Outside the screen, a familiar announcer's voice sounded:
"...According to Pierpoint Hotline news, a major breakthrough has been made in the shocking 'Aventurine of Aigihazo Case,' and the suspect has now been apprehended."
"This fraud case implicated multiple departments of the Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Erudition Society, leading to a waste of a large amount of human and material resources and causing huge losses to the Corporation."
"The suspect in this case comes from Tzigania-IV, is one of the survivors of the 'Second Katika-Evians Extinction Event,' and does not possess an Interstellar Refugee Travel Permit."
"At the instruction of Diamond, the head of the Strategic Investment Department, the Corporation has properly settled him based on the spirit of the 'Charter' and will continue to conduct investigations to further confirm the suspect's criminal motive..."
[Botio: Meow, your baby, so you guys secretly let the culprit go? Kakavasha, meow! I remember hearing that name!]
[Himeko: I also have some impression of this matter. It's no wonder the Corporation recruited someone who successfully deceived talents from multiple departments of the Interstellar Peace Corporation and the Erudition Society. How did your Strategic Investment Department put it again: Talent is the most valuable investment, right?]
In the lavishly decorated and solemn Strategic Investment Department conference room, Jade, sitting at the conference table, pondered to herself, her brows furrowing.
She knew the severity of this incident—although high-ranking officials like Dr. Ratio of the Erudition Society were well aware of Aventurine's origins, they chose to condone this improper behavior.
This would undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Corporation, especially in terms of public trust.
Then, on the viewing screen, the scene suddenly shifted to a bright room.
In this bright and dazzling light, a graceful figure slowly emerged.
She was an elegant and ethereal lady.
She wore an enormous circular hat, and her pink hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, silky smooth and shimmering with an alluring luster.
These strands were naturally curled, rising and falling like ocean waves, each one exuding a unique charm.
This lady sat upright behind a solemn platform, like a courtroom, her posture erect, yet she looked at Aventurine below the platform with a somewhat languid gaze.
"What beautiful eyes!" Jade praised softly, a hint of curiosity in her voice, "Tell me, do they glow charmingly at night?"
Facing the inquiry, Aventurine showed a faint smile and replied, "If I could, I would definitely sell them."
Jade frowned slightly, showing a hint of surprise, clearly quite astonished by Aventurine's response.
After a brief silence, she continued, "You don't know how many people wish you would close your eyes forever.
As a slave, you shouldn't resist your master... but you killed that man."
Jade frowned slightly, showing a hint of surprise, clearly quite astonished by Aventurine's response.
After a brief silence, she continued:
"No lawyer dares to defend you. Perhaps you should try to argue for your own innocence?"
"It's not difficult, but it's meaningless," Aventurine replied indifferently.
"Quite confident in your eloquence, aren't you? Did you think the same way when you deceived the Erudition Society?" Jade questioned, her lips slightly upturned, a half-smile on her face.
Facing the questioning, Aventurine showed no panic.
He calmly and composedly replied, "I got what I deserved.
You wanted perfect construction materials, and I just offered a possibility, a small gamble."
"If you were lucky, the Corporation could have found anything from the yellow sands of Aigihazo, even the remnants of the Sand King.
Unfortunately, you weren't lucky."
Jade did not refute this point.
However, she was still full of doubts: "I don't deny that.
But what I'm curious about is why such an elaborate deception ultimately yielded no profit for anyone—including the culprit himself?"
Upon hearing this, Aventurine's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a confident smile.
He looked directly at the other party without concealment, and said firmly and frankly, "Madam, I have obtained what I wanted, which is to be brought before you and start the next big gamble."
Jade narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing at the blond young man before her, her eyes flickering with curiosity and vigilance.
She responded softly, "Then let's talk about this second big gamble.
Tell me, what are you planning to bet this time?"
Aventurine took a deep breath, then solemnly replied, "My life.
I bet you won't send me to the execution ground."
Jade's brows furrowed slightly, seemingly surprised by this wager, but she quickly regained her composure.
She asked with interest, "Hmm... So what exactly do you expect to gain from this gamble?"
The blond young man stared sharply at Jade, saying word for word, "I demand to see your 'Rana.'
I have important matters to discuss with him face-to-face." His voice revealed an unquestionable determination.
[Sushang: What does Rana mean?]
[Dr. Ratio: Some local indigenous language, equivalent to chief, leader.]
"And then?"
"I want money," Aventurine replied expressionlessly, his voice as calm as still water, without the slightest ripple.
Jade, facing him, couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
She had originally thought the other party would propose more demanding or complex conditions.
However, the man before her simply stated his needs so directly.
Thus, her lips curved slightly upward, revealing a playful smile:
"It can't be that simple."
Aventurine raised his head, his gaze fixed on Jade, as if to convey his deepest resolve to her.
He repeated, "It's that simple, thirty Ta'amba, the price of half my life, no more, no less."
Then, he took a deep breath and continued, "With this money, I can climb higher than you, possess more wealth than you... I bet you wouldn't dare give it to me, so, call him over."
As he finished his last sentence, a hint of provocation and confidence flashed in Aventurine's eyes.
At this moment, Jade also put away the smile on her face, looking thoughtfully at the man before her.
A moment later, she softly said, "Heh, interesting."
"Unfortunately, Diamond won't see you, no one can see him.
So at this moment, I am Diamond's agent, making decisions on his behalf."
Before Aventurine could react, Jade continued:
"You're wrong.
Thirty Ta'amba, I will give you, and far more than that.
Wealth, status, power... the Corporation will give you everything you want and don't want."
Then, she sighed softly, "'Kakavasha'... is a good name, but it's destined to be buried.
But you deserve to live, to create more wealth for us."
Jade stood up, walked to Aventurine's side, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "Go, pick out clothes you like, and choose a identity you prefer... then make good use of them, child."
"May your Trick never be exposed."