『 Aventurine and Dr. Ratio exchanged no further words.
They entered the corridor, pushed open the grand doors, and found Sunday standing there, his back turned to them.
[ It seems the puzzle I arranged was still too simple for you, envoy of the IPC. ]
Sunday spoke softly, an ethereal quality to his voice, yet he did not turn to face Aventurine.
[ You flatter me. And thank you for putting so much thought into welcoming me, Mr. Sunday. ]
[ Though, this hardly seems like something a sincere host would do. ]
Sunday's demeanor immediately snapped Aventurine into focus. He slipped into his persona, ready to engage in a verbal duel.
[ Therefore, this is not an invitation, but a summons. Before our conversation begins, I require a test of your character. ]
[ I suspect your learned friend here was of considerable assistance, was he not? ]
Sunday maintained his posture—elegant, unhurried, and calm. He exuded an air of immovability, steady as Mount Tai.
[ Naturally. You ought to know that better than I… ]
[ He has faithfully performed his duties, hasn't he? ]
Aventurine replied with a cheerful smile.
[ Indeed. The Family has vouched for his noble character. ]
[ He stated that both of your hearts are equally upright, making you trustworthy individuals in the eyes of The Family. ]
[ I understand your nature very well now, Mr. Aventurine. ]
[ You are diligent, generous, and helpful. You successfully overcame numerous obstacles to stand before me… ]
[ This gives me reason to believe in your wisdom and decisiveness. ]
[ However, there is one matter on which I must question you. It seems your intellect has been misapplied, leading you to meet people you should not meet, and appear in places where you should not appear… ]
[ Witnessing a tragedy that should never have occurred! ]
Sunday finally turned to face Aventurine directly.
His expression, however, was dark and foreboding. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "So intense! Mr. Sunday's aura right now is incredibly overpowering!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Seeing Mr. Sunday before, he always seemed so modest and polite. I thought he was a gentle person."
Furina de Fontaine: "Turns out, I was completely wrong!"
Yae Miko: "He is, after all, the Head of the Oak Family. A man of high status and heavy authority, not some commoner."
Yae Miko: "It is only natural that he possesses such imposing majesty~"
Stelle: "I thought Aventurine would walk in looking all confident and slam Sunday with a sick burn or something."
Stelle: "Instead, he walks in and immediately gets hit with a power play?"
Hu Tao: "The guy didn't even turn around for ages! Talk about refusing to look him in the eye as an equal…"
Hu Tao: "Looks like Aventurine's off to a bad start. He's the one getting suppressed here."
Kamisato Ayato: "Mr. Sunday is indeed worthy of being a head of the household, the public face of Penacony."
Kamisato Ayato: "That depth of character… truly not simple!"
Silver Wolf: "Regarding this situation… I can only say: Is that it?"
Silver Wolf: "Weak!"
Aventurine: "What's the rush?"
Aventurine: "It's not my turn to shine yet, is it?"
Aventurine: "These are just minor scenes. Just watch my performance!"
Stelle: "Tsk, you sure are confident."
Stelle: "Let's see how you turn the tables then."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Foolish gambler. Don't puff yourself up at your own expense."
Aventurine: "Relax, everything is under my control! (Confident.jpg)"
....
『 [ You don't look so good. ]
[ Let me just confirm—am I the source of your agitation? ]
[ …If not, then I am on your side. ]
Sunday's accusatory stance did not intimidate Aventurine in the slightest.
He began attempting to steer the situation to his advantage.
[ If I understand correctly, those words… constitute an extremely serious accusation against 'The Family'. ]
Aventurine spoke implicitly.
But with Sunday's intellect, the hidden meaning was immediately clear.
[ You have understood correctly. Because evil is quietly festering right beside you. ]
[ We need not beat around the bush. Let us speak of your sister. ]
[ Your sister's talent was unrivaled in the entertainment world. But as you know, since returning to Penacony, her voice has been… dissonant. ]
[ What's more terrifying is that she can no longer sing at all. ]
[ Who did this? ]
[ People believe the culprit is among the outsiders, but I know… ]
[ You harbor a different answer in your heart. ]
[ Now, your noble status has become a shackle, preventing you from apprehending the culprit and avenging your sister. ]
[ You are isolated and helpless, which is why you are so agitated. ]
[ But worry not. I am on your side. ]
Aventurine navigated the conversation with ease. He had identified Sunday's weakness and began preparing to exploit it. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hu Tao: "Amazing! In just a few words, he flipped the situation and positioned himself favorably!"
Zhongli: "To move one with reason and affect one with emotion. Such is the essence of negotiation."
Venti: "Ehe, Mr. Aventurine's words struck straight at Mr. Sunday's heart!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Mr. Sunday's attitude should soften now, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "After all, what Aventurine said makes a lot of sense."
Lumine: "Mr. Sunday must desperately want to avenge his sister…"
Lumine: "Based on that, he might actually compromise."
March 7th: "So, Mr. Sunday is going to get played after all?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "It cannot be helped."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "When it involves the death of his own sister, just as Mr. Aventurine said, Mr. Sunday cannot possibly remain calm."
Seele: "Sigh, a fatal flaw. Aventurine found an opening."
Boothill: "Heh, I don't think it'll be that smooth for Aventurine."
Boothill: "The IPC's lackeys are tough, but The Family ain't just for show either!"
Boothill: "I'll say what nobody else dares to say: The Harmony's influence has always been devilishly weird!"
Boothill: "That 'unity of a thousand minds' crap they spout? That's no fudge-ing joke!"
Boothill: "Anyone who buys into The Harmony is basically brainwashed."
Dan Heng: "Indeed. The concept of The Harmony is too broad… It encompasses everything, accepts everything."
Dan Heng: "Even the IPC cannot underestimate the power of The Harmony."
Welt Yang: "Under normal circumstances, the IPC certainly couldn't shake The Family's status in Penacony."
Welt Yang: "But now… a traitor is suspected within The Family!"
Welt Yang: "A dissonant note has appeared within the harmonious Family… This gives Aventurine his most crucial stepping stone!"
Aventurine: "Correct. That is the greatest opportunity at present!"
Aventurine: "If The Family were truly united, a monolithic block, then even if I used every trick in the book, I couldn't drill a hole the size of a nail."
Aventurine: "But The Family having internal strife? That is truly a godsend!"
Himeko: "So, who exactly is the traitor within The Family?"
Himeko: "Mr. Sunday, do you have any leads?"
Sunday: "…"
Sunday: "Regrettably, no clues as of yet."
Robin: "Brother, if worst comes to worst, should we report this to the Dreammaster?"
Robin: "With the Charmony Festival approaching, The Family cannot afford any more mistakes!"
Sunday: "The Dreammaster cannot be reached at the moment."
Aventurine: "Cannot be reached?"
Aventurine: "A pity. I would have liked to meet this Dreammaster."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Based on my intuition, you would be wise not to seek out trouble."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "That mysterious Dreammaster… may be extraordinary!"
Aventurine: "Oh? Then I want to meet them even more!"
Aventurine: "After all… the greater the risk… the greater the return…"
Aventurine: "At worst, it's just a life, heh. Isn't that right?"
Topaz: "You crazy gambler, you're truly hopeless!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Betting your life?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Are you really that insane?"
Keqing: "Such disregard for one's own well-being is unsettling."
Hanabi: "If he wants to gamble, let him gamble~"
Hanabi: "He's not anxious, so what are you all getting worked up for?"
Hanabi: "Just respect and bless him, okay?"
Hanabi: "What if you talk him out of it? Then how am I supposed to watch his life-risking performance? Hee hee~"
Stelle: "Hey you up there, tone it down a notch!"
March 7th: "Miss Hanabi, please try to be a decent human being!"
Sampo Koski: "I, old Sampo, strongly condemn this behavior of making cynical remarks!"
Hanabi: "Oh, oh, oh? Triggered? Are you guys triggered?"
Stelle: "Triggered, triggered, I'm so triggered. Triggered that I can't smack your butt!"
Hanabi: "Oh my, my butt is very delicate. It can't handle your spanking~"
Stelle: "For real? Now I have to try it!"
March 7th: "???"
March 7th: "Why does this feel like… driving?"
Silver Wolf: "You've literally got tire tracks across your face—now that's what I call driving!"
Paimon: "Asking quietly… what is driving?"
Hotaru: "A car is a type of vehicle, and driving is the act of operating one."
Lumine: "Uh… I don't think that's what it means."
Hotaru: "Then I don't know. (Pure.jpg)"
Kafka: "(Covering mouth laughing.jpg)"
....
『 [ It is my great honor that you are so considerate of me, Mr. Aventurine—surely a selfless and generous person like you wouldn't ask for anything in return? ]
Sunday did not seem surprised by Aventurine's words.
Instead, he picked up a 'high hat'—flattery meant to trap—and prepared to place it upon Aventurine's head.
[ Of course. You won't lose anything by it. I only wish to retrieve what belongs to me: my personal freedom, and my personal effects currently in The Family's custody—that bag of gift money, and… ]
Aventurine pressed his advantage, beginning to list his conditions.
However, before he could finish, he was ruthlessly cut off by Sunday.
[ The box containing the Cornerstone. ]
Sunday spoke unhurriedly.
[ Correct. ]
Aventurine nodded.
[ The Cornerstone—I have heard of it. A precious asset of the Strategic Investment Department, a sacred stone that seals the 'Preservation' Emanator, granting significant power, and every Liquidation Specialist(Ten Stonehearts) holds one. ]
[ …Such a valuable item is likely more expensive than any other return. ]
Sunday shook his head, rejecting Aventurine's request.
[ But you also know that if you want the truth to come to light, a little high-stakes risk is necessary. ]
Aventurine retorted.
[ Mr. Aventurine, when you are out and about, do you constantly check your appearance? ]
[ The tie must be centered, the shirt must not show from under the vest, the trouser creases must be straight and always aligned with the direction of the shoe tips. ]
Sunday looked Aventurine up and down, asking abruptly.
[ Of course I do. ]
Aventurine answered as if it were obvious.
[ But I do not. Because that would not be 'dignified'—you should ensure everything is in order before you step out the door, never deviating. ]
[ I never take any risks. ]
[ The Cornerstone must remain in The Family's custody. ]
Sunday's attitude was resolute.
[ Nothing more to discuss? ]
Aventurine probed further.
[ Don't make me refuse a second time! ]
Sunday's tone turned slightly cold.
[ …Sigh. Fine then. ]
[ ...Sure. The gift money is good enough. I suppose you wouldn't mind that? After all, a merchant can't function without a bargaining chip. ]
Aventurine did not push further. Instead, he made a compromise. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Navia Caspar: "Unexpected!"
Navia Caspar: "Mr. Sunday wasn't coerced by that at all!"
Sucrose: "So… so unyielding!"
Aventurine: "He refused to yield even an inch?"
Ningguang: "Impressive. Truly impressive!"
Ningguang: "Mr. Sunday is undoubtedly a very qualified ruler!"
Diluc Ragnvindr: "Even the murder of his beloved sister didn't make him lose his composure."
Diluc Ragnvindr: "Impressive indeed."
Boothill: "What did I tell ya?"
Boothill: "Don't think of The Family as simple folk!"
March 7th: "The Cornerstone… it seals the authority of an Emanator of Preservation? Is that thing really that powerful?"
Stelle: "Quick question. If I join the IPC and become a Stoneheart expert, can I get one of those Cornerstones?"
Stelle: "Cough, I don't mean anything by it, I just want to experience what it feels like to be an Emanator."
March 7th: "Hey, are you trying to defect?"
March 7th: "Believe it or not, I'll clean house right now!!"
Stelle: "No way, can't I freelance?!"
Stelle: "Once I become an Emanator of Preservation, I'll treat you guys to the high life!"
Paimon: "High life…! Ooh!! Count me in too!!"
Madam Herta: "I think you people are misunderstanding something."
Madam Herta: "That is merely a portion of authority partitioned by Diamond."
Madam Herta: "It can't compare to a true Emanator."
Topaz: "That is correct. Even with the aid of a Cornerstone, one can only unleash a small fraction of an Emanator's power."
Welt Yang: "But that is already quite significant… isn't it?"
Welt Yang: "After all, it is precisely because of this that the Stonehearts can navigate the universe with such ease and freedom."
Dan Heng: "In this world, mortals are the majority. Even a fraction of an Emanator's authority already transcends the majority."
Guinaifen: "Whoa, the IPC really is filthy rich!"
Guinaifen: "To distribute such precious items to employees for use."
Guinaifen: "I wonder when our Xianzhou will offer such perks?"
Li Sushang: "I advise you to stop dreaming. The Xianzhou doesn't have such weird stuff, right?"
Qingque: "I think that whatever-Lord the General summons looks very domineering."
Qingque: "Why don't you go ask the General to lend it to you for a few days?"
Stelle: "Good lord, you're asking for a death sentence!!"
Fu Xuan: "Little Qingque, shut your mouth! If you dare spout nonsense again, I will discipline you!"
Qingque: "Heh… hehe, just a joke. Don't mind me, don't mind me!"
....
『 The video continues.
[ Your compromise came faster than I anticipated. ]
[ A pity. Compared to a merchant… ]
[ A gambler needs chips far more! ]
[ I can give you the gift money. But before that, I want you to tell me with your own mouth— ]
[ —What exactly is stored inside this box that you so decisively abandoned? ] 』
『 ....』