『 [ ….. ]
[ "Mr. Welt, before answering that question, I would like to continue our previous topic." ]
[ "I quite like your metaphor." ]
[ "Admittedly, birds are born to fly, but in the distant past, their ancestors could only gaze up at the high heavens from the earth." ]
[ "They saw that distant radiance from beyond the sky piercing the clouds, illuminating the earth." ]
[ "And so, time and again, generation after generation, the birds spread their wings and soared, attempting to touch the zenith, simply because the sun was there." ]
[ "Then… if the last bird finally ascended to the skies, only to see that the end of the light was not the sun, but a Pitch-Black Great Sun…" ]
[ "Then for what reason, exactly… must we march towards the light?" ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hu Tao: "I thought we'd finally get to know some of Miss Acheron's background."
Hu Tao: "But the riddles she's speaking with Mr. Welt… I can't make heads or tails of them!"
Welt Yang: "….."
Welt Yang: "It is regrettable. To think Miss Acheron's past was so tragic."
Acheron: "There is no tragedy or lack thereof, for this outcome was destined from the very beginning…"
Zhongli: "The end of the light is not the sun… but a Pitch-Black Great Sun…"
Zhongli: "Is this passage a metaphor for the history of Miss Acheron's homeland?"
Venti: "Sounds like… a rather less-than-pleasant ending."
Stelle: "So, why march towards the light?"
Stelle: "Is it not okay to not march towards the light?"
March 7th: "Oh come on, she's just using a metaphor… are you really splitting hairs right now?"
Lumine: "Then what exactly does the 'light' refer to here?"
Lumine: "And the 'Pitch-Black Great Sun'… what does that refer to?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Pitch-black… Great Sun… I see…"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "That is somewhat unexpected."
Aventurine: "Professor, did you deduce something?"
Aventurine: "Care to share your insights with us?"
Stelle: "Please share!"
Li Sushang: "Please share! + 1"
Guinaifen: "Please share! + 2"
Furina de Fontaine: "Please share! + 3"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "I could reveal the answer, but that would be inferior to using your own brains to think."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "At the very least, in the process of thinking, your brains will make continuous progress…"
Stelle: "Oh? Thinking has cognitive benefits?"
Stelle: "Alright then, don't tell us. We'd better use our brains more."
Stelle: "Becoming smarter isn't a bad thing."
Li Sushang: "I agree. I really should use my brain more."
Guinaifen: "Aiya, since when did Shangshang have such self-awareness?"
Li Sushang: "Little Gui, you're asking for a beating!!"
....
『 The scene shifts. It moves to Black Swan.
[ ….. ]
Black Swan gazed at the phone before her.
After a moment of silence, she chose to answer.
Immediately, a voice came from the other end.
[ "Long time no see!" ]
[ "Having fun in Penacony—Acheron?" ]
The moment the call connected, a rough, boisterous voice rang out.
[ (This voice... It's not Constance. Could it be her companion?) ]
Hearing this unfamiliar voice, Black Swan felt a murmur of suspicion.
[ "Although I don't know what the fudge you are, or what you're planning…" ]
[ "But my bullet will find you soon enough—before that, you'd best find a coffin store in Penacony and tell the boss to reserve a high-quality one for you, you imposter." ]
The voice on the phone began to turn hostile.
[ "Imposter?" ]
[ "I see. She leaked my whereabouts to another person tracking Acheron." ]
[ "Who are you?" ]
Black Swan finally understood the situation,
And began to question the person on the line.
[ "Huh?" ]
[ "Did I dial the wrong number?" ]
[ "Who the fudge are you?" ]
The person on the phone retorted with an aggressive tone.
[ "I am a Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection." ]
Black Swan stated her identity.
[ "Hah! Nice. I like a tough nut to crack." ]
[ "Are you that imposter's bodyguard?" ]
[ "Or someone else?" ]
[ "Forget it, doesn't matter." ]
[ "I'll save a bullet for you too. Wash your forehead and wait." ]
Upon learning Black Swan's identity, the voice on the other end decided to gift her a bullet as well.
[ "I do not know what you are talking about—but you know Acheron, that Galaxy Ranger, correct?" ]
[ "I have a question for you." ]
Black Swan paid no mind to the uncouth language from the other end.
She cut straight to the chase, inquiring about Acheron's origins.
[ "Haha, you want me to help write your will?" ]
[ "Sure, speak." ]
The person on the phone agreed.
[ "It is not a will—I simply wish to ask you, how exactly did she 'become' a Galaxy Ranger?" ]
Black Swan voiced the question she most wanted answered.
[ "Uh..." ]
The person on the other end paused, seemingly surprised that Black Swan would ask this.
[ "She is not a Pathstrider of The Hunt at all. You are, correct?" ]
[ "Tell me, what exactly is Acheron's background?" ]
Black Swan pressed on.
[ "…..Hahahahaha, alright!" ]
[ "Didn't expect a friendly. Son of a nice lady, looks like I really lucked out." ]
[ "I'll be in Penacony soon, Memokeeper. Go buy a bottle of Asdana White Oak, warm it up, and I'll toast you." ]
[ "That woman's past?" ]
[ "Nobody knows." ]
[ "But if all you want is a simple answer, fine. You'd best find a chair to put under your rear. That woman named Acheron…" ]
[ "—Is an Emanator who 'should not exist'." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Is this the scene where Miss Black Swan took the call earlier?"
Stelle: "Good lord, they're only showing this scene now!"
Stelle: "I almost forgot about it!"
Hu Tao: "The person on the other end of the phone… was actually Mr. Boothill?"
Hu Tao: "That is quite surprising!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Mr. Boothill, your travel speed is so slow. Have you still not arrived?"
Boothill: "Hey, missy, you probably don't know how difficult it is to travel through the cosmos."
Boothill: "My speed is already the result of racing against the fudging clock!"
Qingque: "By the way, Mr. Boothill speaks rather rudely, doesn't he!"
Qingque: "Opening with telling Miss Acheron to buy a coffin and wait."
Qingque: "Since you knew she was an Emanator, why did you dare speak like that?"
Boothill: "You can lose the fight, but never lose the stance! Whether I can beat her or not, the morale in my speech must not be lost, fudge!"
Boothill: "Besides, even if I really can't beat her, I still have to go in!"
Boothill: "Otherwise, what the fork is the point of walking the Path of The Hunt?"
Boothill: "Wouldn't it be safer to just go home and sleep?"
Boothill: "This concerns the dignity of the Galaxy Rangers!!"
Jing Yuan: "Well said!"
Jing Yuan: "Mr. Boothill speaks so well that even I cannot help but applaud!"
Boothill: "Hah. To be acknowledged by the General of the Luofu, that really gives me face!"
Amber: "So… an Emanator who shouldn't exist…"
Amber: "What does that mean?"
Paimon: "So, should this Emanator exist, or shouldn't she?"
Paimon: "If she shouldn't exist, why does she exist?"
Lumine: "Paimon, those two sentences of yours are so convoluted…"
Paimon: "Ugh… maybe I've heard too many riddles… I'm getting a bit dizzy…"
Venti: "Speaking of which, is no one curious about what flavor that Asdana White Oak wine is?"
Venti: "I really want to taste it."
Diona: "Peh, you annoying drunkard!"
....
『 Black Swan's scene temporarily concludes.
The setting shifts to Aventurine and Dr. Ratio.
[ ….. ]
On the street, Aventurine clutched his head, silent.
[ "You look terrible." ]
[ "Or is this also part of your act?" ]
Dr. Ratio looked at Aventurine, his tone flat.
[ "I didn't expect you to still have the face to see me." ]
Aventurine looked at Dr. Ratio, seemingly unwelcoming.
[ "Heh, I thought this was the result you wanted. After all, just as you said, I…" ]
[ "Faithfully fulfilled my duty." ]
[ "If you can't hold on, remember to notify me first." ]
Dr. Ratio chuckled lightly.
[ "The genius of the Intelligentsia Guild plans to collect my corpse?" ]
[ "Heavens… what an honor." ]
Aventurine spoke with sarcasm.
[ "Everyone in the Strategic Investment Department must also be very eager to receive your obituary in a timely manner." ]
[ "Don't forget, you will never see them again. This mission has now fallen onto my shoulders." ]
Dr. Ratio appeared to be retorting to Aventurine's sarcasm, but there was a hidden meaning in his words.
[ "Fine then. Trouble you to go send a message right now." ]
[ "Just say Aventurine has made all necessary preparations and can enter the stage in seventeen system hours." ]
Aventurine replied in kind.
[ "Boasting shamelessly." ]
[ "How do you intend to complete the mission while imprisoned by the Harmony?" ]
Dr. Ratio inquired.
[ "The conversation with Sunday convinced me that there is a traitor within The Family, and the secret of Penacony lies in that person's hands…" ]
[ "Taking this opportunity, I have also placed all the Cornerstones in their proper places." ]
[ "And now I have successfully retrieved the gift money. Since stepping through the doors of The Reverie, things have never gone this smoothly…" ]
[ "Just watch. I am only one step away from victory." ]
As he spoke, Aventurine's expression became more relaxed.
[ "It sounds like you simply restated your miserable state, and in an extremely stubborn manner at that." ]
Dr. Ratio felt Aventurine hadn't said enough.
[ "That is all I can say." ]
[ "Forgot? You have already betrayed me, Professor." ]
[ "Go to where you should be. I can't wait to see the IPC fleet surrounding Penacony." ]
[ "You also got what you wanted, didn't you?" ]
Aventurine did not wish to say more.
[ "Indeed, but what of it?" ]
[ "Could it be that inside that bag of gift money, you've hidden a beacon to summon low-orbit support?" ]
Dr. Ratio was still probing.
[ "Who knows?" ]
[ "Maybe that's the reason I'm thinking of distributing money even when death is imminent." ]
Aventurine gave an ambiguous answer.
[ "….You have gone completely mad, you damned gambler." ]
Dr. Ratio shook his head and sighed.
[ "Maybe I went mad long ago, who knows?" ]
Aventurine said inexplicably.
[ "….." ]
[ "Forget it." ]
[ "Take this. Keep it." ]
[ "Open it only when you are at death's door. You will thank me." ]
Dr. Ratio handed an object to Aventurine.
[ "What is this thing… a medical order?" ]
Aventurine took the object, looked down at it for a moment, somewhat confused.
He wanted to ask what exactly it was, but when he looked up, Dr. Ratio had long since vanished.
[ "….Heh, you understand dramatic flair, Professor." ]
This scene made Aventurine chuckle. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Xiangling: "Aventurine and Dr. Ratio are together again!"
Xiangling: "Why aren't they fighting?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Because it's quite obvious now…"
Furina de Fontaine: "They've actually been acting the whole time."
Xiangling: "Wow, their acting skills are really good then!"
Xiangling: "To think they could act so realistically!"
March 7th: "But judging from their dialogue, it seems they were improvising?"
March 7th: "They didn't plan it out beforehand at all?"
March 7th: "Relying entirely on guessing each other's intent?"
Stelle: "Grass, what kind of telepathic power couple combo is this?"
Stelle: "So you guys are actually iron bros, right?"
Aventurine: "Hey, I'd be willing to be iron bros with the Professor, but alas, he looks down on me, doesn't he?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hmph. I would rather stay in the Intelligentsia Guild than become 'iron bros' with a gambler."
Raiden Ei: "Although they relied on tacit understanding to obscurely understand each other's plans…"
Raiden Ei: "They seemingly did not anticipate Mr. Sunday's methods."
Raiden Ei: "This has led to the current Mr. Aventurine falling into a life-or-death crisis, his life hanging by a thread."
Li Sushang: "So next, is he really going to gamble with his life?"
Aventurine: "Tsk tsk tsk, just gambling with my life. That is my area of expertise."
Aventurine: "Trust that this time, I won't lose either!"
Aventurine: "Because I… have never lost!"
Hanabi: "Morale is looking good, Little Peacock?"
Hanabi: "I'm really curious where you get that confidence~"
Hanabi: "Care to tell us what fun things are hidden in that cheap luggage bag you went to such lengths to bring out~"
Aventurine: "Hehe, didn't the video say?"
Aventurine: "Just some ordinary jewelry."
Hanabi: "Is that really so, Little Peacock?"
Hanabi: "Hehe, I'm not as easily fooled as they are, you know~"
Hanabi: "Fine, fine, if you won't say, I'll just keep watching~"
Hanabi: "I hope what you've hidden is entertaining~"
....
『 The video continues.
[ "Ah…" ]
[ "Wanting me to investigate, yet giving not a single clue…" ]
[ "You're really something, you winged bastard." ]
[ "But the way you all sit on pins and needles for that stowaway certainly confirms my 'conjecture'." ]
[ "Next... let the IPC's rain of wealth fall equally upon everyone's head." ]
The methods Sunday deployed earlier had begun to take effect.
Aventurine's head started to feel uncomfortable.
This made him unable to resist cursing Sunday, and then he began to take action.
He started walking through the streets, preparing to find someone to ask about the stowaway.
[ "So that the 'Song of Pure Beauty' may continue to be sung throughout the galaxy, please support my performance." ]
Aventurine walked up to an actress, preparing to fish for information.
[ "Miss, these gems are for you." ]
Aventurine pulled some gems from his luggage bag and handed them to the actress.
[ "Wow, such beautiful gems!" ]
[ "But why give such an exquisite gift to a stranger casually?" ]
The actress looked at the gems Aventurine gave her with pleasant surprise, but also some confusion.
[ "Because I… cannot bear to see anyone suffer poverty within a sweet dream." ]
Aventurine thought for a moment, and casually gave a completely absurd reason.
[ "You are truly... kind-hearted." ]
[ "Then I shall accept them." ]
[ "Thank you, sir, whom I am meeting for the first time." ]
[ "If there is a chance, you are welcome to come hear me sing." ] 』
『 ....』