeed, in the think tank, Pinocchio was initially a prison planet.” Walter Yang paused, “But…”
“Prisons, with their long-term exposure to high concentrations of memory matter, have produced a peculiar phenomenon. The dreams of countless individuals intertwine and overlap, and people begin to meet in their dreams, living a life that seems almost real.”
"But everything comes at a price, and dreams are no exception. In the end, even dreams cannot erase people's suffering in reality. Led by a prisoner, the border prison smashed the shackles of the company and began to fight for freedom..."
"Is this prisoner Mikhail?" March 7 asked.
"No, he is Hanunu, the 'Hanunu Brother.' The eldest brother of Dream Town, the founder of peace, and the eternal companion of the weak."
"So 'The Watch Kid' is a documentary." March 7th realized this.
Gallagher continued, "History is always written by the victors, but putting aside the artistic embellishments, it is an undeniable fact that 'Clockboy' is an animation created against the backdrop of Pinocchio's history."
“These characters not only live in Dream Town, but also in the distant past. Understanding this… helps us understand why we came here.”
"Who does Mikhail represent in the animated film?" March 7th asked.
“It’s obvious that the name of this animated film, Clockwork Boy, is actually about clockmakers.” Walter Young seemed to have figured something out.
“That’s right. He was Hanu’s partner and one of the original members of Dream Town. Could this be interpreted as the historical ‘clockmaker’ also personally participating in that war and standing on Asdna’s side?” Gallagher nodded.
"It was a massive war of independence, with the Masked Fool, the Nameless Guest, the Fictional Historian, the Mourning Actor, the Ominous Vanguard... Hanunu quelled the war with the help of his companions and extraterrestrial visitors."
"So, we participated in this war too!" March 7 exclaimed in surprise.
“Of course, otherwise why would the train conductor send us to see those three nameless passengers who got off at Pinocchio?” Walter Young sighed.
"Hehe, I forgot..." March 7th scratched his head.
"In that war involving numerous people and factions, there were naturally among them those who would later become 'clockmakers.'"
March 7th counted on his fingers, realizing something was amiss. "But if that's the case... wouldn't the 'Watchmaker' have lived for hundreds of years?"
Gallagher shook his head. "I don't know. When I met Mikhail, he was already a 'watchmaker,' or it might have been a title he inherited."
March 7th continued, "Sir Sheriff, how old are you?"
Gallagher was silent for a moment, then said somewhat reluctantly, "Thirteen years old."
March 7th's eyes widened immediately. "It can't be possible no matter how you look at it!"
Walter Young was also somewhat surprised, but at the same time, he had his own guesses.
“I’m afraid the sheriff isn’t human, is he?” Walter Young asked.
“Uncle Yang! Even though he lied, you can’t curse at people!” March 7th immediately grabbed Walter Yang’s arm.
Gallagher fell silent. "I don't know either."
"I don't know if I'm human, but my memory only spans thirteen years."
"This..." March 7th was a little embarrassed. Could it be that Uncle Yang was right?
"In short, Hanunu liberated the border prison, but he left before he could see peace."
“With scarce resources, a hostile external presence, and disaffected prison districts, Asdna’s future remains precarious.”
"It wasn't until the historical 'watchmaker' extended an olive branch to the family, attempting to transform the prison into a vibrant hub of social gatherings... that 'Pinocchio' finally acquired its current name and stepped onto the stage before the stars."
“That’s why he’s called the ‘Father of Pinocchio,’” Walter Young continued.
March 7th was even more confused. "But you clearly said earlier that the 'Watchmaker' was a traitor to the family? You also said you were his comrade, so you also..."
Gallagher shook his head. "I'm not his companion, I'm just one of his many 'children'."
“But I am indeed a traitor, not a traitor to the family, but a traitor to… Mikhail.” Galakh’s tone was heavy.
"What did you do?" Walter Young asked cautiously.
“I did nothing…this is the greatest betrayal.” Gallagher lit a cigarette.
“Like you, I once had close companions. We poured our hearts and souls into Pinocchio, but the Oak family… betrayed us.”
“What exactly did the family do?” Walter Young asked.
“You’ll never know, never,” Gallagher said, shaking his head.
He seemed to be very resistant to that memory.
“Mikhail is old and can no longer protect his children. We left the family to find our own way, and thus became traitors to ‘Harmony’… even though the real traitors are others.”
"They continue to praise the 'watchmaker' to the outside world, but secretly they are branding him with shame."
"Once the creation of a god begins, it cannot be stopped; the only option is to let it be destroyed..."
Walter Young understood this principle well.
"Even so, we still hope to clear his name. As long as we can find the real traitor, the mastermind behind all this, Pinocchio's 'Harmony' can get back on track..."
As the cigarette burned out, the only flame disappeared.
“But we lost. So much time has passed, and the land of dreams has been affected too deeply. Under the relentless pursuit, I gave up... like a stray dog.”
"And then, Sheriff?" March 7th asked.
“Just as you call me, Sheriff,” Gallagher sighed.
“My family took me back, giving me a job as a sheriff—ostensibly forgiveness, but actually punishment. From then on, I and my companions… and my past were completely severed. And Mikhail…”
“I heard he died in a corner that no one cared about, a place where no one could find him. I understand that from this moment on, the Pinocchio of the past can never come back.”
Walter Young was filled with emotion, but he also had a vague feeling that something was not right.
"We deeply regret this story... but things aren't that simple, are they?"
Gallagher nodded. "Hmph... Clearly, someone has inherited the name 'Watchmaker' and has been secretly carrying out activities against the family, right up until now."
"So, the 'Watchmakers' is an organization?" March 7th asked.
"That's one way to understand it. However, there should only be one person who truly inherited the title of 'watchmaker.'"
"It's a pity that after all these years, I still don't know who that person is, or even whether it was a person or Mikhail's ghost wandering in my dreams."
“Ghost…” March 7th subconsciously thought of the scene in her dream.
"So do you understand now? That's why I'm telling you all this... because that girl's death must be related to the 'watchmaker's legacy.' And at the end of the many mysteries..."
“Both of us can get the answers we want.” Gallagher’s gaze remained fixed on Walter Young.
“But in the fog, direction is very important,” Walter Young replied.
"Who knows?"
"If it really is Mikhail's ghost at work, I'd quite like to meet him. There are enough people who look down on me to circle the hotel three times, but those who are willing to give me a second glance... sigh, every one who dies is one less."
"I've told you everything I know. Consider it a thank you for even glancing at this old dog."
Gallagher put away the glasses on the table and left the bar.
At that moment, he received a message.
"Hmm? Something seems to have come up at the film studio... Excuse me, I wish you good luck."
“Okay, then please go ahead with your work,” Walter Young said politely.
Before leaving, Gallagher took one last look at the bar.
"How ironic, what's the difference between these stowaways now being turned away by Pinocene and those dreamers hailed as pioneers before the Amber Period?"
At this moment, Shu Weng walked over.
"Would you two like something else to drink?"
Walter Young shook his head. "No, we'd like to talk privately."
"Okay, just call me if you need anything. Gallagher... well, anyway, he's carrying a lot on his shoulders."
After Shu Weng finished speaking, he left the bar, leaving the space to March 7 and Walter Young.
"Uncle Yang, Mr. Gallagher... he really is a man with a story."
Walter Young nodded. "Indeed."
"Although Miss Firefly's whereabouts remain a mystery, his sharing clarified many doubts: the true identity of the 'Watchmaker,' his relationship with his family, and the power struggles hidden behind the beautiful dreams and death."
“And… the family isn’t entirely united.” Walter Young’s expression was grave.
The worst-case scenario has come true.
I had suspected this possibility before, and it is also the most difficult situation.
March 7th nodded. "That's right. Mr. Gallagher mentioned that the real traitor is someone else... and is very likely lurking within the Oak family."
"This trip has confirmed many of our previous assumptions, and we should digest them carefully. Little March, send a message to Eve and the others to ask how things are going over there."
"Okay, Uncle Yang."
[Starry Sky Train Family Group Chat]
March 7: "Eve! Star! Our investigation here is now complete!"
March 7: "How's it going on your end?"
Xing: The situation is a bit bad.
March 7th: What happened?
Star: Eve's mom seems to be depressed; she looks really down.
March 7th: ? ? ?
March 7th: How is that possible? Who would dare mess with Eve?
Xing: It seems to be that Huang Quan. She was like this after she finished talking to Eve's mother.
Xing: However, we have also investigated some things and are now heading to Chaolu Mansion.
March 7th: Is it that Yellow Springs? Didn't Sand Gold say she was in danger...?
March 7th: Could it be that...?
Eve: I'm fine, everyone don't worry.
Walter: Eve, if anything happens, you can talk to us about it, and we can discuss it together.
Eve: I'm really okay. I'll let everyone know when I have news.
.................
"Uncle Yang..."
Putting down his phone, March 7th couldn't help but feel a little worried.
A normal Eve would never say such a thing.
It's obvious that something happened to them.
Walter naturally noticed Eve's unusual behavior and sighed, "Since Eve has already said so, we have no choice but to believe her."
"You have to trust your companions, don't you?"
"Hopefully she can find the answer..."
Walter Young left the Dreamy Bar with March 7th.
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