『 [ Aventurine: What's wrong, Ratio? Don't look so glum… Hey, I just noticed, where's that handsome plaster head of yours? ]
Upon entering the room, Aventurine found Dr. Ratio with a deep frown etched across his face.
[ Dr. Ratio: You're late, precisely 4 minutes and 16 seconds. You'd better have spent that time unraveling the mystery of Akivili's demise—if not, I'd advise you not to antagonize the Nameless. ]
Seeing who had arrived, Dr. Ratio crossed his arms, his tone neither warm nor cold.
[ Aventurine: Antagonize? Even you think so? Does no one believe I genuinely just want to be friends with them? ]
Aventurine chuckled softly, feeling that Dr. Ratio was looking at him through jaded eyes.
[ Dr. Ratio: Boisterous individuals don't make friends. A small piece of knowledge: The Attini Peacock boasts one of the universe's more jarring songs, and your current getup strongly resembles a flamboyant peacock…. ]
[ ….It seems this peacock has also had its feathers plucked clean—your luggage confiscated by the Family? ]
Dr. Ratio scrutinized Aventurine for a few moments, unable to resist a mocking jab.
[ Aventurine: Indeed, all impounded by those gray-suited fellow. All the customary gifts, and the casket containing the "Cornerstones"… Hmm? Where are you going? ]
As Aventurine spoke, he watched Dr. Ratio begin to walk towards the door.
[ Dr. Ratio: Heading back, to inform the Corporation that an idiot has thoroughly botched everything. ]
Upon hearing that Aventurine had even lost the Cornerstones, Dr. Ratio immediately grew vexed. The Cornerstones was the very guarantee of their mission; without it, how could they possibly complete their task?
[ Aventurine: Just a few rocks, why so pessimistic? What if they're gone? ]
Hearing that Dr. Ratio was angry about this, Aventurine smiled, speaking in a light, airy tone.
[ Dr. Ratio: Without that "Aventurine Stone," you're merely a Sigonian slave condemned by the Corporation—or perhaps that "product code" on your neck is also a blessing from the Amber Lord? ]
Dr. Ratio was thoroughly infuriated by Aventurine's flippant tone. His words, too, began to lose all pretense of politeness. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "A slave?!"
Furina: "I never imagined Aventurine's past… that he was merely a slave?"
Baizhu: "Heh heh, for Mr. Aventurine to rise from a slave to a high-ranking executive in the Corporation, that is indeed unexpected."
Ningguang: "To ascend from such humble beginnings to his current standing. Mr. Aventurine, my admiration for you grows even deeper."
Keqing: "While he is an irritating antagonist, I must admit, he is undeniably capable."
Upon learning from the video that Aventurine was once merely a Corporation slave, everyone couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for him.
....
『 [ …Oh, admirable! Such wit! It seems our erudite friend has truly done his homework. ]
Hearing Dr. Ratio's words, which struck at his old wounds, Aventurine's expression became slightly unnatural, and a flicker of anger ignited within him. But in an instant, he quelled it.
[ Dr. Ratio: It's my job. Otherwise, how is a gambler supposed to reclaim Penacony for the Corporation? ]
Seeing that his previous words hadn't broken Aventurine, Dr. Ratio added another jab.
[ Aventurine: Don't worry, Doctor, I have my ways. The Family fears interference from the IPC, hence their constant intervention... Or, to play devil's advocate, perhaps Penacony might have always been a ruse under the guise of "the Harmony?" ]
[ If you ask me, that invitation is a self-directed charade, perhaps they intend to do something outrageous at the Charmony Festival….. ]
[ …Or perhaps the true inviter is someone else, but they've tacitly allowed it, planning to turn the tables and weave an even grander scheme. It doesn't matter whether it's the Family or the "Legacy of the Watchmaker," as long as it can serve my purpose. ]
Speaking of reclaiming Penacony, Aventurine immediately began to lay out his various conjectures.
[ Dr. Ratio: Get to the point. What's your method? ]
Aventurine's evasive answers exasperated Dr. Ratio.
[ Aventurine: There's no need to be so explicit now—it's not yet time to reveal my hand. ]
Aventurine shook his head, refusing to divulge his plans to Dr. Ratio.
[ Dr. Ratio: Damn gambler, trust is the foundation of cooperation—does Sigonian preschool education not include this concept? ]
Dr. Ratio, enraged, began to gnash his teeth and challenge Aventurine.
[ Aventurine: Do you trust me, then? ]
Aventurine countered Dr. Ratio.
[ Dr. Ratio: That depends on your attitude. ]
Dr. Ratio said indifferently.
[ Aventurine: So you don't trust me either, then? There you have it. And no, I never went to school, and my parents certainly didn't teach me that—sadly, they were gone before they had the chance. ]
Aventurine shrugged, his tone gradually flattening.
[ Dr. Ratio: ...I did not mean to offend.. ]
Aventurine's words stunned Dr. Ratio, who realized he had inadvertently spoken out of turn. While he disliked Aventurine, he would never joke about someone's parents.
[ Aventurine: Don't mind it. But they did teach me that "friends are the weapons of the Evagins people"—with "Harmony" eyeing us hungrily, the more "friends" we have, the better. ]
[ Let me think, the Garden of Recollection and the Astral Express have already made contact. The Annihilation Gang... I can't really count on them. The Knights of Beauty haven't given their answer, and as for that bunch at the Tavern... ]
[ …Speaking of which, I just met a woman who claimed to be a Galaxy Ranger. I have a strange feeling about her, could you help me dig into her background… ]
[ Huh, where'd he go? ]
Aventurine didn't dwell on Dr. Ratio's earlier offensive words. He turned his back to Dr. Ratio, meticulously sorting through his intelligence. Suddenly, he recalled the suspicious encounter with Acheron and wanted to entrust Dr. Ratio with investigating her. However, when he turned around, he found Dr. Ratio had vanished.
[ Aventurine: …He can't possibly dislike me that much, can he? Sigh, it seems I'll have to rely on myself after all. ]
Aventurine slumped, as if doused with cold water, letting out a helpless sigh. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Reclaim Penacony?"
March 7th: "So that's what Aventurine is after?"
Furina: "From their conversation, Dr. Ratio is his accomplice on this mission!"
Furina: "But it seems they don't get along?"
Dr. Ratio: "It's not so much a matter of not getting along, as I've never acknowledged him."
Aventurine: "Hey, Professor, that's a bit cold-hearted."
Lumine: "Speaking of which, why does the Corporation want to reclaim Penacony?"
Nahida: "If I recall correctly, the earlier part of the video mentioned that Penacony's predecessor was a frontier prison owned by the Corporation."
Himeko: "Precisely, Miss Nahida has an excellent memory. The frontier prison back then was indeed under Corporation ownership."
Himeko: "However, after that, it seems a riot occurred at the frontier prison, which led to its change of hands."
Welt: "Now, after several transitions, Penacony is owned by the Family. For the Corporation to reclaim it, I fear it's highly unlikely."
Sunday: "Heh heh, the Corporation's wolfish ambitions, daring to covet the Family's territory. I can only say, all of it is wishful thinking!"
Aventurine: "The Family's territory? Hahahahaha! Mr. Sunday, is this truly… the Family's territory?"
Aventurine: "Do you dare claim that the Family acquired this through legitimate means?!"
Sunday: "Oh? Mr. Aventurine, are you aware that everything requires evidence?"
Sunday: "If there is no evidence, am I to understand that you are slandering the Family's reputation? Questioning the sanctity of 'Harmony'?"
Sunday: "To antagonize 'Harmony,' has the Corporation truly become so confident?"
Sunday: "Or… is this merely Mr. Aventurine's personal opinion?"
Aventurine: "Alright, Mr. Sunday, stop trying to pin labels on me here. You know better than I do what the Family's methods truly are!"
Aventurine: "Let's just keep watching. I am certain the Family is concealing some truths!"
Aventurine: "And these truths…."
....
—✦In Between✦—
"And these truths, perhaps they will become my new chips, thereby plunging the Family into despair! Just as before, my luck has always been good. And this time, it should be no exception! Family, Sunday, let us…. Wait and see!"
In the hotel room, Aventurine felt no frustration at his schemes being exposed. For he understood that everything, everything had only just begun. Until the victor was revealed, he… was not a loser!
—