『 "Is the 'genius' of the Intelligentsia Guild planning to collect my corpse? Oh my… what an absolute honor." Aventurine wore an exaggerated expression upon hearing this.
Dr. Ratio looked at the theatrical Aventurine in front of him and sighed helplessly. "I'm sure the members of the Strategic Investment Department are also very eager to receive news of your death in a timely manner. Don't forget, you won't be able to see them again. This task has now fallen onto my shoulders."
"Great, then please go deliver the news right now. Tell them: 'Aventurine is fully prepared and will enter the stage in seventeen system hours.'" Aventurine nodded.
Dr. Ratio stared at Aventurine with suspicion, a look of confusion in his eyes. "What boastful talk. How do you plan to complete the mission while shackled by the Harmony?"
"My conversation with Sunday convinced me that there is a traitor within the Family, and the secret of Penacony is in that person's hands… Taking advantage of this opportunity, I have also placed all the Cornerstones where they belong."
Aventurine pointed at the bag of funds and flashed a confident smile. "And now, I have successfully retrieved the funds. Ever since I stepped through the doors of The Reverie Hotel, things have never gone this smoothly… Just watch, I am only one step away from victory."
"It sounds like you're just retelling your own miserable plight, and in an extremely stubborn way at that." Dr. Ratio shook his head helplessly.
"That's all I can say. Did you forget? You've already betrayed me once, Professor." Aventurine looked at Dr. Ratio and teased.
"Go where you need to go. I can't wait to see the IPC fleet surrounding Penacony. You've also gotten what you wanted, haven't you?" 』
『 ....』
〘Fu Xuan〙: If an IPC executive dies in Penacony, the IPC will have a legitimate reason to intervene.
〘Qingque〙: This really is a life-risking gamble. Just like when you were a kid, you're betting that there is no true death in Penacony…
〘Aventurine〙: Remember one thing, my friend. All or nothing.
....
『 "Indeed, but what of it? Is there a beacon to call for low-orbit support hidden in that bag of funds of yours?" A mock smile played at the corner of Dr. Ratio's mouth, his tone dripping with disdain.
Aventurine wore an enigmatic expression, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"Who knows? Maybe that's the reason why I'm still thinking about handing out money even when facing death." Aventurine shrugged.
Dr. Ratio rolled his eyes, shook his head, and sighed, "You are completely insane, you damned gambler."
"Maybe I went mad a long time ago, who knows?"
Dr. Ratio sneered, then sighed, pulling out an exquisite small bottle and handing it to Aventurine.
"Forget it. Take this. Open it when death is at your doorstep, you'll thank me." 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Foreshadowing + 1
〘Silver Wolf〙: Item + 1
....
『 Aventurine took it, looked it over, and asked, "What is this… a doctor's prescription?"
By the time he looked up, Dr. Ratio was already long gone. Looking at the empty street, Aventurine shook his head helplessly and said, "Heh, you certainly understand drama, Professor."
With that, he carefully tucked the bottle into his coat.
Suddenly, he clutched his head, looking in pain, and gritted his teeth. "Asking me to investigate, yet not giving me a single clue… Classic you, you wing-headed bastard." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Sunday nickname + 1
〘Hanabi〙: Not as cute as my 'Chicken Wing Boy', hehe~
....
『 "But the way you all are sitting on pins and needles over that stowaway confirms my suspicion. Next… let the IPC's rain of wealth fall equally upon everyone's heads."
With that, Aventurine took the funds to Golden Hour, handing out gems everywhere and asking around for news about 'Death.'
An elderly man named Chabro said he had bought one from Dr. Edward, but claimed the dream bubble was absolute garbage, nothing but a gimmick.
"The experience was terrible. At first, a monster covered in eyes stabs you in the stomach. After that, other than catching a blurry glimpse of some tall buildings and lights, everything just spins violently. I almost threw up from the dizziness…" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: So that means I can experience what it felt like for Hotaru to get stabbed?
〘March 7th〙: I don't even know what to say…
....
『 Afterward, Aventurine handed out jewels to five more people, gathering whatever information they knew about death. Spotting another Pepeshi on the street, Aventurine walked over to her.
But before Aventurine could ask, the Harmony's shackle flared up. Losing his footing, he tumbled forward, quickly propping himself up with his arms.
Just then, he heard the Pepeshi speak in Hanabi's bratty, mischievous voice.
"Remember what I said? You Sigonians are better off hiding in the sewers..."
"Hehe, look at you, acting so sneaky! Sniffing here, sniffing there—"
Aventurine slowly stood up, squinting at Hanabi, who transformed back into her original form and looked at him with her hands on her hips.
"—Is the bloody scent of death really that enticing, little peacock?"
"Hmph… It's you. I should have guessed. After Robin's death, the stand-in appearing on television was you, Masked Fool." Aventurine sneered at Hanabi, who had finally revealed herself.
"I heard the Family cursed you? Sigh, even though I gave you such a direct hint… 'Go make friends with a mute.' Listen to that, such a simple sentence…"
Hanabi's tone carried a hint of exasperation, and she continued mockingly, "And the result? Not only did you mess it up, but you also got yourself dragged down."
"I told you to make friends with a mute, not to lead the charge in becoming a mute yourself. Mmhmm~ You really wasted my good intentions." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: That familiar tongue, still as sharp as ever.
....
『 "What do you mean?" Aventurine's voice was filled with doubt, and confusion showed in his eyes.
"You know better than I do. Who was it that watched helplessly as the little bird who couldn't sing died right before their eyes? You, of course, little peacock~"
Ignoring Hanabi's sarcasm, Aventurine pressed on, "I'm asking you… What do you mean by 'becoming a mute'?"
"Mmhmm, asking when you already know the answer. Because you're about to be just like her—unable to speak ever again."
Hearing this, Aventurine closed his eyes and crossed his arms, falling into thought.
"But then again, this doesn't seem like a bad thing to me, because…"
Aventurine opened his eyes and looked at Hanabi. "Because I'm about to reach the 'truth,' right?"
Hanabi wasn't angry at being interrupted. Instead, she looked at Aventurine with great interest, a surprised expression appearing on her face upon hearing his words.
"…Oh?"
"Fool, why do you think I've been carrying this shabby bag around, handing out cheap jewelry all over the streets?" Aventurine lifted the duffel bag in his hand and continued to explain.
"It was all a show for you. The more pathetic I look, the more likely I am to fish you out… I've been waiting for you for a long time. Considering how hard I've worked, won't you reward me with an answer?"
"What reason do I have to help you?" Hanabi narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Aventurine.
"Don't you want to see Penacony thrown into utter chaos? I can make that happen. I only need to verify one thing: back then, the 'mute' you told me to find…"
"…Did it really refer to 'Robin'?" 』
『 ....』