Aventurine ignored it and continued onward.
The scenery ahead changed once more, becoming a desolate little town.
"..."
The virtual entity watched Aventurine press onward in silence.
Aventurine glanced back.
"Why have you gone quiet?"
"Maybe if you try a little harder, you'll manage to break me."
The virtual entity folded its arms and said gravely,
"You've certainly piqued my interest... I admit there are still things about you that I don't fully understand."
Aventurine smiled faintly.
"You're being quite sincere this time."
The virtual entity said wistfully,
"Sincerity is one of my few precious virtues. No need to make a point of it."
"See that maze up ahead? Before you make it out, I'll understand you completely."
"And there's no signal here. Stop trying to contact that Nameless one."
"Our journey isn't over yet, and your life flashing before your eyes is still going... I don't mind dragging this process out for a very, very long time."
Aventurine arrived at the maze on the edge of town, and a child's voice emerged from within again.
"Wow, it's so tall—taller than the tallest rock in the desert—"
This was a maze built inside a garden, and the child's voice sounded again...
"There are so many flowers too—Sis, this purple one is for you—"
Aventurine could hear only the child's voice, but could not see anyone. He could only wander through the maze.
Then, something suddenly caught his attention.
A pile of rusty shackles lay on the ground ahead.
At the sight of them, Aventurine could not help recalling the painful life he had once endured.
"Remembering something?" The virtual entity seized the opportunity to stir things up.
"Nothing," Aventurine said indifferently.
The virtual entity immediately laughed and twisted the knife further.
"Need a hint?"
"This is a pair of shackles.