Chapter 155: The Stars · Faint Light Premieres

[Reality World, Station 13]

[The Stars Season 2 — Episode 5 of Faint Light, Broadcast Day]

“First comment!”

“Not first comment, you’re so desperate!”

“Front-row viewing, dinner’s served —!”

As The Stars · Faint Light Season 2, Episode 5 began its broadcast, the long-awaited fans surged into the live stream. The chat section exploded in a riot of colorful text, a vibrant storm of anticipation.

In the previous episode, the Dimensional Audience had witnessed Chen Kong and Liu Ma complete the trial arranged by Yu Qianxia. Though the production team left unanswered whether Chen Kong had truly mastered the Feather Gun Duel Art, or what precise martial art Yu Qianxia had taught Liu Ma, Station 13’s veteran viewers already knew the drill.

No need to think — the protagonist team, having undergone rigorous training, was now poised to launch their long-awaited comeback arc.

They’d reclaim their honor, one humiliation at a time — and rescue the Season 2’s main heroine, Vivian, from captivity.

Sure enough, the episode opened with a claustrophobic prison cell.

[Steam Capital Gear Tower — Steam Branch Fifth Squad Prison]

Drip… drip…

A leaky faucet echoed in the silence, each drop striking the cold stone floor with crystalline precision.

Vivian sat curled in the far corner, arms wrapped around her knees. The once-proud Silver Knight — icy-eyed, striding in tall boots — now looked frail, her face pale, her frame visibly thinner. Hunger had taken its toll.

Not that the Fifth Squad was cruel. Denying proper meals to special Stellar Envoy prisoners was a long-standing rule set by the Association itself.

“Vivian sister, today’s Nutrient Supplement is orange flavor~”

A bright, childish voice broke the silence.

Vivian looked up. Dannika stood at the visitor’s window, balancing on tiptoes, pushing a tray through the narrow slot.

A soft smile touched Vivian’s lips.

“Really? Then it’s an extra meal today.”

She rose slowly and took the tray. The food was a thick, orange-yellow paste, served in a plastic container.

After delivering the meal, Dannika didn’t leave. Instead, she hoisted herself onto the window ledge, peering into the cell.

“Vivian sister… Yu Chen deputy captain asked me to pass a message. He says he’s found a lead. He’ll prove your innocence — soon!”

Vivian stirred the paste with a plastic spoon, her expression calm.

“Is that so? Well… that’s certainly good news.”

But there was no joy in her voice.

She knew better than anyone. Whether she was innocent or guilty mattered little to the Church — or to Bishop Cleve.

Someone had to take the fall for the theft of the Sacred Artifact. Someone had to be punished.

And she had simply been chosen.

Just like six years ago — when her father, William, had been suddenly reassigned from his post as Knight Captain of Rust Iron Hell to the Stellar Envoy Association… and never returned.

As Vivian’s thoughts drifted into memory, the screen shifted to a grainy, golden-hued film style — a quiet, personal flashback.

At William’s funeral, Vivian sat beside the coffin, tears streaming down her face as the priest recited prayers in a language she didn’t understand.

Then, a man in a referee’s uniform appeared. He handed her her father’s final possession — a pink children’s toy watch.

The gift she’d given him on his tenth birthday.

She tried to ask why her father hadn’t returned.

The man shook his head. “Knowing too much won’t help you.”

Then he offered to take her to the Seven Floating Cities — a fresh start, a new life.

But she refused.

Staring at the empty casket, and clutching the small pink watch, a quiet resolve took root in her young heart.

She would carry on her father’s path.

She would stay in Steam Capital. Wear the same knight’s uniform. Make the name Clock Knight shine once more.

In most cases, when a Stellar Envoy died, their Stellar Source would manifest as a falling star, scattered randomly across the world.

But there were exceptions.

If, at the moment of death, a vessel existed nearby that resonated with the nature of the Stellar Source — there was a chance the Source would transfer to that object.

The child’s watch — that was exactly what had happened.

And now, as Vivian had inherited the legacy of Clock Knight, she had sworn a solemn vow:

She would never let the name be tarnished in her hands.

So even though she knew Yu Chen’s investigation might uncover the truth — and even if that truth couldn’t change the outcome of the Trial — she still chose to face it.

She would not run.

She would stand.

And on Trial Day, she would prove her innocence — not with words, but with action.

Let the corrupt ones take her life.

Then she would take their hearts.

The memory faded.

Back in the present, the Dimensional Audience felt a strange unease.

“Something’s off… Vivian’s choice feels… too extreme.”

“Prove her innocence with action? How? She can’t even— wait, are you saying—?”

“Holy crap… she’s actually this bold?”

“Where’s the prison king? The prison bull? If you don’t show up soon, this Season 2 heroine’s gonna be gone!”

As the scene snapped back to reality, Dannika was gone.

In her place stood Tian Dao, clad in his moon-white captain’s robes, standing before the prison door, voice calm yet unyielding.

“Vivian. It’s time. The journey begins.”

“…Yes.”

Vivian rose slowly. As the cell door creaked open, she stepped out, her body frail, her steps heavy.

The escort party included Tian Dao, Yu Chen, and Dannika — all Fifth Squad members.

“Let’s go.”

Tian Dao turned and walked forward.

Vivian followed, head down, silent.

Yu Chen watched her thin back, guilt etched into his eyes. He’d tried everything to save her — but failed.

As she passed him, she whispered, barely audible:

“Thank you.”

Then she moved on — dragging her weakened frame forward, step by step, keeping pace with Tian Dao’s retreating silhouette.

“Vivian, my heart hurts so much!”

“Yu Chen’s expression — I can’t handle it, I’m crying!”

“Trial scene is gonna be massive! I bet a pack of spicy sticks on it!”

“Wait — is Vivian the prison king’s love interest? Feels like she and Rain Deputy would be better shipped.”

“Bro, Rain Deputy is clearly the warm-hearted second lead, right?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end