—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Whoa there, are you actually trying to make me detonate?"
Stelle: "You're way overthinking this!"
Stelle: "I don't even have the capability to self-destruct, let alone you!"
March 7th: "It's a nice idea, but theoretically, it's a no-go."
Furina de Fontaine: "That was just an excuse Mr. Aventurine made up on purpose, wasn't it?"
Furina de Fontaine: "If I hadn't witnessed his past experiences, I might have actually believed he'd do it."
Furina de Fontaine: "But now…"
Xiangling: "He's a good person with a bottom line, so he absolutely wouldn't do the kind of things he talks about."
Hu Tao: "I feel like if it were that Oswaldo guy, he'd totally be capable of it!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "You can remove the 'would be'!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "If the plan were feasible, he wouldn't hesitate for a second."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "If anything, this lie fabricated by Aventurine is highly likely exactly what Oswaldo would do after arriving in Penacony!"
Li Li Sushang: "If you put it that way, should Penacony consider itself lucky that it was Aventurine who came?"
Welt Yang: "To a certain extent, yes."
Welt Yang: "Oswaldo Schneider, head of the Strategic Investment Department… he is evidently a figure many times more troublesome than Aventurine."
Boothill: "Heh, that son of a nice lady got lucky he didn't show up."
Boothill: "Otherwise, I would've absolutely loved him to death!"
Paimon: "Mr. Boothill keeps saying 'loved to death'… it sounds so, um, you know."
Silver Wolf: "Tsk, that's what happens when a Synesthesia Beacon has been tampered with."
Silver Wolf: "By the way, won't you pay someone to fix that?"
Boothill: "Meow! Who has the time for that!"
Boothill: "Besides, I'm used to it."
Boothill: "Doesn't matter, as long as I know what I mean."
Silver Wolf: "Ha, as long as you're happy."
....
『 [ Your bluffs are useless against us. ]
[ If you could really do it, you had plenty of opportunities before. ]
Acheron clearly did not believe Aventurine's rhetoric.
[ Are you betting with me? ]
[ Fine, then I'll bet with you too. ]
[ I bet that I will achieve a total victory, using an unprecedented explosion to prove that the vows of the Harmony are nothing but a complete and utter joke. ]
Aventurine unleashed his true nature, determined to gamble against Acheron.
[ …You cannot do it. ]
Acheron shook her head.
[ Of course I can do it. It is merely another gamble. ]
[ I walked here from the deserts of Sigonia. For sixty copper coins, people branded my skin, shackled my limbs, sent me to the execution rack, and buried me in the sand… ]
[ But the sun could not kill me, and the quicksand only sent me into the embrace of the Intelligentsia Guild and the IPC. ]
[ Remember, I didn't just win by chance. I have never lost. ]
[ Let me share a proverb with you: Sleep is the rehearsal of death. ]
[ Why does life slumber? Because we are not yet ready to welcome death. ]
[ Every night's descent into sleep is no different from dying; just as you and I, at this very moment, harbor the will to die while hiding in the realm of dreams. ]
[ And death… shall come in answer to our somniloquy. ]
[ Friends, the game has already begun. ]
[ And you cannot choose to decline— ]
[ —There is no reason, and there is no room. ]
[ The dice have been cast—ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to reveal your cards? ]
The spotlight on the stage suddenly dimmed, but only for a moment, before blazing to life once more.
And Aventurine's colossal silhouette, began to truly manifest!
[ The Architects' flawed stone… ]
[ Hahahaha, of no value at all. ]
Seeing this, the group hurriedly drew their weapons to confront Aventurine, but he merely mocked the lance of the Architects in Stelle's hand. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "Here it comes, here it comes!!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Aventurine's highly anticipated performance!"
Furina de Fontaine: "The curtain has finally risen!"
Hu Tao: "Whoa, he's become so huge!!"
Hu Tao: "Such oppressive pressure!"
Xiangling: "If I didn't know this was a performance, I'd definitely think he was a supervillain!"
Hanabi: "Oh, not bad at all, Little Peacock. You really are suited to be an actor~"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hmph, he still can't change that ostentatious virtue of his."
Stelle: "I get the logic!"
Stelle: "But what gives you the right to call my lance the Architects' flawed stone!!"
Stelle: "Believe it or not, I'll give you a harsh thrashing right now!! (Angry.jpg)"
Aventurine: "Ha, just setting the atmosphere, friend. Don't take it to heart."
Aventurine: "I'm holding the villain's script right now, after all."
Aventurine: "Naturally, I have to speak a bit more flamboyantly."
Aventurine: "Doesn't that serve to better highlight your justice?"
March 7th: "Uh… you've become so big now, you've stolen all the thunder."
March 7th: "How are we supposed to be highlighted!"
Silver Wolf: "Don't panic. As they say, one can only look cool for three seconds."
Silver Wolf: "He'll be out of luck in a moment."
Amber: "I see Miss Acheron has already placed her hand on her blade!"
Eula Lawrence: "It seems Aventurine is very likely about to be cut down!"
Sampo Koski: "Good, good, good! Truly a heart-pounding show. This is what a performance should look like!"
....
『 Aventurine cast the dice, and began to invoke the power of the Cornerstone!
[ I'm putting down the bet. ]
[ I'm taking the gamble. ]
[ I'm claiming the win. ]
[ I'll let fate spin the wheel, a daring gamble. Walking the brink of death... for rebirth. ]
[ All for—the Amber Lord! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Holy crap! He can transform too?!"
Stelle: "Is this the power of a Cornerstone?!"
Stelle: "You're pulling off such a cool maneuver?!"
March 7th: "So… so gorgeous!!"
March 7th: "Suddenly… I kinda want a Cornerstone too!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Quick, quick, Aventurine dropped another god-tier line!!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I need to write this down in my notebook immediately!!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I might be able to use it in a stage play someday!"
Welt Yang: "Even a shattered Cornerstone can still endow Aventurine with such immense power."
Welt Yang: "The might of the Preservation is truly astonishing!"
Silver Wolf: "Reciting lines while transforming?"
Silver Wolf: "You guys really know how to pose."
Silver Wolf: "By the way, Sam seems to have this habit too?"
Silver Wolf: "Is that also for the sake of looking cool?"
Hotaru: "..."
Silver Wolf: "Hmm… looks like I need to work on my own lines too!"
Silver Wolf: "But… I don't think I can transform?"
Stelle: "I just thought of a question."
Stelle: "Since Aventurine can transform using the energy of the Cornerstone…"
Stelle: "Then Topaz can do it too, right?"
Stelle: "Hehehe, Topaz, can you transform for me to see?"
Topaz: "Ahahaha, that… let's not, shall we?"
March 7th: "Stelle is right!"
March 7th: "I suddenly really want to see how Miss Topaz transforms!"
Stelle: "Back in Belobog, we had a chance to see it."
Stelle: "It's just a pity Bronya arrived too quickly; we missed a golden opportunity!!"
Stelle: "Bronya, if only you had come a little later."
Bronya Rand: "Uh…"
Topaz: "Ahem, there's nothing to see."
Topaz: "We generally don't use the power of the Cornerstones unless we absolutely have to!"
Silver Wolf: "If you don't want to transform, surely you can give us a line?"
Silver Wolf: "Aventurine has lines, don't tell me you don't."
Stelle: "Silver Wolf is right!"
Stelle: "Give us a line, let me hear if it's louder than Aventurine's!"
Topaz: "No… I don't have any lines!!"
Topaz: "That flamboyant peacock Aventurine, I can't compare with him!"
Aventurine: "Say, my good colleague, if you don't want to say it, there's no need to call me a flamboyant peacock."
Aventurine: "It's just a statement of conviction, how is that flamboyant?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "If that isn't called flamboyant, then nothing in this world can be called flamboyant."
....
『 [ Come, let us see who will laugh last—game on! ]
Aventurine, utilizing the power of the Cornerstone to transform into "Aventurine of Stratagems,"
Began to clash with the group.
[ Even in adversity, as long as there is hope, one must always call the bet… ]
[ The possibilities dormant within you are worth my all-in…! ]
The Astral Express crew engaged in fierce combat with Aventurine, while Acheron provided support from the sidelines, not directly joining the fray.
[ Hmph, everyone is like this… ]
[ Why—can't you live a little more freely? ]
[ Slow-playing strong cards, posturing… ]
[ You're making me anxious. ]
[ Hahahaha….. ]
Seeing that Acheron still refused to truly strike, aventurine forced everyone back, preparing to unleash his Ultimate, using this to force Acheron's hand!
[ For your enjoyment, everyone. ]
[ —I shall bet all my chips. ]
[ Only by discarding reason can one truly gamble… ]
The twisted form of Aventurine ascended into the high air, tossing a single chip toward the heavens.
Instantly, the sky turned a golden hue, and an endless rain of chips began to slowly manifest!
[ Emanator—you will call, won't you? ]
[ Right? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Damn, that's badass!"
Stelle: "If that sky-filling rain of chips really fell, it would probably smash the buildings below to smithereens, right?"
Stelle: "Dammit, why don't I have such a flashy move?"
March 7th: "Because you aren't as strong as him, obviously."
Furina de Fontaine: "By the way, is Aventurine getting impatient because Miss Acheron keeps refusing to act?"
Furina de Fontaine: "He wants Miss Acheron to hurry up and kill him?"
Welt Yang: "That was Aventurine's true goal from the start."
Welt Yang: "As long as he dies in full view of the public, he can prove that the 'impossibilities' within the Dreamscape promised by The Family are false."
Welt Yang: "And use that to excavate a deeper truth."
Hu Tao: "But did he have to borrow Miss Acheron's hand?"
Hu Tao: "Were there no other ways to seek death?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "To realize the impossible within the dream, one method is to use the Memory Zone Meme 'Death'."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "But that Memory Zone Meme is currently in a dreamscape sealed by The Family, making it difficult to locate."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Aventurine's time did not allow for that."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "So, ruling out the first method, only an Emanator like Acheron possesses the capability to grant him death within the dream!"
Amber: "In other words, Mr. Aventurine's target was actually Miss Acheron all along?"
Amber: "That is truly calculating…"
Collei: "But… what if Miss Acheron still didn't attack?"
Himeko: "No, Miss Acheron would attack."
Himeko: "Because she had made a promise before."
Himeko: "And she would certainly not break her word!"
Welt Yang: "Yes, she is a person who keeps her promises; that is beyond doubt."
Nilou: "So Mr. Aventurine is destined to take this slash?"
Nilou: "Can he really survive it?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Theoretically, he cannot."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "But if Miss Acheron is willing to hold back, it is not impossible for him to survive."
Stelle: "Then there's no need to discuss it."
Stelle: "He probably lived."
March 7th: "Heh, I think so too."
....
『 Acheron watched Aventurine's actions, her brow furrowed slightly, as she fell into a recollection.
[ You….. are departing? ]
An aged, weathered voice rang out.
[ Yes. ]
[ Perhaps… I will pass through the place you mentioned. ]
Acheron nodded.
[ Penacony….. ]
[ What do you seek in the dream? ]
The aged voice inquired.
[ I do not need to seek anything. ]
[ They are not in the dream. ]
Acheron, holding a paper umbrella, shook her head.
[ ….. ]
[ I fear The Family will not open the door for you. ]
The aged voice sighed.
[ Why? ]
Acheron was puzzled.
[ Because the Path you walk… is not tolerated by the Harmony. ]
The voice replied.
[ Even if….. this is not my wish? ]
Acheron retorted.
[ Even if this is not your wish. ]
[ Because THEYis different from other Aeons. ]
[ THEYcasts no gaze upon anyone, nor does THEYneed to cast a gaze upon anyone. ]
[ THEYleaves behind the strands of the Path, allowing people to walk them, weaving together a massive shadow… ]
[ And this shadow silently enshrouds them in return. ]
The aged voice sounded somewhat ethereal now.
[ There are always those who return from the shadow. ]
Acheron interjected.
[ Most of them became part of that shadow. ]
The voice clearly did not accept Acheron's words.
[ In your eyes, am I the same? ]
Acheron asked.
[ You still retain a trace of color… ]
[ …But not much. ]
The voice answered.
[ …. ]
[ ….That is enough. ]
[ Before they completely dissipate… ]
[ I will reach the end of the Nihility. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Welt Yang: "The end of the Nihility…"
Welt Yang: "Indeed, Miss Acheron's identity is breathtaking…"
Stelle: "What does that mean?"
Stelle: "She is an Emanator of Nihility?!"
March 7th: "Nihility?!"
March 7th: "The power of that Aeon, I remember it being terrifying, right?"
Jing Yuan: "All things in the world will eventually return to nothingness."
Jing Yuan: "How could the Aeon of Nihility be summarized by a mere word like 'terrifying'?"
Jing Yuan: "But for Miss Acheron to possess the power of Nihility at the level of an Emanator, that is truly the astonishing part!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Why is that surprising?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Is there something special about it?"
Madam Herta: "To borrow the words from the video, the Nihility never glances at anyone, nor does THEY need to."
Madam Herta: "In other words, THEY fundamentally does not select Emanators."
Hu Tao: "Then how did Miss Acheron get her Emanator status?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "It is simply because she has walked too far along the Path of Nihility, so far that she has obtained power equivalent to an Emanator!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Leading to a situation where she is not an Emanator by title, but holds the reality of one!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "This is what is so shocking!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "To have forged ahead so far in the path of Nihility, yet still exist within the world…"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Honestly, I cannot even fathom such a thing."
....