Aventurine continued searching for the child's traces. "That kid… could he be in here?"
Two lines of blue text floated before him: "What once lived is now dead. We who once lived are now dying."
Aventurine walked toward the back of the stage, where he saw a yellow cornerstone lying on the ground. "This is…?"
"'Topaz' stone? Why is it here…?"
The phantom reappeared beside Aventurine, mocking him once more. "What, does her cornerstone make your heart ache that much?"
And Aventurine's phantom began to explain the full story.
To ensure the plan's success, Aventurine had calculated every detail, including Dr. Ratio's betrayal.
He used the Topaz stone as "bait," naturally leading to the introduction of another green cornerstone—"Jade."
To the naked eye, Jade and Aventurine appeared strikingly similar, so much so that even Sunday couldn't tell them apart.
The family never anticipated that the bond between the three was unbreakable!
Aventurine looked at the phantom intently. "I told you before, three 'chips' are enough—all or nothing.
Which will it be? Ha, we'll soon find out."
And the true Aventurine stone.
They had always been in the most fitting place, never leaving…
Right among this pile of cheap jewelry.
The phantom continued to taunt Aventurine. "Before you set out, you smashed the 'Aventurine' stone…
Look at it, tsk tsk, just like your shattered life. No matter how dazzling the exterior, inside it's still a humble little pebble… This thing is worth far more than your life.
You know the consequences of this better than anyone. Defiling Qlipoth's sacred body—do you think the company will let you off?"
Aventurine smiled faintly. "'Diamond' always values results. As long as the value I create far outweighs the cost… the process and methods don't matter.
Without paying a price, how could I deceive the family? It's fine. Even if the 'Preservation' cornerstone is shattered into pieces, it can still function, though its effectiveness is greatly reduced. But for me… it's enough."
[Is Aventurine really this clever?]
[So everything was under control.]
[I'm in love!]
[The company is more united than the family? Who's the real Harmony here?]
[Lmao, I'm so excited for the Ten Stonehearts! If Aventurine and Topaz are this badass, there are eight more!]
[The company really went all in.]
"I'm actually a bit curious. Why is every step you take such a gamble, always paired with a strong urge for self-destruction?
Do you really believe 'the greater the risk, the greater the reward'? I didn't take you for someone so loyal to the company."
Aventurine let out a soft hum. "There's a lot you don't see… so you also can't see how I'll win it all."
After the phantom vanished, the gemstones before him disappeared as well.
"Another illusion of 'Harmony,' huh." Aventurine saw the child approach him. "Oh?"
"Hello, we meet again, mister with the pretty eyes."
"Yeah, we meet again. Did you find your mom and dad?"
"Of course, my sister's here too. The four of us just played hide and seek. It was so fun! On the way here, Dad even showed me Banana Peel Movies."
Aventurine gave a gentle smile. "You mean 'film movies,' right?"
"Yeah, that's it. They put lots and lots of paper drawings together, and it turns into a moving mural.
When you put me, Dad, Mom, and my sister together, we become a family.
You should try it too, mister! You've been looking so sad. You've gotta be happy at the amusement park!"
Aventurine nodded and said softly, "Alright."