Facing Stelle's incoming attack, Aventurine leisurely raised the amber milk tea.
A golden shield instantly materialized before him, blocking her strike.
"No need to swing first, friend~"
"Hard work, Memokeeper—brilliant job playing the tiger against the wolf. When I first saw the Ranger and the Hunter together, my heart skipped… didn't expect you to spark a fight between them."
Aventurine called to Black Swan nearby.
"As agreed, I brought the kid to you. Deal complete."
"What's going on… you two are in on it?" Stelle turned to glare at Black Swan, deeply unhappy with her actions.
Teaming up to play the Galactic Baseballer, huh.
Black Swan stayed silent, stepping aside. Aventurine finally broke the tense atmosphere.
"Haha, looks like our Nameless friend hasn't caught up. No worries—I'll explain."
"Basically, friend, you should thank this lady. She didn't scheme against you… quite the opposite. She saved you… from that [Galaxy Ranger]."
Seeing Stelle's cold expression, Aventurine withdrew the amber shield as a friendly gesture.
"Sorry, friend… for borrowing your… uh, [milk tea] without permission."
"But hear me out first—I guarantee you'll love this intel."
Stelle was confused, but one thing was clear: this IPC emissary stole her milk tea!
"Friend, that woman named [Acheron] is far from as simple as you think. Galaxy Ranger? In that dreamscape, you thought the only [Emanator] was the silver-haired elf priestess?"
Aventurine was right—this bombshell hooked Stelle.
"Yes~ Love that shocked look." Aventurine crossed his arms, very satisfied.
"As you guessed… she's an Emanator. She brings death and endings."
"Emanator? Of whom?"
"Maybe [The Hunt]… [Destruction]… even possibly [Eternity] or [Finality]. Doesn't matter—those Paths all point to the same outcome on one side."
"Some Corporation intel for you, friend. As an Astral Express member, ever heard of [Inferno Grand Duke] Avelite of Tophet?"
Stelle shook her head—she had no clue.
"Sigh~ Annihilation Gang, fair enough. Let me fill you in…" Aventurine sighed helplessly. "This Inferno Grand Duke is a fire demon from Tophet—an elemental lifeform. Rumor says he's tied to a certain genius…"
"He and his followers formed the [Eternal Blaze Mansion], revering Nanook as patron—though really led by the Duke. They burn, kill, loot—spreading [Destruction]'s will, even targeting other Annihilation Gang factions."
Aventurine paused. "Oh right… long ago, most Annihilation Gang were wiped out by the Church's Pontiff. Avelite luckily survived."
"No idea what the Family was thinking—or if someone interfered—but those guys got invitations too. Eternal Blaze Mansion wouldn't refuse—coming in force, vowing to turn the Planet of the Festivities into a sea of fire…"
"But don't worry—they're not coming. Know why?"
Stelle thought a moment. "Pontiff Blake took them out?"
"Right… but not entirely. The killer brutally murdered Avelite in an almost miraculous way—no body, invitation vanished. Only a crystal coffin on the throne."
"Truth time: A while back, Avelite challenged every cosmic faction—including their most hated [Eternity Church]."
"Crystal coffin doesn't fit that Pontiff's style. Then, a mysterious Galaxy Ranger arrives in Penacony—checks in with a music box… Need me to spell it out more, friend?"
The hints were blatant—Acheron killed the Inferno Grand Duke.
Stelle disagreed. "Could be someone else. Everyone knows [Eternity] vs. [Destruction]—how can you assume it's Acheron? Not the priestess?"
"Possible, but… what if two 'killers' worked together?" Aventurine looked intrigued at Stelle.
"Galaxy Rangers are elusive—rarely interact. That outfit's easy to wear. Unless she talks, no proof. The Corporation could investigate—but it takes time."
"Since you mentioned the priestess, let's talk about her… Aloof silver-haired elf. Besides the Express and her Church, why so close to a Galaxy Ranger?"
"Eternity Church cooperates with the [Hunt]-following Xianzhou Alliance—understandable. But her? Just friends?"
Aventurine shook his head. "Come on—an elf who's lived who-knows-how-long still has [emotions]?"
"Repelled one of the strongest [Lord Ravagers] effortlessly… Friend, you've been around the Church too long—don't really get what [Emanator] means…"
Aventurine turned, gazing at the fragile dream bubble above:
"So, friend—your choice. You can leave now, head back, never approach the truth again."
"Or accept my invitation—and learn a fact… one that could overturn Penacony."
"I need your help, so I'll wait—but not forever. Ready… follow me."
After Aventurine left, Stelle tried sorting the mess.
No Adrian in the dream's [Daydream] Hotel—the Stellaron Hunters lied.
Freesna and Firefly gone too. Only good news—maybe they took that [Death] memoria meme.
Blake and Sunday (Family rep) had a secret deal. Aventurine and Black Swan cooperating—he even claimed Acheron was some Aeon's Emanator…
Stelle found Black Swan to get answers.
"My… you look like a wounded little animal. Still willing to talk? I'm still happy… to be your therapist."
"You tricked me." Stelle said.
"I admit dealing with that gentleman—bringing you to him. But… this is still a safe place."
"He needs you—key to reclaiming Penacony. I see potential in him, and he can help me collect unique memories—so I agreed to cooperate."
"In Penacony, anyone can lie… including me. I won't deny or beg forgiveness."
...
Meanwhile, reality—[Daydream] Hotel
Adrian's gaze returned from the window to Silver Wolf still battling on the holographic screen nearby.
HE looked up, gaze seeming to pierce the hotel's ornate dome—toward the more primordial, chaotic memoria domain hidden beneath Penacony's dream.
Adrian closed HIS eyes, finally releasing a near-inaudible sigh that dissolved into the air woven of virtual games and reality.