『 The scene shifts, beginning to play a fragment of Aventurine's past.
[ Welcome back, Number 35. Do you like your lucky charm? ]
A cold, indifferent voice rang out before Aventurine.
[ …Can a 'commodity code' really be considered a lucky charm? ]
Aventurine couldn't help but speak, his tone laced with self-mockery.
[ Shut up. ]
[ I didn't give you permission to speak, you Sigonian hound. ]
The man scoffed.
[ Those men in black suits didn't say much, so I don't know what tricks you used to keep your little life during that massacre all those years ago. ]
[ But I decided you were lucky, so I bought you. ]
[ From now on, you and your luck are my assets. Is that clear? ]
[ Your first order is simple: aside from you, I also purchased another thirty… hmm, thirty-four slaves. ]
[ Go play a game with them—you have two days. Come out alive, and prove your skills are the real deal. ]
The man smiled playfully, handing Aventurine his first task.
It was… to survive amongst thirty-five people!
[ … ]
[ You're insane. ]
The man's words took Aventurine by surprise.
[ Hah, just inspecting the goods. ]
The man clearly didn't care in the slightest.
[ Aren't you afraid of wasting your money? ]
Aventurine retorted.
[ I have plenty of money, Blondie. ]
[ The Pan-Cosmic Slave Market has no shortage of self-righteous brats like you. ]
[ But you have a nice face, so plenty of clients are betting their fortunes on a scrawny little kid like you. ]
[ Go on. Don't disappoint your master. ]
To this man, Aventurine was merely cargo, unworthy of being kept in his thoughts.
[ … ]
[ How much did you spend? ]
Aventurine was silent for a moment before asking abruptly.
[ What? ]
The man paused.
[ My price. How much did you pay for me? ]
Aventurine pressed on.
[ Oho, you want to know that? ]
[ Fine. ]
[ Sixty Tanba(Red Copper Coin). No more, no less. ]
The man answered casually.
[ …I want to make a bet with you. ]
[ Half of sixty is thirty coins… ]
[ If I come back alive, you have to give them to me. ]
[ Do you dare to bet? ]
Aventurine looked at the man before him, speaking in an inscrutable tone.
[ Haha, you want to bet with me? ]
[ Alright, you've got guts! ]
[ —But sorry, impossible. ]
[ Slave, don't forget your status. You don't even have the qualifications to sit at the table. ]
[ You are just a chip, a life held in someone else's hand to be thrown away. Either help your master bring back more chips, or… ]
[ Never come back at all! ]
[ It's all or nothing. Don't embarrass me, my lucky hound. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Navia Caspar: "Is this when Mr. Aventurine was a slave?"
Navia Caspar: "That really is tragic enough…"
Dehya: "A living, breathing person, branded with a 'commodity code' and bought and sold at whim…"
Dehya: "Is this actually allowed in the universe?"
Diluc Ragnvindr: "It seems the universe follows the law of the jungle…"
Diluc Ragnvindr: "If you lack the capability, not only can you not protect your homeland or clan, you cannot even protect yourself."
Furina de Fontaine: "The universe really is a harsh place."
Furina de Fontaine: "Suddenly I feel… staying in Teyvat forever might actually be quite nice."
Furina de Fontaine: "At least I don't have to worry about becoming someone's slave one day."
Stelle: "Sigonia was taken over by the IPC, yet Aventurine was still sold as a slave."
Stelle: "Did the IPC do this?"
Stelle: "Is the IPC really that devoid of a moral bottom line?"
Boothill: "Why else would they be the IPC?"
Boothill: "As long as it turns a profit, what won't the IPC do?"
Hu Tao: "That man's high-and-mighty tone is truly disgusting."
Hu Tao: "I bet a person like that definitely won't meet a good end!"
Lumine: "That man's last sentence has become Mr. Aventurine's catchphrase now."
Lumine: "So, that guy definitely didn't have a good ending."
Stelle: "Tsk, supporting righteous destruction!"
Stelle: "Waiting for Aventurine to absolutely wreck this slave owner!"
Aventurine: "Heh, friend, don't rush. If luck is on our side, I think you'll get to see that scene."
....
『 The scene shifts, arriving at the Astral Express Crew.
[ Gallagher, what wind blew you here? ]
Following Gallagher, the trio from the Express arrived inside a bar.
[ Some old friends came knocking. ]
[ Do you have time now, Siobhan? ]
Gallagher asked with a smile.
[ I've been free all day. ]
[ Everyone, welcome to the Dreamjolt Hostelry— ]
[ We sell everything on the drink menu, except SoulGlad. We don't serve that boring beverage here… ]
[ The bar sells nothing, except happiness which can be purchased. Here, we only wish for you to laugh to your heart's content. ]
[ What would you like to drink? ]
[ I'll prepare it. ]
Siobhan spoke warmly to the three of them.
[ Look, Stelle, it's a super handsome big sister—she's the same type as Serval! ]
March 7th looked at Siobhan and whispered quietly to Stelle.
[ I think she is Serval. ]
Stelle also felt that Siobhan's aura was very similar to Serval's.
[ Eh? Who's Serval? ]
[ Will you introduce me to her? ]
Their whispers were overheard by Siobhan.
[ Ah, she heard us… ]
March 7th scratched her head, looking a little awkward.
[ Don't tease them, my good bartender. ]
[ I won't trouble you; today, I'll show off a bit. ]
[ I'm getting old. If I don't practice, I'm afraid I'll forget the trade that used to feed me. ]
[ Where did you put the raw materials for mixing? ]
Gallagher wanted to demonstrate his skills personally, but he couldn't find the mixing ingredients.
[ Right there, under the counter. ]
[ These guests have come a long way; don't you plan to make some special custom drinks? ]
Siobhan pointed at the counter as she replied.
[ That's exactly my intention. ]
[ Friends, do me a favor—look around the bar and bring back the ingredients you like. ]
[ This case will probably take a while to discuss. I'll prepare some suitable drinks for everyone—custom-made, non-alcoholic. ]
Gallagher turned around and gave instructions to Stelle and the others.
[ In the bar? ]
[ Aren't the usable ingredients all on the counter? ]
March 7th was somewhat puzzled.
[ This is a dreamscape, lovely lady. As long as you wish it, anything can be swallowed. Comfort, hunger, confusion, weariness… everything is available, just waiting to be picked up. ]
Siobhan explained to March 7th.
[ She called me a lovely lady…! ]
March 7th was over the moon at being called a lovely lady.
[ Even in reality, mixing drinks isn't just a blend of liquids and ingredients. A mixologist captures the atmosphere of the bar, focusing on the combination of technique and story… ]
[ Adding a little mystery and anticipation… ]
Gallagher suddenly couldn't help but interject.
[ Only then can you mix the flavor of each person's life alongside the customer. ]
Siobhan finished his sentence.
[ In other words—what you taste depends on fate. ]
[ So don't overthink it; hesitation is the enemy of enjoyment. ]
[ Having said all that, mixing drinks is actually far less complicated than you think. Pick the ingredients you like, throw them all into a cup, and stir. It's that simple. ]
[ Go look around the bar, bring back the ingredients you like, and tell me when you've decided. ]
Gallagher walked behind the bar, waiting for the three to find their preferred materials. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Serval Landau: "Yo, I didn't expect March 7th to still be thinking of me after arriving in Penacony."
Serval Landau: "That really makes this big sister happy."
March 7th: "Serval is such a cool big sister, how could I forget you?"
Gepard: "Sis, maybe you really should have gone with the Express. The scenery outside clearly suits you better."
Serval Landau: "Sigh. But my homeland needs me more; I just can't walk away."
Bronya Rand: "Thank you for being willing to stay, Serval."
Serval Landau:: "Look at you talking like that. This is my old home; isn't staying to help only natural!"
Stelle: "Belobog should be on the right track now, yeah?"
Stelle: "Maybe in the future, you guys will have the chance to travel to the outside world too."
Serval Landau: "Heh, then I'll be looking forward to that fiercely."
Stelle: "Speaking of which, this bar is actually kind of interesting."
Stelle: "To think that even abstract emotions can be used as ingredients for drinks… Then can I get a drink with a Stellaron as an ingredient?"
Stelle: "Just to properly nourish my body!"
Furina de Fontaine: "A drink made with that terrifying Stellaron?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Is that really drinkable?"
Venti: "This is a dreamscape; anything is possible!"
Venti: "Ooh… I really want to taste it too…"
Paimon: "Lumine, don't you think this place is perfect for little Diona?"
Paimon: "With her mixing skills, she'd probably be super popular in this bar, right?"
Diona: "Hmph, I don't want to be popular!!"
Diona: "One day, I will mix the absolute worst drink, making those detestable drunks vomit as soon as they drink it, and never want to touch alcohol again!"
Lumine: "Uh… feels like that goal might be hard to achieve…"
Venti: "Ehe, then before that happens, let me be your drink tester!"
Paimon: "Tone-Deaf Bard, I can practically see the calculations on your face!"
....
『 March 7th and Stelle went together to find ingredients.
[ Eh? ]
[ It's SoulGlad! ]
[ Didn't that big sister say the shop doesn't sell this? ]
[ Hehehe, Let's give it a shake! Nice, it's still fizzy and has a long shelf life! ]
March 7th found a bottle of SoulGlad on a table and began shaking it with a happy face.
[ Maybe it's placed here for decoration. ]
Stelle looked at the SoulGlad shaking in March 7th's hand and made a random guess.
[ Maybe. It's Penacony's classic beverage; a bar without it does feel a bit weird. ]
March 7th nodded, thinking Stelle made a good point.
[ But, why doesn't this bar sell SoulGlad… ]
[ Is there some hidden reason? ]
March 7th couldn't quite figure it out.
[ It's probably the mixologist's pride. ]
[ If guests came here and could still order drinks found everywhere outside, it would be too boring. ]
[ I have similar thoughts when brewing coffee. ]
Himeko sat on the sofa, explaining with a light smile.
[ Uh… haha, Himeko-jie is right. ]
March 7th recalled Himeko's coffee and could only offer a helpless smile. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Feels like this place has no soul without selling SoulGlad!"
Amber: "Yeah, SoulGlad is Penacony's signature drink after all; it should be very popular with everyone, right?"
Himeko: "This Miss Siobhan clearly has her own pride as a mixologist and isn't willing to sell common beverages in her bar."
Himeko: "Because that would be a denial of herself."
Lumine: "Judging from the video, Miss Himeko seems to be the same kind of person?"
Paimon: "Coffee… what flavor would Miss Himeko's coffee be?"
March 7th: "Ahahahaha… um…"
March 7th: "Himeko-jie's coffee… might not be something ordinary people can handle…"
Furina de Fontaine: "Wow! Is it limited edition?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Sounds like something only a master would do!"
Himeko: "Hehe, Miss Furina misunderstands. It's just a small personal hobby, nothing masterful about it."
Himeko: "Limited edition is out of the question. If there's a chance, I can brew some for you to taste."
Welt Yang: "Cough cough… Miss Furina, if you don't like coffee, I suggest you don't try it casually…"
Hu Tao: "Aiya… saying it like that just makes people want to try it more, doesn't it?"
Stelle: "Those who don't value their lives, step right up! Anyone who finishes a cup without collapsing, I'll call them a boss!"
Paimon: "Eh??"
Paimon: "Is it so delicious you'll faint?"
Lumine: "Uh… I have a feeling… it's not that simple…"
Himeko: "....(Helpless.jpg)"
....
『 [ Huh? ]
[ There are chips scattered all over here… ]
Himeko stayed on the sofa to rest, while March 7th and Stelle continued to search for ingredients they liked.
They wandered around and found some chips in a corner.
[ A few days ago, an actor from the Iris Family came to crash the place and got into a dispute with Siobhan… probably left behind from then. ]
Gallagher heard March 7th's surprised voice and offered an explanation.
[ So, enemies drop gold coins even in a dream? ]
Stelle couldn't help but roast the situation.
[ Haha, that's a clever analogy. ]
Gallagher was amused by Stelle's words.
[ Come to think of it, being able to open a bar in this area… where monsters are everywhere, is pretty incredible. ]
[ Siobhan-jie must be a really amazing person, right? ]
March 7th developed some curiosity about Siobhan.
[ You'll have to ask her that yourself. ]
[ But I'm guessing she won't spill the beans unless you can mix a drink that thoroughly convinces her. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Drop gold coins?"
March 7th: "Stelle, you really know how to describe things!"
Stelle: "Why? Isn't it vivid?"
March 7th: "Vivid, incredibly vivid!"
Stelle: "It's just a pity that what dropped were only some chips."
Stelle: "And not actual credits."
Stelle: "Feels inferior to… Aventurine!"
Aventurine: "Sigh, so in your eyes, I'm just someone who Drop gold coins, is that it?"
Silver Wolf: "What else?"
Silver Wolf: "Aren't you always throwing money around anyway?"
Stelle: "Friend, next time you Drop gold coins, let me know."
Stelle: "I'll have a sack ready to catch it."
Aventurine: "Hahaha… that really is…"
Aventurine: "Fine… it's a deal."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It's a deal?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Tsk, foolish gambler. It seems you really do enjoy dropping loot…"
....