256: Alchemy, Arcana, and Destiny 2

Dieter speculated that the Interstellar Peace Corporation most likely possessed the power of a supreme treasure, far more potent than those held by the Empire and the Republic, which gave them such confidence.

Thinking of this, Dieter decided to probe.

"I don't doubt Mr. Aventurine's sincerity. However, the Empire and the Republic will not sit idly by while Crossbell declares independence. Does the Corporation have any plans?"

Aventurine paid no mind to Dieter's probing, merely smiling as he said, "The zero treasure, or rather, KeA."

Dieter's fingertips, which had been lightly tapping the rim of his teacup, suddenly froze, his gaze fixed on Aventurine.

How could he know? The zero treasure, KeA's existence—these secrets should only be known to me and Belle right now!

At most, add those people from the Society.

Could the Corporation be connected to the Society? No, that's not right; I've already reached an agreement with the Society. There's no need for the Society to cause trouble.

Aventurine seemed to enjoy his shock, the smile on his lips deepening: "Mayor, there's no need to be surprised."

He lightly tapped his temple with a finger: "What the Interstellar Peace Corporation possesses far exceeds all of your understanding."

Dieter forced himself to calm down, his voice low: "Mr. Aventurine, I don't understand what you're saying."

Aventurine chuckled: "Is that so?"

He slowly stood up, walked to the fireplace, and gazed at the flickering flames: "Then, let me be clearer."

"The phantasmal treasure, one of the Seven Supreme Treasures, chose self-destruction five hundred years ago for the sake of humanity."

His voice poured over Dieter like ice water: "The Crois family, in their effort to recreate the phantasmal treasure over the past five hundred years, finally created an existence that surpasses the phantasmal treasure—"

He turned around and looked directly into Dieter's eyes: "The zero treasure. Which is the child cared for by the Special Support Section, KeA."

Dieter's fingers clenched suddenly, and the teacup in his hand made a faint cracking sound.

Impossible! How could he know so much?!

Aventurine's gaze swept over his clenched fingers: "The zero treasure possesses the ability to control causality, meaning it can change the future by altering the past."

"And you, Mr. Dieter Crois," his voice suddenly became sharp, "in order to realize your 'justice' and to make Crossbell independent, intend to use the power of the supreme treasure to force the Empire and the Republic into submission."

"This is what you've been planning all along, isn't it?"

The reception room fell into a deathly silence.

Dieter's breathing became heavy, and fine cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Everything was seen through. All the plans, all the secrets...

Aventurine slowly walked back to the sofa and sat down elegantly: "Mayor, there's no need to be nervous."

"As I said, we are not enemies."

His voice carried a certain mesmerizing charm: "On the contrary, we can help you achieve this plan."

Dieter forced himself to calm down: "Why?"

His voice was hoarse: "Why would the Corporation help me?"

Aventurine shrugged: "It's simple."

"We need Crossbell's market, and you need power to resist the Empire and the Republic."

"This is a win-win cooperation."

"Also, this is a special order from the Amber King, and an additional option for you."

Dieter's fingers dug tightly into the rim of the teacup, his knuckles white from the effort.

Amber King? What is that?

Why have I never heard that name before?

What does 'additional option' mean? It sounds like different futures?

But isn't foreseeing the future the zero treasure's ability?

He forced himself to remain calm, but Aventurine's next words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"Mayor, your plan is perfect." Aventurine's voice held a hint of admiration, "But the Corporation knows more than you imagine."

He changed his posture, facing the fireplace. The firelight cast flickering shadows on his handsome face, and his tone sounded as if he were recounting a story that had already happened.

"You will declare Crossbell's independence at the trade conference."

"After the referendum, you will become the first president of the independent state of Crossbell, implementing strongman rule. Your original pure aspirations will begin to become complex and then corrupted from that moment on."

"Then, to give Crossbell the ability to defend itself," he turned around, his heterochromatic eyes looking directly at Dieter, "you will activate KeA, the power of the zero treasure."

"Using the alchemical device in the 'Mirror Castle' within the Mishyram Wonderland as a cornerstone, a barrier will be deployed centered on Lanka Tower, connecting the entire Crossbell through the orbal network and enveloping it."

"At the same time," a meaningful smile played on his lips, "you will also reach an agreement with Ouroboros, borrowing the Divine Artifacts they provide to house the power of the zero treasure."

"At that time, any Imperial and Republic armies attempting to attack Crossbell will be completely annihilated."

"Let me guess again, the Empire will most likely deploy that strategic weapon, the railway gun, to destroy Crossbell. Considering the authority possessed by the zero treasure, the Empire's outposts and that behemoth will most likely completely vanish from the world, won't they?"

Dieter's body swayed violently, and the teacup in his hand shattered with a 'clink' onto the carpet.

Impossible, this is impossible!

These plans, only I, Belle, and lawyer Ian know about them.

His breathing became rapid, and cold sweat dripped down his cheeks from his forehead.

Belle couldn't betray me, and Ian certainly wouldn't. Most of these plans were meticulously crafted by Ian. The mastermind betraying me? What a joke!

So, how exactly did the Corporation...

Aventurine took out a chip from his pocket and toyed with it: "Mayor, you seem very surprised?"

Dieter's throat tightened, his voice hoarse: "What... are you exactly?"

For the first time, fear showed in his eyes: "What power does the Corporation truly possess?"

Aventurine lightly swirled his teacup, his pupils glinting with a mysterious light under the lamp: "That question, you are not yet qualified to know."

"However," he put down the teacup, "I can tell you a few things."

"Again, the technology mastered by the Interstellar Peace Corporation far exceeds the understanding of this world."

"We do not rely on the power of some 'supreme treasure'," his voice carried a certain condescending arrogance, "but rather traverse the stars through the 'path'."

Dieter's pupils contracted slightly: "path? Stars?"

Aventurine smiled faintly: "You don't need to understand these things now."

"You only need to know," his voice suddenly became sharp, "that the Corporation's power, even just a wisp, is enough to make the armies of the Empire and the Republic turn to dust."

"And you," his gaze fixed on Dieter, "only need to make a choice."

Dieter slumped in his chair, his chest heaving violently.

What kind of existence is this, to be able to see through everything so easily?

Even my innermost thoughts have been completely seen through.

Aventurine seemed very satisfied with his reaction, the chip flipping in his hand: "Time is running out, Mayor."

Dieter's fingers dug tightly into the armrest of the sofa, his knuckles white from the effort.

His gaze swept back and forth across Aventurine's face, trying to find even a hint of a flaw in those heterochromatic eyes.

That's right, the Society!

If what Aventurine said was true, then the Corporation would become a stumbling block in the Society's plans.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"Mr. Aventurine," his voice was low and controlled, "you seem to know my plan inside and out."

"But there's one thing you might not know—" His gaze suddenly sharpened: "This plan is not solely my doing."

"The Society is already involved."

His voice carried a hint of threat: "The Society will not stand by and watch its plans be disrupted."

"How will the Corporation deal with the Society?"

He stared intently at Aventurine's face, hoping to see even a flicker of hesitation.

But Aventurine merely smiled faintly, the chip between his fingers flipping deftly: "Mayor, you are very clever."

"However..."

His gaze suddenly shifted to the door of the reception room: "If you want to know the Society's attitude, why not let your daughter, who is outside the door, answer?"