"... Mr. Welt." Before leaving, Acheron called out to Welt, "Why didn't you tell your companions my 'true identity'?"
"Just like you said, it's not that I'm unwilling, but that I can't. That long story... I can't easily recount it to others in just a few words."
"But I'm willing to believe you; my trust in you stems more from... my personal subjective judgment."
"I also believe that—even if it were them, they would have made the same decision." Welt looked at the three Star Trio who had already set off and smiled with satisfaction.
Ah, apart from the man I saw at the Luofu Earth-Balance Commission, most people who are similar will walk similar paths, although there are exceptions.
Little March had also told him, " Uncle Yang, it's not good to judge a book by its cover," so Welt didn't think about it that way.
"Thank you very much. In return, if anything goes wrong for the Astral Express during the upcoming standoff... I will stand by your side."
"--I am willing to do my part, however small."
At the Clock Studios Paradise, near the Clockie statue
"We've come full circle, back here again. The Aventurine have chosen such an eye-catching location..."
"This guy is overreacting, doesn't he? Does he really think he's a big star?"
"Wait, that virtual projection over there... Hey, Teacher Ye Yan?"
March 7th rubbed his eyes and looked at his companions beside him.
" March 7th, you read that right, it's him."
The first thing Xing saw wasn't Ye Yan, but the milk tea he was holding.
"Wow! That's great! I knew Teacher Ye Yan was still worried about us... It's a pity Dan Heng didn't get off the train, otherwise the entire Astral Express Crew would have been on board."
March 7th ran up to Ye Yan's side, "Virtual projection... sigh~how can people be so lazy!"
" Teacher Ye Yan, I think you should stop calling yourself the [ Eternity ] Aeon and the Milk Tea Aeon, and just change your name to the [Sloth] Aeon."
"Haha~ A path never imagined before, Miss March 7th's thought process is truly unique."
Ye Yan smiled and looked towards the location of Acheron. With the [ Nihility ] Emanator there, what need was there for Him to do [ Eternity ]? He could just learn from IX and watch the show.
Unable to fathom Ye Yan's thoughts, March 7th tried to argue further. "For some reason, I have a bad feeling that something terrible is about to happen, so... Teacher Ye Yan, could you please add another [ Eternity ] blessing to us?"
"No problem, Miss March 7th. But I have twelve blessings related to [ Eternity ] here. Which one do you specifically want?"
"[ The Veil of Eternal Night ], [ The Spine of Bedrock ], [ The Cocoon of Gold ], [ The Hand of Ashen Gloom ]..."
Before Ye Yan could finish speaking, March 7th was already bewildered by the series of unfamiliar terms that followed.
"What a mess! I can't keep up..."
" Miss March 7th definitely won't need the invisibility skill. Are you planning to launch a sneak attack? The effect will be minimal, so I don't recommend choosing it for Miss March 7th."
"Forget it, forget it." March 7th gave up on the idea. " Teacher Ye Yan, go and enjoy your milk tea."
She couldn't persuade him; she could never wake a Aeon who was pretending to be asleep... Wow, it all comes back to [ Eternity ] after all. Ye Yan's actions aren't exactly going against his Path. How absurd.
"Completely deserted? The hunting dogs chased away the tourists, and now they've vanished without a trace..."
"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled; the other side has clearly come prepared."
As soon as Himeko finished speaking, the broadcast from Aventurine came into everyone's ears again, followed by a series of spotlights.
"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished Dream Chaser, tycoons, Clockmaker, and the Family guests—"
"--And there's the famous, Nameless from the Astral Express! Welcome to the Interastral Peace Corporation's show!"
Wow~ there's even a spotlight, they really put in the effort.
Xing stood on tiptoe, looking around. Where was the light coming from?
"Is that what you're focusing on?!"
As the crowd entered the stage of the Clock Studios Paradise, they saw the prominent pentagonal gold-plated spade symbol in the center of the screen.
Aventurine's voice came again. "We're quite late, everyone on the Astral Express, and these... two [uninvited guests] over here."
"We've come to keep our appointment, Mr. Aventurine. According to etiquette, you should also show yourself."
"Hahahaha... Of course I will. Before that, I'd like to properly introduce tonight's main character..."
Snap!
The spotlight was focused on Xing, who was located in the middle of the Astral Express Crew, and her somewhat surprised expression was reflected on the screen.
"Please give a round of applause to—Ms. [ Stellaron ]!"
Xing quickly realized, "Wow, I'm on TV!"
March 7th looked at the stars helplessly; she was already used to it.
"Let me remind you, this stage and Xing's identity should have nothing to do with catching the real culprit." Welt remained vigilant, knowing a fierce battle was inevitable.
"No, it's related, of course it's related. Otherwise, why would I go to such lengths to gain your trust and invite you all here?"
"Because she is the only eyewitness who witnessed three murders, she is the best candidate to prove that the idea that 'death does not exist in dreams' is just empty talk!"
"Hey, I already said Miss Firefly and the others are just missing, so why is it being classified as a murder case?" March 7th asked loudly, afraid that Aventurine wouldn't hear him.
"That's not important, ma'am. A third murder is about to occur. Right here, at Clock Studios Paradise..."
"... a truly grand death."
The screen lit up, and Aventurine's figure appeared on it, looking at the Astral Express Crew with great interest.
"You, you, you, and you... Everyone will die—and it's all because of you, Miss [ Stellaron ]..."
Aventurine's fingers traced across each person in the air, finally settling on Xing.
"... If it weren't for your foolish decision back then, and if you hadn't dragged these companions into this deadly situation, you would be here, having personally become [death]."
Aventurine aimed his spear at Star, only to see a blank expression on Star's face.
"Never underestimate yourself. I've said it before, you have the power to overturn the entire poker table..."
Let me put it more plainly: I will detonate all the Stellaron within you, creating a small [accident] in Penacony.
"Bang!" He simulated an explosion, a glint of madness in his eyes. "The entire Paradise will be reduced to a shattered dream. Then, before the Family can react, I will become the navigator of the company fleet."
"Bluster won't work on us," Acheron's icy voice suddenly rang out. "If it were truly possible, you would have had plenty of opportunities before."
The Aventurine detected the keyword. "You're betting with me? Okay, I'll bet with you too."
"I bet I'll win big and prove with an unprecedented explosion that [ Harmony ]'s vow is a complete joke."
"... You can't do it."
"Of course I can do it, it's just another gamble. Remember, I've never lost."
Let me share a proverb with you. "Sleep is a prophecy of death." Why does life sleep? Because we are not yet ready to face death.
"Every night's dream is no different from facing death, just like you and me right now, resigned to death, hiding in sleep. And [death]... will come in response to our dreams."
"Friends, the game has begun. You can't refuse—"
"--No reason, no room for maneuver."
As he spoke, Aventurine took out the amber milk tea from his pocket and pulled out an amber crystal from it, his actions inexplicably comical.
"Miss Stellaron, do you remember this?"
Xing's pupils suddenly contracted, and almost instinctively she turned to look at Ye Yan, who had been silent beside her.
"Wait, that thing wouldn't be...?"
"Hey, hey, hey? What are you and Teacher Ye Yan talking about?"
March 7th was equally bewildered; it seemed the stone belonged to Ye Yan, but he had given it to Xing.
"The dice have been rolled—everyone, are you ready to reveal your cards?"
Aventurine casually tossed three dice, and without exception, they all landed on spades.
"Huh? What incredible luck!"
This action stunned March 7th, while Himeko and Welt silently drew their weapons.
Surprisingly, the Aventurine didn't activate the amber crystal; instead, it took out a slightly cracked piece of Aventurine Stone and muttered incantations:
"I'll place the bets, I'll gamble, I'll win."
"I let fate turn its wheel, I'll gamble everything, and I'll survive even after facing death."
"All is dedicated to— the Amber Lord!"