[Yo? As expected of the gambler, so cool!]
[This guy, I'm starting to like him a bit.]
[Hold on, didn't you guys notice the ton of foreshadowing buried in there?]
[Where's the foreshadowing?]
['Freedom and power' and 'the grandest death' were both highlighted in yellow subtitles.]
[We don't know anything yet, so highlighted or not, whatever.]
[I still don't like Aventurine!]
Aventurine slowly approached Sunday, with Dr. Ratio following behind. After exchanging a glance with Sunday, Dr. Ratio stepped aside, giving the two space for their meeting.
Sunday, hands clasped behind his back, faced away from Aventurine, "It seems my puzzle was too simple for you, emissary of the Corporation."
"Thank you for the flattery and for going to such lengths to welcome me, Mr. Sunday. But this hardly feels like the work of someone extending a sincere invitation."
"Which is why this isn't an invitation but a summons. Before we begin, I needed to test your character. I assume your learned friend here helped quite a bit?"
"Of course. You should know that better than I do—he's faithfully fulfilled his duties, hasn't he?"
Sunday slowly turned, "Indeed. The Professor vouched for your noble character earlier. He said both of you are equally upright, trustworthy to the Family. I now understand you well, Mr. Aventurine. You're diligent, generous, cooperative, and you've successfully navigated numerous obstacles to stand before me—proof of your wisdom and resolve. But there's one thing I must question: your intellect has been misapplied, leading you to meet those you shouldn't, appear where you shouldn't… and witness tragedies that should not have occurred. (The Robin case)"
[Uh, why do his compliments feel so sarcastic?]
[Sunday praising someone makes me uneasy.]
[But he didn't say anything false.]
[Aventurine: Wait, I have that many good qualities?]
[This is called building up before tearing down.]
Aventurine gave an awkward smile, "You don't look so well. Just to clarify, am I the one making you anxious? …If not, then I'm on your side."
"If I understand correctly, your words… constitute a grave accusation against the Family," Sunday said, staring solemnly at Aventurine.
"You understood perfectly. Evil is quietly festering by your side. No need to beat around the bush—let's talk about your sister. Her talent in the performing arts was unmatched, yet you know, after returning to Penacony, her voice was never quite harmonious. Worse still, she can no longer sing. Who did it? People think the killer is among the outsiders, but I know… you have another answer in your heart. Your noble status has become shackles, preventing you from apprehending the culprit and avenging your sister. You're isolated, helpless, and that's why you're so anxious. But don't worry—I'm on your side."
Sunday listened to Aventurine's lengthy spiel without interruption, then asked, "It's an honor that Mr. Aventurine thinks so highly of me. Such a selfless and generous person surely wouldn't expect a reward, would you?"
Seeing the conversation finally on track, Aventurine proposed reclaiming his Cornerstone. Sunday, however, flatly refused.
The next moment, Sunday spoke again, his voice echoing through the room. The screen seemed tainted by radiant light. "O triple-faced soul, brand his tongue and palms with hot iron, so he cannot weave lies or swear false oaths."
Aventurine clutched his head in pain, "What did you do?"
"Under the light of The Harmony, all sins are laid bare. I beseech Them to shine Their light and question you on Their behalf. Now… you have 113 seconds to prove your innocence and earn my trust."
Aventurine gritted his teeth, "And if I refuse to answer?"
"Then try it—see if The Harmony will reject you."
After a rapid exchange of questions and answers, the interrogation neared its end, "—Do you hate and wish to destroy this world with your own hands?"
"I don't know."
"Interesting. One final question… Can you swear, at this moment, that the 'Aventurine Stone' lies safely within this box?"
Aventurine let out a heavy breath, "…Of course."
"Then we shall have our answer. Open it, Mr. Aventurine… this is your last chance to defend your honor."
[Holy crap! That scene was so cool!]
[Wait, Avgin? Aventurine's an Avgin?]
[What's wrong with being Avgin?]
[I've got a bad feeling—there's a knife in this!]
[More than bad—it's straight-up ominous!]
[Seriously, is this the 'pitiful people must have hateful traits' trope?]
[Anyway, I still can't bring myself to like Aventurine.]
Sunday slid the box toward Aventurine… …Aventurine noticed Dr. Ratio, standing by a bookshelf, turning his head away… Sunday gestured, "Please."
Aventurine opened the box meant to hold the Cornerstone, only to find it empty! Sunday lifted a cloth on the table, revealing two Cornerstones—one yellow, one green, "Are these… what you're looking for?"
…
Several system hours earlier, at the Dewlight Pavilion. Dr. Ratio met with Sunday. Sunday offered research on the Stellaron as leverage to sway Dr. Ratio to the Family's side.
Dr. Ratio sighed, "Tell me, what do you need me to do?"
Sunday's lips curved slightly, "I need Mr. Aventurine's entire plan."
"Didn't you already confiscate his Cornerstone? A peacock without feathers can't fly."
"But I've heard the ten elites of the Strategic Investment Department are fiercely united, advancing together for the Corporation's interests."
Dr. Ratio shook his head, "You can be more direct."
"The Cornerstone Mr. Aventurine submitted—is it truly his?"
Facing Sunday's skepticism, Dr. Ratio used his authority to open the box in Sunday's presence, "Unfortunately, you're correct."
Sunday examined the stone closely, "Heh, a golden stone. Its luster mirrors the radiance of Qlipoth's sacred body."
"That's exactly the excuse he planned to use to deceive you. He wouldn't tell you: the Ten Stonehearts must carve their Cornerstone with their own will, making it shine uniquely," Dr. Ratio said, pointing at the stone. "This golden stone belongs to Topaz, also known as Topaz—not Aventurine. So, want to confront him?"
Sunday shook his head, "Not yet. I'm more interested in knowing where his Cornerstone is."
Dr. Ratio picked up Aventurine's confiscated luggage bag, "The safest place, somewhere you'd never expect. Because he never planned to hide it—from the start, that Cornerstone was already in your hands."
With that, he pulled a green Cornerstone from the bag.
Sunday gazed meaningfully at the green stone, "I see. This luggage bag… hiding something more precious than life among cheap trinkets, disguised as a gift to be seized. It does fit Mr. Aventurine's style."
"Then he'd make up some excuse, downplay it, and ask for the gift back. It's a gamble he's all too familiar with—betting you'd slip up and lose everything."
"Learned Professor, thank you for your assistance. The Family will reward the righteous," Sunday's final words were icy, "As for the wicked… may they retreat in shame."
[Scheme within a scheme within a scheme?]
[Godfather, you thick-browed, big-eyed guy, how could you betray him too?]
[Uh, didn't you all dislike Aventurine? Isn't this a good thing?]
[It just feels off that the Godfather would do this. He's sharp-tongued but shouldn't be capable of betrayal.]
[True, but it's pretty much set in stone now.]
Back to the present. "Thanks to your discerning friend, I can now add a thorough failure to your career," Sunday's gaze landed on Dr. Ratio.
"Ratio, you bastard…" Aventurine practically roared.
"You've shown your true colors. By the way, your life temporarily has only seventeen system hours left. Savor this time, relish the aftertaste of failure."
"Speak plainly."
"What I just performed on you was the sacred baptism of The Harmony. You should have shown loyalty under Their light, but you persisted in lies, turning the baptism into a judgment. I have no reason to release you."
Aventurine quickly grasped the meaning—a threat! "This is the so-called Harmony? Built on confinement and coercion?"
Sunday's expression remained unchanged, "You misunderstand, Mr. Aventurine. Punishment is for the blasphemous, but I see your resilient heart, so I offer you a chance at rebirth. In these seventeen system hours, you cannot leave the Dreamscape or contact any allies. You have two paths, depending on whether you pass my test within the allotted time. If you succeed, you'll join the harmony, standing with countless Family members; if you fail, you'll face the wrath of The Eternal Centurion, plunging into an irredeemable abyss. That's why I emphasized temporarily."
"Damn it, sounds like my fate's the same either way."
Sunday wore a victorious expression, "I do need a servant to help me root out the evil lurking within the Family from the outside. I'll purge from within, and in these seventeen system hours, I'll apprehend the true culprit. When the time comes, we'll compare our findings. If our judgments align, or if you bring me more… then They will truly grant you mercy and sincerity."
[Sunday's no pushover either!]
[Question: how many schemes are in this room?]
[At least eight hundred.]
[I'll admit, I love these mind-game segments.]
[Mind games usually have a twist.]
Aventurine clenched his fist, "Shameless hypocrite. You took everything from me and still expect me to deliver the truth? That's unfair. In your money-reeking amusement park, nothing gets done without cash."
"This should be your personal act of justice, needing no aid from the Family. Your luggage bag is over there—use it. I trust you can trade those cheap trinkets for everything you need. That's what gamblers excel at, isn't it? Go, Mr. Aventurine, you're free. I'll wait here for your good news."
The camera panned to a Night Thrush, silently watching everything unfold. "So, this meeting wasn't a trial, nor a negotiation… but a downright lynching, right?" A cold smile crept onto Aventurine's face.
"How could it be, Mr. Aventurine? I merely wish to know what discoveries a passerby who happened to be at her murder scene might have. That's all."
Aventurine said nothing, picked up the luggage bag from the floor, and prepared to leave.
"Oh, before you go, I have a more personal question," Sunday called out, stopping Aventurine again.
"What now?"
"You…" Sunday asked curiously, "Do you really wish to destroy this world with your own hands?"
[Why this question again?]
[I get it—Aventurine's out to take revenge on the world.] [
Huh???]
[His entire clan was wiped out. That kind of blood feud is enough to turn someone dark.]
[Makes sense. Why do I suddenly feel a bit bad for him?]
[Don't tell me miHoYo's pulling another big one! You're up to no good!]
The camera shifted to a barren planet. A young boy in patched clothes stood before a teenage girl. The girl, older and visibly worried, looked at the boy, her voice filled with anxiety, "Kakavasha, where have you been… Are you hurt?!"
"I got it back, sister," Kakavasha handed her a necklace.
"You went to them…? That's too dangerous! It's just a necklace—it can't be eaten, it's not water. We can live without it." His sister hugged Kakavasha, tears sliding down her cheeks, "But I can't live without you, little brother… Don't go near those Katica people again, okay?"
Kakavasha patted her back reassuringly, "Sister, don't be afraid. The Katica are dumb, but I'm smart. Playing their game, I'll always win."
"Win?" His sister pulled him back to face her, "What happened? Tell me."
"I made a bet with them—betting on two birds in the desert, and me, which would die first. I won," Kakavasha said calmly, as if death were commonplace, devoid of fear.
"They thought I cheated, but I didn't… I won fair and square."
[Ouch, caught me off guard!]
[Oh no, run, there's a knife!]