Chapter 106: Farewell to the Past
[March 7th]: "You're right. Maybe Aventurine will turn out like Firefly did."
["Now, it's just us left,"
"Can you take a photo for me? As a keepsake." Kakavasha looked up at him expectantly. Aventurine nodded. "…Yeah, sure."
Kakavasha happily stood behind a cartoon character, though the other three figures remained empty. "This is great.
Now I can finally see what I look like too."
"Next time you take a photo, remember to look at the camera. Your expression will come out more natural." Aventurine's voice was gentle. "Mm… I will. Then… Mister, are you going back too?" Kakavasha sounded reluctant. "I can't leave yet. I still have… a performance here."
Kakavasha suddenly understood. "Oh… So you're about to go on stage, right?"
"Then let's go. I'll take you to the main stage."
[Stelle]: "Little Kakavasha is so adorable. Just thinking about his future makes me want to punch the Market Development Department!"
[March 7th]: "Exactly! Compared to Diamond, Oswald is downright humane!!"
[Theresa]: "Sigh… Aventurine knows he might die, but he still doesn't want to tell the past Kakavasha."
[Fu Hua]: "Even though he knows it's an illusion, knows it's impossible… he still wants Kakavasha to have the happy childhood he never had."
Within Kiana's inner world, the Herrscher of the Void fell into deep thought as she watched Aventurine's memories. Burdened by his family's expectations, he chose Preservation—unlike her, who chose to destroy the world. So what should she do now? Seize Kiana's body and continue her revenge? Or let go of the past, as Elysia had urged? If she truly let go… would that betray the original Sirin? Would it betray her mother? The Herrscher of the Void didn't know. For now, she decided to keep observing.
["So you're an actor… No wonder your clothes are so fancy."
"Actually, I'm a… businessman. But I do have a performance."
"Are you like those people in black up there?" Kakavasha looked confused. "But you're not wearing black."
"Only regular employees wear those.
My position… is much higher than theirs."
"Wow! I hope I can grow up to be as amazing as you." Kakavasha's eyes shone with admiration. "You can."
"You'll be even better—even greater than me."
With that, Aventurine walked toward the stage without looking back.]
[Kiana]: "So gentle… He saved his kindest voice for his younger self."
[Herrscher of the Void]: "......"
[Kiana]: "Hey! If you met little Sirin, wouldn't you want her to have a happy childhood too?"
[Herrscher of the Void]: "...Of course."
[Elysia]: "I hope Aventurine finds the answer he's looking for♪"
[Guided by Kakavasha, Aventurine arrived before the stage. "This curtain leads to the main stage…"
"It's almost time for your performance. Are you ready?
Wishing you a successful show."
"Thank you…"
Kakavasha still sensed something off about Aventurine. "You still seem nervous…"
"Then let's [press palms]. If Mother Goddess blesses us, you'll feel better."
Worried Aventurine might not understand, Kakavasha explained: "Pressing palms is a little ritual. We press our hands together and recite a prayer to Mother Fingo. She'll bless us."
"If you don't know how, I can teach you!"
"It's fine. I know how."
"Of course I do."]
[Stelle]: "How far must one walk to reclaim their original self at time's end?"
[March 7th]: "Since when could you say something so profound?"
[Stelle]: "I'm the Galaxy Batting Legend! I've got literary chops!"
[Sushang]: "Little Aventurine was an angel too… I'm literally sobbing right now wuwuwu."
[Topaz]: "Aventurine, you've basically gone viral across the universe now."
[Asta]: "Gotta say, Aventurine's story has tanked the Market Development Department's reputation while boosting Strategic Investment's standing."
[Qingque]: "Well, duh? Who could possibly like the Market Development Department after seeing their 'track record'?"
[On the parched earth, rain now poured relentlessly. Kakavasha's sister knelt before him, urgency in her voice. "We have to part ways here, Kakavasha. The Cataclysm are coming."
Kakavasha choked back tears. "Why?
They already took all our money, our food… They killed Mom and Dad… What else do they want?"
"The Cataclysm are bloodthirsty, cruel, insatiable. They want everything—so they end up with nothing."
"This is a trick—revenge. Remember? Today is [Kakava]
Day… your birthday."
His sister explained why this was happening—because of Kakavasha's luck, this rain had bought them time to act. "But… people will die! You could be in danger too! How is this good luck?! Why would you do this…?"
"The Avgin repay blood with blood. Mother Goddess calls for me. Mom and Dad are waiting. I must answer. But she gave her luck to you—so you could live."
"As long as you survive, the Avgin bloodline will never dry up. So run, Kakavasha. Don't be afraid. Don't look back. Go beyond the mountains. The rain will stay with you—the rain will protect you."
"And we… will meet again under the next [Kakava] (the dawn of Mother Goddess' cycle)…"
Faced with Kakavasha's reluctance, his sister pressed palms with him: "May Mother Goddess close her eyes thrice for you,May your blood forever pulse,May your journey remain unshaken,And may your schemes never fail."
"Goodbye, Kakavasha."
The Interastral Peace Broadcast delivered grim news: The Cataclysm had launched a large-scale attack on the Avgin, leaving heavy casualties. The Market Development Department expressed deep condolences. Aventurine jolted awake from the memory—Kakavasha was gone. The Harmony's influence had faded. With quiet acceptance, he whispered to the empty air: "…Goodbye. Kakavasha."
Then he walked toward the stage.]
[Stelle]: "Aventurine's faith in Preservation shattered Harmony's illusion—this is his victory!"
[Silver Wolf]: "Just like Elio and March 7th said—Aventurine hates rain because every downpour reminds him of losing his family."
[Gepard]: "Is the Market Development Department really [Preservation]? What kind of 'preservation' lets the people they protect get slaughtered?"
[Gepard]: "Even Belobog endured centuries under the Eternal Freeze thanks to [Preservation]!"
As a soldier who defended his homeland, a descendant of the Architects, and a Pathstrider of Preservation, seeing fellow believers act like this—it felt like an insult to Preservation itself! Just as the Astral Express would feel insulted if someone mocked Trailblaze!
[Boothill]: "Well slap my circuits and call me scrap—how's Oswald feelin' now? Better polish that neck real nice 'cause I'm gonna put a bullet in it sooner or later. Hey, Aventurine buddy, I'll save one for ya too."
[Tesla]: "******* Market Development Department! Oswald *******! …Whew. That felt good."
[Theresa]: "Even worse than Grandpa."
[Otto]: "My dear granddaughter, even I wasn't that depraved."