Chapter 315: Penacony Arc 『 Part Ten 』, The Epilogue of the Grand Hotel
Bruce nodded.
"Master Wayne, since you've broached the subject of conjecture, I find myself harboring a few thoughts of my own."
Alfred lightly buffed the rim of a crystal glass.
"I am inclined to agree with your hypothesis that the 'Watchmaker' still draws breath—however, I suspect he is not a captive, but rather a voluntary resident of Penacony."
Bruce's brow furrowed slightly.
"And why is that?"
"Perhaps Penacony and this Watchmaker are inextricably linked; perhaps this city of dreams requires his presence to endure. This so-called 'Legacy' may well be the mantle of his succession—a deep, irreversible bonding with Penacony itself."
Alfred spoke softly.
"Of course, one might call it a cage… but humanity has a peculiar talent for constructing its own prisons and christening them 'mission.'"
—
「 Having concluded their discussion, the group retired to their respective quarters. Just as Stelle reached the threshold of March 7th's room, she caught the sound of an exuberant exclamation.
"Wow! Look at the size of that bathtub…!"
Stelle pushed the door open to find March 7th practically beaming with excitement. When the conversation turned to the current state of affairs, March lacked the somber gravity of Welt or Himeko; instead, she seemed utterly invigorated.
"At first, I really thought we were just here for a vacation, but now… I feel like this 'Charmony Festival' is going to be something else entirely! Different factions deciphering riddles, fighting over a legacy—it's exactly like a detective novel!"
"Who knows? We might even get the classic tropes: families turning against each other, homes ruined, tragic partings between the living and the dead, blood flowing like rivers… It's going to be so thrilling!"
( Translator-kun: It's here! The true Emanator of Finality, make another script about Penacony. ) 」
「 .....」
〜Bleach World〜
"That girl's predictions have a habit of being right seven or eight times out of ten."
Beneath the night sky of Karakura Town, atop the roof of the Urahara Shop, Yoruichi stretched languidly before casting an intrigued glance toward the image of March 7th.
"Oh?"
Urahara Kisuke adjusted the brim of his hat, shielding half his face behind a folding fan.
"I didn't realize you were paying her such close attention."
"It's hard not to. Do you remember back in Belobog? She told Dan Heng to use his 'hidden power'… and it turned out he actually had one, and the power of a High Elder of the Luofu, no less."
"And then there was the business with Tingyun… she said the person appearing at the port was definitely the mastermind, and it turned out that Tingyun was an Emanator of Destruction in disguise. The girl was right again."
Yoruichi shrugged.
"I'm starting to think this girl's offhand remarks might be more prophetic than Elio's scripts."
"But this time is different, isn't it? Penacony is a dreamscape."
Urahara looked up at Yoruichi perched on the eaves.
"Tragic partings and rivers of blood might be possible if Duke Inferno arrives, but family members turning on one another… surely Robin and Sunday wouldn't actually come to blows?"
"Hard to say. But Sunday… I get the feeling his mind is as meticulous as Aventurine's. Then again, one doesn't become the representative of the Family's 『 Harmony 』 by being a simpleton."
—
「 After her chat with March 7th, Stelle headed for her own room. However, upon entering, she found Aventurine already standing there.
Aventurine offered a warm greeting, a slick smile playing on his lips. "Don't be tense. I'm just here to soak up some of your good fortune. This is your room now, but half a system-hour ago—it was mine."
Using the room as an icebreaker, he indicated he merely wished for a brief chat.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I appreciate a straightforward partner." Aventurine laughed with satisfaction. "To put it simply, friend, I need your help. You might not realize it yet, but Penacony is far more complex than it appears. The Family has eyes and ears everywhere. I won't spell it out, but I think you understand."
"My objective is simple: to help the IPC reclaim what rightfully belongs to it. If you're willing to assist me, you'll be handsomely rewarded when the dust settles—and you'll have the protection of the Preservation to boot."
"After all, you're different from the others. You're special—special enough to flip the entire gamble table." His voice rose with a melodic lilt, like a carefully choreographed magic act. "That power… don't you want to use it? Or perhaps… don't you want to be rid of it? Don't you want to use it to make a name for yourself across the cosmos?"
"That power which everyone fears yet craves… it lies right there, in the palm of your hand…"
Aventurine's voice suddenly dropped to a low murmur. His breath carried a dangerous yet alluring quality—like a baited hook.
"Miss Stellaron, did I get that right?"
Stelle's brow knitted together. "How did you know?"
"I know now." Aventurine's smile grew cryptic. 」
「 .....」
〜Sword Art Online World〜
Aincrad, 22nd Floor—
The log cabin was bathed in the warm glow of the hearth. Asuna huddled beneath a blanket, staring at Aventurine's elegant yet predatory expression on the sky-screen, instinctively leaning closer to Kirito.
"Being friends with someone like that makes it feel like you'd have no secrets left,"
She sighed softly.
"You'd feel like you were being played until there was nothing left of you."
Kirito tossed a log into the fire and chuckled quietly.
"If he were a teammate, he'd definitely be the core of the core. He's a master at reading people and navigating different factions. If your interests align, he could make a team invincible. But if you're on opposite sides…"
Asuna rested her chin on her knees, her hair falling forward.
"Then what?"
"I'm not sure. At least we haven't encountered anyone like that yet."
Kirito watched the sparks pop in the fireplace.
"But compared to a blatant threat like Duke Inferno, Stelle should definitely be more wary of people like Aventurine and Sunday… even if Aventurine is acting friendly for now."
To him, Sunday and Aventurine were like icebergs drifting in the ocean; it was impossible to guess the sheer mass hidden beneath the surface. If one were to collide with them recklessly, the only outcome would be total annihilation.
—
「 "You don't have to give me an answer now; thinking takes time. When the moment is right, I'll come find you. Of course, you're welcome to discuss this with your companions and try to use me in return—I'd welcome it, actually, as it would be a fine demonstration of your value."
"Oh, before I go, let's play a little game. Simple: guess which hand the chip is in. Consider it an introduction, a way for you to better understand my personality and the way I do business…"
An amber chip danced between Aventurine's long fingers like a tamed golden butterfly. With a sudden flick of his wrist, the chip traced an elegant arc through the air—and vanished into thin air.
"Friend, the game has already begun."
The corners of Aventurine's mouth curled into a faint, enigmatic smirk. He deliberately slowed his movements, his fingers unfurling like blooming petals to reveal an empty palm. The chip was nowhere to be found.
"Make a deal with me. You have no reason to refuse…"
Stelle suddenly felt a slight weight in her palm. Looking down, she saw the vanished chip resting quietly in her hand. She snapped her gaze upward, locking eyes with Aventurine as he leaned in close—those beautiful, captivating eyes now shimmering with the predatory glint of a hunter.
"…and no room to decline." 」
「 .....」