Chapter 154

Stelle shook her head again.

【Don't be hasty — why not head back to your companions first and have a chat with them?】

【That navigator Young Lady is a clever one; she will surely understand the value of this deal.】

【Here, my contact info — reach out once you've reached a conclusion.】

【Oh, and one more thing... take it!】

【To carry out an investigation, you need some pocket money on hand. Don't you dare be polite about it!】

【See you around, friend.】

【I truly look forward to uncovering the truth of death together with all of you.】

After giving Stelle his contact information,

along with some credits,

Aventurine walked straight away.

【Aventurine just walked off on his own...】

【He really didn't mean to force anything, but something still feels off about it...】

Stelle watched Aventurine's retreating back, a vague unease stirring in her heart.

【... What next?】

【What do you plan to do?】

Suddenly, Black Swan spoke up to ask.

【Black Swan... what is she thinking, I wonder?】

Stelle walked up to Black Swan,

preparing to hear her opinion properly.

【On the surface, this deal does you no harm.】

【But Aventurine is a shrewd merchant — his calculations will never be as simple as they appear.】

【He doesn't yet know about Young Lady Firefly's matter — but from your reaction, he may have sensed something, and deliberately steered the topic toward the truth of death, drawing you into his logic.】

【Quick to react, clear in logic... I must warn you, cooperating with that man is dangerous.】

Black Swan laid out the pros and cons for Stelle.

【May I roll a die?】

Stelle felt this matter was truly hard to decide.

【Leaving it to fate?】

【Your thinking does bear some resemblance to that gambler's.】

【Regardless, be cautious.】

【The path of pioneering is not a single road — in the dark forest ringed by wolves, you must first make sure you can escape with your life.】

【As for the other matters...】

Black Swan fell silent,

waiting for Stelle to ask other questions.

【Was it Death that killed Robin?】

Stelle thought for a moment and asked.

【I can't confirm both incidents were the work of the same person, but that massive wound... it looks very much like its wing-blade. We've all seen the moment it struck.】

【And besides... there's currently no second way to kill someone within a dream.】

Black Swan explained.

【Then does this matter have anything to do with Huang Quan?】

Stelle asked again.

【I'm sorry, I can't answer that question.】

【That ranger is far too mysterious — I doubt anyone can give a definitive answer.】

【But without a doubt... she is the most special guest at this banquet.】

【Just as Aventurine said earlier, you'd best keep your distance from her.】

Black Swan shook her head,

unable to give a precise answer.

【Are there any other anomalies?】

Stelle thought for a moment and said.

【Two victims appearing in such quick succession... that alone is already far too unusual.】

【There are two possibilities: the collapse of Penacony's dreamscape is beginning to accelerate, making Death unusually restless, and the Family's protection is starting to grow fragile.】

【Or perhaps, every action is part of someone's plan.】

【If someone did this deliberately... first the "stowaway," then the "Family's star" — the killer's intent is inevitably rather thought-provoking.】

Black Swan recalled all of this and carefully offered a few analyses.

【All of this is too sudden — I can only offer guesses.】

【After leaving here, go and talk it over carefully with your companions. I hope you can trace the source of these tangled thoughts.】

Black Swan looked up at Stelle,

offered a few words of counsel,

and led her through the chaotic dreamscape.

【This way — it's only a short stretch, don't get lost.】

The Black Swan brought Stelle to the boundary of the dreamscape.

【Leave from here.】

【Then it is time for us to part.】

【All of this is like... a nightmare.】

【Unfortunately, memories do not lie... what we have just seen are real events that occurred, and will not vanish behind us upon waking.】

【But do not fear—follow the choice of your heart.】

【We all walk through this world, leaving behind shadows of varying lengths, and finally... precious memories.】

【... Ah, please wait a moment longer.】

The Black Swan suddenly fell silent,

then she gently touched Stelle's earlobe and handed her a card.

【That will do—a small parting gift.】

【If one day you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of the Memory Realm and have no Memory Keeper beside you—it will guide you out in my stead.】

【I am quite mindful of human relations too... consider it my apology for keeping things from you.】