Chapter 73: Who Killed the Mockingbird?
[From Aventurine's words, it was revealed that Black Swan had actually instigated the battle between Acheron and Sam, and bringing Stelle before Aventurine was part of their deal. "Are you working together?"
Stelle angrily demanded.
Aventurine, however, believed Black Swan had saved her from the hands of a Galaxy Ranger. He told her that Acheron was no Galaxy Ranger, but an Emanator—one who brings death and finality. Perhaps [The Hunt]...
[Destruction]... or even [Finality], it didn't matter. All these Paths would ultimately lead to the same outcome. Aventurine shared a clue about the IPC—the Duke Inferno had also received an invitation, but there was no need to wait for his arrival anymore, because he was already dead. The murderer had slain Afflitus in an extraordinarily brutal manner and stolen the Annihilation Gang's invitation. The Ever-Flame Mansion had since collapsed, its members scattering like frightened birds—
And after this, a mysterious Galaxy Ranger arrived in Penacony, checking into the hotel with a music box... Need I continue, my friend?]
[Stelle]: "Future me! Don't go looking for Aventurine! Sam is Firefly!"
[March 7th]: "No matter how much you say it, the one in the video can't hear you."
[Qingque]: "Isn't it better that someone like Duke Inferno is dead?"
[Otto]: "Someone killed Duke Inferno doesn't mean Acheron killed Duke Inferno. Understand, my friend?"
[Rita]: "This is just rhetoric. As a high-ranking IPC executive, he must be quite skilled at it."
[March 7th]: "Come to think of it, we haven't seen Duke Inferno speaking in the group recently. Could he have already been killed by now?"
[Acheron]: "Duke Inferno... I think I might have killed him. Just now..."
[Stelle]: "Suddenly I remember Duke Inferno making wild claims in that video about Acheron's homeland. Now that he's dead, why do I feel like laughing?"
[Aha]: "Wahhh, Afflitus! Nanook didn't recognize you, but Aha did! If you were still alive, Aha would've made you an Emanator of Elation!"
[Acheron]: "Duke Inferno... he... was worthy of respect."
[Aventurine gave Stelle a choice: leave this place immediately and forever abandon any chance of uncovering the truth, or accept his invitation and learn a fact that could overturn Penacony.
Stelle hesitated, unsure whether to agree. After speaking with Black Swan, she finally made her decision—to cooperate with Aventurine. He led her to a strangely familiar room. Pushing the door open, Aventurine revealed that shocking truth: "Look, my friend. The game has already begun."
"Make a deal with me. You can't refuse."
"No reasons. No alternatives."
Parting the bubbles above the Dream Pool, Stelle was horrified to discover a corpse beneath—the body of Robin.]
[Sunday]: "What?! This can't be!!"
[Sunday]: "It seems Penacony truly needs to strengthen its security. Damned murderer, you'd better pray you never fall into my hands!!"
Even when Penacony's deepest secrets were being exposed, Sunday had remained composed—until now.
[Robin]: "Brother, I'm still here! I'm perfectly fine right now, don't worry too much!"
[Sunday]: "Little sister, don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll definitely keep you safe!"
[Lynx]: "Is this what they call a siscon?"
[Raven]: "That's how siscons are. The normally elegant Sunday completely panicked upon learning his sister might die in the future."
[Otto]: "Who could remain calm upon hearing news of their beloved's death?"
[Meanwhile, Robin—who should have been dead—appeared beside Sunday. After their conversation, Sunday saw through Sparkle's disguise: "That's enough, Fool.
Your actions chill my heart."
"Quite sharp there, chicken-wing boy~" Sparkle dropped her disguise, hands on hips. "As the Harmonia Chorus foretells—'The speech of Fools begins with folly and ends with wicked madness'... Please leave. His dream welcomes you not."
"Oh come now, don't be so stiff~ Quoting scriptures so solemnly—why so serious?"
"I merely wish to ask—even now, does the Family still refuse to act? Your poor sister has already been sacrificed, no?"
"Don't you... want to avenge her?"
Sparkle's tone dripped with temptation, yet Sunday remained unmoved. "The time is not yet come. When the fated day arrives, I shall execute judgment with righteousness."
Sparkle feigned amazement: "Impressive! You can endure even this~ What a cold-blooded fellow. Heh, we might get along splendidly!"
"How about this—I can stand in for your dear sister at events. Surely you don't want people knowing... the Harmonia Festival can no longer proceed?"
"The Family has its arrangements. Cease defiling my beloved sister with your deceitful tongue, Fool."
"Fine, fine~ Just saying... if you need me, I'm always available~ Who could refuse a boy with piercings on his chicken wings?"
With that, Sparkle departed. Paying no mind to her exit, Sunday murmured to himself: "Unnecessary. The murderer has already exposed himself beneath His light. Soon enough, he shall fall by his own schemes."
"If he does not repent, then His blade shall be sharpened, His bow strung, that the poison wrought by evil men may return upon their own heads."
"When that time comes, that godless heathen shall know he is but mortal, destined for the abyss..."
"...And I shall become His vanguard, personally bringing you tidings (of doom)—[Watchmaker]."]
[Huohuo]: "Is Sparkle's behavior appropriate? Isn't this just rubbing salt in Sunday's wounds?"
[Tail]: "Hah! You're lecturing a Masked Fool about morality? Hilarious!"
[Sampo]: "This is Sparkle's aesthetic of Elation—completely different from mine."
[Gepard]: "If you pulled stunts like this in Belobog, Sampo, you'd have been driven out long ago."
[Sampo]: "Which is why honest old Sampo here is so kindhearted~"
[Hanabi]: "Sunday's emotional control is remarkable. Even provoked like this by Sparkle, he still prioritizes the bigger picture. His temperament rivals Aventurine's."
[March 7th]: "Why do I feel Sunday's final words didn't sound much like Harmony? More like... Order?"
[Sparkle]: "Chicken-wing boy~ I do look forward to seeing if you'll come begging for my help in the end~"
[Sparkle]: "After all, though you've lost your sister·you still have me~ I can perfectly substitute for Robin at events, no?"
[Sunday]: "Fool, kindly piss off."
[Honkai Star Rail·Welt]: "?? Has Otto's corruption spread across universes?? Damn you Otto!"
[Otto]: "My old friend, what does this have to do with me? I didn't teach her that."
[Theresa]: "Such words... they're practically inhuman! This is pure cruelty toward the victim!!"