[Kakavasha: Sister Jade, it's like this. Unlike our initial investigation, Penacony this time is truly full of surging undercurrents. Just among Emanator-level existences, besides the 'Emanator of Causality—Yun Fan' and the 'Embodiment of Harmony' we originally discovered, there are fully four more.]
[Kakavasha: Two Emanators of Erudition—Ruan Mei and Lady Herta, plus two unknown Emanators.]
"Herta and Ruan Mei? Does the Genius Society also want to get involved in this dispute?"
Seeing the names Herta and Ruan Mei, Jade's already attractive brows furrowed even deeper.
If people from the Genius Society also wanted to wade into this muddy water, things would become quite troublesome. As a former frontier prison of the Company that had gained independence, Penacony had always been a "thorn in the eye, a splinter in the flesh" for the Company.
Now, with the reclamation plan about to be carried out, if the Genius Society wanted to insert themselves, Jade would have no choice but to consider whether to invite a few more of the "Ten Stonehearts" into the game.
The power of a "Cornerstone" was undoubtedly strong, but it was merely one-tenth of an Emanator of [Preservation]'s authority. Facing two full-powered Emanators of [Erudition] was simply impossible—even if Emanators of [Erudition] weren't particularly skilled in combat.
[Jade: The other two Emanators you mentioned—have you grasped any identity information on them?]
Reading Jade's reply, a bitter smile couldn't help but appear on our Mr. Aventurine's face. Information on those two was practically a blank slate—where was he supposed to find any leads?
Not to mention that girl named Firefly—her information was completely blank, a textbook black household. There was no record of her in Penacony's official registry; she was clearly a stowaway.
Beyond that, even the so-called "Galaxy Ranger" named Acheron—her identity was most likely fabricated as well.
The Galaxy Rangers organization had disappeared from the galaxy who-knows-how-long ago. Using their name, Aventurine had no way to verify authenticity.
However… deep in Aventurine's heart, there was a premonition: this Miss Acheron who called herself a Galaxy Ranger—the Path she walked was absolutely not [The Hunt]!
Though it might sound absurd, there was a high probability that the Path Miss Acheron had stepped onto was that of [Nihility].
And [Nihility] had no Emanators—this was something universally acknowledged by the world.
[Nihility] believed that the existence of the world held no meaning, that everything would ultimately head toward [Nihility]. Therefore, the Aeon of Nihility "IX" never glanced at anyone. To achieve the position of Emanator, one could probably only rely on their own power.
If Miss Acheron truly was an Emanator of [Nihility], then to have walked to this point, her strength…
It couldn't be said to be the strongest among Emanators, but it was undoubtedly among the absolute top tier.
[Kakavasha: Sister Jade, that's all the information I currently know. So, I would like to request assistance. Though saying this might seem like 'boosting others' prestige while diminishing my own ambition,' but…]
[Kakavasha: Relying solely on the 'Cornerstone' in my hand, in the end, I'm afraid I'll only be an ordinary chess piece—a pawn casually manipulated by these powerhouses.]
After Aventurine sent his message, Jade on the other end fell into a long silence.
Yes, just as Aventurine said: in front of ordinary Pathstriders, the power of a "Cornerstone" was indeed formidable. But when facing those top-tier Pathstriders—or Emanators of Aeons—it was completely insufficient.
The unrest in Penacony now far exceeded Jade's expectations. If there were regret medicine for sale in this world, Jade would most likely choose not to enter the game at all.
[Jade: I understand this matter. I'll consider how to handle it.]
[Jade: Since the bets have already been placed, we cannot turn back before reaching ultimate victory.]
After replying with that final message, Jade put away her phone and stood alone in place, tilting her head at a 45-degree angle to gaze up at the spaceships coming and going in the sky above, lost in thought about something.
After quite a while, Jade finally withdrew her gaze. Then, she dialed another call.
"Hello, Opal? There's something on my side that might require your assistance…"
———————————
"Read but no reply? Looks like Sister Jade has gone to prepare countermeasures."
Seeing that Jade on the other end had stopped replying to his messages, Aventurine shook his head and casually tossed his phone onto the table.
"That self-proclaimed Galaxy Ranger, Acheron—what exactly is her background?" Recalling the pressure Acheron had given him that day, Aventurine's brows couldn't help but furrow deeply. This Acheron was simply far too mysterious.
"Are you calling for me? Actually, I don't have any particularly special identity."
Hearing the voice that came from behind him, our Mr. Aventurine instantly felt a chill run down his spine. Reflexively, Aventurine circulated Imaginary energy and hurled a specially made chip toward his rear.
"Pointless behavior."
Under the enhancement of Imaginary power, the specially made chip instantly broke the sound barrier, producing a deafening sonic boom.
Yet such a sharp attack appeared utterly insignificant in front of Acheron.
To this sudden assault, Acheron merely extended her hand faintly. The next moment, the chip flew straight into her palm as if willingly surrendering.
"You… how did you get into my room?"
Staring fixedly at Acheron before him, a trace of wariness appeared on Aventurine's face. Though he didn't consider himself a powerhouse, he also didn't think of himself as weak.
How had this person done it? To appear so silently behind him!
Facing Aventurine's question, no major fluctuation appeared on Acheron's face. She simply raised her hand and pointed with her slender jade finger in one direction.
Following Acheron's gesture, Aventurine's gaze finally landed on the room's door. It looked perfectly intact—aside from being open, there seemed to be nothing wrong with it…
However, just as Aventurine was utterly baffled, our Miss Acheron suddenly spoke.
"The door wasn't locked. I pushed it open and walked in."
Aventurine: ...…