Chapter 350: The Ten Stonehearts take the field! A war to slay a god?!
The IPC spaceship.
The very moment the short film Stoneheart's Oath Ring: Both Ends of the Scale was released.
The three directors of the Strategic Investment Department arrived in the meeting room at the exact same time, as if by unspoken agreement.
Topaz, Aventurine, and Jade.
The three of them already had a good relationship, and with the recent events in Penacony, they had completely aligned themselves on the same front.
Naturally, at a moment that concerned their future and destiny, they had to watch it together!
To discuss and deliberate with one another.
On the surface, it seemed like a trial for Aventurine alone, but in reality, it also concerned the fates of all three of them!
Upon hearing the words, "strip him of his status as one of the Ten Stonehearts..."
All three felt a slight shock in their hearts!
But it lasted only for a fleeting instant.
Aventurine was the first to react.
This did not mean a final verdict had been reached; rather, it meant a vote was to be held on this outcome!
Topaz and Jade also understood instantly.
Excellent.
They could use this opportunity to observe the attitudes of the others in the team.
And thus, make more preparations for their future direction.
At this moment.
In the video.
Beneath the scales, Aventurine's figure appeared.
He stood upon a roulette wheel.
He casually tossed his Cornerstone into the roulette.
And said in an indifferent tone, "We all once took an oath to cherish our Cornerstones as we do our own lives."
"But Aventurine's death (destruction) is a necessary piece of the plan."
As his voice fell.
The scene suddenly shifted.
At a lavish dining table, a gorgeously dressed man sat at the head.
In his hand was a purple Cornerstone.
He questioned Aventurine's words: "Death..."
"This kind of unnecessary extravagance was just for yourself, wasn't it?"
The man placed his own Cornerstone onto the other side of the scales.
Clearly.
He was the one advocating for punishment.
At this moment.
All the players watching this video also realized what was happening!
This was a trial concerning Aventurine's fate within the IPC!
And,
From the looks of it.
Two of the Ten Stonehearts had already expressed their desire to punish Aventurine!
Seeing this scene, a massive number of players immediately joined in!
At the very top of the bullet comments.
Two concise, bold options appeared—
[Keep] × 6.7 billion...
[Punish] × 2.8 billion...
And this was just the beginning!
Even more players were participating!
The numbers behind represented the players supporting the two different attitudes!
It was as if, with the release of the short film...
A trial involving the entire universe had begun!
At this moment.
Within the IPC.
The high-ranking executives were also paying close attention to the results of this video.
Without a doubt.
This would be an important indicator!
In the real-time bullet comments.
A large number of players were also debating!
...
"This is a necessary sacrifice, I support Aventurine!"
"Holy crap, I clicked the wrong one! I clicked punish, I'm so sorry, Aventurine!"
"Voted punish. I just want to see how much pressure Aventurine can take."
"Damn, you guys are heartless!"
"This isn't a joke, guys. The IPC executives are watching this video right now!"
"Don't punish Aventurine!!! Waaaaah..."
"Cherish the Cornerstone like life itself, but that's exactly how Aventurine treats his own life [Sunglasses]."
"Aventurine: I literally did what I said I would do, why are you saying I broke my oath?"
"Punishment? Are you kidding me! Based on Aventurine's performance in the story, he deserves a promotion and a raise~"
...
At this moment.
In the video.
A reassuring voice rang out.
"Sugilite..."
"Please do not ignore the facts and just assume things."
A golden Trotter leaped across the scales.
This familiar style.
Needless to say, it was Director Topaz!
Topaz was in her uniform.
Sitting among the Trotters.
With her legs crossed slightly, looking completely calm and composed.
She placed her Cornerstone on the side to keep Aventurine.
...
"Our chart-topping queen!"
"Director Topaz!"
"My Topaz is so beautiful and kind!"
"Oh my god, sis, you're so cool!!!"
"Numby is so cute."
"Topaz looks so good in her formal wear!"
"Yu Ling, I want this!"
...
"By reclaiming Penacony..."
"The Strategic Investment Department has secured another vote on the Seven Board of Directors."
A mature woman's voice sounded.
A teal snake coiled around her slender leg.
As the camera pulled back.
Jade could be seen sitting atop an even larger snake.
Mysterious and elegant!
The moment she spoke, she hit the nail on the head!
"The Ten Stonehearts have always valued results, and today should be no different."
The teal snake held Jade's Cornerstone in its mouth.
And dropped it onto the side to keep Aventurine.
On the IPC spaceship.
In the meeting room.
Unsurprisingly.
Topaz and Jade had both clearly expressed their stance to keep Aventurine.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Jade's lips.
Although the Ten Stonehearts belonged to the same department, they were not entirely united, nor did they always advance and retreat together.
Internally, there were also power struggles and oppositions.
Because of this, different small cliques had formed.
Jade herself had nurtured Topaz early on.
Aventurine could also be said to have been supported by her all the way up.
Compared to the mutual deception among the others, at least the three of them could achieve a basic level of mutual trust.
This was no secret among the Ten Stonehearts.
And with the progression of the story.
This fact was also exposed to the eyes of players across the entire universe.
Just like the frantically scrolling bullet comments right now.
...
"The Jade Team is a family!"
"Jade and Topaz came to save the day!"
"Such a reassuring voice."
"You can tell Topaz and Jade really trust Aventurine."
"The friendship of us three is indestructible!"
"The IPC trio, the true Harmony."
"My master!"
"Wait, your uniforms are all way too good-looking!!"
"Sis! Release these outfits as skins!!"
"You know, the Ten Stonehearts have always been my brothers and sisters, especially Miss Topaz and Mr. Aventurine. They coordinate so well with Miss Jade, they're incredibly strong! I believe only the Strategic Investment Department can bring hope and prosperity to the galaxy!"
...
"Sapphire, in favor of punishment."
Pearl, acting as the host, cast the vote on behalf of Sapphire.
In the background, a winged beast appeared!
The moment each of the Ten Stonehearts voted, a corresponding symbolic image would appear.
Perfectly showcasing the style of the voter.
"There is also Agate..."
In the background, an altar of the God of Wealth appeared!
Red incense candles and glittering gold ingots.
Although it represented great joy and wealth, the smile on this "God of Wealth" looked somewhat eerie no matter how one looked at it!
"That person is probably dead."
"Even their opinion has to be conveyed through me."
On the altar.
A bat took Agate's Cornerstone and flew to a pale room.
In the luxurious bathtub in the center.
A red-haired woman was actually taking a leisurely bath.
But there was no warm, steamy, wonderful atmosphere.
Instead, it was an eerie and sinister scene!
The liquid in the bathtub was not hot water.
But a thick, bright red liquid!
Although split pomegranates were placed on the table nearby.
No one could be sure if that much bright red liquid... was really pomegranate juice!?
"Just my two cents, I think we're being overly timid."
"If it were me, I'd like everything become more of a..."
"Bloodbath."
The red-haired woman was Obsidian, one of the Ten Stonehearts.
She and Agate both voted for punishment.
At this point.
The ratio of Punish to Keep reached 4:2.
...
"Oh no!"
"What's going on? Except for Jade and Topaz, everyone else wants to punish him?"
"Aventurine, just how many people did you offend..."
"It's over!"
"So tense, he's going to fall!"
"Ugh, destiny has never been fair."
"Aventurine, where's your good luck? Use your powers quickly!"
...
"Amber abides by her neutral status. This vote is her choice."
Amber placed her Cornerstone on the side to keep him.
Pearl continued:
"But as an Intellitron..."
"I, think there should be more "justice" in your life."
The two votes brought by Pearl instantly pulled the scales back to a balanced state!
"Only one vote left."
"Heh..."
"As expected, the final verdict comes down to this one."
An exquisite box was opened.
Inside lay a magnificent gemstone.
But the base of the gemstone had a ring.
It looked just like a baby's pacifier...
And the owner of the gemstone picked it up.
And put it into his mouth without any hesitation.
"...Four v Four..."
The voice carried a childish tone.
At first listen, it sounded as if some clueless kid had wandered into this trial.
This was... Opal of the Ten Stonehearts.
Among the many players, many were seeing Opal's true appearance for the first time!
For a moment, they didn't even react!
...
"Whose kid is this?"
"Kid boss!"
"Holy crap, where did this brat come from?"
"What brat? That's the legendary Opal!"
"Is that a pacifier? Hahaha..."
"This contrast is huge..."
...
However.
Opal's voice suddenly changed!
Shifting from a babyish tone to a teenage voice.
"A natural outcome."
"Everyone here has always been "united"."
The teenage voice carried a depth that did not match his age.
"We are of the same kind."
"We band together...merely to obtain what we want."
Opal sat on his throne.
Below him were countless Interastral Peace Corporation employees, all bowing to him!
"If that's the case..."
"Why not keep "extracting" from this one?"
A model of Penacony appeared in his hand.
A golden liquid dripped from the model.
Like a river of wealth, flowing toward that shattered Aventurine stone!
With a flash of light.
The broken pieces of the Aventurine stone merged back together, returning to their original state!
It fell into Aventurine's hand.
And Aventurine himself, holding the restored Aventurine stone, actually showed a look of surprise!
"You can come back."
"Your time has not yet come."
Opal tossed his Cornerstone to the side to keep him.
This brought the final result of this trial.
"This is also Diamond's will—"
The metal scales suddenly lit up with a brilliant light.
Starting from the bottom.
Like crystallization.
The entire scale turned into the texture of diamond!
Then.
Opal's next statement exploded like a bomb in front of everyone!
"For the War among the Aeons..."
"We shall give it our all."
...
"???"
"What did I just hear?!"
"Suddenly raising the stakes..."
"Does this mean the battle between Aeons is coming?"
"Oh no, I knew things had been turbulent in the universe lately. Turns out it was all a prelude!"
"You guys are the Interastral Peace Corporation, why is it for the War of the Aeons?!"
"This is bad! Even the IPC is like this, it seems a war is really about to break out..."
"The last Swarm Disaster was already so tragic. If a war of gods really breaks out this time, I wonder how many people in this universe will survive?"
"It's over!"
"Yu Ling, save me!"
"It's fine, guys. If we can witness such a brilliant era, it's worth it! When the time comes, an Aeon will raise their hand, and you and I will turn to dust. No pain, it's pretty good."
"You really know how to comfort people."
"I believe we can see this ending in advance in Honkai: Star Rail. When the time comes... maybe we can avoid the destruction of the entire universe..."