The next day.
After discovering a way to eliminate valerius, Keqing had spent the entire night hiding cautiously.
Originally, she had wanted to act immediately, but it was already too late. She could only wait until tonight.
In a way, that was better.
She now had a full day to prepare.
When she returned to the dining hall, there were clearly fewer people than before.
Luocha, Clorinde, and Bronya had all been eliminated. And now, there was only one "Lumine" left in the team—though no one knew who she really was anymore.
Keqing exchanged a glance with Jingliu, then walked over to Arataki Itto.
"Let's talk over there."
"Oh."
Though confused, Itto followed her obediently.
In a corner, Keqing went straight to the point.
"Do you still have the skill card?"
"Yeah, it's on me. Why?"
"Give it to me. I need it."
Itto narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
For some reason, he felt like Keqing was trying to scam his card.
"I found a way to eliminate valerius. The skill card will be useful."
"A way to beat him?!"
Itto's eyes widened.
Weren't they supposed to just hide? Now they could fight back?
"You'll find out tonight."
After thinking for a moment, Itto decided to trust her.
Even if he lost the card, he still had his magic. Worst case, he'd just run.
After taking the card, Keqing glanced at Firefly and "Lumine," who were standing together.
"We'll split up. I'm going that way."
With that, she left without waiting for a response.
"Uh… what's she doing?"
Lumine felt confused.
Everyone seemed strange today. It was like she was being isolated.
"I don't know," Firefly said, shaking her head. "Don't ask me."
After a full day of searching, they gained some points—but no skill cards.
When they returned to the dining hall again, even fewer people were present.
Keqing hadn't returned.
Jingliu hadn't returned either.
Only Itto sat there in a daze.
"Where is everyone?" Lumine asked.
"No idea," Itto replied, shaking his head.
He had a vague feeling something big was about to happen, but he couldn't figure out what.
"I see… then let's rest for now."
Lumine felt something was wrong.
Very wrong.
But she couldn't tell where the problem was, so she could only proceed as usual.
"Dong!!"
The bell rang.
Night fell once more.
In a room near the ballroom, Keqing looked at Jingliu.
"If I get caught later, I'll be counting on you."
"No problem."
Jingliu nodded.
Her mission was simple: protect Keqing at all costs and drag things out until 3 a.m.
As long as they reached that time, Keqing could unleash their final move.
"Creak—"
A door opened.
valerius stepped out of his room.
"Heh. I'm looking forward to it."
Instead of heading toward Keqing, he went straight for Arataki Itto.
Itto was wandering alone in the corridor.
"Is this really going to work? She's not lying to me, right…?"
Keqing had told him his job was to attract attention. The rest would be handled by others.
"Yo, Itto. All alone?"
Supporting himself with his cane, valerius appeared before him.
"You—you dare show up in front of me?! Aren't you afraid of my Moe Punch?!"
Itto immediately struck a pose.
"Heh. Why don't you try using it?"
valerius wasn't worried at all.
If he were Keqing, he would definitely take the skill card for himself.
There was no way it was still on Itto.
"Y-You… take this! Moe Punch!"
Itto charged forward, flailing his fists.
He didn't have the card anymore, but he could still pretend.
He wasn't afraid of embarrassment.
"Get lost."
valerius's face darkened.
He thrust his cane forward.
If it were a girl acting cute, fine. But a grown man?
No way.
[Attention: Player Arataki Itto has been eliminated.]
"So fast?!"
Hearing the announcement, Keqing frowned.
Wasn't Itto supposed to stall for a while?
Did valerius really not even give him a chance?
After eliminating Itto, valerius headed toward Firefly and "Lumine."
They were still together.
"So fast!" Lumine exclaimed.
She quickly turned to Firefly.
"Miss Firefly, do you still have your skill?"
"Yes."
"Then give it to me! If we meet valerius, I'll hold him off—just run!"
"No."
Firefly shook her head.
"I'll hold him off instead. You're smarter than me. If someone has to escape, it should be you."
"But—"
"No buts. I'm prepared."
She looked completely resolute.
No flaws at all.
"…Alright."
Lumine reluctantly agreed, pretending to hesitate.
Inside, she was secretly delighted.
If Firefly stopped valerius, should she run?
Or just stay and watch?
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of a cane striking the floor echoed again.
"He's coming!"
Both of them stood up.
"Good evening, ladies."
valerius walked over, tipping his hat politely and bowing.
"Good evening, Mr. valerius. It's a pleasure to see you."
Firefly's calm attitude stunned Lumine.
What was going on?
Wasn't she supposed to use her skill?
Why was she chatting instead?
"Miss Firefly, use your skill!"
"Skill?"
Firefly looked innocent.
"I already gave it to Miss Jingliu."
"W-What?! You gave it to her?!"
Lumine panicked.
This wasn't what they had agreed on!
"You tell me."
At last, Firefly smiled.
She had been pretending all this time, constantly afraid of being exposed.
Only now could she finally relax.
"Y-You didn't trust me?!"
"Why should I?"
"…Uh…"
Lumine had nothing to say.
They weren't close. There was no reason to trust her.
"So… you were exposed from the start," valerius said with interest.
"I see now. That crow really was useless. You figured it out early and just played along."
"But then again… so did I."
With a casual wave, Lumine shrank and transformed back into a crow.
"Gasp—!"
Firefly was shocked.
She knew Lumine was fake—but she hadn't expected her to be a crow.
"Where's the real Lumine?"
Even now, Firefly tried to stall for time.
And she was genuinely curious.
"Right here."
valerius lifted the crow from his shoulder.
Red light flashed in his hand.
[Attention: Player Lumine has been eliminated.]
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