—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Ah! The photo on that PHONE!!"
March 7th: "It's a selfie of Miss Hotaru and Stelle!"
Guinaifen: "It's pure knives! Too many KNIVES!!"
Guinaifen: "Chat, this is literally torture! It's killing me!"
Sushang: "This photo… she didn't even have time to send it!"
Sushang: "Doesn't that mean… the only memento Miss Hotaru left in this world is just… gone like that…"
Nahida: "In the photo, their smiles are so brilliant."
Nahida: "In that moment, they must have been truly happy, right?"
Furina: "But who could have predicted that in just a few short hours, Miss Hotaru would actually…"
Scaramouche: "Tch. Just the death of someone with a dubious background, isn't it?"
Scaramouche: "If you ask me, it's a good death! A fantastic death!"
Scaramouche: "Someone like that, clearly harboring ulterior motives… who's to say she wouldn't have backstabbed that idiot in the end?"
Scaramouche: "Only brainless people like you would endlessly mourn over something like this."
Scaramouche: "Heh. Truly infantile."
March 7th: Boothill.
Stelle: Boothill + 1
Sushang: Boothill + 2
Guinaifen: Boothill + 3
Furina: Boothill + 4
Boothill: "Alright, alright, stop 'Boothill-ing' me!"
Boothill: "I see it!"
Boothill: "Scaramouche, I'm talkin' to you, my good Scara-dog, what in the tarnation are you barkin' about here?"
Lumine: "Scaramouche, for someone who commits every crime in the book, you actually have the nerve to talk about backstabbing?"
Paimon: "Yeah, exactly!"
Paimon: "I think you're the one who loves backstabbing people!"
Childe: "His character is indeed lacking; he's not exactly popular within the Fatui, either."
Childe: "Let's just say, compared to me, he's got a long way to go!"
Scaramouche: "If there is profit to be had, what does betrayal matter?"
Scaramouche: "It is merely a necessary instrument on the path to success."
Boothill: "Well howdy, look at this bottomless speech. What, are you seriously fudging shameless enough to treat that behavior like a badge of honor?"
Diluc: "Hmph. It certainly fits my stereotype of the Fatui."
Seele: "Betrayal is the lowest of the low! It should be carved onto a pillar of shame and spat upon by everyone!"
Scaramouche: "Hahahaha, how truly amusing."
Scaramouche: "Just a crowd of high-sounding hypocrites. What right do you have to judge me?"
Scaramouche: "What could you possibly know!"
Scaramouche: "I have been betrayed three times, and thus I understand that everything in this world is merely…"
Boothill: "Alright, zip your stinking trap."
Boothill: "What kind of mentally deficient, brain-rotted speech is that? 'I've been betrayed three fudging times' my ash!"
Boothill: "Only a measly three times and you think you've figured out the grand truth of the universe? I spit on that. You're making me laugh my teeth off."
Stelle: "True. Denying the whole world after just three betrayals, thinking 'everyone is drunk and I alone am sober.'"
Stelle: "Diagnosis: Mental resilience needs buffing."
Dr. Ratio: "Speaking from common logic, such a temperament is ill-suited for survival in today's society."
Dr. Ratio: "After all, deception and intrigue are thematic constants of human society."
Sampo: "Looking at this guy's speech, it's a little bit melodramatic, don't you think?"
Sampo: "It's just getting backstabbed! Old Sampo gets backstabbed I-don't-know-how-many times from morning to night!"
Sampo: "And look at me, still standing strong, haven't lost my cool even once."
Hanabi: "Hee hee~ These seemingly profound words of his are actually quite Elated, aren't they~"
Hanabi: "Cough cough, I have… been… betrayed… three times~"
Hanabi: "And thus I understand… Hahahaha, I can't, if I keep talking I'm going to get a stomach ache from laughing~"
Scaramouche: "ARGH!! Damn it, you damn wretched THINGS!!"
Stelle: "You're right, but… I have been betrayed three times!"
March 7th: "Then I'll be betrayed four times~"
Boothill: "Then I've been betrayed nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Wubbaboo-ing times!"
Boothill: "Doesn't that just absolutely body my Scara-dog?"
Paimon: "Uh, what a weird thing to compete over."
Lumine: "Alright, everyone, don't let Scaramouche ruin the mood. Just ignore him."
Stelle: "Ruin the mood? I'm not unhappy?"
Stelle: "Everyone's just treating him as entertainment."
Stelle: "I originally thought he was just a pure villain."
Stelle: "But that last speech of his… he just turned himself into a total clown."
Stelle: " 'Betrayed three times'… Forgive my bluntness, but if that number were multiplied by ten, I might be able to spare a shred of sympathy and understand him."
Dehya: "Tch, he's just spoiled."
Dehya: "Let him stay with the Eremites in the desert for a few days, and he'll learn what a real backstab looks like."
Hu Tao: "Truly too melodramatic."
Hanya: "Indeed."
....
『 [ ...What's going on? Why is it... getting hot in the memoria? ]
The three walked along the path, Black Swan suddenly sensing something amiss.
[ You noticed it too. ]
[ It feels like something is burning… ]
Acheron also sensed the anomaly.
The three maintained a vigilant expression as they continued forward.
[ Here… scorched wreckage everywhere? ]
Black Swan led the two into a grand hall.
The floor was strewn with the charred corpses of the Dreamjolt Troupe.
[ There are still faint sparks remaining. The perpetrator likely hasn't gone far. ]
Acheron observed for a moment and drew a conclusion.
[ It seems we must temporarily slow our pace… ]
Black Swan murmured after a moment of contemplation.
Subsequently, the three began to approach the wreckage, observing closely.
[ It appears this monster died from some kind of thermal weapon… ]
Stelle crouched on the ground to inspect for a while, deducing the cause of death for the Dreamjolt Troupe member before her.
[ Nothing but "burning" memories… They stand out particularly vividly in this deep sea. ]
Black Swan gazed at the wreckage on the ground, her tone tinged with a sigh.
[ Careful. These traces were left just recently. Our uninvited guest hasn't gone far. ]
Acheron offered a reminder to Stelle at this moment.
[ Something is wrong. These traces were all left a short while ago. Someone just left here… ]
[ Could it be related to what happened earlier? ]
Having investigated all the corpses, Acheron felt something was fishy.
[ With only a few clues, it is difficult for me to make a deduction. ]
Black Swan shook her head, feeling she lacked sufficient leads.
[ Listen to your intuition. After all, you said… memories do not lie. ]
Acheron looked toward Black Swan.
[ Judging from the memories in this wreckage… the individual is tall, far more robust than an average adult male. Their methods are clean and efficient; every strike was fatal. ]
[ Perhaps a mercenary, or an assassin. ]
[ He entered from the door on the side of the lobby and headed deeper into the hotel. Since that is the case… ]
[ He should have witnessed everything that happened previously… ]
[ …I retract my previous statement. ]
[ We must hurry to the Memory Zone where Miss Hotaru's presence is imprinted. ]
[ Given this friend's style of operation… ]
[ If his destination is also that place—there won't be any clues left at the scene. ]
[ You two, this way. ]
[ I will try to create a stable shortcut for you. ]
After pondering and analyzing for a moment, Black Swan hurriedly beckoned the two, returning to the place where Hotaru had just met her end.
[ Look… upon leaving the lobby, the structure becomes chaotic. ]
[ Cross that corridor—careful, do not startle the Meme. ]
Seeing the Memory Zone Memes scattered along the path, Black Swan offered a grave warning.
[ This is truly… dazzling. ]
[ Is this the room? ]
The three arrived in a spacious, luxurious hall.
Acheron looked at the layout of the hall with some emotion.
[ Yes. To be precise—directly below. ]
Black Swan nodded.
[ Are you going to teach me how to walk through walls? ]
Hearing Black Swan's words, Stelle couldn't help but ask.
[ Although you two cannot pass directly through physical structures like a Memokeeper, I have thought of a good method. ]
[ One that will allow you to arrive safely at the floor directly beneath this room. ]
[ It is quite simple. Do you see this large chandelier? ]
[ Next… we are going to create a little "commotion" that aligns with common sense. ]
[ Do you remember how I taught you earlier? ]
[ Feel the flow of the Memoria, walk toward the wall, and then… approach it. ]
[ Look, a solitary chain—go say hello to it. ]
Black Swan directed Stelle to circle from the wall onto the chandelier, then instructed her to sever the chandelier's chain.
Stelle nodded, pulled out her bat, and delivered a heavy smash.
Rumble!
The massive chandelier immediately crashed to the floor, the immense impact force smashing a large breach in the ground.
[ See—very consistent with common sense, and quite simple, no? ]
Black Swan pointed at the breach before them and smiled.
[ Are we… going to jump down from here? ]
Acheron hesitated slightly.
[ Rest assured, I will perform a slight manipulation, stacking the Dream Bubbles together to arrange a comfortable soft landing for everyone. ]
[ Come, get ready… ]
Black Swan manipulated the Dream Bubbles for a moment, then was the first to jump down.
Subsequently, Stelle and Acheron followed closely behind.
[ We really landed safely. ]
[ That was truly… magical. ]
After arriving safely on the lower level, Acheron expressed her admiration.
[ Do not imitate this without a Memokeeper's accompaniment. ]
[ Now then… ]
[ Please, let these curious children who followed the scent return home. ]
Black Swan shifted her gaze to the entrance of the room, where several members of the Dreamjolt Troupe had suddenly appeared.
Thus, the group moved to clear out these Dreamjolt Troupe enemies.
[ This way, no one will disturb us. ]
[ Come—I can perform a little magic trick for you. ]
Black Swan beckoned the two together.
[ Are you ready? Careful not to cry out in surprise. ]
Black Swan chuckled softly, then raised her hand to cast her "little magic trick."
[ Hm?! ]
[ Is this… Hotaru? ]
Just as Black Swan's technique settled, phantom traces left by Hotaru emerged within the room.
[ Correct. ]
[ These are the memories concerning her, left behind in this room. ]
[ The slight vibration of the ground, the reflections flashing on the screen, the flow of Memoria… ]
[ I have gathered them and reproduced them in the form of fragments. ]
[ As for the context… ]
[ That will require us to do a little organizing. ]
[ Go quickly. Performing a memory reproduction of this scale takes a heavy toll on me as well. ]
Black Swan explained in detail, then urged the two to quickly search for clues near Hotaru's phantoms.
[ That thing Stelle encountered back then… ]
[ If I'm not guessing wrong… it must be related to the Watchmaker. ]
Stelle and Acheron walked to the nearest phantom of Hotaru and heard these two sentences.
[ She mentioned your name. ]
Acheron looked at Stelle.
[ Referring to you like that even behind your back; it seems your relationship was indeed quite good. ]
[ She seems to be sharing her discovery with someone, and… it is related to the Watchmaker. ]
Black Swan walked up to the two and offered some analysis.
[ She still doesn't know she will become a victim… ]
Acheron's expression darkened slightly.
[ If I could just do it again… ]
The three walked to the phantom of Hotaru in front of the screens, hearing Hotaru's muttering to herself.
[ She is staring at these screens; is she looking in a mirror…? ]
[ What does she mean by 'do it again'? ]
Acheron looked at this phantom of Hotaru, her expression filled with confusion.
[ Let's get going... ]
This time, they arrived beside a phantom of Hotaru walking along the path.
[ "Let's"? Is there someone else? ]
Black Swan also raised a question.
[ Calm down, Hotaru… calm down… ]
The tone of the next Hotaru phantom was somewhat panicked.
[ She looks… very nervous. ]
Acheron frowned.
[ Yes. What is making her so nervous? ]
Black Swan fell into deep thought.
[ Synthesizing this information, Hotaru entered this corridor with a companion—there should be only one. ]
Black Swan led the two along the trail of Hotaru's memory phantoms, arriving inside a corridor.
There were also some phantoms of Hotaru scattered here.
[ How could you…?! ]
[ This isn't what we agreed on… ]
The phantom of Hotaru in the corridor, her tone seemed to become agitated.
[ The situation has begun to change. It seems that companion… deviated from the original plan. ]
Acheron spoke softly.
[ Or, judging by the result… this was that person's true "plan" all along. ]
Black Swan held a different view.
[ Mecha…?! Why… ]
Before a door, Hotaru's phantom spoke out again.
[ She was forced this way by someone, and… ]
Acheron seemed to understand Hotaru's encounter.
[ Mecha… an intriguing phrasing. I recall the Bloodhound Family is pursuing such a criminal—a tall male clad in silver armor. ]
Black Swan couldn't help but make the connection.
[ The door… won't open… this is a dead end… ]
The tone of Hotaru's phantom was anxious.
[ Based on these fragmented pieces of information, it seems Firefly's companion betrayed her halfway and trapped her alone in this room, disappearing without a trace... But why? ]
Acheron was completely baffled.
[ She said this transaction was related to the Watchmaker—involving the Watchmaker touches the bottom line of many people. ]
[ Perhaps they wanted to embezzle the legacy, perhaps to reduce the number of people in the know by one, perhaps… ]
[ Because there is a deeper "secret" hidden in this Memory Zone, and to catch a big fish… one needs floating bait… ]
Black Swan explained faintly.
[ You mean… Hotaru? ]
Acheron understood the implication in Black Swan's words.
That floating bait was perhaps Hotaru.
[ This is merely the worst-case hypothesis. ]
[ But think about it, if the perpetrator of all this is nearby, why would he allow us to search everywhere? ]
[ Unless… ]
[ Unless he has something he cares about more, something he needs to—or rather, is currently confirming. ]
Black Swan explained.
[ Hotaru had no other path to take; she could only leave through the side corridor. ]
[ Let's go, let's continue to take a look. ]
Black Swan continued to lead the two in pursuit of the traces left by Hotaru.
[ There's actually a path here… ]
In the corridor, the tone of Hotaru's phantom expressed disbelief.
[ Shifting, unpredictable passages leading to wandering Memory Zone Memes… She was completely lost in the Memory Zone. ]
Black Swan shook her head.
[ It's an exit… I should be able to leave along this way… ]
The three followed Hotaru's phantom to a door.
[ A pity that this path ultimately led to the lair of Death… ]
Black Swan's expression was somewhat unbearable.
[ Finally back in the lobby, this way I can… ]
The three walked out of the exit and saw the final phantom of Hotaru.
[ She thought she had escaped with her life, but… ]
[ … ]
The three looked at this final phantom, and could only sigh. 』
『 ....』