"…You still haven't answered my question."
Aventurine pressed insistently. Although his plan could not be said to be flawless, apart from himself, absolutely no one else knew about it. How did Sunday find out?
This thought had just emerged and stuck to his mind like a bone-deep maggot, impossible to shake off.
"Heh, Mr. Aventurine's tone doesn't sound like the attitude a 'prisoner' should have."
Sunday chuckled softly and shook his head lightly.
"But that's fine. Since Mr. Aventurine wants to know, there's no harm in telling you."
"Regarding the matter of the 'Aventurine Cornerstone' being shattered by you and mixed among the gems, it was my brother-in-law—Yun Fan—who told me."
Sunday unhesitatingly revealed Yun Fan's name. His only purpose in doing so was to let the IPC know that behind Penacony stood an [Causality] Emanator. If they wanted to do anything, they had better weigh their options carefully.
Even if Yun Fan would not interfere in Family affairs later, as long as this deterrent existed, the Interastral Peace Corporation would have scruples. That would be advantageous for the Family and for [Order].
"Yun Fan? You mean that [Causality] Emanator?"
Aventurine's heart sank. To be able to calculate his scheme—could this be the ability of a [Causality] Emanator?
At the present stage, the IPC's understanding and research on Pathstriders of the [Causality] Path were extremely limited. Through research on the existing [Causality] Pathstriders, they knew that Pathstriders of this Path possessed the following abilities:
First, [Causality] Retrospection.
[Causality] Pathstriders could see the cause and effect of an event or object, thereby seeing through the past. It had to be said that this ability would be extremely sought after by various factions if used for criminal investigation.
Second, [Causality] Rewriting.
This was the most powerful ability of [Causality] Pathstriders. They could rewrite the cause and effect of things to change the direction of events, the completeness of objects, and even the life or death of humans.
This was all the known information the IPC currently had. Of course, this was not the full extent of a [Causality] Pathstrider's abilities. It was simply that very few humans could step onto this Path, and the company did not have many research subjects.
'A [Causality] Emanator has taken action. Does this mean he truly stands on the same side as the Family?'
Aventurine could not help pondering inwardly. The company had already investigated the matter of the galaxy's popular idol marrying the [Causality] Emanator Yun Fan.
However, according to their investigation data, it seemed the Family had forced it upon him, and Miss Robin was more like a tool sacrificed for profit.
But looking at the current situation, it did not seem that way. Well, it was not impossible that Sunday was saying this on purpose. The man before him was a cunning fox—his words could not be easily believed.
Thinking of this, Aventurine nodded secretly and spoke tentatively.
"Mr. Sunday, you must be joking. If I remember correctly, your sister Miss Robin has been missing for several days now, while my meeting request was only submitted yesterday."
Aventurine smiled. Seeing a slight change in Sunday's expression, he continued.
"The matter of Miss Robin's disappearance surely could not be hidden from Mr. Yun Fan, right? For this [Causality] Emanator not to come demanding answers is already very good. Why would he disclose anything about me to you?"
Aventurine's meaning was already very clear. Robin had gone missing several days ago. Her fiancé must have known long ago, while Aventurine had submitted his meeting request only one day earlier.
That meant Sunday only learned about the 'Aventurine Cornerstone' yesterday, which indicated Yun Fan had told him yesterday. This seemed inconsistent.
The Family had lost someone else's fiancée. Without the bond of interest, why would the [Causality] Emanator help the Family? It did not make sense.
As for whether Sunday had known about the Aventurine Cornerstone earlier, Aventurine did not believe Sunday would be so idle as to keep constant watch on him.
"Heh."
Hearing Aventurine's words, Sunday merely chuckled. He naturally understood the implication, but he had no desire to argue. Sometimes saying only half was just right to achieve the best effect.
"Believe it or not, I have already told you the truth, Mr. Aventurine."
"Heh…" Aventurine did not reply. He understood—he understood very well. Even if he asked more, the other party would absolutely not tell the truth.
"Then Mr. Sunday, since I have already been defeated in this game, why don't you let me die with understanding? I still have one question…"
"How did you open the box containing the Cornerstone?" At this point, a trace of coldness unconsciously entered Aventurine's tone. He had basically guessed the answer. He only asked to confirm it.
"Die with understanding? That won't be necessary." Sunday shook his head lightly. He still needed Aventurine to stir up the waters—how could he really let the other party die?
"I think you have already guessed it, haven't you?" Saying so, Sunday's gaze shifted slightly and finally landed on Dr. Ratio, who was standing to the side with his eyes closed, resting.
"Mr. Aventurine, thanks to you having a friend with discerning eyes, I was able to add a complete failure to your career in the Interastral Peace Corporation."
"…Ratio, you bastard…"
Aventurine said through gritted teeth. As a treasure of the Strategic Investment Department, the box used by the 'Ten Stonehearts' to store "Cornerstones" was specially made. Apart from the true high-level executives of the IPC and the personnel responsible for making the boxes, no one could open it.
And Ratio happened to be in that group. As a member of the Intelligentsia Guild, the highly respected Dr. Ratio naturally knew how to open this box.
"Hmph…"
But in response to Aventurine's words, Mr. Ratio merely turned his head away, pretending not to hear.
"Heh, what a sorry sight. By the way, I believe you have already felt it. Because of the lie you just told, [Harmony]'s punishment has already descended upon you."
"At present, you only have a little over ten system hours left. Before you are completely assimilated by [Harmony], savor this failure well."
— — — —