『 "Mr. Welt." Acheron called out to Welt, who was walking ahead.
Welt looked back at Acheron in confusion.
"Why didn't you tell your companions about my true identity?"
"Just as you said, it's not that I'm unwilling, but rather that I cannot. Plus, it's a long story... not something that can be summed up in a few words." 』
『 ....』
{Don't worry, I'll spill everything, especially the dark history of you three leaders, hehe~}
〘·HSR· Welt Yang〙: That is highly unnecessary.
〘Otto Apocalypse〙: What dark history could I possibly have?
〘Amber〙: It seems we need to prepare for some public relations work.
〘Kevin Kaslana〙: …
....
『 "But I chose to believe you, and my trust in you stems more from... my own personal judgment." 』
『 ....』
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: Hmph, even if she is the Mei of another world, she must be on the side of justice. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
....
『 "I also believe that, if it were their choice to make, they would make the same one."
Welt looked toward the three who had stopped not far away, waiting for them.
Acheron looked over as well. Stelle smiled and waved at Acheron, who nodded in response before turning back to Welt. "Thank you very much."
"As a gesture of reciprocity, in the upcoming confrontation, if a situation disadvantageous to the Astral Express arises… I will stand on your side."
"—I am willing to offer my humble assistance."
After saying this, Acheron and Welt walked toward the other three. Once they met up, the five of them nodded in tacit agreement and walked toward Clock Studios Theme Park.
Before long, the five of them stopped in front of the familiar statue of Clockie.
March 7th, looked at the theme park in front of her and sighed, "We're back here again. Aventurine actually chose such an eye-catching place…"
"This guy is making such an over-the-top scene. Does he really think he's a big superstar?"
Himeko looked around at the surroundings. The biggest change compared to when Gallagher brought them here earlier was that it was completely empty.
"Completely empty? The Bloodhounds dispersed the tourists earlier, and now even they are nowhere to be found…"
"Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. The opponent is clearly well-prepared."
Everyone nodded and walked toward the stage Aventurine had prepared. Passing through the red curtains, they saw three screens in front of them. The middle one was exceptionally huge, displaying the spade pattern from Aventurine's dice.
Aventurine's voice rang out from the broadcast.
"Ladies, gentlemen, dream seekers, tycoons, esteemed guests of the Watchmaker and The Family—"
"—Also not forgetting the Nameless of the renowned Astral Express! Welcome to the Interastral Peace Corporation's live show!" 』
『 ....』
〘Topaz〙: I knew it.
〘Dr. Ratio〙: Not surprising at all.
....
『 As if sensing everyone's arrival, the spade pattern on the giant screen flickered a few times, and then Aventurine's voice continued to ring from the broadcast.
"You're quite late, everyone from the Astral Express, and the… uninvited guest over here."
"We've kept our appointment, Mr. Aventurine. By etiquette, you should also make an appearance." Himeko spoke loudly, looking at the screen.
"Hahaha, of course I will. But before that, I've got to introduce our guest of honor."
As his words fell, a spotlight shone directly on Stelle.
"Please welcome with applause—Miss Stellaron!"
Stelle was caught off guard by the sudden spotlight. Once she reacted, enduring the strange looks from the people around her, she smiled and waved at the screen in front of her, cheering, "Mommy, look! I'm on TV!"
March 7th was completely speechless, looking at her as if she were a total goofball. "Uh…" 』
『 ....』
〘Kafka〙: I'm watching, baby~
〘Silver Wolf〙: You really spoil her, don't you!
〘Hotaru〙: So cute!
〘Silver Wolf〙: Oh my god, the Stellaron Hunters are finished. Is it too late for me to jump ship now?
〘Hanabi〙: Come to the Tavern, I'll play games with you.
〘Silver Wolf〙: Not going (ᗜ ‸ ᗜ)
....
『 Welt said solemnly, "Allow me to remind you, this stage and Stelle's identity shouldn't have anything to do with apprehending the true culprit."
Aventurine replied in a lighthearted tone, "No, it does. Of course it does. Otherwise, why would I work so hard to gain your trust and invite you all here?"
"Because she is the only eyewitness to all three murder cases, the best candidate to prove that 'death does not exist in dreams' is nothing but empty talk!"
"Three murder cases?" Himeko asked in surprise.
"Yes, ma'am. The third murder case is about to happen. Right here, in Clock Studios Theme Park…" Aventurine's tone grew more and more excited as he announced loudly, "A truly grand death."
"You, you, you, and you… everyone will die—and all of this is because of you, Miss Stellaron…"
"…You will become the personification of 'Death.'" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: I can take down Acheron? Real or fake?
〘March 7th〙: I'm not sure, but if you self-destruct, you could probably take her down with you.
〘Stelle〙: Who self-destructs for fun!
〘Herta〙: When you were playing the Simulated Universe and chose the Path of Destruction, didn't you shout every day, 'I'm going to blow up with you guys!' before charging into the mobs?
....
『 "How can you guarantee you'll survive?" Stelle asked in confusion.
"Haha, of course. Do not underestimate Preservation." Aventurine laughed heartily. "The Amber Lord's Cornerstone will naturally show me the way…"
"Let me make it clearer: I will detonate the Stellaron inside you, creating a little accident in Penacony…"
"BANG—! The entire theme park will turn into a shattered dream. And then, before the Family can react, I will become the navigator of the Corporation's fleet."
"Bluffing is useless against us. If you could really do it, you had plenty of opportunities before." Acheron pointed out the loophole in Aventurine's words.
"Are you betting with me?" Aventurine was somewhat surprised, as if he had heard the funniest joke of this Amber Era. "Alright, then I'll bet with you too. I bet that I will win a total victory, using an unprecedented explosion to prove that the oath of Harmony is an absolute joke."
"You can't do it," Acheron said with a calm face.
"Of course I can. It's just another gamble."
Aventurine's voice was flat, as if he were recounting the deeds of a stranger.
"I came from the wastelands of Sigonia. For just sixty red copper coins, people paid to brand me, put me in chains, place me in the gallows, and bury me in the golden sands..."
"But the sun could not kill me, and the quicksand sent me back to the embrace of the Guild and the IPC. Bear in mind, my victory wasn't just a stroke of luck — I've never been defeated."
His voice turned solemn. "Let me share a proverb with you all: Sleep is a rehearsal of death. Why does life slumber? All because we are not ready for the final rest."
"Every night is practice for the end. You and I are escaping into our dreams for fear of death at this very moment. And 'Death'... will surface in our dreams." 』
『 ....』
〘Dr. Ratio〙: Hmm, a very good answer.
〘Aventurine〙: Oh? Thanks for the compliment.
....
『 Then, his voice became passionate and rousing.
"Friends, the game has commenced, and you cannot choose to decline—"
"—Nor do you have any reason or grounds to." 』
『 ....』