『 The scene shifts, focusing now on the Astral Express crew.
[ You must be Miss Acheron, correct? ]
[ Greetings. I am Himeko, Navigator of the Astral Express. ]
By this time, Himeko and the others had already regrouped with Welt's party.
Himeko looked toward Acheron and offered a polite introduction.
[ Hi there! I'm March 7th! ]
[ And I won't bother introducing Stelle here, since you definitely know her already. ]
March 7th introduced herself with a bright smile.
[ Why am I the only one getting skipped? ]
Hearing March 7th's words, Stelle couldn't help but grumble internally.
[ Greetings to you all. ]
[ You do not seem surprised by my presence. ]
Acheron appeared slightly taken aback by the trio's acceptance.
[ Since Welt has chosen to travel with you, it signifies his trust. And naturally, we trust his judgment implicitly. ]
Himeko explained with a warm smile.
[ The bond you share is truly enviable. ]
Himeko's response drew a sigh of admiration from Acheron.
[ Miss Acheron is not a dangerous element, nor does she harbor hostility toward the Astral Express. Aventurine's previous accusations were merely one-sided rhetoric. ]
[ Therefore, before we proceed with any cooperation, he has an obligation to provide a reasonable explanation. ]
Welt suddenly interjected.
[ You suspect he intends to… ]
[ Orchestrate a situation where all three parties are present? ]
Himeko inquired.
[ There must be a deeper logic behind Aventurine's actions. ]
[ I surmise he has been aware of Penacony's secrets from the very beginning and has been constantly maneuvering to unveil them. ]
[ In that context, the position the Astral Express occupies within his scheme becomes critical. ]
[ In the worst-case scenario… ]
[ He may attempt to use us to do something drastic. ]
[ Assuming the situation truly devolves to that stage, one more ally is one more layer of insurance. ]
[ The factions within Penacony are numerous and entrenched; the political landscape here is far more complex than that of Belobog or the Xianzhou Luofu. ]
Welt pondered for a moment before explaining his reasoning to the group.
[ The protagonist exists solely for this very moment! ]
Stelle placed her hands on her hips and shouted with brimming confidence.
[ Ugh… you're spouting weird lines again… ]
[ But the spirit is good! Regardless, we cannot simply ignore the safety of Penacony. ]
March 7th chimed in, echoing the sentiment.
[ To unravel the mystery of the Watchmaker, we inevitably require the intelligence held by the IPC. ]
[ Even if dangers lie in ambush ahead… facing difficulties head-on is the essence of the Trailblaze, is it not? ]
Himeko's attitude was clear: she would not sit idly by.
[ It seems there are no objections. ]
[ Then… what of Miss Acheron? ]
With the Express crew in full agreement, Welt turned to ask for Acheron's opinion.
[ I will accompany you, of course. ]
Acheron nodded in affirmation.
[ Then let's head out! ]
[ But… where are we supposed to find him? ]
March 7th scratched her head, asking the crucial question.
[ Do not worry. ]
[ If someone has truly set the stage… ]
[ He will undoubtedly find a way to invite us in. ]
Himeko reassured March 7th, signaling her to be patient.
Moments later, Aventurine's voice began to resonate throughout the entire city.
[ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN— ]
[ THE MOST SHOCKING, MOST MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE IN THE HISTORY OF PENACONY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN— ]
[ THE INTERASTRAL PEACE CORPORATION CORDIALLY INVITES YOU ALL TO THE VENUE—CLOCK STUDIOS THEME PARK! ]
Aventurine's tone was exceedingly flamboyant.
[ …See? ]
[ If neither the actors nor the audience arrive, wouldn't all of Aventurine's preparations go to waste? ]
Himeko spread her hands and smiled.
[ Let us depart, everyone—it is time to tread the Path of the Trailblaze. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "The Express crew is back together!"
Furina de Fontaine: "And this time, they've even added Miss Acheron to the party!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I just get this feeling that this comp is super safe!"
Furina de Fontaine: "It's like, as long as you're with them, you have absolutely nothing to fear!"
Hu Tao: "Mmhmm, definitely a very reassuring team comp."
Lumine: "All of them are reliable partners!"
Lumine: "I feel like Aventurine is going to take a massive L this time!"
Qingque: "That's not necessarily true!"
Qingque: "Aventurine went there to put on a show, you think he went in with zero prep?"
Qingque: "You have to remember, he still has his Aventurine Cornerstone in hand!"
Qingque: "Even if it is in a shattered state… I feel like it won't affect his output too much, right?"
Stelle: "I admit, Aventurine's Cornerstone is indeed OP."
Stelle: "But what if, and I'm saying what if!"
Stelle: "What if we have a bona fide Emanator on our side!"
Stelle: "How is Aventurine supposed to counter that?"
Guinaifen: "Right!!"
Guinaifen: "I almost forgot!"
Guinaifen: "Miss Acheron is a literal Emanator!!"
Li Sushang: "I just wonder… whose Emanator is Miss Acheron exactly?"
March 7th: "Who cares whose Emanator she is, the point is she's definitely strong!"
March 7th: "I mean, it's an Emanator, how could they be weak?"
Yanfei: "So, is Aventurine going to get absolutely wrecked?"
Yanfei: "After all, Aventurine's Cornerstone only shares a fraction of an Emanator's power…"
Yanfei: "Not to mention, his Cornerstone is currently shattered."
Yanfei: "Its efficacy must be heavily discounted, right?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Will he?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It is not a question of 'will he,' but a certainty!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Logically speaking, even if Aventurine's Cornerstone were intact, he still lacks the qualifications to clash head-on with an Emanator!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "In other words, regardless of which Emanator arrives, he will be thoroughly thrashed."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "This is indisputable!"
Navia Caspar: "Then why does he keep provoking Miss Acheron?"
Navia Caspar: "What is the meaning of this?"
Navia Caspar: "Is he looking for a beating?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "You are correct. He really is looking for a beating!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Oh, to be precise, he is looking to be cut down!"
Welt Yang: "Emanator… looking to be cut…"
Welt Yang: "So that was Aventurine's plan all along…"
Welt Yang: "No wonder he acted this way."
Welt Yang: "However, is he truly confident he can survive that slash?"
Silver Wolf: "We already said he's a gambler. What does he need confidence for?"
Silver Wolf: "He just bets. GG."
Silver Wolf: "LMAO. He really dares to gamble."
Madam Herta: "If another Emanator took a swing at him, maybe it wouldn't do much."
Madam Herta: "After all, his Cornerstone stems from the power of Preservation. It's tough enough to save his little life."
Madam Herta: "But a slash from this Acheron… that could really kill him!"
Madam Herta: "So, Aventurine better pray Acheron doesn't actually cut him."
Madam Herta: "Otherwise, even if he doesn't want to die, it won't be up to him!"
Stelle: "Good lord! Are the consequences that serious?!"
Stelle: "So what kind of Emanator is Miss Acheron to be this broken?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I really want to know too!"
Paimon: "Me too, me too!!"
Madam Herta: "What's the rush? Unless something unexpected happens, you'll probably find out soon enough."
Aventurine: "Tsk. Hearing you all talk like this is destroying my confidence."
Aventurine: "Am I really going to get deleted later?"
Topaz: "Sigh… if you have any last words, say them now. As a colleague, I'll do what I can to handle your affairs. If I can't… well, then I won't."
Acheron: "There is no need for such pessimism."
Acheron: "Rest assured. Generally speaking, I do not take the lives of others."
Silver Wolf: "'Duke Inferno: You're absolutely right!'"
Seele: "That's different, isn't it?"
Seele: "That Duke Inferno guy was seeking death himself. He can't blame anyone else."
Silver Wolf: "Well, maybe Aventurine wants to seek death too?"
Silver Wolf: "I mean, isn't that exactly what he's doing right now?"
Seele: "This… well, nothing can be done about that."
Seele: "May he find his own luck…"
....
『 [ Mm… I have a premonition that something bad is about to happen. ]
[ Stelle, are you ready? ]
Before departing, March 7th asked Stelle.
[ I'm ready! ]
Stelle nodded.
[ Then let's not delay. Off to the Theme Park! ]
Seeing that Stelle was prepared, the group set off for Clock Studios Theme Park.
[ …Mr. Yang. ]
After walking for a while, Acheron, who was at the rear of the team, couldn't help but call out to Welt.
[ … ]
Welt turned around to face Acheron.
[ Why did you not tell your companions about my "true identity"? ]
Acheron asked with focused intensity.
[ As you said, it is not that I wouldn't, but that I couldn't. ]
[ That long and arduous story… ]
[ Is difficult for me to convey to others in just a few words. ]
[ But I am willing to trust you. My trust in you comes more from… a personal, subjective judgment. ]
[ And I believe—that even if it were them, they would make the same decision. ]
Welt glanced at Himeko and the others waiting in the distance, explaining his reasoning to Acheron.
[ You have my gratitude. ]
[ As a return of favor, in the coming confrontation, should the situation turn disadvantageous for the Astral Express… ]
[ I will stand on your side. ]
[ —I will offer my meager strength. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "With those words from Miss Acheron, it's a wrap!"
Stelle: "I hereby declare, Aventurine is about to get slashed!"
Stelle: "I advise you to wire me 100 million credits right now so I can persuade Miss Acheron to stay her hand!"
Stelle: "Otherwise, you will learn just how cruel Miss Acheron's techniques can be… Heh heh heh!"
March 7th: "Good grief, what is this extortion?"
March 7th: "I think you're more suited to be the villain than Aventurine!"
Aventurine: "Cut me if she wants. It's the me in the video getting slashed anyway, has nothing to do with me."
Furina de Fontaine: "Hehe, I'm actually really curious to see how Miss Acheron slashes Aventurine!"
Furina de Fontaine: "You have to realize, Miss Acheron hasn't truly drawn her blade yet!"
Hu Tao: "That's not entirely true."
Hu Tao: "She drew it when she slashed that Duke Inferno guy!"
Hu Tao: "It's just a pity the video didn't show what it looked like when she drew it."
Hu Tao: "By the way, they won't skip showing it this time too, right?"
Li Sushang: "Surely not?"
Li Sushang: "If they don't show it now, wouldn't we have watched all this for nothing?"
Guinaifen: "Tsk tsk tsk, I never thought an ordinary person like me would get to see an Emanator make a move!"
Guinaifen: "Later, if Miss Acheron really draws her blade, I have to keep my eyes peeled!"
Guinaifen: "This might be the only chance in my life to see an Emanator in action!"
Amber: "Wow, that's going to be a huge scene. I'm starting to look forward to it too!"
Aventurine: "..."
Aventurine: "What?"
Aventurine: "You all just want to see me get cut, don't you?"
Silver Wolf: "Don't flatter yourself."
Silver Wolf: "Who gets cut doesn't matter!"
Silver Wolf: "Everyone just wants to see Miss Acheron draw her blade."
Silver Wolf: "You're just the unlucky scrub who happens to be in the way."
Stelle: "Exactly. We just want to see how Miss Acheron fights."
Stelle: "Watching you get slashed is just a bonus."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hah. Gambler."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "You are the first to perform 'getting slashed' on stage."
Topaz: "Pity I'm not on site, otherwise I'd definitely go there to applaud your performance!"
Aventurine: "Hah, humorous. You people are truly too humorous!"
Aventurine: "Fine then. Let's see if I actually get slashed."
Aventurine: "And whether I survive that strike."
....
『 [ Back here again. ]
[ I can't believe Aventurine chose such an eye-catching place… ]
[ This guy is way too extra. Does he really think he's some big superstar? ]
Upon arriving at the entrance of Clock Studios Theme Park, March 7th couldn't help but voice a few complaints.
[ Not a soul in sight? ]
[ The Bloodhounds dispersed the tourists earlier, and now they are nowhere to be found… ]
[ Everyone, keep your eyes open. ]
[ The opposition has clearly come prepared. ]
Himeko surveyed the surroundings and issued a warning to the group.
Subsequently, they began to follow the path, advancing into the interior of the Theme Park.
[ Ladies and gentlemen, Dreamchasers, tycoons, guests of the Watchmaker and The Family— ]
[ —And the illustrious Nameless of the Astral Express! ]
[ Welcome to the Interastral Peace Corporation's show! ]
As the group walked along the road, they heard Aventurine's broadcast voice.
The group paid it no mind and continued forward.
[ You're quite late, members of the Astral Express. And the… uninvited guest over there. ]
The group arrived beneath the stage, hearing Aventurine's voice once more.
[ We have come to keep the appointment, Mr. Aventurine. ]
[ According to etiquette, you should reveal yourself as well. ]
Himeko stated loudly.
[ I will, of course. ]
[ But before that, I hope to properly introduce the protagonist of tonight… ]
[ A round of applause, please—for Miss Stellaron! ]
Aventurine suddenly directed the spotlight onto Stelle.
[ Mommy, look! I'm on TV! ]
Stelle shouted with a burst of excitement.
[ Uhh… ]
March 7th found Stelle's behavior quite speechless.
[ Allow me to remind you. This stage and Stelle's identity should have nothing to do with apprehending the true culprit. ]
Welt raised an eyebrow and spoke directly.
[ No, it is relevant. Of course it is relevant. ]
[ Otherwise, why would I work so hard to gain your trust and invite you all here? ]
[ Because she is the only witness to three homicide cases, the perfect candidate to prove that the absence of death in the Dreamscape is nothing but empty talk! ]
Aventurine explained.
[ Three homicide cases? ]
Himeko was perplexed.
[ Yes, madam. The third murder is about to occur. ]
[ Right here, in Clock Studios Theme Park… ]
[ A truly grand death. ]
[ You, you, you, and you… ]
[ All of you will die—and all of it is because of you, Miss Stellaron… ]
[ …You will personally embody Death here. ]
Aventurine's words began to target Stelle.
[ I ain't that powerful... ]
Stelle felt Aventurine was spouting nonsense; she didn't have the capability to transform into Death.
[ Do not underestimate yourself. ]
[ I said it before, you possess the power to overturn the entire gaming table… ]
[ Let me make it clearer: I will detonate the Stellaron inside your body, creating a small "accident" in Penacony… ]
[ Bam! The entire Theme Park will be reduced to a shattered dream. ]
[ And then, before The Family can react, I will become the navigator for the IPC fleet. ] 』
『 ....』
(Poor Aventurine, they're ganging up on him.)