『 [ Mission accomplished. Piece of cake. ]
Aventurine successfully located another puzzle piece on the second floor.
Subsequently, he began making his way back to the puzzle mechanism.
[ The delightful tour of the toy castle has come to an end. I must admit, I'm a bit reluctant to leave. ]
[ Penacony isn't all bad, is it? ]
[ I'll be sure to use this amusing experience as conversation fodder at the card table. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hook: "Whoa! This giant sandbox is basically a super-duper amusement park!!"
Hook: "Hook really wants to go play in there too!"
Klee: "Klee wants to go too~"
Klee: "Honorary Knight big sis, can you take Klee to play~?"
Lumine: "That… I'm afraid that's not possible."
Lumine: "Because I can't get out either…"
Paimon: "Yeah… n-n-n-no way… to get o-o-out!"
Arataki Itto: "I s-s-say, f-f-flying l-l-lavender m-m-melon!"
Arataki Itto: "Have y-y-you also turned into an O-O-Oak Soldier puppet or s-s-something?"
Kuki Shinobu: "…"
Kuki Shinobu: "Boss, please speak normally!"
March 7th: "Uh oh… have you two been infected by that weird Oak Soldier puppet?"
Stelle: "I-I-It's n-n-not j-j-just t-t-them!"
Stelle: "I-I-I've been i-i-infected t-t-too!"
March 7th: "???"
Silver Wolf: "How old are you guys? Still acting like this? Don't you think it's childish?"
Stelle: "I'm only one year old. What's childish about that?"
Paimon: "Um… Paimon thinks this is just being young at heart, not exactly childish, right?"
Paimon: "That bull-herding guy is a grown adult and he's still copying them—now that's a real childish brat!"
Arataki Itto: "You're talking nonsense, Flying Lavender Melon!"
Arataki Itto: "This great Oni has way more youthful spirit than you!"
Furina: "Speaking of which, what exactly is wrong with this Oak Soldier?"
Furina: "Why did it just start stuttering and freezing up mid-sentence?"
Sunday: "My apologies. This sandbox has fallen into disrepair over the years; I have been negligent in its maintenance."
Sunday: "I've let you all see something rather embarrassing."
Sunday: "Later, I shall have someone replace the models with a fresh batch of Oak Soldiers."
Aventurine: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I must say, Mr. Sunday, you certainly have refined tastes."
Aventurine: "However, since you wanted to see me, why go through all these convoluted twists and turns?"
Aventurine: "I admit, this sandbox game was moderately entertaining."
Aventurine: "But in essence, it remains a waste of time."
Aventurine: "And as you know, for me, time is money."
Dr. Ratio: "Fool. You seem to have misunderstood one thing."
Dr. Ratio: "The 'you' in the video is practically fish on the chopping block."
Dr. Ratio: "Time is no longer yours to command."
Hanabi: "Hehe~ Little Peacock, you sure are in a hurry to send yourself to your death~"
Hanabi: "Once you go in, do you really think Chicken Wing Boy is going to give you a warm welcome?"
Hanabi: "If you ask me~"
Hanabi: "You should have taken advantage of being shrunk down and crawled inside Chicken Wing Boy's clothes to hide~"
Hanabi: "Who knows? You might have actually uncovered some unexpected intel that way~"
Aventurine: "I actually wanted to try that."
Aventurine: "But the Professor wouldn't let me!"
Aventurine: "Such a golden opportunity… what a pity…"
Lumine: "Shrink down and secretly hide inside his clothes?"
Lumine: "Ugh… that feels kinda weird."
Guinaifen: "But like, what if you accidentally got pinched to death, or squeezed flat?"
Sushang: "Exactly!"
Sushang: "You've become as small as a bug, so wouldn't you just get squashed effortlessly?"
Qingque: "What's there to be afraid of?"
Qingque: "It's all in a dream anyway. Can you actually die for real?"
Silver Wolf: "Hotaru & Robin: You're right, you totally can't die!"
Hotaru: "...."
Qingque: "Cough, cough… That was an accident!"
Qingque: "At least in a normal dreamscape, it seems like no one can just die casually!"
Fu Xuan: "Qingque is correct. Aventurine has already tested this point previously."
Ningguang: "This certainly highlights the peculiar nature of that Memory Zone Meme."
Beidou: "Ha! If it's called 'Death,' then of course it's special!"
Dr. Ratio: "You gambler, you are becoming increasingly foolish."
Dr. Ratio: "I think you truly ought to join the Idiot's Society; there should rightfully be a seat reserved for you there."
Aventurine: "What is it now, Professor?"
Aventurine: "How have I offended you this time?"
Dr. Ratio: "The method used to shrink you originated from The Family!"
Dr. Ratio: "What makes you think that after shrinking, you wouldn't be detected by Sunday?"
Aventurine: "Well, I hadn't really thought that far ahead."
Aventurine: "But I was only joking anyway."
Aventurine: "I have no desire to crawl into someone else's clothes like a lowly insect!"
Arataki Itto: "What's wrong with insects?"
Arataki Itto: "Insects are awesome! Don't look down on insects!"
Arataki Itto: "I really should show you guys the Onikabuto this great Oni has painstakingly raised!"
Arataki Itto: "Those guys—every single one possesses the mighty power to split mountains and shatter rocks!!"
Arataki Itto: "I guarantee they'll open your eyes!!"
Stelle: "Onikabuto?"
Stelle: "The name sounds kinda interesting."
Stelle: "Is it stronger than the Starcrusher Swarm King?"
Paimon: "Oh, come on, Miss Stelle, don't listen to Itto's nonsense!"
Paimon: "The Onikabuto he talks about are just ordinary beetles with horns on their heads!"
Paimon: "They're barely the size of a palm, they flip over with one tap, and they're absolutely not as powerful as he brags."
Lumine: "Mhm, Itto is exaggerating a bit too much."
Kuki Shinobu: "Boss! Is your mouth losing its filter again?"
Kuki Shinobu: "Keep this up and you'll be banned from speaking!"
Arataki Itto: "No no no! Shinobu, I was wrong! I'll never brag again!"
Arataki Itto: "But… what the heck is this Starcrusher Swarm King?"
Arataki Itto: "It sounds super domineering and invincible, doesn't it?"
Ruan Mei: "Starcrusher Swarm King: Skaracabaz. An Emanator of Propagation. It possessed power that could easily pulverize stars."
Furina: "What?!"
Furina: "What kind of bug is that? It was actually an Emanator?!"
Arataki Itto: "…"
Arataki Itto: "Did this great Oni hear that wrong?!"
Arataki Itto: "Is this Starcrusher Swarm King really that powerful?!"
Arataki Itto: "How can there be such a strong bug in the world?!"
Arataki Itto: "Aaaah! This great Oni cannot believe it!"
Zhongli: "At first glance, it defies common logic. However, in terms of universal rationality, the scale of the cosmos is boundless; insects are not necessarily destined to be weak."
Stelle: "Mr. Zhongli is absolutely right!"
Stelle: "In the universe, there was even a super-catastrophe known as the Swarm Disaster!"
Stelle: "Back then, more than half of the universe was almost eaten into nothingness by bugs!"
Amber: "Eaten… eaten by bugs?!"
Amber: "That's way too scary!!"
Madam Herta: "Those aren't ordinary bugs. They are the offspring of Propagation."
Shenhe: "So… this Propagation… Aeon?"
Shenhe: "Is also a bug?"
Stelle: "That's right. The Aeon of Propagation was transformed from a bug. Everyone affectionately calls Him the Imperator Insectorum!"
Arataki Itto: "GOOD HEAVENS!!!"
Arataki Itto: "Even a bug can become an Aeon!!"
Arataki Itto: "This great Oni is losing his mind!!"
Lumine: "…The universe is truly absurd."
Lumine: "I never expected that if we went to space, there's a high probability we'd just get eaten by bugs!"
Paimon: "Waaah, Paimon is suddenly scared to go to space."
Stelle: "Don't be scared. I've even beaten the Starcrusher Swarm King. Mere bugs are no match for me!"
Dr. Ratio: "Hmph. Miss, I feel compelled to remind you that it was merely a failed replica."
Dr. Ratio: "If a true Emanator of Propagation were to be reborn, you would have been swallowed into its belly long ago."
March 7th: "Stelle, stop bragging!"
Stelle: "What do you mean bragging?"
Stelle: "Just because I can't beat an Emanator-level bug, doesn't mean I can't beat normal bugs, right?"
Stelle: "You don't know the half of it. In the Simulated Universe, I KILLED BUGS UNTIL I WANTED TO PUKE!!!"
Madam Herta: "Friendly reminder: the 'you' in the Simulated Universe, no matter how powerful, is fake!"
Silver Wolf: "But the 'you' in reality, no matter how weak, is real!"
Stelle: "...."
....
『 The video continues.
Aventurine successfully slotted the puzzle piece into place, disengaging the mechanism's restrictions, and smoothly opening the sealed gate.
[ I regret to see you leave the sandbox alive. Sunday is waiting behind this door. ]
[ In my humble opinion, he is not someone easily dealt with. Are you prepared? ]
Dr. Ratio watched Aventurine emerge from the sandbox, approach him, and offered a lukewarm warning. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Dehya: "Regret… to see?"
Dehya: "Hahaha, with the way these two communicate, anyone who didn't know better would think they were sworn enemies!"
Stelle: "I can't stop laughing. Dr. Ratio's disappointed little expression is making my stomach hurt."
Aventurine: "Professor… surely not?"
Aventurine: "Whatever else we may be, we are partners. Cursing me like that brings you no benefit!"
Dr. Ratio: "I express my regret at having become partners with you…"
Boothill: "What in the precious fudge is this dog-eat-dog nonsense?"
Boothill: "Is your corporation here to perform a comedy routine?"
....
『 The video continues.
[ Hmm, I'm more inclined to believe he is the one who needs to be prepared… ]
Aventurine nodded, appearing supremely confident.
[ Tell me your plan. ]
Dr. Ratio sensed that Aventurine likely had a plan in place long ago, which was why he showed no panic.
[ No plan. I'll play it by ear. ]
[ There are only two bargaining chips in any negotiation: profit or fear. ]
Aventurine shook his head, indicating he truly had no plan, he was simply going to charge in headfirst.
[ It seems you truly do not understand sincerity. ]
Dr. Ratio was noncommittal regarding this answer.
[ Am I not sincere enough? ]
[ No need to emphasize it. ]
[ We must make good use of death. That man's sister is dead; he certainly won't be able to sit still. That is fear. ]
[ And I will help him drag that murderer out into the light. ]
[ Constrained by his identity and position, he cannot do this himself, but I can. That is profit. ]
Aventurine explained to Dr. Ratio with logical precision.
[ What makes you think he cannot do it, and must commission an IPC agent with an opposing stance? ]
Dr. Ratio countered.
[ Simple—because the murderer is likely a "traitor" lurking within The Family. ]
Aventurine smiled.
[ ... ]
[ But previously, you accused that Galaxy Ranger. ]
Dr. Ratio fell silent for a moment, then spoke.
[ That was just an excuse, Professor. ]
[ That woman is off. I needed someone to keep her occupied. When we make our move, the fewer variables outside our field of vision, the better. ]
[ I also need to know what kind of person she is. If my luck is the real deal… ]
[ She will certainly become a crucial pawn. ]
[ And in this matter, the more "friends" who can help me, the better. ]
[ But to be honest, the murder likely has nothing to do with her. I maintain my original stance… ]
[ The problem definitely lies within The Family itself. ]
[ Otherwise, why would our Mr. Sunday arrange a private meeting? ]
[ This isn't an interrogation; it's a secret negotiation. ]
[ Just watch. Using Robin's death as a bargaining chip, I will win back my freedom and power. ]
[ Finally, I will overturn this beautiful dream and create the grandest death of all. ]
[ If stepping through this door brings a chance for victory, then even if the probability approaches zero, I have no reason to hesitate, do I? ]
The corners of Aventurine's mouth, gradually curled into a manic smile.
[ What makes you think you can win, you damned gambler? ]
Dr. Ratio could not stand Aventurine's attitude.
[ Three chips are enough. ]
[ All, or nothing. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "I knew there was something weird about Aventurine's accusation against Miss Acheron earlier."
March 7th: "Turns out it was just a smoke bomb he threw out on purpose!"
Stelle: "Uncle Yang guessed it right. From the start, Aventurine's plan was to muddy the waters."
Arlecchino: "Assigning uncertain factors to be checked by others, while extricating oneself to handle other matters."
Arlecchino: "Mr. Aventurine's methods are extremely shrewd."
Himeko: "As expected. None of the IPC's elites are simple characters."
Yukong: "When dealing with the IPC, one must be cautious and vigilant. Otherwise, one slip and you'll fall into their trap."
Yukong: "And once that happens, extracting oneself is no simple task."
Furina: "Seeing how confident Aventurine is, does that mean he's already got The Family in the palm of his hand?"
Furina: "It's just… I can understand Aventurine wanting to overturn the beautiful dream."
Furina: "After all, he came here with the intention of causing trouble."
Furina: "But what does he mean by 'creating the grandest death'?"
Paimon: "C-Could it be that Aventurine is actually a murderous demon lord?!"
Paimon: "Does he want to kill everyone in the dreamscape just for kicks?!"
Eula: "I feel like that's not impossible!"
Eula: "Look at the expression on his face right now; he looks like a total lunatic!"
Hu Tao: "Oh no, oh no! Aventurine has stopped pretending completely! He's turning into the big bad villain again!"
Hu Tao: "I feel like next up, it's going to become his stage!"
Collei: "And then Miss Stelle and the side of justice will go and stop Aventurine from doing bad things…"
Collei: "Umm… that's how it's written in storybooks."
Ganyu: "Aren't any of you worried about Mr. Sunday?"
Ganyu: "I get the feeling that next, he's going to be completely outplayed by Mr. Aventurine…"
Dr. Ratio: "I wouldn't be so sure."
Dr. Ratio: "As the head of the Oak Family, Sunday's methods are likely far superior to this gambler's!"
Dr. Ratio: "In this confrontation, from the very beginning, Aventurine has been the passive party!"
Dr. Ratio: "Otherwise… the situation would not be Aventurine going to see Sunday, but the other way around."
Aventurine: "I say, Professor, have a little faith in me, won't you?"
Dr. Ratio: "I am merely stating the facts."
....