In the Dreamland - [ The Reverie ] Hotel, Xing hurried through the corridor and found the waiting Aventurine outside the guest room.
He leaned against the wall, relaxed, as if he had already anticipated the arrival of his guest.
"Very good, I knew you would come. By the way, that Memokeeper... never mind, I won't ask any more questions."
Aventurine straightened up, his smile undiminished, "After all, I said you can discuss things with your companions, or you can use me instead—I welcome that! Because that's also demonstrating your value to me."
"I never do business at a loss, and I hope you [friends]... won't let me down." He deliberately emphasized the word 'friends,' his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Xing.
Aventurine's gaze shifted downwards, landing on the baseball bat that Star was gripping tightly. A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, which then turned into nonchalance.
"Ah... since you've found out, I'm not some heinous criminal who committed arson, murder, and robbery. Here you go." As if by magic, the amber milk tea that Aventurine had once taken reappeared in his hand, which he then handed to Xing.
Xing took the familiar drink, feeling its cool touch on her fingertips. Ye Yan's notification sound seemed to echo in her mind again: [This milk tea could be given as a gift to someone; it might just earn you a lot of goodwill.]
Staring at the swaying liquid in the cup, after a few minutes of silent struggle, she finally reluctantly reached out and pushed the milk tea back in front of Aventurine.
"Since you love this milk tea so much, it's fine to give it to you."
Xing's voice was muffled. For the Astral Express Crew, getting involved with the Interastral Peace Corporation was by no means a bad thing.
"Oh right, I think I said something after that... what was it again?"
Aventurine gladly accepted the milk tea, and as it turned out, he had made the right bet once again.
"Ah... a familiar corridor, a familiar room. Do you remember? The last time we met was in this very place."
"We've arrived, right behind this door." Aventurine slowly pushed open the door. "Hold your breath and wait and see—"
"Oh, I just remembered... Friend! After that, we played a fun game."
Aventurine said mysteriously, "Look, this moment is just like that moment... isn't it?"
"I remember perfectly now. This is what I said to you back then—" He seemed to have finally grasped a fragment of Remembrance, his smile deepening as he clearly recounted the past invitation, word by word:
"Friend, the game has already begun... Let's make a deal; you can't refuse."
Aventurine raised his hand and pushed aside the dream bubbles that were obstructing his view.
The moment her gaze finally pierced through those dreamlike illusions and she clearly saw the scene in the center of the room, Xing's pupils contracted sharply.
Within the Dream Pool, the renowned Halovian singer floated as if asleep, yet his lifeless posture clearly indicated—a real [death] that had occurred within the dream!
"No reason... and no room for negotiation," Aventurine's voice followed.
On Golden Hour Sunday, he stood alone on a brightly lit street corner, the street deserted, gazing at the distant silhouette of the Grand Theater radiating a cold, deep blue light.
The light was like an ominous sign, and a deep gloom hung over Sunday's brow.
"Sir, logically speaking... you shouldn't be here."
He slowly turned around and saw a black-haired man wearing exaggerated sunglasses leaning lazily against a nearby advertising lamppost, drinking a cup of milk tea adorned with starlight.
"Oh, don't mind him, just pretend I'm not here..." He straightened up and carefully observed Sunday's expression. "Seeing his dejected look, I'm Curiosity... what happened? Was it those distinguished guests who received the [ Clockmaker's ] invitation?"
As Ye Yan spoke, he subconsciously rubbed his lower back (buttocks), a barely perceptible throbbing pain flashing across his face; he hadn't held back properly...
After a moment of silence on Sunday, just when ' Ye Yan ' thought he wouldn't answer, he said in a low voice:
"Since when, a nightmare called 'death' has quietly descended upon Penacony, indiscriminately attacking people and bringing the death of the spirit to everyone equally..."
"In the beautiful dream constructed by the Family, no misfortune should occur. It severely disrupts the Order and peace of the dream... How hateful."
"Wow~ This is really interesting. Let me guess, has someone else been murdered?" ' Ye Yan ' exaggeratedly drew out his words, as if he had heard an extremely interesting story.
He didn't look back at Him on Sunday; his back view only appeared more stiff, his fists clenched slightly at his sides, and his knuckles turned white.
"There were two in total. One was a stowaway, and... the Robin you killed with your own hands."
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
"That's enough, fool. Your actions have chilled me to the bone." Sunday's voice was firm and resolute, tinged with disgust.
"Oh?" Ye Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of genuine surprise flashing across his face behind his sunglasses, which was then replaced by even greater interest. "You're quite perceptive, aren't you, Chicken Wing Kid?"
On Sunday, he turned around and looked at ' Ye Yan ' expressionlessly, his eyes showing no wavering.
" The Charmony Ode truly does not deceive us—[The words of a fool begin with folly and end with wicked arrogance]..."
"... Please leave, you are not welcome in His dream."
"Wow~ Besides that guy, you're the first person who dares to talk to me like that, Chicken Wing Kid~ I'm starting to admire you more and more."
Ye Yan clapped his hands exaggeratedly, the crisp sound of which seemed particularly jarring in the empty street.
"Don't be so serious! Why are you quoting scriptures so solemnly?" He raised a finger and shook it, feigning innocence.
"And you seem to have misunderstood something. I am from the [ Church of Eternity ], not some vulgar, Masked Fools."
Ye Yan tried to shift the blame to the Church of Eternity, but Sunday wasn't buying it. He took a step closer, lowered his voice, and spoke in a seductive tone.
"Even now, the Family still isn't planning to make a move? Don't you have any doubts about the Church of Eternity? Sigh~ Don't be blinded by appearances. Shall I give you a hint?"
"Your poor sister has already been killed by that elven priest. You knew this all along, so why were you unmoved? Why did you still cooperate with Blake without batting an eye?"
"Could it be... that you're afraid of the [ Emanator's ] power? Hehe, it's alright, if you want to avenge your sister, I can help you~"
Ye Yan shook the half-full cup of milk tea in his hand, a condescending smile on his face, "Want to try some? Consider it... a deposit for our collaboration? If you don't mind." He made a gesture to hand the milk tea to Sunday.
Sunday remained motionless, his gaze passing over the cup of milk tea. "It's not the right time yet. Whether the true culprit is the Fool or the Church, when the appointed day comes, I will execute judgment in accordance with justice."
Snap snap snap snap snap snap!
Upon hearing Sunday's remarks, Ye Yan couldn't help but applaud him again, this time with even louder and more enthusiastic applause, filled with undisguised sarcasm.
"Impressive, you can tolerate this~ What a cold-blooded guy. Well, that's right, after all, he's just a mortal, how could he possibly fight against an Emanator of [ Eternity ]? Ah... it reminds me of His story."
"How about this, I can represent your sister at various events—you certainly don't want people to know... The Charmony Festival can no longer be held, right?"
" The Family has its own arrangements. Stop defiling my dear sister with your treacherous tongue, you fool."
"Fine, fine~" Ye Yan raised his hands in surrender, a nonchalant smile on his face, as if he wasn't the one who had just been reprimanded.
"I just wanted to say... I'm always happy to help you if you need it. Who could resist a boy who puts studs on chicken wings?"
Before he could finish speaking, Ye Yan's figure suddenly became blurry. In the blink of an eye, the noisy figure vanished into thin air, as if he had never existed.
On Sunday, he stood still, his cold gaze fixed on the remaining milk tea in the cup, as if looking at a piece of dirty trash.
"No need. The murderer has already given himself away under His light. It won't be long before he falls to the ground because of his own scheming."
"If he does not turn back, then his sword will be sharpened and his bow strung, so that the evil inflicted upon him will come upon his own head."
"At that time, the pagan who does not love God will know that he is but a mortal and will fall into Hades... and I will become His vanguard, personally announcing good news for you—[ the Clockmaker ]."