—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Jean: "It appears Miss Black Swan has been subtly guiding Miss Stelle into cooperating with Mr. Aventurine all along?"
Amber: "Isn't that to be expected?"
Amber: "After all, Mr. Aventurine and Miss Black Swan seem to have reached a consensus long ago."
Amber: "They are, in essence, partners in crime right now, aren't they?"
Nilou: "Speaking of which, does anyone remember?"
Nilou: "Wasn't Mr. Aventurine's true companion supposed to be Dr. Ratio?"
Paimon: "Ahem, it looks like Dr. Ratio yeeted Aventurine out of his life ages ago…"
Lynette: "Indeed. The two of them are physically separated at the moment."
Lumine: "It seems their philosophies were fundamentally incompatible, so they simply couldn't play nice together…"
Aventurine: "Precisely. And so, I am left to devise a strategy all on my lonesome."
Dr. Ratio: "And your devised strategy is to form cliques everywhere you go, you foolish gambler?"
Aventurine: "Oh, come now. Another friend is just another chip on the table!"
Aventurine: "In Penacony, shrouded in shadows and riddles as it is, a lone wolf cannot hope to orchestrate anything of value."
Dr. Ratio: "I hope you are correct. Otherwise, I certainly won't be the one cleaning up your mess."
Furina: "Aventurine's objective is to reclaim Penacony for the IPC. To that end, he will stop at nothing, utilizing every means available."
Furina: "And Miss Black Swan continues to bewitch Miss Stelle into following Aventurine…"
Furina: "Thinking about all this, I've suddenly become quite worried about Miss Stelle!"
Aventurine: "Worried about what? That I'll eat her?"
Aventurine: "Please. I am no man-eating demon; I lack the appetite."
Aventurine: "Furthermore, unless absolutely necessary, I have no intention of offending the Astral Express to the point of no return."
Aventurine: "After all, that faction commands significant prestige across the galaxy."
Aventurine: "If I were to truly enrage them, my own life wouldn't be much easier."
Aventurine: "You all know I am a merchant. And weighing the pros and cons is the most basic tool in a merchant's kit."
Welt: "I am glad Mr. Aventurine can still recognize that fact."
Welt: "Then I hope you will not harbor excessive designs upon Stelle."
Welt: "As a man of intellect, you should understand that the Trailblaze is not something so easily exploited."
Stelle: "You still want to use me? Believe it or not, PUSH ME TOO FAR AND I'LL SELF-DESTRUCT AND TAKE YOU ALL WITH ME!!!"
Stelle: "NOBODY MAKES IT OUT ALIVE!!"
Hu Tao: "Ooh~ Miss Stelle is fired UP!!"
Hu Tao: "The consequences will be grave!"
Venti: "I almost forgot, Miss Stelle houses a Stellaron within her body!"
Venti: "If she really flips the table, the entirety of Penacony is done for. No one would need to fight over legacies or explore conspiracies anymore…"
Shenhe: "So… is Miss Stelle actually the person with the most leverage in this incident?"
Shenhe: "She sounds incredibly formidable…"
Zhongli: "In terms of universal rationality, Miss Stelle does indeed appear to possess the capacity to overturn everything."
March 7th: "Ugh… while you guys make it sound cool and all."
March 7th: "I don't think she actually has the ability to do that, right?"
Stelle: "Ahem… well, that was just a joke."
Stelle: "Don't take it seriously!"
Stelle: "Praising me like that makes me blush!"
Welt: "The Stellaron within her is currently sealed and remains extremely stable."
Welt: "Therefore, she possesses no ability to directly manipulate the Stellaron."
Dehya: "Sigh, so it's just for show and can't be used…"
Dehya: "That is somewhat of a pity."
Alhaitham: "There is nothing pitiful about it."
Alhaitham: "A Stellaron is the creation of an Aeon. If it were truly triggered, that would be a cataclysm of the highest order!"
Alhaitham: "Returning to the topic at hand, I see nothing improper about cooperating with Aventurine."
Alhaitham: "At least regarding the current situation, the benefits outweigh the risks."
Arlecchino: "Agreed. I share that sentiment."
Ningguang: "Mr. Aventurine appears to harbor malicious intent…"
Ningguang: "Yet, at present, his objective is the most transparent of all!"
Ningguang: "Everyone else, to varying degrees, is obscuring exactly what they are plotting."
Aventurine: "My, my. I am delighted someone can read the board state."
Aventurine: "Correct. All I seek is the reclamation of Penacony."
Aventurine: "But the others—Galaxy Rangers, Stellaron Hunters, Masked Fools, even the Garden of Recollection and The Family… who can guarantee that they aren't harboring dark designs?"
Aventurine: "So, in a certain sense, cooperating with me is the safest bet for the Express crew!"
Aventurine: "Because the Express wishes to uncover the truth behind Penacony's 'Sweet Dream'…"
Aventurine: "And I just so happen to need that truth to topple The Family!"
Aventurine: "You see? Are our interests not aligned?"
Himeko: "Hehe. While that may be true, Mr. Aventurine, your behavior has been anything but friendly…"
Himeko: "If you were truly sincere about cooperating with the Express, you shouldn't have schemed against the child, Stelle, time and time again."
Himeko: "You could have simply discussed matters with us directly. We could have opened the skylight and spoken plainly!"
Himeko: "But you did not do so."
March 7th: "Exactly! If others aren't trustworthy, you're even less trustworthy!"
Dr. Ratio: "I warned him long ago not to overcomplicate matters!"
Dr. Ratio: "Regrettably, a certain damned gambler simply won't listen, insisting on muddying the waters until they are turbid."
Aventurine: "If I don't muddy the waters, how can I pass off fish eyes as pearls right under The Family's nose?"
Aventurine: "Regardless, judging by the footage, my plan seems to be proceeding quite smoothly."
Aventurine: "I just wonder… what is this 'truth' that I am about to show her?"
Aventurine: "That has piqued my interest."
Topaz: "Just shut your mouth and watch the video!"
Aventurine: "Watching, watching."
....
『 Stelle begins to follow Aventurine forward.
[ Wait, right. I think I said something after that… what was it? ]
[ Ah… a familiar corridor. A familiar room. ]
[ Do you remember? ]
[ The last time we met was in this very place. ]
[ We've arrived. Just behind this door. ]
[ Hold your breath. And witness this— ]
Aventurine leads Stelle to the front of a room.
An inexplicable smile begins to surface on his face.
[ I'd like to see what tricks you're playing. ]
Stelle steps forward, grips the door handle, and prepares to push it open.
At this moment, Aventurine's voice rings out once more.
[ Oh, I finally remember… Friend! ]
[ After that, we played a pleasant game. ]
[ Look. This moment, right now, is just like that moment back then… isn't it? ]
[ I recall it completely now. Back then, this is what I said to you— ]
[ Behold, friend. ]
[ The game has already begun… ]
[ Make a deal with me. One you cannot refuse. ]
Aventurine leads Stelle into the room, walking up to the Dreampool.
[ Huh?! What?! ]
Stelle gazes at the scene within the Dreampool, her pupils contract violently, her heart begins to pound rapidly!
[ Heh… No reason… ]
[ —And no room for negotiation! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "Wh… What?!"
Furina: "The figure in the Dreampool is…"
Neuvillette: "Haa… It is Miss Robin…"
Neuvillette: "It appears she, too, has fallen victim within the dream."
Hu Tao: "Aventurine, you're actually this vicious?!"
Hu Tao: "You killed Miss Robin with your own hands?!"
Kamisato Ayaka: "Did Aventurine do this… to frame Miss Stelle for everything?"
Kamisato Ayaka: "To force the Astral Express into hostility against The Family?"
March 7th: "Aventurine, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO HUMANITY!!"
Sunday: "Aventurine, YOU BASTARD!! How… HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON MY SISTER!!!"
Sunday: "I… I SWEAR, I WILL MAKE YOU PAY A PAINFUL PRICE!!!"
Guinaifen: "Is… is this the true face of an IPC employee?!"
Guinaifen: "To achieve an objective… they'd even kill innocent people…"
Diluc: "Hmph. Feels the same as the Fatui. A bunch of damned scoundrels."
Boothill: "I told ya, nobody from the IPC is any good."
Boothill: "Expecting them to have a heart? You'd be better off expecting the Antimatter Legion to turn over a new leaf!"
Aventurine: "Hey, hey, hey! Hold it right there! I didn't plan on killing anyone!"
Aventurine: "You can't pin this crime on me!"
Stelle: "Miss Robin hasn't spoken in a long time."
Stelle: "Could she have already been killed by this bastard Aventurine without us noticing?!"
Furina: "Robin! Are you alright, Miss Robin?"
Robin: "Thank you for your concern, everyone. I am fine."
Robin: "I originally intended to investigate the Dreamscape personally, but my brother stopped me."
March 7th: "Good thing he stopped you! If he hadn't, you might have met a terrible fate!"
March 7th: "Miss Robin, just stay in your room, okay? Don't go out!"
March 7th: "Otherwise, if you run into Aventurine, who knows what he might do to you!"
Aventurine: "I already said, I didn't kill her."
Aventurine: "I have no desire to commit murder."
Sucrose: "Then who killed her?"
Zhongli: "Perhaps… it was that Memory Zone Meme which slew Miss Hotaru!"
Zhongli: "You may not have seen clearly, but the wound left on Miss Robin's chest bears a striking resemblance to the piercing trauma inflicted by that Meme's tail-blade!"
Lumine: "Correct. I noticed that as well."
Topaz: "Aventurine may be a scoundrel, but he wouldn't go so far as to brazenly murder a member of The Family."
Topaz: "He doesn't have the guts for that."
Dr. Ratio: "On this point, I can actually vouch for him."
Black Swan: "Indeed. This should not be Aventurine's doing."
Aventurine: "See? It really wasn't me."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "So that Memory Zone Meme, after killing Miss Hotaru, went on to kill Miss Robin?!"
Welt: "The probability is high!"
Welt: "It appears the Dreamscape of Penacony is now fraught with peril on all sides!"
Welt: "For the safety of all tourists, The Family must lock down the Dreamscape immediately!"
Sunday: "....I will do my best."
....
『 After Stelle witnesses the truth of Robin's demise, the scene shifts, arriving at another location.
At this moment, Sunday stands with hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the Grand Theater in the distance.
[ Brother, I'm back. ]
Robin appears behind Sunday, seemingly out of nowhere.
[ ….Welcome back. ]
[ How are the preparations for the performance? ]
Sunday's expression is impassive, he turns to look at Robin.
[ Going well, don't worry. ]
Robin says with a smile.
[ Going well? ]
[ No, that is not good… You are the pride of The Family. Do not let superfluous emotions taint your perfect harmony. ]
Sunday shakes his head, his expression turning somewhat indifferent.
[ I… I know. ]
[ Brother, you look a bit downcast… ]
[ Did something happen? ]
[ Is it about the guests who received the Watchmaker's invitation? ]
Robin looks at the expression on Sunday's face, asking with a hint of worry.
[ Yes, I received the report… Death has taken some of them away. ]
[ Perhaps at someone's instigation. ]
[ Ah, my apologies. ]
[ I forgot you just returned; you wouldn't know of this matter. ]
[ I do not know when it began, but a nightmare named Death has descended upon Penacony. It attacks indiscriminately, bringing spiritual death equally to all… ]
[ But in the Sweet Dream constructed by The Family, no misfortune should ever occur. ]
[ It has severely disrupted the order and peace of the Dreamscape… How hateful. ]
Sunday explains in a low, somber tone.
[ To think such a thing happened… then… has someone else fallen victim? ]
Robin asks, somewhat shocked.
[ Yes. There are two victims in total. ]
[ One stowaway, and… ]
[ …..You! ]
[ That is enough, Fool. ]
[ Your conduct chills me to the bone! ]
Sunday is no longer prepared to play along, and thus, he directly exposes the intruder's true identity.
[ Hehe, you're pretty sharp, Chicken Wing Boy. ]
Hanabi drops her disguise, grinning mischievously.
[ The "Odes of Harmony" do not deceive me—The beginning of the words of a Fool's mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness… ]
[ ...Please leave. THEIR dreamscape doesn't welcome you. ]
Sunday's tone is frigid, issuing an order of expulsion!
[ Oh my, don't pull such a long face~ Quoting scripture with such seriousness, why so grim? ]
[ I just wanted to ask~ now that things have come to this, does The Family still not intend to act? ]
[ Your poor little sister has already been sacrificed~, you know? ]
[ Don't you… want to avenge her?~ ]
Hanabi attempts to pour oil on the fire, but the effect is negligible.
[ The time is not yet ripe. ]
[ When the ordained day arrives, I shall execute righteous judgment. ]
Sunday's words are utterly cold!
[ Impressive. You can even tolerate this~ What a cold-blooded fellow~ ]
[ Hey, maybe we'd get along quite well? ]
[ How about this? I can stand in for your sister at various events… ]
[ Surely you don't want people to know… that the Charmony Festival can no longer be held, right? ]
Hanabi giggles, proposing a solution that greatly angers Sunday.
[ The Family has its own arrangements. ]
[ Do not defile my dear sister with your treacherous tongue again, Fool. ]
Sunday turns his back, seemingly unwilling to look at Hanabi's face any longer.
[ Alright, alright~ ]
[ I just wanted to say… if you need me, I can help you anytime, okay? ]
[ I mean, who could resist a guy rocking spikes on his wings? ]
[ Hehe~ ]
Having said this, Hanabi skips away.
[ There's no need. The malefactor has been exposed under THEIR radiant gaze and will soon fall by their own machinations. ]
[ Should the transgressor fail to turn away from this path, THEIR sword will be honed, THEIR bow strung, causing the malevolence the perpetrator spreads to befall them.]
[ When that time comes, the heathen will realize they are but a mere mortal, doomed to descend into the netherworld. ]
[ ...And I will join THEIR vanguard to announce this good news to you personally, 'Watchmaker.' ] 』
『 ....』