TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
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Far away on Sigonia-IV, Aventurine silently called himself lucky.
For the three P46s of the Strategic Investment Department to be seated together in a meeting could be considered a direct manifestation of Diamond's will.
And for these three people—who held such immense authority—to be cornered by the very same problem at the same time was something he would never have believed, had Jade not personally told him about it twenty years later.
But for him, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime gift from fate, and also the biggest reason he chose this exact point in time.
Offering timely help to future colleagues in their hour of need, and exchanging it for goodwill in return—this was the only way he could protect his sister and mother within these short two hours.
Of course, before delivering help in a snowstorm, he couldn't allow this charcoal fire to be too cheap.
"I am… me." Aventurine's words, accompanied by a teasing smile, traveled into the ears of the three.
Three simple words, yet they nearly sent Opal into a rage.
Without even seeing him, Opal could already imagine the detestable face on the other side of the communicator, laughing so hard it was bent double.
A low voice was forced out between clenched teeth. "You bastard. That's enough of your prank."
"I don't know who you are, and there's no need to know. As long as I hang up, that's the end of it—out of earshot, out of mind!"
With that, he grabbed the communicator on the table, making a show of cutting the connection.
Aventurine wasn't afraid of his act at all, instead chuckling leisurely. "Really? If you miss the chance to bring the Silverchain Galaxy under your control, don't regret it later."
To others, Opal might seem like a brute, but having worked with him for years, Aventurine knew exactly how sharp the calculations were beneath that seemingly reckless style.
Though Opal refused to mention the Silverchain Galaxy and acted as though he utterly despised him, all of it was simply a tactic to force Aventurine to retreat first.
Otherwise, if he had truly made up his mind to hang up, why bother announcing it beforehand?
This rhetoric, paired with his explosive temper, was all part of an extreme pressure tactic.
In the brief moment between hanging up or not, it was easy to throw the opponent into panic—and once their resolve softened, negotiations would collapse like a landslide.
And even if he did hang up and Aventurine still didn't back down, there was no need to worry. Someone who initiated contact in the first place would hardly give up completely after being hung up on once.
The IPC didn't deal with such naive clients.
But momentum wanes with repetition. Clients who called twice usually no longer had the nerve to continue confronting Opal.
To be able to adapt this tactic so smoothly at the very start of a call, in accordance with his own emotional state—Opal was indeed formidable.
Unfortunately, Aventurine was no rookie either, but an old hand operating on the same level as Opal.
Coupled with the advantage of being in the dark while the enemy stood in the light, there was absolutely no reason for him to lose this gamble.
"It doesn't matter—hang up." Aventurine said lightly. "The IPC's board is already being battered by a string of setbacks. If they find out you personally buried the chance to take the Silverchain Galaxy, what do you think they'll do to you?"
"I imagine Diamond would be in quite a bind too. The Ten Stonehearts he's been longing to assemble have only just reached nine, and in the blink of an eye, it'll drop back to eight. Just thinking about it makes me worry for the old man—hah, hah, hah."
There wasn't a trace of concern in Aventurine's taunts. Instead, there was an unconcealed pity—pity that sounded unbearably grating to Opal's ears.
Veins bulged on Opal's forehead. Now, he was genuinely angry.
He knew that in moments like this, the best response was to bite back just as hard, returning insult for insult.
But this elusive bastard had revealed an alarmingly deep understanding of the IPC in just two sentences. Any attempt at bluffing instantly became meaningless.
Because everything he said was true—and the future he predicted was entirely plausible, if Opal continued charging ahead blindly.
Opal took a deep breath. By the time he exhaled, all the rage had drained from his face, leaving behind only stone-like coldness.
"What exactly do you want?"
Aventurine laughed. "Haha, just as I said earlier. I'll help you secure the Silverchain Galaxy. In return, I'll be collecting a consultant's fee."
Opal replied, "Fine. Let's hear it."
It sounded like agreement, but in truth, it was an empty feint.
If the person on the other end turned out to be a fool, Opal could squeeze out his plan first and then kick him aside without hesitation.
It wasn't a clever tactic, but Opal refused to be toyed with for nothing. Even if the chances were slim, it was still worth a try.
"Mr. Opal, the calculator you're playing with would be better replaced by hoping the people of the Silverchain Galaxy all turn into idiots overnight and surrender politely. That would be more realistic."
After exposing his little scheme, Aventurine continued, "Of course I'll explain. But I'll only say it to one person."
"Heh, sure. Who do you want? I'll help you get in touch."
Opal genuinely couldn't tell whether the person opposite him was stupid or smart. What difference did it make whether he said it to Opal or someone else? Did he think he could escape the IPC's circle?
Unless he wanted Oswaldo Schneider—but in that case, Opal would hang up without hesitation.
As soon as he finished speaking, the communicator—its reception crystal clear—transmitted the sound of someone adjusting their clothes.
Opal raised an eyebrow.
This guy showed no respect for Diamond, yet now he was tidying up his appearance?
Who was he trying to contact, the Amber Lord?
A tone utterly different from before—formal and composed—came from the black plastic casing.
"Lady Jade, let's make a pawn deal. And as for the collateral…" He chuckled. "It's the opportunity to bring the Silverchain Galaxy under the IPC's banner."
"Oh?"
Even Jade herself was startled by his words.
She hadn't expected that after thoroughly toying with Opal, this mysterious client would single her out.
Jade smiled. "I truly didn't expect this. For the Bonajade Exchange to enjoy such a reputation, to receive this level of favor."
"Exactly! What do I lack compared to her?" Opal protested indignantly.
Both Stonehearts. Both P46s. Their authority was comparable—so why such a stark difference in treatment?
But Aventurine ignored his protest entirely. Like the master of the room, he issued a dismissal. "Mr. Opal, what follows is private meeting time between Lady Jade and myself. You should leave now."
Then he added, "Oh, right—don't forget to close the door on your way out."
"Damn it!"
This time, Opal was truly about to explode.
He stormed out without looking back, but not before tossing out one last remark, "Jade, don't go easy on him. Bleed him dry!"
Obsidian watched the scene unfold, her brows knitting slightly.
This client… was truly strange.
Still, she didn't linger. She motioned for the others and left the room.
Only Jade remained.
She set down her wineglass. Even though the person on the other end couldn't see her, she still wore an elegant smile. "Very well, sir. I can guarantee that this place is absolutely quiet—and absolutely confidential."
"Now then, we can discuss your plan. Or rather, discuss this pawn deal of ours."
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