"A person with no visible desires?"
"How is that possible?"
"On a tiny world like Penacony, there actually exists someone without desire?"
"His soul shines with countless colors."
"A person whose fate is woven together by so many ambitions and destinies... yet I cannot perceive a single desire within him?"
"How fascinating."
"Could this be the genius Aventurine mentioned?"
Within the Strategic Investment Department of the IPC, all ten Stonehearts held tremendous influence.
Especially Jade.
Years ago, before retiring, the leader of Market Development Group 166 had personally recommended a young employee named Yelena to Jade.
In time, Yelena inherited the group.
Then rose all the way to become one of the department's directors.
She received a Cornerstone from Diamond.
And thus became one of the Ten Stonehearts—
Topaz.
As for Kakavasha of the Avgin people—
After orchestrating the infamous Sigonia Aventurine Incident, he was arrested by both the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild.
Jade had personally interrogated him.
She asked him why he had engineered a scheme in which nobody—not even himself—would emerge victorious.
Kakavasha had merely smiled.
Then wagered that Jade would never send him to the execution chamber.
He demanded an audience with Diamond.
And claimed that if someone would simply give him thirty Tanbas—a price equivalent to half his life—
He would climb higher than Jade herself.
Jade admired that arrogance.
So she accepted him into the company.
And as it turned out—
Kakavasha truly rose through the ranks.
Eventually becoming Aventurine of the Ten Stonehearts.
Diamond entrusted him with the Cornerstone known as Aventurine.
A fragment of a Preservation Emanator's authority.
A stone representing luck and deception.
"Lady Jade?"
Topaz tilted her head curiously.
"What are you looking at?"
"A very interesting person."
Jade's gaze remained fixed on the distant deck.
"Yelena."
"Delay the next stage of negotiations for a while."
"There is someone I need to meet personally."
She gently rubbed Topaz's head.
The affectionate gesture immediately caused Topaz's face to redden.
For Topaz—
Jade was more than a superior.
More than a mentor.
She was the person she respected most.
"Understood, Lady Jade."
Watching Topaz leave, Jade finally revealed a genuine smile.
Not long afterward.
On the deck of the Radiant Feldspar.
Two IPC employees approached Evan.
"Excuse me."
"Are you Mr. Evan?"
Evan raised an eyebrow.
"The IPC is looking for me?"
The appearance of ordinary IPC employees was rather unexpected.
After all, the only company representative they were truly familiar with was Aventurine.
"Lady Jade would like to meet you."
"Lady Jade?"
March blinked.
"Who's that?"
The moment she heard an unfamiliar woman's name, her guard instantly rose.
Jade.
The name sounded suspicious.
No.
Not suspicious.
More like...
Exactly the same kind of dangerous feeling Aventurine gave off.
"She's one of the Ten Stonehearts."
"The real reason Himeko asked us to come aboard the Radiant Feldspar."
Evan replied calmly.
He still remembered Jade's famous words.
I come to witness.
I come to pour the wine.
I come to claim ownership.
I bestow poison disguised as nectar.
I sow in spring and harvest in autumn.
Waiting patiently until the branches bear fruit.
All for the Amber Lord.
And now—
Himeko would serve as the nectar.
Representing the Astral Express during the negotiations.
The IPC controlled the largest information network in the universe.
Should Oti attempt to bypass them and list Penacony independently—
The IPC could instantly unleash a devastating media campaign.
The entire galaxy would learn that Penacony's dreams could no longer prevent death.
Under such pressure, the Family would have little choice but to cooperate.
The final arrangement would likely grant the IPC thirty percent ownership of Penacony.
In return, the IPC would help develop the dream world according to Oti's vision.
Because ultimately—
The IPC's goal was simple.
Bring every civilization under the Credit system.
To them, that was Preservation.
A universe united under one economic framework.
A universe safeguarded forever.
The universe did not need two Orders.
Only one.
The IPC would also grant five percent of Penacony's shares to the Astral Express.
Himeko would become an independent director.
A symbolic gesture honoring the Nameless who had shaped Penacony's history.
As for the poison in Jade's plan—
That role had originally belonged to Robin.
And the final guest she expected to meet—
Should have been Firefly.
Yet for some reason—
Jade had summoned Evan instead.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Well."
Evan shrugged.
"If she's inviting me, I suppose I should see what she wants."
He followed the two IPC employees toward Jade's quarters.
Immediately—
March and Stelle moved to follow.
"Apologies."
The guards stepped forward.
"Lady Jade invited only Mr. Evan."
"What?!"
March instantly exploded.
"Why only Evan?"
"Are you planning something?"
The guards remained expressionless.
"Rest assured, Miss March."
"The IPC guarantees Mr. Evan's personal safety."
Inside the room.
A woman was already waiting.
The moment Evan entered, she rose gracefully from her seat.
Elegant.
Refined.
Dangerous.
Like a beautiful gemstone hiding razor-sharp edges.
"Forgive me, Mr. Evan."
"I took the liberty of inviting you here."
Evan looked at her.
Then smiled.
A smile carrying just a hint of amusement.
"So then…"
"Lady Bonajade."
"What is the price?"
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