"The Galaxy Rangers are elusive, with little interaction among themselves. This identity is too convenient—as long as she doesn't admit it, there's no way to confirm the truth. The IPC has ways to investigate, but that takes time."
On the television, the latest game storyline continued.
A IPC employee named Aventurine was using leading rhetoric to direct suspicion toward her.
Acheron felt both helpless and frustrated.
Aventurine went on: "So, my friend, it's time for you to make a choice... You can leave right now, turn your back, and forever abandon the chance to uncover the truth."
"Alternatively, you can accept my invitation and learn a fact—one that could overturn all of Penacony."
"I need your help, so I'll wait for you... but not for long. When you're ready... follow me."
"As for whether to cooperate with me, you can decide after seeing the truth... There's no rush."
From Acheron's perspective—She was truly innocent, yet the world framed her!
She had only come to fulfill a simple wish.
Why was everyone treating her like some ultimate villain?
The real mastermind was someone else!
She had already been restraining herself, cooperating as much as possible.
To avoid harming the innocent, she had even used the power of Nihility to conceal herself.
Sigh...
Why were they forcing her out?
What good would it do them if she emerged?
And Yu Ling—This storyline made it seem like she actually had something to hide!
So what if she killed a Duke?
He was the one who chose the Path of Destruction!
She was clearly one of the good guys!
But alas...Acheron couldn't voice these thoughts.
She wasn't good with words.
And even if she explained everything now—
Who would believe her?
All she could do was keep hiding.
Wait for the later plot...To clear her name—No, to prove her innocence.
---
The game's story continued.
Stelle confronted Black Swan.
Black Swan admitted that she had made a deal with Aventurine.
But she assured Stelle that this was still a safe space.
She wouldn't harm the Express crew—in fact, she'd continue to help.
Provided they were willing to trust her.
Then, Stelle asked:
"Who do you think the mastermind is...?"
Black Swan replied:
"I still believe Miss Firefly's incident... is more closely tied to the Stellaron Hunters, as we speculated. But you heard Aventurine—he accused that Ranger."
"Though I don't know why he came to that conclusion, he has access to the IPC's intelligence network. His perspective is worth considering. And... I also believe Miss Acheron is hiding something."
"No, to be precise—she's hiding everything."
"This was something I accidentally uncovered during a previous encounter. Regarding the Annihilation Gang... I can also confirm Aventurine's claims are true."
"And so, in this golden banquet... she is the dancer I'm watching most closely."
Black Swan's voice remained magnetic and composed, exuding the elegance of a Memokeeper.
But the real Black Swan—Watching this unfold on TV while sitting in the same room as Acheron—Did not feel elegant at all!
At any other time, it would've been fine.
But now?
She had just directly called out Acheron by name!
Was this really a good idea?!
This woman was an Emanator of Nihility!
To a Memokeeper, she was practically a natural enemy!
If Acheron wanted—She could erase every trace of Black Swan's existence!
And yet—Black Swan had been repeatedly provoking her in the game's story!
Even a clay statue has a temper!
Let alone this woman—A Nihility Emanator, drenched in bloodshed!
She was toying with death at this point!
At this rate, Black Swan felt she had to explain herself.
To increase her chances of survival!
"Ahem... Miss Acheron..."
"You see, these are just words spoken by the game version of me..."
"If I've offended you, I sincerely apologize."
Acheron stared at her expressionlessly.
Black Swan's heart tightened slightly.
She continued: "After all, I haven't spent much time with you in reality, and the game is the same."
"Whenever your character appears, there are always those red subtitles... It's hard not to speculate."
"Well... I believe the developer, Yu Ling, bears irrefutable responsibility for this."
"He deliberately framed the narrative to paint you as the mastermind."
At these words—Acheron's expression finally shifted slightly.
"Yu Ling..."
"For him to leave traces of me in this game... It is extraordinary."
"Could there be an existence that not only resists Nihility... but transcends it...?"
Black Swan didn't know how to respond.
Even the most knowledgeable Memokeeper wouldn't dare claim expertise in Nihility.
Acheron had rewritten her understanding of it entirely.
Suddenly—Acheron's expression changed.
"Hm?"
"Someone is approaching this area."
Her gaze pierced through the void.
"The Family... How did they find this place?"
Black Swan smiled bitterly.
"Miss Acheron... I'm afraid it's not just The Family."
"There are Memokeepers... and likely other factions as well."
"Do you know how many forces currently fear you?"
"How many have united to hunt you down?"
"They've probably already reached an agreement and are converging here through their own means."
Black Swan's warning made Acheron realize the severity of the situation.
Yet she hesitated.
Glancing at her blade, she murmured:
"Then... must I once again be stained in blood...?"
Black Swan's heart leaped!
If a real fight broke out—It would be a catastrophe!
Previously, she had speculated Acheron was an Emanator of The Hunt or Destruction—
At least those had limits to their destructive potential.
But now— She knew the truth!
Acheron was an Emanator of Nihility!
This battle wouldn't just destroy matter—It would erase reality and memory on a fundamental level!
For a Memokeeper, that was worse than death!
"No... I have to prevent this tragedy!"
Instinctively, Black Swan blurted out:
"Perhaps... I could act as your guarantor?"
"Though... my influence may not be enough..."
"If the Astral Express vouched for you, that would be ideal."
"But they barely know you—their only impressions come from the game's story."
The usually unflappable Black Swan was now visibly flustered.
Acheron spoke softly:
"There's no need to worry about me."
"Even if the entire cosmos comes for me... I can break through."
Black Swan nearly cried!
Sister— I'm not worried about you!
I'm worried about everything else!
What could she do now?!
Was there any way to salvage this?!
Just then—A notification chimed on Black Swan's phone.
A new update from Yu Ling!
[Acheron's PV Released...]
Black Swan's eyes lit up with hope!
Yu Ling had finally sent a message!
Better late than never!
It was Acheron's character PV!
Surely this would help clear some of the suspicion around her?
At the very least—It might buy them some time!
To be continued…