Company spaceship.
The moment the short film The Scales of the Stoneheart Oath was released.
The three directors of the Strategic Investment Department arrived at the meeting room almost simultaneously.
Topaz, Aventurine, and Jade.
The three of them had always been on good terms, and with the recent events in Penacony, they were now completely aligned.
So, naturally, they had to watch this moment of fate together!
Discussing and deliberating.
Though it seemed like just a trial for Aventurine, it actually concerned the fate of all three of them!
Upon hearing the words Strip him of his position as one of the Ten Stonehearts.
All three of them were slightly shocked!
But it was only for a moment.
Aventurine was the first to react.
This wasn't a final decision but rather a proposal to be voted on!
Topaz and Jade immediately understood.
Good,
This was also an opportunity to observe the attitudes of the team members.
And to make more preparations for the future.
At this moment.
In the short film.
Beneath the scales, Aventurine's figure appeared.
He stood on a gambling table.
Casually tossing the cornerstone in his hand into the gambling table.
And with a nonchalant tone, he said, "We all once vowed to cherish the cornerstone as if it were our life."
"But the death (destruction) of Aventurine Stone is a necessary part of the plan."
As soon as the words fell.
The scene suddenly changed.
At a lavish dining table, a man dressed in luxurious attire sat at the head.
In his hand was a purple cornerstone.
He questioned Aventurine's words: "Death..."
"This unnecessary display is just for yourself, isn't it?"
The man placed his own Cornerstone on the other end of the scale.
Clearly.
He was the one presiding over the judgment.
At this moment.
All the players watching this video also realized it!
This was a trial determining Aventurine's fate within the company!
Moreover,
As it currently appeared.
Two of the Ten Stonehearts had already expressed their intent to punish Aventurine!
Seeing this scene, a large number of players immediately joined in!
At the top of the barrage.
Two concise and clear words appeared—
[Protect]×6.7 billion...
[Punish]×2.8 billion...
And this was just the beginning!
More players were still joining in!
The numbers behind represented the support of players with two different stances!
It seemed that with the release of this short video...
A punishment verdict involving the entire universe had been unveiled!
At this moment.
Within the company.
The higher-ups were also paying attention to the outcome of this short video.
Without a doubt.
This would be an important indicator!
In the real-time barrage.
A large number of players were also debating!
...
"This is a necessary sacrifice, I support Aventurine!"
"Damn it, I clicked the wrong one! I accidentally chose punish, Aventurine, I'm sorry!"
"I voted for punish, I just want to see how much pressure Aventurine can handle."
"Damn it, you guys have no heart!"
"This is no joke, brothers, the company's higher-ups are also watching this video right now!"
"Don't punish Aventurine!!! Wuwuwuwuwu..."
"Cherish the Cornerstone as if it were your life, but this is how Aventurine treats his own life [sunglasses]."
"Aventurine: I thought I kept my word, why are you saying I broke my oath?"
"Punish? What a joke! Based on Aventurine's performance in the story, he's definitely getting a promotion and a raise～"
...
At this moment.
In the video.
A reassuring voice also rang out.
"Sugilite..."
"Please don't ignore the facts and pre-judge the situation."
A golden Trotter leaped past under the scale.
This familiar style.
Needless to say, it was Director Topaz!
Topaz, dressed in her uniform.
Sitting amidst the Trotters.
Crossing her legs lightly, she appeared calm and composed.
She placed her Cornerstone on the side supporting Aventurine.
...
"Queen of the charts!"
"Director Topaz!"
"Topaz is beautiful and kind!"
"Oh my, you're so cool!!!"
"Numby is so cute."
"Topaz's formal attire looks amazing!"
"Yu Ling, I want this!"
...
"By reclaiming Penacony..."
"The Strategic Investment Department has secured another vote on the Seven Directors' Board."
A mature woman's voice rang out.
A green snake coiled around her slender calf.
As the perspective widened.
Jade could be seen sitting atop an even larger serpent.
Mysterious and elegant!
When she spoke, she went straight to the point!
"The Ten Stonehearts have always valued results, and today should be no different."
The green snake held Jade's Cornerstone in its mouth.
And placed it on the side supporting Aventurine.
Corporate spaceship.
Conference room.
As expected.
Both Topaz and Jade clearly expressed their stance on protecting Aventurine.
A slight curve formed at the corner of Jade's lips.
The Ten Stonehearts, though part of the same department, were not particularly united or cooperative.
Within their ranks, there were conflicts and oppositions.
Thus, different factions had formed.
Jade herself had long nurtured Topaz.
Aventurine could also be said to have been supported along the way.
Compared to the deceit and treachery among others, at least the three of them could maintain a basic level of trust.
This was no secret within the Ten Stonehearts.
And as the plot unfolded.
This fact was exposed to the gaze of players across the universe.
As evidenced by the rapidly scrolling comments.
...
"The Jade group is like family!"
"Jade and Topaz have come to the rescue!"
"Such a reassuring voice."
"You can see that Topaz and Jade truly trust Aventurine."
"The friendship between the three of us is unbreakable!"
"The corporate trio, true Harmony."
"Master!"
"Wait, your uniforms are all so stunning!!"
"Sis! Release some outfits!!"
"You know, the Ten Stonehearts have always been my siblings, especially Miss Topaz and Mr. Aventurine, who work seamlessly with Miss Jade—they're simply incredible! I believe only the Strategic Investment Department can bring hope and prosperity to the galaxy!"
...
"Sapphire, in favor of punishment."
The host, Pearl, cast Sapphire's vote on his behalf.
In the background, a winged beast appeared!
Each time a member of the Ten Stonehearts voted, a corresponding symbolic image would appear.
Perfectly showcasing the individual's style.
"And then there's Agate..."
In the background, an effigy of the God of Wealth appeared!
Red candles, golden ingots.
Though symbols of great fortune and prosperity, the "God of Wealth's" smile at this moment seemed somewhat eerie!
"That person is probably dead."
"Even their opinion has to be conveyed by me."
On the altar.
A bat carried away Agate's Cornerstone, bringing it to a pale room.
In the center, a luxurious bathtub.
A red-haired woman was leisurely soaking in it.
But there was no misty, enchanting atmosphere.
Instead, it was a scene of eerie allure!
The bathtub wasn't filled with hot water.
But with a thick, crimson liquid!
Though on the nearby table lay a split pomegranate.
But no one dared to be certain—was all that crimson liquid really just pomegranate juice!?
"If you ask me, this was handled too timidly."
"If it were me, I would have made the scene even more..."
"A river of blood."
The red-haired woman was none other than Obsidian, one of the Ten Stonehearts.
Both she and Agate had voted in favor of punishment.
Thus, the ratio of punishment to protection had reached 4:2.
...
"This is bad!"
"What's going on? Aside from Jade and Topaz, everyone else is voting for punishment?"
"Aventurine, just how many people have you offended..."
"We're doomed!"
"I'm so nervous, I'm about to drop!"
"Wuwu... Inherently Unjust Destiny."
"Aventurine, where's your good luck? Hurry up and work your magic!"
...
"Amber, adhering to her neutral stance, has made her choice."
Amber placed her Cornerstone in the protection column.
Pearl continued:
"And as an Intellitron..."
"I believe there should be more fairness in your life."
The two votes brought by Pearl instantly balanced the scales!
"Only one vote left."
"Hmph..."
"As expected, it all comes down to that person in the end."
A delicate box was opened.
Inside lay a magnificent gem.
But the base of the gem had a ring.
It looked almost like a child's pacifier...
The owner of the gem picked it up.
Without hesitation, she placed it in her mouth.
"Pair of fours..."
Her voice carried a hint of childishness.
At first listen, it was as if some unruly child had stumbled into this judgment.
This was... Opal, one of the Ten Stonehearts.
Among the many players, quite a few were seeing Opal's true appearance for the first time!
For a moment, they were all stunned!
...
"Whose kid is this?"
"Kid brother!"
"Whoa, where did this little brat come from?"
"What little brat? This is the legendary Opal!"
"Is that a pacifier? Hahaha..."
"The contrast is a bit too much..."
...
However.
Opal's voice suddenly changed!
From a childish tone to a youthful one.
"A result that was to be expected."
"The people in this room have always been so united."
A hint of depth, uncharacteristic for his age, seeped into the young voice.
"We are of the same kind."
"Gathering here is merely for mutual benefit."
Opal sat upon the throne.
Below him were countless employees of the Interastral Peace Corporation, all bowing in submission!
"In that case..."
"Why not prolong this exploitation?"
In his hand appeared a model of Penacony.
Golden liquid dripped onto the model.
Like a river of wealth, it converged toward the shattered Aventurine stone!
A flash of light.
The fragments of the Aventurine stone merged together, restoring it to its original state!
It fell into Aventurine's hand.
Even Aventurine himself, holding the restored stone, showed a flicker of surprise!
"Come back."
"Your time has not yet come."
Opal tossed his Cornerstone to the side of Preservation.
Thus, the judgment reached its final conclusion.
"This is also Diamond's will—"
The metal scales suddenly lit up with a dazzling light.
Starting from the base.
Like crystallization.
The entire structure transformed into the texture of diamond!
Then.
Opal's statement exploded like a bomb in front of everyone!
"For the War of the Aeons..."
"We might as well go all out."
...
"???"
"What did I just hear?!"
"Suddenly escalating the stakes..."
"Does this mean the battle between the Aeons is about to begin?"
"Oh no, I knew something was brewing in the universe recently. It turns out it was all a prelude!"
"You're the Interastral Peace Corporation! How can you be preparing for the War of the Aeons?!"
"This is bad! Even the Interastral Peace Corporation is involved. It seems like a real fight is coming..."
"The last Swarm Disaster was already so devastating. If a divine war truly breaks out this time, who knows how many will survive in this universe?"
"We're doomed!"
"Yu Ling, save me!"
"Don't worry, everyone. If we can witness such an extraordinary era, it might be worth it! When one of the Aeons raises their hand, we'll turn to dust without pain. Not bad."
"You really know how to comfort people."
"I believe we can see this outcome in Honkai: Star Rail beforehand... Perhaps we can even avoid the destruction of the entire universe..."