Aventurine's first impression on Stelle was one of heavy oppression.
If she hadn't seen with her own eyes that Aventurine was still a high-ranking executive of the Interastral Peace Corporation, Stelle might have mistaken his demeanor for that of some purple-clad self-annihilator.
The resentment emanating from this guy… what had he been through?
Stelle secretly marveled, her mood momentarily indescribable.
"Ah… right, there's something I haven't done yet…" Aventurine muttered to himself, stiffly raising his head, his gaze fixed directly on Stelle. "Interesting gray-haired miss, that's you, right…?"
Stelle: ?
Could you not talk like you're on your deathbed?!
"Numby… mentioned you," Aventurine said, his voice barely a whisper. "She was very happy to become friends with you. Thank you…"
"Huh?"
"You… don't remember?" Aventurine weakly raised a hand, gesturing slightly. "That silver-haired one… in Belobog…"
Stelle: "That… brother, I remember. I'm just wondering why you're thanking me."
Aventurine: "Oh… we're on good terms…"
Stelle nodded with a strange expression. "I get it."
"Great…"
Creak—
At that moment, the hotel doors opened again. This time, a group Stelle had never seen before walked in—or rather, not entirely unfamiliar, as the flame-headed goat person leading them had appeared in her dream not long ago.
—"Welcome, representatives of the Annihilation Gang, to the Reverie Hotel. The Family welcomes your arrival!"
The doormen bowed in unison to greet them.
Stelle: ?
Seriously, does the Reverie Hotel just let anyone in? This is the Annihilation Gang, the Annihilation Gang! These are lunatics walking the Path of [Destruction]!
Aren't you afraid they'll barge in and blow the place up?
"Seriously, is it really okay to let these destruction-crazed outlaws in?" Stelle couldn't help but ask.
Welt replied calmly, "Stelle, how many times have I told you? We can't judge people by their appearance or reputation."
"What a person or a faction truly is cannot be determined by hearsay alone. You have to see it with your own eyes."
Stelle said in shock, "Even if it's the Annihilation Gang?"
Welt nodded. "What's wrong with the Annihilation Gang? Are they not people too?"
Stelle: ?
Duke Inferno led the group, dressed in a leather jacket and shorts, just as Stelle had seen in her dream. His attire was revealing (literally bone-revealing), and his exposed thigh bones were almost too much to look at.
Who came up with the genius idea to dress Duke Inferno in Acheron's outfit? Stelle was so exasperated she laughed.
Duke Inferno suddenly stopped, stepped to the side, and gracefully nudged an unfortunate doorman aside with his hip, making a "please" gesture. "Oh, [Beauty] Idrila above, this place humbly welcomes your arrival, my master."
Stelle, standing nearby: ???
What did you just say was above?
Tap, tap, tap…
Steady footsteps echoed from outside the hotel doors. A woman holding a silver cane and draped in a red robe slowly walked in. The sight of that red robe alone triggered an overwhelmingly oppressive BGM to start playing in Stelle's mind.
(Oriri~ O-O-Oriri—)
And… why was this person, draped in a robe reminiscent of a certain -ria, called "master" by Duke Inferno, none other than Acheron?!
Shouldn't you, by all accounts, be wiping him out like a random mob?!
The Annihilation Gang's grand entrance naturally drew plenty of attention and murmurs:
"Whoa? Whoa?! WHOA! I must be seeing things—the Annihilation Gang is in Penacony!"
"How can these [Destruction]-crazed outlaws be here? Has the Family lost their minds?"
"Their reputation in the galaxy is rock-bottom, isn't it? How are they allowed here? Who's guaranteeing our safety?"
"Hey, brother, first time in Penacony? Here, it's all about capital. As long as you have money, forget throwing a welcome party for the Annihilation Gang—they'd have Xipe wash your feet and braid your hair!"
"…"
Acheron's gaze fell on Duke Inferno, her tone calm. "Hm, Ifrit, this outfit is decent enough. Much better than that tattered suit."
Duke Inferno bowed even lower, his voice brimming with joy. "Oh, heavens, my master! Your praise, from one so close to Idrila herself, is like a morning breeze laced with the scent of roses—so refreshing."
"No, not just praise. The very words from your mouth, even your breath, make me linger in rapture."
"Hm, as a reward, I'll allow you to personally wash my cloak when we return."
"Ohhh—this, what an honor! Your humble servant is endlessly grateful!"
Duke Inferno knelt in excitement, practically itching to kiss Acheron's shoes (though he didn't seem to have a mouth).
—"Oh? Look who's here? My friend?"
At that moment, another figure stood up from a nearby lounge seat. It was a young man with a halo-like crown floating above his head and wing-like appendages behind him. His face was handsome, adorned with a roguish smile.
It was Sunday.
But this Sunday, just as Stelle had seen in her dream, was dressed like a flamboyant peacock.
Sunday, holding a pure gold goblet, enthusiastically approached Acheron. "Hey~ friend, see my sincerity? The chairman of the Penacony Corporation himself has come to personally welcome you."
Notably, wherever Sunday walked, faint golden footprints lingered—not paint, but actual gold dust.
Some guests, seeing the golden footprints, exclaimed, "My goodness! The rumors were true—Mr. Sunday, chairman of the Penacony Corporation, is truly so frugal!"
"Yeah! His walking effect only uses gold dust! I heard the Watchmaker's footsteps drop gold bricks!"
"Exactly, look at his clothes—probably only eight figures, right? Sigh, the chairman's thinking of everything, even dressing down to the level of a temp worker."
"Sigh, Mr. Sunday's working hard too, drinking two-billion-credit wine from a gold goblet? I heard the Watchmaker's cups are made from the divine body of Qlipoth!"
"Sigh, Mr. Sunday doesn't even have a secretary to look after him. I heard Penacony's Watchmaker just uses an Infinite Elder as a secretary for fun."
"…"
Acheron's gaze remained calm. Only when Sunday reached her did she let out a soft hum. "Mr. Sunday, as per our agreement, I've arrived in Penacony on time…"
"…and brought 'Destruction' to your corporation."