valerius never expected that Jingliu would go to such extreme lengths just to stall for time.
But then again…
If Keqing hadn't found that ridiculous notebook he'd written on a whim, and had instead thought it was actually useful, Jingliu's sacrifice now only looked more and more tragic.
Still, valerius decided to give her one last shred of hope.
"Y-You tricked me… She's already gone underground?!"
"Of course."
Seeing the panic on valerius's face, Jingliu finally felt a little better.
She had used Moe Punch, hugged his leg, and thrown away her dignity. If they still couldn't win after all that, she might as well let her Mara take over.
"No, I have to hurry and catch Keqing."
As he spoke, valerius prepared to eliminate Jingliu and head underground to hunt down the last remaining player.
"Don't even think about it!"
At that moment, Jingliu activated her skill again and clung tightly to valerius's leg.
"Hey… are you really not afraid of dying from embarrassment?"
valerius was speechless.
He hadn't expected her to go all out like this—she was really doing it again.
Watching Jingliu give everything she had, the already eliminated players felt a wave of sorrow.
[Luocha: Sigh… what a shame.]
[Firefly: Miss Jingliu… so touching…]
[Bronya: Just give up already, it hurts to watch.]
[Lumine: Yeah… valerius really has no conscience.]
[Clorinde: You were the first to defect. How dare you say that?]
[Lumine: I admit my guilt! I repent!]
The more heroic Jingliu looked, the more embarrassing Lumine's earlier betrayal seemed.
Inside the space.
Looking down at Jingliu hugging his leg, valerius couldn't help but think of a line drifting through his mind:
"Master, please don't abandon me!"
It fit way too well.
He bent down slightly and spoke slowly.
"Um… that ritual Keqing found doesn't open any gate to hell. It's a spell that summons me."
Jingliu: "..."
Jingliu's whole body trembled.
She raised her head and stared at him in disbelief.
"Uh… I just wrote it for fun. Didn't think you'd actually believe it."
Jingliu: "..."
She was completely stunned.
So he'd just been watching her make a fool of herself this whole time?
She loosened her grip, stood up, and closed her eyes, no longer resisting.
Only one thought remained in her mind.
If I can't beat you in the game, I'll get my revenge when it's over.
This loss was almost too much for her to bear.
[Attention: Player Jingliu has been eliminated.]
"Miss Jingliu too…"
Keqing clenched her fists while running.
She knew Jingliu couldn't hold on for long, but hearing the announcement still made her heart sink.
It wasn't time yet.
She had to stall a little longer.
"Come on, Keqing… You have to bring back the victory."
Encouraging herself, she sped up again.
valerius glanced at his pocket watch.
There was still some time left.
He decided to tease Keqing one last time.
He opened the door and headed into the underground maze.
2:25 a.m.
No sign of valerius.
2:30 a.m.
Still nothing.
2:33 a.m.
No pursuit.
2:35 a.m.
Footsteps.
Keqing felt bitter.
Why now?
This was the worst timing.
Because she wasn't familiar with the maze, she had run into a dead end.
If she used Space Gate now, valerius would still have time to chase her.
"I have to stall for a bit."
With that thought, Keqing leaned against the wall, facing the approaching valerius.
"Tap, tap, tap…"
The sound of his cane hitting the ground was like a death knell, drawing closer and closer.
Soon, valerius—wearing a top hat and tailcoat—appeared before her.
"Oh? A dead end?"
"Uh…"
Keqing calculated the time. It was still too early.
Her eyes darted around.
"Don't panic… Don't eliminate me today. I'll tell you a secret."
"Oh? What secret?"
That caught valerius's interest.
"Um… um…"
"Hurry up."
Seeing her hesitate, valerius urged her.
"Are you trying to stall for time?"
"No! I really have a secret. And it's important to you."
"Then say it."
Now it was Keqing's turn to freeze.
She wailed inwardly.
What secret?! I just want to stall!
But she refused to give up.
She barely knew valerius. She couldn't even make up a convincing lie.
Wait—
Got it!
I can't talk about him, but I can talk about someone I know.
"I have a secret about Ningguang. Want to hear it?"
[Ningguang: ?????]
[Beidou: Whether valerius wants to hear it or not, I do.]
[Yelan: Hurry up, what is it?!]
"Ningguang?"
valerius raised an eyebrow.
What kind of secret could she have?
"Heh, what, is she secretly in love with me?"
"Uh… yes. She's in love with you."
[Beidou: Pfft—is that real?!]
[Yelan: I think it is.]
[Ningguang: Sigh… you're all just making noise.]
[Hu Tao: Huh? You're not even mad?]
[Ningguang: She's just stalling. Why would I be angry?]
[Yun Jin: As expected of Lady Tianquan. Such composure.]
[Xiangling: Love it!]
valerius shook his head.
"I don't believe it."
He sighed inwardly.
She really was saying anything just to buy time.
"I-I'm serious."
She sneaked a glance at the time. It was almost enough.
So she decided to go all out.
"Not just Ningguang—even Ganyu is secretly in love with you."
[Ganyu: Pfft—Keqing?!]
Ganyu nearly spat blood.
You're stalling, sure, but why drag me into this?!
[Yae Miko: Oh my… is that true, Ganyu?]
[Huohuo: I think it is.]
[Serval: Secret crush? That's weak. Right, Bronya?]
[Bronya: I… I don't know what you mean…]
2:40 a.m.
"Heh, I still don't believe you. You might as well say you're in love with me."
"Me?"
Keqing widened her eyes, then gritted her teeth.
"Y-Yes. I'm in love with you too."
"Uh…"
Now valerius didn't know what to say.
This wasn't even subtle anymore.
Even though he knew she was bluffing, he still felt strangely pleased.
"You're just trying to stall for time."
He slowly raised his hand.
Damn it.
She couldn't delay him anymore.
Keqing hid her hands behind her back and activated Space Gate.
Whoosh!
She vanished on the spot, leaving only her voice echoing through the maze.
"Heh, valerius, you fell for it! As long as it's 3 a.m., I'll activate the ritual in the cafeteria and send you back to hell!"
[Jing Yuan: Wow. Even at the end, she's still misleading him.]
[Arataki Itto: Huh? Didn't they say the ritual was in the ballroom? Why the cafeteria now?]
[Kuki Shinobu: Don't talk. Just watch.]
[Yae Miko: Itto, I think you should try that six-nuke thing. Might not affect you.]
[Kamisato Ayato: Lady Guuji is right.]
[Kujou Sara: Lady Guuji is right.]
[Raiden Ei: Maybe… try it?]
At this point, even Raiden Ei thought Itto was hopeless.
Keqing was clearly misleading valerius, and he still didn't get it.
She could see through it at a glance.
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