The scene shifts to a vast hall as deep and boundless as the ocean depths. A woman with an alluring figure, dressed in seductive black stockings, stands side by side with Stelle. Not far from them, Aventurine sits quietly. The entire hall is permeated with a mystical and fantastical atmosphere, as if one has stepped into a dream.
Looking around, the interior of the hall resembles an immense underwater world. Giant whales glide gracefully through the space, their enormous bodies swaying in the water, inspiring awe in all who behold them. Countless crystal-clear bubbles rise slowly, bursting with crisp, melodious sounds.
"As agreed, I've brought her here. The transaction is complete," the woman speaks.
"Thank you for your assistance, Remembrancer. A truly brilliant move, using a tiger to devour a wolf," Aventurine applauds, rising to his feet.
"Black Swan, you..." Stelle stares at the woman before him in shock.
[Stelle: What's going on? Have I been sold out?!]
[Yanqing: A book I once read said that the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive.]
[Jingliu: Interesting.]
[Jing Yuan: ...]
[As Stelle watches this elegant woman tell Aventurine that the transaction is complete, he feels that there's no one left to trust. Only the warmth from the garbage can on the train can comfort his fragile heart.]
Aventurine, observing Stelle's shocked expression, bursts into laughter. "Hahaha, it seems our nameless friend hasn't quite grasped the situation yet. No worries, allow me to explain."
"In short, my friend, you should thank this lady. Not only did she not scheme against you—quite the contrary, she saved you..."
"From the hands of that Sea-Roving Ranger."
As Aventurine finishes speaking, an image appears in the upper right corner of the viewing channel. The photo shows the woman who had interrupted Aventurine's actions in the room during the previous viewing.
It reads: The invited guest who calls herself the Sea-Roving Ranger: Acheron.
[Boothill: What the meow, I've never heard of that name before.]
"What do you mean?" Stelle asks, his face full of bewilderment.
"That's right, I just love that look of utter surprise," Aventurine replies with a smile.
"My friend, let's lay our cards on the table now. This woman called Acheron is far more complex than you imagine. Sea-Roving Ranger..." Aventurine chuckles, slowly uttering a sentence: "She is an Emanator, bringing death and finality."
"Whose Emanator?" Stelle anxiously inquires.
"Perhaps Hunt... Destruction... or maybe even Finality. It doesn't matter. One aspect of these paths—they all point to the same outcome." He shrugs indifferently:
"Let me give you some company intel, friend. Have you heard of the Grand Duke of Infernal Fire—Tophet's Ifrit?"
[Grand Duke of Infernal Fire: ?]
Stelle scratches his head: "Who?"
"It seems you have no recollection at all... Well, it's normal, considering it's the Nameless. Let me explain..." Aventurine pauses, then continues:
"This Grand Duke of Infernal Fire is a fire demon from Tophet, an elemental life form. It's said that his origins are somewhat related to a certain genius..."
"He and his followers form the Eternal Fire Manor, viewing Nanook as their benefactor—but in reality, they're led by this Grand Duke, rampaging everywhere with arson and plunder, carrying out the will of 'Destruction', not even sparing other Nameless."
"I don't know what went wrong with the family's thinking, or if someone interfered, but these fellows actually received invitations as well. The Eternal Fire Manor certainly wouldn't refuse, they came with a vengeance, vowing to burn the Star of the Gathering into a sea of flames..."
At this point, Aventurine builds up suspense:
"But don't worry, they won't be attending. Do you know why?"
Seeing Stelle's puzzled face, Aventurine remains silent for a moment before finally revealing the answer: "Because Ifrit is dead."
"They were annihilated on their way to the gathering. The killer brutally murdered Ifrit in an incredibly skillful manner, stealing the invitation received by the Nameless. The Eternal Fire Manor has also disintegrated, scattering like birds and beasts—"
[Sparkle: This is too much fun, Aventurine. Quick, tell me, who killed this little clown?]
[Aventurine: I'm sorry, Miss Fool, nothing has begun yet. Naturally, I don't know who killed the Grand Duke of Infernal Fire, but we might as well continue watching.]
[Sparkle: Well then, Mr. Clown, how do you feel about your death?]
[Grand Duke of Infernal Fire: Fool, do not attempt to provoke me.]
[Grand Duke of Infernal Fire: But... We come from fire, born in flames. We spread, burn, and destroy until the fuel is exhausted, leaving only ashes. Burning is the life of a fire demon, the beginning and the end. We are born to die, only to embody one aspect of the universal truth: all things are born for 'Destruction'.]
[March 7th: Wow, is he really so calm about seeing himself die?]
[Welt: I must say, Ifrit is indeed a practitioner of the Path of Destruction, not only destroying others but even accepting the fate of being destroyed himself.]
[Grand Duke of Infernal Fire: You understand the meaning of the paths, friend. Would you like to join the Nameless?]
[Welt: No, thank you.]
Aventurine hints: "And after that, a mysterious Sea-Roving Ranger arrived at Penacony, checking into the hotel with a music box... Do I need to continue, my friend?"
Stelle's eyes widen, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with surprise: "Is there any other evidence?"
Aventurine merely shrugs: "Sea-Roving Rangers are elusive, and they rarely interact with each other. This disguise is too easy to wear; unless she confesses, there's no way to prove it. The company has ways to investigate, but it takes time."
"So, friend, it's time for you to make a choice... You can leave right now, without looking back, and forever give up the chance to get close to the truth." Aventurine turns his head to look at the nearby whale, his back to Stelle as he says: "Alternatively, you can accept my invitation and learn a fact, a fact that could overturn Penacony."
"If you want to know the truth, follow me."
Aventurine walks towards the upper floor. As the perspective shifts, the appearance of this hall is revealed to everyone—the reception area of the Dreamscape Hotel.
[Jing Yuan: Indeed, it's a peculiar sight that can only exist in dreams, truly a rare sight.]
Stelle ponders for a moment before quickly following.
"Very good, I knew you would come. As for that Remembrancer... never mind, I won't ask too much." Aventurine shrugs: "After all, I said you could consult with your companions, or even use me in return. I welcome it! Because it also shows me your value."
[Stelle: This guy seems to be using me, but he looks so... upright about it. Such a contradictory feeling.]
"I never do business at a loss. I hope you 'friends'... won't disappoint me." With that, he smiles slightly, extending his hand in an inviting gesture, saying softly, "Come, this way please."
As Aventurine leads Stelle down the corridor, he says:
"Ah, yes, I seem to have said something after that... What was it again?"
"Ah... A familiar corridor, a familiar room. Remember? We met last time in this very place."
Aventurine leads Stelle to a half-open door. "We've arrived, just behind this door. Hold your breath, and prepare yourself—"
As Stelle reaches out, about to push open the door, Aventurine beside him says: "Oh, I finally remember... Friend! After that, we played an enjoyable game."
"See, this moment, right here and now, is just like that moment then, isn't it?"
The door opens, revealing a standard hotel room, identical to the one Stelle himself is staying in.