"The dice have been cast—everyone, are you ready to reveal your cards?"
Aventurine's image appeared on the big screen.
He slightly tilted his head, pressing down the brim of his hat, looking at Caelus holding a rock lance. "The builder's inferior stone… worthless."
He laughed heartily, tossing out his chips.
"I'll place the bet."
"I'll play the game."
"I'll take the win."
In the frame, Aventurine slowly descended from the sky, his appearance drastically transformed.
"I let fate spin the wheel, going all-in, traversing the land of death to be reborn."
The cracked Aventurine stone floated in his hand, and he gripped it tightly.
"All dedicated to—the Amber Lord!"
[Holy crap! So cool!]
[All dedicated to—the Amber Lord!]
[No more pretending, today I'm just gonna simp for Aventurine, slurp!]
[Detail: the Aventurine stone is cracked.]
[The company's slogan is seriously cool.]
[So freaking awesome.]
[Do the Ten Stonehearts come with transformations too?]
"Come on, let's see who laughs last—the game begins!"
Aventurine approached the group like a deus ex machina.
Throughout the fight, it was mostly Welt Yang and Acheron confronting him head-on.
Caelus had no chance to intervene, while March 7th could only fire off a few arrows from the side.
Fortunately, the Astral Express crew had the advantage in numbers.
However, the scene felt slightly off—every time Acheron was about to draw her blade, the camera zoomed in on her face.
It made the audience so anxious!
After being hit by one of Himeko's roulette attacks, Aventurine staggered back several steps.
Yet his words remained full of confidence. "Even in adversity, as long as there's hope, people will always call the bet… The potential you all hold is worth my all-in gamble…!"
Aventurine threw a chip that darted among the group like a boomerang, striking back and forth.
After a fierce battle.
"Hmph, everyone's like this… Why—can't you live a little more freely?"
Caelus seized the moment to leap forward, only to be easily caught by Aventurine and thrown back.
Seeing this, Himeko quickly summoned her orbital cannon.
"Playing a strong hand slowly, putting on airs…" Aventurine's tone carried a hint of impatience. "You're making me a bit anxious. To make this exciting, everyone—I'm going all-in with my chips."
Aventurine pointed at Acheron, who stood at the center.
"Hahaha." He laughed maniacally, slowly ascending to a higher position. "Only by casting aside reason is it true gambling…"
The next moment, the sky filled with a massive number of giant chips.
Like a storm about to destroy everything.
"'Emanator'—you'll call the bet, won't you?"
Acheron looked at Aventurine without speaking.
Suddenly, the scene shifted.
Acheron held an umbrella, her face solemn.
A deep male voice came from beside her. "You… are you setting off?"
After some exchange, the audience learned several key pieces of information.
The man was familiar with Penacony.
And the Path Acheron tread was—'Nihility.'
The scene returned to the confrontation with Aventurine.
Himeko and Welt Yang reacted first, each shielding Caelus and March 7th behind them.
[Seeing this, my heart feels so warm.]
[The Astral Express really is a loving family.]
[Welt Yang's already charging up a black hole.]
Facing the barrage of chips Aventurine threw, Welt and Himeko prepared to counter.
Acheron stepped forward forcefully.
The entire space-time froze.
Her arm began to fade, leaving only a streak of crimson.
She raised her edict blade, and the camera zoomed in on her face.
A single tear of blood slid from the corner of her eye—silent, yet breathtakingly beautiful!
"May I weep for the departed, tears falling like rain, filling the Ferry River…"