Chapter 107: Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
[The scene shifts to the Trailblazer group. Himeko's team consisting of Stelle and March 7th formally joins forces with Welt and Acheron. After exchanging information, the group still decides to cooperate with Aventurine, but the current difficulty lies in not knowing where to find him.
Himeko believes Aventurine will eventually provide us with information about his whereabouts. Just then, Aventurine's voice echoes throughout the Golden
Hour: "Ladies and gentlemen—"
"The most thrilling, most spectacular performance in Penacony's history is about to begin—"
"The Interastral Peace Corporation cordially invites you to attend—Clock Studios Theme Park!"
Himeko smiles faintly, "See? If both actors and audience can't make it to the venue, wouldn't all of Aventurine's preparations be wasted?"
"Let's depart, everyone—it's time for us to uphold the Path of Trailblazing," says Welt Yang.] [Vill-V]: "Is Penacony's mystery finally about to be revealed?"
March 7th: "Trailblazing means charging forward despite difficulties!"
[Stelle]: "With Emanator Acheron by my side, who dares to fight me!"
[Stelle]: "The advantage is ours! (Absolutely certain!)"
March 7th: "Don't say that! This kind of phrasing gives me a bad feeling!"
[Pom-Pom]: "Blaze trails into the unknown, pa! If all else fails, Pom-Pom will ram them with the Astral Express, pa!"
[Kiana]: "Huh? Aren't you afraid of smashing the Astral Express to pieces?"
[Aha]: "The Astral Express is quite sturdy, certified by Qlipoth! Besides, Aha has blown it up before too!"
[Fuli]: "Uploading memory bubble: Akivili using the Astral Express to smash through Qlipoth's walls."
[Before moving forward, Acheron stops
Welt: "...Mr. Welt."
Welt turns and stops. "Why didn't you tell your companions about my 'true identity?'"
Welt replies: "Just as you said, it's not that I wouldn't, but that I couldn't.
That long story... I can hardly summarize it in a few words to others."
"But I'm willing to trust you. My trust in you comes more from... personal subjective judgment."
Welt turns to look at Stelle and the others; "I also believe—even if it were them, they would make the same decision."
Acheron responds to Welt's trust: "Thank you very much."
"In return, during the upcoming confrontation, should any situation unfavorable to the Astral Express arise... I will stand on your side."
"—I wish to offer my humble assistance."] [Bronya Zaychik]: "Mr. Welt says his trust comes from subjective judgment—isn't that just judging by appearance?"
[Kiana]: "Acheron looks so much like Mei, how could she possibly be a bad person?"
March 7th: "Has Mr. Yang ever been shy about judging by appearance? When sealing the Stellaron in Belobog, Mr. Yang never gave Cocolia a friendly look. On the Luofu, when he saw Luocha, he almost threw a black hole at him."
[HI3 Welt]: "Why does it feel like future me going on a long journey is like returning home?"
[HSR Void Archives]: "Isn't that right? There are just too many counterparts."
[Soon, the Astral Express group arrives at Clock Studios Theme Park. Due to Aventurine's arrangements, the originally heavily guarded theme park is now completely empty.
Faced with this situation, Stelle and the others naturally heighten their vigilance. On the red carpet path entering the park, a spotlight shines down: "Ladies and gentlemen, all dreamchasers, tycoons, [Watchmaker] and Family guests—"
"—and the famous Nameless of the Astral Express! Welcome to the Interastral Peace Corporation's show!"
Remaining vigilant, the group arrives at the theater where Aventurine has been waiting for some time: "Quite fashionably late, members of the Astral Express, and over here... 'uninvited guests.'"
Although the Express crew has taken their positions, Aventurine doesn't appear in person. He says he wants to introduce today's main attraction: "Let's have a round of applause for—'Stellaron'小姐!"
"Mom, I'm on TV!!"
When Aventurine's spotlight shines on Stelle, she says happily.] [Sunday]: "I want to see what tricks Aventurine has up his sleeve."
[Stelle]: "Mom! Do you see? I'm on TV! I knew I was the main character!"
[Silver Wolf]: "Stop shouting, stop shouting. Since this light screen appeared, your screen time has taken up nearly half. You've been famous for a while now!"
[Kafka]: "My dear Stelle, so well-behaved~"
March 7th: "Really now, we're about to face a big boss. Shouldn't you be more serious?"
[HSR Welt]: "Although we can speculate that Aventurine means you no harm, in future situations like this, it's better to remain vigilant."
["Allow me to remind you that this stage and Stelle's identity should have nothing to do with apprehending the real culprit," Welt seriously reminds Aventurine.
Aventurine responds that Stelle is an eyewitness to the third murder case, and that the third murder is about to happen here, at Clock Studios Theme Park... Aventurine wants to detonate the Stellaron inside Stelle, creating an accident in Penacony. Acheron believes Aventurine cannot do it. Aventurine then gambles with Acheron and provides his answer to that question—
Why does life slumber? Because we are not yet ready to welcome death. Each night's entry into dreams is no different from facing death, just like you and me at this moment, harboring thoughts of death while taking refuge in dreams, and death... will come in response to our dream murmurs.] [Stelle]: "Huh? Aventurine wants to detonate my Stellaron?"
March 7th: "Is this Aventurine's true goal? That shouldn't be right? Aventurine doesn't seem like someone who would kill innocents indiscriminately."
[Boothill]: "Well I'll be damned! If Aventurine really does that, wouldn't he be just like that sweet little Oswald?"
["Friends, the game has already begun. You cannot refuse—"
"No reason, no room for negotiation."
The theater instantly darkens, and everyone instinctively draws their weapons. "The dice have been cast—everyone, ready to show your hands?"
Aventurine's image appears on the big screen as he throws several dice: "The Builder's inferior stone?
Worthless!"
"I place my bets, I gamble, I win."
"I let fate spin the wheel, stake everything on one throw, traverse the land of death and emerge alive."
"All for—the Amber Lord!"]
[Stelle]: "All for—the Amber Lord!"
March 7th: "So cool! Do all Stonehearts transform when using their Cornerstones?"
[Jade]: "I could tell you, but what would you offer in exchange?"
[Stelle]: "Wait! Aventurine, how dare you disrespect my Fire Lance!?"
Stelle struggles to snap out of being dazzled by Aventurine's coolness and remembers that Aventurine seemed to call her Fire Lance an inferior stone.
[Fu Xuan]: "Compared to Aventurine's Cornerstone as a Sanctus Medicus sacred body, your Fire Lance from the Builders can indeed be considered worthless."