『 The video continues.
[ We have arrived. ]
[ Dewlight Pavilion. The fortress of the Oak Family, and the venue where the Family Heads convene to discuss the grand designs of Penacony. ]
Dr. Ratio has brought Aventurine to the location where Sunday resides.
[ Fortress? ]
[ A fitting metaphor. ]
[ Not long ago, I had dealings with a warlord from the Iymanika System. Even their synchronous orbital manor wasn't this heavily guarded. ]
Aventurine scans his surroundings, speaking with a light chuckle.
[ It suits its master well. This estate nominally belongs to Sunday; without his invitation, ordinary guests wouldn't have the chance to set foot here in a lifetime. ]
[ Take a good look while you still have a moment of freedom. ]
Dr. Ratio remarks indifferently.
[ Hey, Professor—what's that supposed to mean? Whose side are you on, anyway? ]
Aventurine looks at Dr. Ratio, finding the man's choice of words thoroughly unpleasant.
[ Who can guarantee that I won't betray you? ]
Dr. Ratio crosses his arms, countering with a question.
[ Then we shall wait and see. ]
[ Once we meet that control-freak Head of the Oak Family, I have my own ways of prying the answer from his mouth. ]
Aventurine remains unbothered.
[ Follow me. I will take you to his parlor. ]
[ Spare the superfluous chatter. Leave the Family members to me. ]
Dr. Ratio instructs Aventurine before leading the way forward.
[ Hey, you two! ]
[ Ahead lies a critical council area. No entry without invitation. ]
As the two approach the door, they are intercepted by a bodyguard.
[ I have brought the suspect as requested by Mr. Sunday. ]
[ Ratio. He should have left instructions regarding that name. ]
Dr. Ratio explains.
[ Oh, I remember you… Veritas Ratio. Your Punch Virtual Particle Clock left quite a deep impression. ]
Upon hearing Dr. Ratio's name, the bodyguard wears an expression of sudden realization.
[ …What are you talking about? ]
Dr. Ratio has no idea what nonsense this man is spouting.
[ The thing on your head! ]
[ Of course, it's nothing compared to my... full pocket-dimensional annihilating power armor of the "Mobile Knights." ]
The bodyguard explains, his expression somewhat haughty.
[ I reminded you last time: that fantasy raiment of yours doesn't exist. ]
Dr. Ratio shakes his head.
[ It is simply invisible to you! ]
[ I said it before: only family can perceive the glory of the Mobile Knight—alright, hurry along now. Don't keep Mr. Sunday waiting. ]
The bodyguard waves his hand, granting them passage.
[ Sigh… The idiocy index here is hardly better than the outside world. ]
Dr. Ratio leads Aventurine forward, unable to suppress a complaint along the way. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Uh… what Punch Virtual Particle Clock? What Mobile Knight?"
Stelle: "What the hell are they talking about?"
March 7th: "Sounds like stuff they just hallucinated…"
March 7th: "It feels so chuunibyou…"
Aventurine: "I'm cracking up. Professor, I can't believe you actually stood there and corrected him with a straight face."
Aventurine: "Don't you hate idiots like that the most?"
Dr. Ratio: "Attempting to reason with an idiot is indeed my error…"
Dr. Ratio: "I will take note for next time."
....
『 The video continues.
[ …Where is the path? ]
The two arrive before a wall, and Aventurine cannot help but ask.
[ The gates are shut tight. It appears we must act on our own. ]
Dr. Ratio speaks calmly.
[ I mean… there isn't even a door here. ]
[ How did you get in before? ]
Aventurine stares at the wall before him, somewhat stunned.
[ For security considerations, the Family constructed their administrative site deep within the Dreamscape. The mechanism lies within these Nightingale statues: their orientation can be controlled. ]
[ Last time, that attendant named Conna specifically went to the side room to confirm something before positioning the statues correctly. ]
Dr. Ratio points to a room and speaks.
[ Perhaps we must do the same. Let us go take a look. ]
[ Of course. Brute-force enumeration is also a method. ]
Aventurine shrugs, then follows Dr. Ratio into the room to investigate.
[ Six Nightingale facing different directions. An obvious hint. ]
The two arrive before a painting.
Dr. Ratio looks at the painting, the answer already clear in his mind.
[ Hmm… but are these really Nightingales? ]
Aventurine looks at the painting, feeling it is somewhat abstract.
[ Yes. Why? ]
Dr. Ratio frowns.
[ Since when are Nightingale this huge? ]
[ If you ask me, this looks like an Torment Eagles. ]
Aventurine rubs his nose, speaking in a slow, deliberate manner.
[ The Five Lineages do not have eagles, only Nightingales—why am I arguing about this with you? ]
Dr. Ratio shakes his head, then leads Aventurine back to their previous location.
[ Sure enough, that is the correct answer. ]
Aventurine turns the Nightingale mechanism to the correct orientation.
The wall before them vanishes, revealing a passageway.
[ Truly a magnificent discovery—how about I yield my chance to join the Genius Society to you? ]
Seeing the triumphant look on Aventurine's face, dr. Ratio cannot resist a sarcastic jab.
[ Really? ]
[ I thought you had long since let that go. ]
Aventurine is somewhat surprised.
[ It was a damn joke. Are you completely incapable of detecting one? ]
Dr. Ratio is speechless at Aventurine.
Subsequently, the two begin walking down the passage.
[ It's quite imposing inside. ]
[ It seems Mr. Sunday has absolutely no intention of maintaining an image of lofty austerity. ]
Arriving at a luxurious grand hall, Aventurine cannot help but tease.
[ Do I need to remind you? ]
[ This is a dream. No matter how luxurious the decor of this pavilion, it does not affect Penacony's resources by a single iota. ]
[ Stop picking fights with the Family over trivial matters. ]
Dr. Ratio feels that Aventurine truly talks too much.
[ Hmm, you're right. The only flaw in the Family can be death; surely Sunday thinks so as well. ]
[ Let's head downstairs. ]
Aventurine nods, then walks downstairs with Dr. Ratio.
[ Wait. ]
Arriving before a door, Dr. Ratio suddenly stops.
[ What, wrong way? ]
Aventurine asks, puzzled.
[ Not the wrong way, but this door is locked. ]
Dr. Ratio stares at the large door before him, shaking his head.
[ Friend, did you really have an appointment with him? ]
Aventurine looks at Dr. Ratio with suspicion.
[ …Oh, this is a test. ]
[ Before any formal discussion, you must first prove your value to Sunday. ]
[ If I am not mistaken, we must find the method to open the door within this hall, otherwise this place shall become a prison for you and me. ]
Dr. Ratio understands Sunday's intent.
[ Oh, an escape room. I like it. ]
Aventurine's lips curl into an interested smile.
[ Be serious. No one is playing with you. ]
[ Turn around first. The hint is likely within that conspicuous sandbox. ]
Dr. Ratio turns, and walks toward the large sandbox model.
[ Whoa, what a huge sandbox… ]
[ When I save enough money, I want to build myself a building this tall too. ]
Aventurine jokes as he approaches the sandbox.
[ Look here. There is a very obvious gap in the model. I boldly conjecture that you are correct. ]
Aventurine observes carefully for a moment, and immediately spots the flaw.
[ That gap was not there when I came last time. Obviously, that man arranged it intentionally. ]
Dr. Ratio murmurs in contemplation.
[ Then your genius brain must remember what was originally placed here, right, Professor? ]
Aventurine inquires.
[ Of course. ]
[ Search the surroundings. As soon as I see it, I will recognize it. ]
Dr. Ratio is evidently confident in his memory.
[ Fine, fine. Why do I feel that we're pursuing a degree in burglary now? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Aventurine and Dr. Ratio are such a weird combo."
Paimon: "They're clearly on the same side, but they never stop bickering."
Lumine: "But listening to them bicker is so entertaining!"
Furina: "Right, right? Aventurine's playful, unserious demeanor paired with Dr. Ratio's deadly serious attitude really creates some great entertainment value."
Aventurine: "I say, Miss Furina, in what way am I unserious?"
Aventurine: "I just felt the atmosphere was a bit stifling, so I cracked a few jokes."
Aventurine: "I wasn't being unserious at all!"
Dr. Ratio: "But those damn jokes only make you look foolish!"
Kaveh: "By the way, is there actually a degree in Burglary in the universe?"
Zhongli: "Although it is an illegitimate means, in terms of universal rationality, perhaps it could indeed become a discipline."
Hu Tao: "Aiya… is the thinking in the universe that open-minded?"
Hu Tao: "Even thieves can go for advanced studies??"
Navia: "Haha, I have to say, every trade has its master!"
March 7th: "Ahem, that was probably just Aventurine talking nonsense, right?"
March 7th: "I've never heard of any Burglary degree."
Stelle: "It's fine. Once Aventurine earns the degree, we'll have him open a training course."
Stelle: "Then it'll exist, won't it?"
Aventurine: "Heh, I admire everyone's sense of humor. Clearly, you are all better at joking than I am."
....
『 The video continues.
[ Found it. It is this. ]
Inside a maze-like room, the two find the missing component of the sandbox.
[ The plaque reads: Gulliver Arch. ]
[ You remember such a tiny trinket so clearly? ]
[ This thing's appearance reminds me of a tunnel that shrinks people when they pass through… ]
Aventurine looks at the mini arch model before him, speaking with novelty.
[ If I were you, I would shut my mouth immediately. ]
[ Speak less of what need not be spoken. ]
Dr. Ratio feels Aventurine is truly becoming too noisy.
Hearing this, Aventurine purses his lips.
Subsequently, the two take the arch, and return to the sandbox.
[ It's simply like building blocks. ]
[ I've never played with blocks before. I wonder if it's more interesting than stacking chips… ]
[ Look, a seamless fit. Simply perfect—uh, what next? ]
Aventurine fits the arch onto the sandbox, then begins to study it.
[ …. ]
[ ….Heavens! ]
[ I've shrunk? ]
[ Am I dreaming? ]
Aventurine touches the arch, and a miracle occurs!
He shrinks down directly by an unknown magnitude, and enters the interior of the sandbox city.
[ You are indeed. ]
Standing before the sandbox, Dr. Ratio listens to Aventurine's exclamation, and nods calmly.
[ Professor, you've become so tall! ]
[ I actually entered the sandbox and became so small… ]
[ How about we leave just like this? ]
[ You find a chance to stuff me into Sunday's collar. We can infiltrate the Family using this method… ]
Aventurine speaks happily.
[ Heh… ]
Aventurine's whimsical words, provoke a laugh of exasperation from Dr. Ratio.
[ Fine, I was just joking. ]
[ Sigh, let's look for a way to open the door. ]
Aventurine puts away his playful thoughts, and begins exploring within the sandbox city.
Moments later, he discovers a puzzle.
But the puzzle fragment flew off the moment he arrived.
Helpless, he has no choice but to go collect the fragment.
[ Hello. Welcome to the Golden Hour Base Model. ]
[ I am the Oak Soldier, responsible for guiding your tour of the Base Model—happy to be of service. ]
Following the guidance, Aventurine arrives before an Oak Soldier, and begins listening to it speak.
[ Then tell me about the guide. ]
Aventurine speaks with interest.
[ You-You-You-You-You, welcome to the Golden Hour Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Base Model— ]
[ I am the Oak-Oak-Oak-Oak-Oak Soldier, responsible for guiding your tou-tou-tou-tou-tou-tou-tour— ]
This Oak Soldier, for some reason, begins to glitch the moment Aventurine asks it a question.
So, Aventurine cannot resist giving it a kick.
[ —ur. Happy to be of service. ]
[ Gener-ner-ner-ner-ner-ating guide for you, please wait pat-pat-pat-pat-patiently… ]
[ Wait…. Wait….. Wait…. Wait…. ]
Seeing the previous kick had little effect, aventurine kicks it again.
[ …De-De-De-Detected nearest check-in point! ]
[ Please lo-lo-lo-lo-look—at the Gachapon-pon-pon-pon-pon Machine model behind me— ]
[ Mo-Mo-Mo-Mo-Mo-Model— ]
[ Ah!! ]
The Oak Soldier suddenly lets out a sharp scream, and then collapses.
[ What is the situation? ]
[ Even the Family's toys stage fake accidents? ]
[ I didn't do anything. Professor, you have to testify for me. ]
Aventurine looks at the Oak Soldier lying on the ground, speaking with a strange expression.
[ I saw nothing. ]
Dr. Ratio lies with his eyes wide open.
[ Gachapon machine… ]
[ There are no controls on the ground. Is it the winder on top? ]
[ Professor, do me a small favor— ]
Aventurine arrives before the Gachapon machine mentioned by the Oak Soldier, then, looking up at the winder atop the machine, shouts out to Dr. Ratio.
Dr. Ratio understands immediately, extending a giant hand to wind the Gachapon machine for Aventurine.
Immediately, the machine activates, and a capsule rolls out.
[ It really is like that. ]
[ These models even have internal structures identical to the real buildings; the only difference is no one lives here. ]
[ Sunday places such a miniature model where he can see it every day when he wakes up. Does he really consider himself the "Giant" of Penacony? ]
Aventurine watches this magical scene, inevitably speculating on Sunday's intentions.
Subsequently, he walks to the capsule and opens it.
Unsurprisingly, inside is one of the puzzle fragments.
He picks it up directly.
[ There is another fragment that flew upstairs. I have to use the Bubble Pinball to bounce up there. ]
[ But it likely won't be that easy. ]
Aventurine begins searching for the Bubble Pinball.
[ Sure enough, there's only a Bubble Pinball base here, completely empty. ]
[ —Professor, I must rely on your wisdom again. ]
Aventurine is helpless, turning to ask Dr. Ratio for help.
[ No need to shout. I can hear you. ]
[ The Bubble Pinball model must be placed somewhere in the hall, just like the arch. ]
[ Wait. I will return shortly. ]
[ …Finally, a moment of peace. ]
Dr. Ratio turns and leaves, beginning to search for the Bubble Pinball for Aventurine.
[ This is it… Pleasant solitary moments are always fleeting. ]
Dr. Ratio finds the Bubble Pinball model very quickly, but he cannot help but let out a sigh.
[ Ha, YOU'RE BACK—! ]
[ JUST PUT IT RIGHT HERE—MUCH OBLIGED—! ]
Aventurine points to the Bubble Pinball base, shouting loudly to Dr. Ratio.
Dr. Ratio nods, then does as asked.
[ Thanks a lot, Professor! ]
Aventurine offers his thanks, and begins riding the Bubble Pinball to the second floor.
[ Ratio, you should come in and take a look. The view here is breathtaking. Honestly, you could easily squash me with just a pinch. ]
After arriving on the second floor, Aventurine cannot help but exclaim.
[ As long as the subject consents, I will execute immediately. ]
Dr. Ratio replies with some impatience. 』
『 ....』