Chapter 251: Sunday: Using My Sister's Death as a Gambling Chip? You've Really Outdone Yourself!
[ Little Gui's Livestream ]
[ Trailblaze Mission: The Devil in Velvet, initiated ]
The scene on screen.
Seamlessly continues from the events of the previous act.
In a room at the Reverie Hotel.
Aventurine and the Trailblazer stand before the Dreampool.
Aventurine says: "My, oh my, friend. When I witnessed this scene, my expression wasn't much better than yours."
"You didn't see wrong. That's her—the renowned songstress, Robin."
"Let me clarify first: this has nothing to do with me. I'm just an unfortunate soul who stumbled upon the crime scene. The Family can testify to that; if you don't believe me, go ask someone from the Bloodhound Family. They hate me, they hate the IPC, so they'd never lie for me."
"This isn't the crime scene, either. What I'm showing you is a memory—the simplest form of Light Cone projection technology. Authorized by the Garden of Recollection, owned by the IPC."
"Even now, do you still think that Galaxy Ranger is an outsider?"
Unexpectedly.
The plot of version 2.1 starts right off with a scene reeking of gunpowder!
The people at the venue immediately erupted into a commotion.
Acheron's suspicion had just been cleared.
But in the game's plot.
Aventurine is deliberately trying to shift the blame onto Acheron!
Thinking back to the trailer where Aventurine transforms into a boss form and engages in a massive battle with the Astral Express crew…
The way everyone in the room looks at Aventurine suddenly turns hostile!
And the Aventurine in the plot continues on, relentless—
"Penacony has solemnly promised: in the sweet dream woven by the Family, the safety of every guest is guaranteed. Those in danger will be forcibly awakened and returned safely to reality."
"What gives them the confidence to speak with such certainty? Because behind this promise lies the protection of the Harmony: the Dreammasters of the Family weave thoughts into one, constructing an unbreakable line of defense."
"To break through this defense and create death within the dream… without the Family's permission, even a Memokeeper couldn't do it."
"Who could do it? Friend, it can only be her—that woman who calls herself a Galaxy Ranger… an uninvited guest who assumes a false identity, an Emanator who has concealed her true nature…"
"Ifrit's death is a foregone conclusion, and Robin… her tragic state is right before our eyes. Who will be the next victim?"
These words.
Can be described as an indiscriminate attack on both the Family and Acheron!
At the end of the corridor.
Acheron stands there.
Her sharp gaze cuts through the crowd and lands on Aventurine.
The comments in the livestream appear right on cue.
…
"Acheron: What did I ever do to you?"
"Is Bro Aventurine still trying to frame Acheron?"
"Aventurine, stop trying to find the killer here and just go back to jumping into the 'White Night'!"
"If I were Acheron and knew someone was constantly investigating me, I'd go up and slash Aventurine first."
"True, Aventurine has no substantial evidence here, but he's mixing two separate things together…"
"The boss form was already exposed in the trailer; Aventurine is definitely going to turn traitor later!"
…
At the venue.
Aventurine wipes the cold sweat from his forehead.
He forces a calm smile.
He raises his hand and gives an apologetic gesture toward Acheron.
Seriously.
He's very helpless himself!
A game is a game, reality is reality!
Just because I'm like this in the game doesn't mean I'm actually hostile toward you in real life!
Why would I go out of my way to provoke an Emanator?
And the most outrageous one at that—an Emanator of Nihility!
I hope the subsequent plot doesn't mess me up any further.
I'm one step closer to becoming a public enemy…
......
The plot continues.
Black Swan also walks in from outside the room.
She confirms that what Aventurine said is the truth.
Robin has indeed been murdered.
And Aventurine once again expresses his desire to cooperate with the Astral Express in a personal capacity.
He states his intentions openly: "I have only one goal: the Family's gates are a high wall. To tear it down, I must first chisel a few holes in it. Once a crack appears, the IPC has no shortage of ways to exploit it."
"Now, the opportunity has arrived. As long as we can uncover the truth behind Robin's death, we can secure justice for the deceased, and at the same time, gain bargaining chips to force the Family to the table."
"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… I've been investigating all over Penacony and making friends specifically for this moment."
"This tragic news is extremely unfavorable to the Family, so they will undoubtedly spare no effort to prevent outsiders from intervening, especially the IPC."
"But I believe there are exceptions among the minor factions, and that is why I need all of you. The Astral Express has a reputation, and the Harmony will grant you the most impartial judgment."
"You can uncover the truth and uphold justice, while I can use this to complete the IPC's mission… that's what you call a win-win."
Inside the cinema.
After Aventurine finishes this speech.
A burst of intense applause erupts in the screening hall!
"So this is Director Aventurine's plan!"
"He's finally making his move!"
"I hadn't even realized how difficult it is for the IPC to operate on the Family's turf…"
"Cast a wide net to create a balance of power… Write that down, write that down."
"Learn from Director Aventurine!"
Jade also nods in approval: "Not bad, that's the boy's usual tactic."
However.
Compared to the fan-club atmosphere inside the cinema.
The Aventurine at the venue is not having a good time!
Sunday looks at him with a cold, icy expression: "Using my sister's death as a bargaining chip, you really are something, Aventurine?"
"What should I say? The IPC truly is… unscrupulous in its efforts to reclaim the ownership of this frontier land."
Hearing Sunday's gnashing tone.
Aventurine seriously suspects.
If there weren't so many people around.
"Brother Sunday" would probably have started a fight with him right then and there.
Aventurine quickly smiles and explains: "Mr. Sunday, that's a bit uncalled for."
"I am also just trying to uncover the truth of your sister's death and bring justice to the deceased."
Sunday lets out a cold snort.
He doesn't say anything more.
But there is no doubt!
In Sunday's eyes.
Aventurine's image and character have been downgraded to the absolute bottom!
He now hopes to see Aventurine become an enemy as soon as possible…
That way, he can use it as an excuse to take him down.
......
After expressing his intent to cooperate, Aventurine leaves.
Black Swan sighs: "Everything is too sudden, and I can only offer conjectures. After leaving here, go talk to your companions carefully. I hope you can untangle the source of your chaotic thoughts."
Led by Black Swan.
They arrive at the exit of the Memory Zone.
"Leave from here. And then it will be time for us to say goodbye. All of this is like… a nightmare."
"Unfortunately, memories do not lie… what we have just seen is a reality that truly occurred; it will not dissipate from your mind just because you wake up."
"But do not be afraid, follow the choices in your heart. We have all walked through the world this way, leaving behind shadows of varying lengths, and in the end… leaving behind precious memories."
Just as they are about to part ways.
Black Swan suddenly thinks of something and says: "Ah, please wait a moment."
[ Black Swan gently brushes your ear, leaving a lingering, icy sensation. Then, she hands you a card. ]
"This will do, a small parting gift. If one day, you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of the Memory Zone, and have no Memokeeper to accompany you—it will guide the way for you in my stead."
"I am quite mindful of social graces… just consider it an apology for what I have hidden from you."
[ Obtained Item: Oracle of Destiny ]
Little Gui immediately taps to examine it.
It is an exquisite card, with the image of Black Swan herself on the face.
Below it is the corresponding description.
[ Black Swan's parting gift. ]
[ A tiny card numbered zero, which does not seem to be part of Black Swan's collection. ]
[ On the card face, she casts her gaze toward the mists of destiny. ]
[ If one day, you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of the Memory Zone, and have no Memokeeper to accompany you—it will guide the way for you in my stead. ]
"I have a feeling this item will play an important role later?" Little Gui sighs.
…
"Foreshadowing?"
"It seems the Trailblazer will end up sinking into the deep sea of the Memory Zone all alone later."
"Key item: GET!"
"And this was given to me by Miss Black Swan, who is both beautiful and wise!"
"Maybe this is like the memento given by the Xianzhou? Perhaps it will come in handy when we reach the grand finale."