Chapter 96

The video continues.

The scene shifts,

and begins to play a part of Aventurine's past.

【You're back, No. 35. Do you like your amulet?】

A cold voice rang out in front of Aventurine.

【...Can a product code also serve as an amulet?】

Aventurine couldn't help but speak,

as if mocking himself.

【Shut up.】

【I didn't give you permission to speak, you hyena of Sigonia.】

The man snorted coldly.

【That group in black suits didn't say much, so I don't know what means you used to save your life in that massacre back then.】

【But I think you're lucky, so I bought you.】

【From now on, you and your luck are my assets, understand?】

【The first order I give you is simple: besides you, I also bought another thirty... hmm, thirty-four slaves.】

【Go play a game with them—two days, come out alive, and prove your ability is the real deal.】

The man smiled playfully.

He gave Aventurine his first task.

That was... to survive among thirty-five people first!

【...】

【You're crazy.】

The words of the person in front of him surprised Aventurine.

【Heh, just testing the goods.】

The man didn't care at all.

【Aren't you afraid that this money will be wasted?】

Aventurine asked back.

【I have plenty of money, little blondie.】

【The Pan-Galactic slave market is never short of self-righteous brats like you.】

【But you have a good skin, so many guests have bet their fortunes on you, you scrawny little brat.】

【Go, don't let your master down.】

For the man,

Aventurine was just his cargo,

and he wouldn't take him to heart at all.

【...】

【How much did you spend?】

Aventurine was silent for a while,

and asked out of the blue.

【What?】

The man was stunned.

【My price, how much money did you spend to buy me?】

Aventurine continued to ask.

【Ho, you want to know this?】

【Fine.】

【Sixty Ta-Ambas, not a penny more or less.】

The man replied casually.

【...I want to bet with you.】

【Half of sixty, thirty coins...】

【As long as I can come back alive, you have to give them to me.】

【Do you dare to bet?】

Aventurine looked at the man in front of him,

and said in an inexplicable tone.

【Haha, you want to bet with me?】

【Fine, you've got guts!】

【—But sorry, impossible.】

【Slave, don't forget your identity; you don't have the qualifications to sit at the table at all.】

【You are just a chip, a life held in someone else's hand and thrown out; either help your master bring back more chips, or...】

【Don't ever come back!】

【All, or nothing—don't you dare embarrass me, "Lucky One".】

Navia: "Is this when Mr. Aventurine was a slave?"

Navia: "That's truly miserable..."

Dehya: "A living person, branded with a product code and bought and sold at will..."

Dehya: "Is this allowed in the universe?"

Diluc: "It seems that the law of the jungle is followed in the universe..."

Diluc: "If you have no ability, not only can you not protect your hometown and clan, but you can't even protect yourself."

Furina: "The universe is truly a very realistic place."

Furina: "I suddenly feel that... staying in Teyvat all this time is also quite good."

Furina: "At least I don't have to worry about becoming someone else's slave one day."

Stelle: "Sigonia was taken over by the IPC, and Aventurine was still sold as a slave."

Stelle: "Could it be that the IPC did this?"

Stelle: "Is the IPC really that unscrupulous?"

Boothill: "Why else would it be the IPC?"

Boothill: "As long as they can make money, what won't the IPC do?"

Hu Tao: "This man's condescending tone is really annoying."

Hu Tao: "I bet that such a person definitely won't have a good end!"

Lumine: "This man's last sentence has become Mr. Aventurine's catchphrase now."

Lumine: "So, this person definitely won't have a good end."

Stelle: "Tsk, support justice!"

Stelle: "Waiting for Aventurine to take down this slave owner!"

Aventurine: "Heh, friend, don't be impatient. If luck is on my side, I think you'll see this scene."

The video continues.

The scene shifts,

to the Astral Express crew.

【Gallagher, what wind blew you here?】

The three members of the Express crew following Gallagher

arrived at a bar.

【Some old friends came looking for me.】

【Do you have time now, Shuo-weng?】

Gallagher said with a smile.

【I've been free all day.】

【Everyone, welcome to the Dreamjolt Bar—】

【We sell everything on the drink menu, except for SoulGlad; there is no such boring beverage here...】

【We sell nothing in the bar, except for happiness which can be purchased; here, we only wish for you to be able to laugh heartily.】

【What would you like to drink?】

【I'll prepare it.】

Shuo-weng said enthusiastically to the three.

【Look, Stelle, it's a very handsome big sister—the same style as Serval!】

March 7th looked at Shuo-weng,

and whispered to Stelle.

【It's the person herself.】

Stelle also felt that Shuo-weng's temperament was very similar to Serval's.

【Eh?】

【Who is Serval?】

【Introduce her to me sometime.】

The two's whispers were overheard by Shuo-weng.

【Ah, I was overheard...】

March 7th scratched her head,

feeling a little embarrassed.

【Don't tease them, my good bartender.】

【Don't bother yourself, I'll show off my skills today.】

【I'm getting old; if I don't practice, I'm afraid I'll forget the skills I used to make a living with.】

【Where did you put the raw materials for the drinks?】

Gallagher wanted to show off his skills himself,

but he couldn't find the materials.

【Here, under the counter.】

【Guests have come from afar; don't you plan to make some special drinks?】

Shuo-weng pointed to the counter and replied.

【That's exactly what I intended.】

【Friends, do me a favor—walk around the bar and bring back the materials you like.】

【This case will probably take a long time to discuss; I'll prepare some suitable drinks for everyone—tailor-made, non-alcoholic.】

Gallagher turned around,

and gave instructions to Stelle and the others.

【In the bar?】

【Aren't all the usable materials on the counter?】

March 7th was somewhat puzzled.

【This is a dream, cute miss; as long as you want, anything can be swallowed: comfort, hunger, confusion, weariness... everything is available, just pick them up.】

Shuo-weng explained to March 7th.

【She called me a cute miss...!】

March 7th was overjoyed

by that "cute miss".

【Even in reality, mixing drinks isn't just a mixture of alcohol and ingredients; a mixologist captures the atmosphere at the bar, focusing on the combination of technique and story...】

【And then add a little mystery and expectation...】

Gallagher suddenly couldn't help but say a few words.

【Only then can we mix the flavor of everyone's life together with the customer.】

Shuo-weng continued.

【In other words—what you drink depends on your fate.】

【So don't think too much; hesitation is the taboo of enjoyment.】

【Having said so much, actually, mixing drinks is far less complicated than you think; pick the materials you like, then throw them all into the cup and stir, it's that simple.】

【Walk around the bar, bring back the materials you like, and tell me when you've decided.】

Gallagher walked behind the bar,

and began waiting for the three to find the materials they liked.

Serval: "Yo, I didn't expect March 7th to still be thinking of me after arriving in Penacony."

Serval: "This truly makes me happy."

March 7th: "Serval is such a cool big sister, how could I forget you?"

Gepard: "Sister, perhaps you really should follow the Express; the scenery outside is clearly more suitable for you."

Serval: "Ay, but the hometown needs me more, and I can't leave at all."

Bronya: "Thank you for being willing to stay, Serval."

Serval: "Look at what you're saying; this is my old home, isn't it only right to stay and help?"

Stelle: "Belobog should be on the right track now, right?"

Stelle: "Perhaps you'll have the chance to travel to the outside world in the future."

Serval: "Hey, then I'll be looking forward to it."

Stelle: "Having said that, this bar is actually quite interesting."

Stelle: "It can even use abstract emotions as materials for drinks..."

Stelle: "Can you make me a drink with a Stellaron as a material?"