Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start

Firefly was quite familiar with the various facilities within the dreamscape, so her words suggested there was no real danger. Caelus couldn't help but wonder if Aventurine was inviting him to watch a movie.

The six of them quickly arrived at their destination. Although Aventurine wasn't present, he had dyed the large screen there with his favorite pattern, representing Aventurine's green and the spade suit from a deck of cards.

"We've come to meet you, Mr. Aventurine. According to etiquette, you should show yourself now."

Himeko spoke to the large screen. It was certain that Aventurine was indeed there, avoiding the awkward situation of arriving only to find that the parties involved weren't meeting in the same place.

"Of course, I will. But before that, I'd like to properly introduce tonight's main character."

Aventurine's reply was swift, without any delay. As his voice echoed, a spotlight fell upon Caelus.

"Let's give a round of applause for Mr. Stellaron!"

"Huh? I'm the star? Seriously?"

Caelus pointed at himself, his expression one of genuine surprise as he asked, as if he were discovering his identity for the first time.

"Don't act like you've forgotten who you are, you Stellaron."

March 7th quipped from the side. The entire train knew Caelus was a Stellaron, but there seemed to be an exception. Little March glanced at Firefly, curious about her reaction. To March 7th's surprise, Firefly appeared even calmer than herself, as if she had known all along.

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Chapter 97: Every Part of Him is a Scheme

"What do you want to do to Caelus?"

Firefly stared directly at the screen ahead. She didn't care what happened to herself, but she couldn't stand seeing Caelus threatened. Since she was already a wanted criminal by the Corporation, she wouldn't mind killing a few more Corporation members.

"Ugh."

March 7th winced in pain. Those were the words she had intended to say. After experiencing so much with Caelus, she considered herself his confidante, yet this was being snatched away.

"Why would I work so hard to gain your trust and then invite everyone here?"

Aventurine began to answer his own question. No one interrupted him at this moment; they were all waiting for his pre-battle declaration.

"Because he is the sole witness to three murder cases, the perfect candidate to prove that the claim of no casualties in the dreamscape is mere empty talk!"

"Three cases?"

Himeko asked, bewildered. She only knew that Robin had been harmed. If she had heard that someone else had died in an unknown location, she would have believed it, but she hadn't expected Caelus to have witnessed it three times already.

"Yes, madam. The first was Robin, the second was himself, and now, the third murder is about to happen, right here!"

Aventurine said politely. While everyone else was confused, he turned his attention to Caelus.

"Everyone will die, and it's all because of you, Stellaron!"

Caelus realized he was being targeted. While he didn't mind what men thought of him, he still needed to defend himself.

"Old Asta, there might be some misunderstanding between us. When we first met, didn't I tell you I was Topaz's husband? And our subsequent cooperation was very pleasant. We had such a good relationship, why are you saying this about me?"

Caelus said to Aventurine with a heartbroken expression. Aventurine was speechless. Although he hadn't been tricked by Caelus openly, he had suffered significant emotional damage behind the scenes.

"Good where?!"

March 7th and Aventurine said in unison. March 7th felt that the other party had explicitly stated he wanted to kill Caelus, yet he was still talking about their good relationship.

"Ahem, don't mind those details. In short, the murder case I'm referring to is detonating the Stellaron within you and creating a small accident here."

Aventurine coughed, regaining his "boss" demeanor. All the spade cards on the screen pointed at Caelus. This was no longer about simply killing him; it was about mutual destruction.

"Boom! The entire Garden will turn into shattered dreams. Then, before the Family can react, I will become the navigator of the Corporation's fleet."

Aventurine's voice carried a hint of excitement. From the perspective of the Astral Express crew, he intended to use the Stellaron's explosion to shatter the dream, allowing the fleet to launch a massive attack and seize Penacony.

Welt and Himeko found it all rather strange. They knew there were distinguished guests within the dreamscape. If Aventurine proceeded this way, wouldn't he offend countless people for the Corporation? Unless he could blame the Stellaron explosion on the Family, claiming they were harboring a Stellaron, then it might be feasible.

"You can't do it."

Acheron spoke. No matter what Aventurine planned to do, Caelus was under her protection. As long as she was alive, Caelus would be fine.

"Of course, I can. It's just another gamble. Remember, I didn't win by chance once; I have never lost."

Aventurine's tone remained confident, showing no fear despite facing an Envoy. As he spoke, his figure descended from the air. Unlike his previous luxurious attire, he was now wearing a long robe resembling armor, and his sharply pointed fingers held a shattered, pale green Keystone.

"Aventurine Stone? Why is it in his hands?"

Welt could clearly feel the immense power emanating from the Keystone. This power was no less than that of an Envoy. At this moment, Aventurine had undoubtedly obtained the power granted by the Amber King.

"The first and second were both tricks for Sunday. Did he bring three Keystones from the beginning? The Strategic Investment Department advances and retreats together. By the way, Topaz did warn me."

Caelus's face also showed surprise. He had discussed the Keystones with Topaz before. Now that he thought about it, Topaz must have subtly hinted at it, but Caelus couldn't have possibly thought in that direction. He didn't blame Topaz for being vague; three Keystones were definitely a Corporation secret. Even if the two of them were married, Topaz couldn't have told him the truth.

Caelus inexplicably felt a bit sorry for his brother-in-law. He had truly been schemed against by Aventurine. Sunday had seen through Aventurine's deception of placing Topaz's Keystone in the Keystone box, and then he saw through Aventurine's deception of hiding the Aventurine Stone in his luggage. It seemed he had seen through it twice, so he must have thought he had won. Who would have thought Aventurine brought three Keystones?

If Sunday were here, he might also complain, "Why didn't you bring all ten Keystones to screw me over?"

"Let me share a proverb with you all: Sleep is a rehearsal for death. Why does life fall asleep? Because we are not yet ready to face death."

Aventurine had now gained the ability to fly. His body floated in mid-air, and he pointed at the sky.

The situation was now clear: Aventurine intended to violently detonate the Stellaron within Caelus. The Astral Express crew absolutely had to accept this battle, otherwise Caelus would die. Everyone took out their weapons to fight, and Caelus also took out the City Builder's Lance he had obtained.

"The inferior stone of the City Builder, not worth mentioning."

Aventurine mocked Caelus, looking at the lance in his hand. The reason the tip of the lance could spew fire was because it contained components similar to Keystones, though only similar. The functions were incomparable. Caelus's expression showed displeasure. He realized this guy was trying to provoke him, so he didn't take it to heart.

"I'll bet, I'll gamble, I'll win, and offer it all to... the Sumeru King!"

Aventurine said, crushing the Aventurine Stone in his hand. Topaz had mentioned before that when the Keystone was cleaved by will, its holder would gain the power of an Envoy. Now, Aventurine was undoubtedly an Envoy of The Preservation.

After gaining the power of an Envoy, the first thing Aventurine did was to set up an eggshell-like domain around them, covering buildings within a one-kilometer radius. This was to prevent Caelus and the others from escaping, as he intended to engage in a fight to the death.

Aventurine threw dice towards Caelus and the others. Each die was as large as an adult, and upon landing, they spun like tops and lunged at Caelus. Naturally, the others wouldn't allow such a thing to happen and shielded Caelus.

Acheron knocked away the dice with her sheath. The dice spun to a stop on the ground, revealing a '3'. A spatial rift cracked open above Acheron's head, and 3x3 golden chips fell out, all landing on her. While the damage was not high, her body felt heavier.

Chapter 98: A Single Slash Shatters the Envoy's Dream

Acheron quickly realized that these chips were increasing her weight. If she continued to be hit by them, her body would soon become too heavy to control.

The others were in a similar predicament. It was their first time witnessing the power of an Envoy of The Preservation, and it was filled with Aventurine's personal style: gradually increasing the stakes until the prey was immobilized and harvested. And the number of dice kept increasing.

By this time, Caelus had accumulated 36 points of added weight, making it difficult for him to even lift his spear. Seeing more chips about to fall on him, March 7th hurriedly reinforced his shield. However, it was no use; these things weren't physical damage. Even March 7th's shield increased in weight, a truly unreasonable ability.

Boom!

Crimson fire blazed across the top of Caelus's head, melting all the golden chips and turning them into gas as they vanished. A silver figure appeared before Caelus's eyes. It was tall and mighty, its power core unfurling behind it, spewing flames like a pair of fiery wings.

"Sam, why are you here?"

Caelus asked in surprise. He had never expected that his rescuer would be the Stellaron Hunter, Sam. It felt like his mother had arranged for someone to look after him, considering he was Kafka's colleague. He understood.

"Playing a strong hand slowly, putting on a show."

Seeing that Caelus's side had escaped danger, Aventurine let out an angry voice. He pointed at Acheron, his meaning clear. Acheron, an Envoy, showed no intention of drawing her sword, even though she could have gone all out. He wondered what she was hesitating about.

"I admit, you've made me impatient."

Aventurine said, floating to the sky above the city. Within the domain he had constructed, he unleashed the full power of The Preservation. The sky instantly turned golden-yellow. In that golden light, countless golden chips rained down, like a doomsday meteor shower. This was the full power of an Envoy. Once these chips fell, everyone and everything within the domain would be crushed.

Caelus looked at Acheron, unsure of what she was thinking. If she didn't want to act, no one would force her. They would all figure out a way to overcome the difficulty together.

As if sensing his thoughts, Acheron turned and glanced at Caelus before averting her gaze. She stepped forward, and the ground beneath her feet instantly turned into rippling black water. A black and white domain appeared around her, clashing with the domain Aventurine had created. Soon, the golden-yellow domain was dyed black and white.

Firefly, witnessing Acheron's actions for the first time, looked at the woman whose aura had completely changed in astonishment. Her hair had turned completely white from the inside out, and a single tear of blood fell from her right eye, tracing a beautiful mark on her cheek.

"May the departed weep, tears falling like rain, filling the rivers."

"As the tide rises, leading you home."

Acheron slowly drew her Katana from its sheath. The originally black blade had now turned blood-red. The blade slashed upwards diagonally, emitting a red blade light. This red light pierced through the black and white chips falling from the sky, passing by Aventurine's body without obstruction and bisecting the domain behind him.

The blade light continued its momentum after piercing the domain, cleaving through the beautiful dream sky of Penacony before finally disappearing into the pitch-black Void.

"Hooah..."

Aventurine took a deep breath. He looked at the massive black hole and black sea before him. When he saw Acheron unleash that sword strike, he knew he had won his gamble. However, the scene before him was unexpected; he had never seen anything like it.

Unfortunately, this is not the place you expected.

Acheron's voice came from behind him. Aventurine turned to look and saw Acheron and Caelus standing behind him, like guides to the afterlife.

"The Void... is it?"

Aventurine finally understood who Acheron was. He had previously guessed she was an Envoy, but he had never considered she might be an Envoy of The Void. This was truly a rare sight.

"Perhaps to you, I am an Envoy in disguise. However, the slumbering Nameless never glances at anyone. It is formless, shapeless, and without will. The Void envelops everyone equally. It's just that some people walk further in its shadow, accumulating more nothingness, that's all."

Acheron said calmly. Aventurine's expression was somewhat strange. Although his plan had succeeded, it was still a temporary experience as an Envoy. Before he could even savor it, Acheron had shattered his Envoy's dream with a single slash.

"That's all there is to it, friend. I don't even know what to say."

Aventurine shrugged. The gap between them, both being Envoys, was too vast. It made him doubt if he was an imposter. It was no wonder the Aeon of The Void was recognized as the strongest yet also the most detached.

"My Acheron can be a bit boastful sometimes, don't take it too seriously."

Caelus said, pulling on Acheron's right hand, which had turned red. Aventurine's eyebrows twitched. He now understood why Caelus was so hated yet still alive. Traveling through the universe with a girlfriend who was an Envoy of The Void protecting him, anyone could act with impunity.

"So... this is my end, the land of the dead?"

Aventurine asked with a smile. He believed his physical body had already died, and only his soul had been dragged here by the power of The Void, awaiting complete annihilation.

"I didn't cut your body; I grazed past it. This is just a fleeting dream, one of IX's myriad manifestations. Under the witness of The Void, we briefly pause here before heading in our separate directions."

Acheron explained. Aventurine was silent for a moment. The blade light grazing past him had nearly killed the strongest Envoy of The Preservation. He dared not imagine what would have happened if it had actually struck him.

"Old Aventurine, why couldn't you just let things be? Why did you have to provoke Acheron?"

Caelus asked from the side. Aventurine's actions were all strange. Topaz had warned him to be wary of Aventurine, but who could have imagined Aventurine would be so reckless?

"If I said I wanted to detonate you, you wouldn't be angry?" Aventurine asked curiously.

"Hey, between you and me, who are we kidding? I'm Topaz's husband, how could I be angry with you? My wife would call me petty."

Caelus patted Aventurine's shoulder, displaying his magnanimity. Aventurine was speechless. His relationship with Topaz was that of comrades, and he felt strange being spoken to like this by Caelus.

"My intention wasn't to detonate you, but to use my death to bring the Company to the negotiating table."

Aventurine began to confess his purpose. Caelus looked at him in surprise. Aventurine was very calm when speaking of his death, not as a pretense, but because he was genuinely prepared to sacrifice his life to gain benefits for the Company.

"You know, no one dies in dreams. That's what the Family promised. If an envoy representing the Company died in the dream, especially one of the Ten Stonehearts, the Family would definitely have to face the Company's wrath. As for what happens afterward, I don't know. I'm just responsible for bringing both sides to the negotiating table. After that, it's Topaz and Jade's business."

Aventurine explained his method in detail. Things like helping the Family catch the culprit or being controlled by Sunday were all false. He didn't care about those matters at all. Aventurine's goal from the very beginning was to bring the Family to the negotiating table, even at the cost of his life. That was all.

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"You're truly a madman."

Caelus offered his assessment. Aventurine didn't seem like the type of person to risk everything for tens of millions of Credits; having reached his position in the company, he was already financially free. Caelus figured he was just trying to prove his worth.

"That's a fair assessment of a gambler," Aventurine said with a smile, accepting Caelus's evaluation without complaint.

"But you didn't die, so we can be more honest," Acheron stated.

"What do you mean?"

Aventurine's smile vanished. He felt an inexplicable nervousness under Acheron's gaze, despite being someone who didn't fear death. The woman seemed to possess an omniscient perspective, capable of seeing through everything.

"Your performance in the Paradise was brilliant. Bluster... simple yet effective techniques that fooled almost everyone."

Acheron spoke calmly. Caelus, though confused, nodded along with her words, indicating that he, like Acheron, was one of the few who hadn't been deceived.

"No one would have guessed that you went to such lengths, even betting your own life, just to reconfirm a fact that seemed long disproven: that true death does not exist within Penacony's dreams."

Acheron's words were a bit convoluted, but Caelus, standing nearby, understood. She meant that due to Robin and the previous victims, many who knew the secret believed people could die in dreams. However, in reality, no one truly died in dreams.

"What reason would I have to do that?" Aventurine asked noncommittally.

"Because only then could you reach a secret more unspeakable than a serial murder case. Only then could you use the dream's death to go there, to the promised land everyone seeks during this grand festival... the Clock Keeper's legacy, the true Penacony."

Acheron answered Aventurine's question. Caelus, on the side, was quite surprised. After sleeping for so long, Acheron's wisdom had truly improved significantly; she could now fathom so many things.

"How did you find out?" Aventurine asked.

"I never expected that something I accidentally discovered would become the key to connecting everything."

Acheron said this while looking at Caelus. Caelus proudly put his hands on his hips. Although he hadn't told Acheron about Dreamflow Reef, he had indeed been killed and revived. This had happened right before Acheron's eyes, and she had naturally kept it in mind.

Aventurine nodded, his gaze falling on Caelus, and he began to speak his mind.

"This beautiful dream is not an ocean, but an isolated island. The Family uses Harmony to build embankments and high walls, isolating the outside world and protecting people from drowning in the sea. Simultaneously, this barrier that prevents death is used to bury unknown secrets in the deep sea. In a dream without pain or casualties, those secrets will never see the light of day. Unless..."

"Unless someone can go to the other side of the barrier and return alive."