—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "I never imagined… was Miss Hotaru actually forced into the hotel lobby by someone else?"
Paimon: "But why would anyone do such a THING!!"
Lumine: "Miss Black Swan said it herself—it was to use Miss Hotaru as bait!"
Hu Tao: "Then the fish caught by this bait must be…!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Regardless of what they intended to lure out… judging by the result, what they caught was that most formidable Memory Zone Meme!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "That Memory Zone Meme killed Miss Hotaru, and then vanished to parts unknown…"
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Perhaps… it has gone in search of its next target…"
Childe: "Let's set aside the Memory Zone Meme for a moment. The current situation is becoming increasingly convoluted."
Childe: "Looking at the afterimage left behind by Miss Hotaru before her death. It is obvious that there was a second person present by her side!"
Childe: "Who is that person? What is their objective? And what is their relationship with Miss Hotaru?"
Paimon: "Eh? Childe? Since when do you know how to analyze things?"
Paimon: "I remember… aren't you only good at rushing in blindly?"
Childe: "Hey! Paimon! That's a bit insulting, isn't it?"
Childe: "While I do advocate for resolving issues through martial prowess, surely I don't come across as completely brainless, do I?"
Arlecchino: "You have a brain? If you had a brain, you wouldn't have been played like a fiddle in Liyue."
Childe: "Heh, I say, you woman—why do you always have to poke where it hurts?"
Childe: "Are you looking for trouble? Do you want to fight? If you're not convinced, come and test me!"
Childe: "Don't think I'll fear you just because your rank is higher!"
Arlecchino: "Hah. I do not brawl with brutes. It is a waste of time."
Arlecchino: "Besides, if I were to strike, I might accidentally kill you."
Arlecchino: "And should the Tsaritsa blame me for it, I have no desire to bear that burden."
Paimon: "Ugh… listening to this Harbinger's tone, she seems incredibly formidable."
Yelan: "Tsk, she is the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers, after all. How could she not be formidable?"
Yelan: "In any case, she is certainly far stronger than Childe, the lowest-ranked Harbinger."
Yelan: "As for exactly how much stronger, that's hard to say… so…"
Yelan: "Why don't you two fight, and let everyone see the difference in strength?"
Arlecchino: "A boring provocation."
Childe: "You say fight and we fight? Do you take me for a fool?"
Dottore: "If you aren't a fool, then who is?"
Childe: "I am your *******! Dottore, I've tolerated you for a long time!"
Guinaifen: "Eh? So this livestream room actually has a profanity filter?"
Sushang: "That is quite an unexpected discovery."
Dottore: "Tartaglia, watch your tongue! You are merely the lowest seat; do not lose sight of your station."
Childe: "I see your *******! 1v 1 me if you have the guts! See if I don't beat the shit out of YOU!!"
Qingque: "Judging by these adorable little star symbols…"
Qingque: "Mr. Childe is extremely angry right now!"
Hanabi: "I say, don't just curse at each other~"
Hanabi: "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Stelle: "What is this 'watching the fire from the other side of the river' attitude?"
Stelle: "If you ask me, you two should grab your weapons and have a real, steel-on-steel showdown!"
Stelle: "Only the one left standing has the right to continue speaking here!"
March 7th: "Uh… aren't you also just stirring the pot?"
Childe: "Excellent! I like this proposal!"
Childe: "Did you hear that, Dottore? Hurry up and roll out here, fight me for three hundred rounds!"
Dottore: "Heh. In the end, just a low-intelligence brute with muscles for brains."
Childe: "What? Are you scared? If you're scared, then quit your yapping!"
Arlecchino: "Childe, say a few words less."
Arlecchino: "Resolve your personal grievances in private; do not be rude in the livestream room!"
Hu Tao: "Exactly! There are other people in the livestream room, even underage children!"
Hook: "It doesn't matter! Although Hook isn't an adult, I love watching this kind of stuff~"
Klee: "Klee loves watching it too!"
Klee: "Umm… although there are some small parts I don't understand…"
Qiqi: "Why… are they… arguing?"
Qiqi: "Qiqi also… doesn't understand."
Stelle: "It's fine, it's normal not to understand."
Stelle: "Because they are having a meltdown."
Himeko: "Everyone, let's return to the main topic. Miss Hotaru's afterimage previously mentioned a mecha."
Himeko: "And combining that with the wreckage at the scene… Could that mecha be…"
Welt: "One of the Stellaron Hunters—Molten Knight Sam!"
Dan Heng: "Correct. Based on the clues, Sam is the most likely candidate."
March 7th: "I knew the Stellaron Hunters wouldn't be this quiet. So they were lying in ambush here all along?"
Stelle: "So what exactly are you guys here for? Silver Wolf."
Silver Wolf: "Just here to play."
Stelle: "(Do you think I'm stupid?.jpg)"
Silver Wolf: "If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."
March 7th: "Confess honestly! What scheme do you have in sending that Sam here?!"
Silver Wolf: "I don't know. Maybe to seduce someone?"
Stelle: "Se… duce?"
Hotaru: "..."
Kafka: "Alright Silver Wolf, stop joking around. If you all wish to know our objective, then continue to uncover it from the video."
Kafka: "Because barring any accidents, Sam is about to make an entrance."
Furina: "Sure enough, are they coming for Miss Stelle again?"
Hu Tao: "I find it strange. Why do you people keep buzzing around Miss Stelle instead of searching for the Watchmaker's Legacy?"
Guinaifen: "Exactly, I don't get it either!"
Guinaifen: "If it were me, I'd have gone looking for the Legacy ages ago. Who has time to waste?"
Stelle: "Didn't Miss Paimon say it before?"
Stelle: "Because I'm a sweet pastry!"
March 7th: "I think you look just like a pastry! (Laughing through tears.jpg)"
....
『 The video continues.
The trio passes by Hotaru's final memory afterimage, walking towards the lobby.
[ And then, this is the end… ]
Gazing at the approaching lobby, black Swan sighs faintly.
[ Hm?! ]
[ Everyone! Over there— ]
Suddenly, Acheron speaks up, alerting everyone.
[ It seems someone has been waiting for a long time. ]
[ Finally planning to step onto the stage, are we… ]
[ …Stellaron Hunter Sam! ]
Black Swan senses the presence of the uninvited guest, and identifies him.
Immediately, everyone draws their weapons, walking forward with solemn expressions.
[ Careful! ]
At this moment, Sam has just reduced a member of the Dreamjolt Troupe to molten slag, his aura overwhelming.
Seeing this, Acheron signals for Stelle to proceed with caution.
[ A Galaxy Ranger… ]
[ And… a Memokeeper. ]
[ Leave now, and no one gets hurt! ]
[ Or else...]
[ All of you will die here. ]
Scorching waves of heat rise into the air, as Sam speaks these words, filled with killing intent.
[ The detective game is over. You shouldn't be here. ]
[ I will... set the seas ablaze. ]
[ Once you're back in the real world, remember to tell everyone — ]
[ About the Stellaron Hunter who was behind your ultimate departure. ]
Seeing that the three have no intention of leaving, Sam wastes no more breath, and launches his attack directly!
Seeing this, Acheron steps forward, facing the enemy with only her scabbard, and begins to battle Sam.
For a time, the combat is intense, the fight utterly inseparable! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Good lord, this is Sam?"
Stelle: "He actually looks kinda handsome!"
Stelle: "I like it!"
March 7th: "You like the villain too? Although this mecha does look very imposing…"
Paimon: "So cool! It's really, really cool!"
Paimon: "He really has such an aura!"
Lumine: "Indeed!"
Lumine: "The things he says also give off a feeling of immense power!"
Childe: "Holy crap! Isn't this mecha way stronger than some Foul Legacy transformation?"
Childe: "When I can get out of here later, I definitely have to get a suit of armor like that to wear!"
Childe: "And then when I fight, I'll shout it too: 'I will... set the seas ablaze.'"
Childe: "How about it? Isn't that much cooler?"
Paimon: "Uh… you should probably forget it. I feel like you don't have that temperament."
Paimon: "Better let Lumine do it. I think she has the right vibe!"
Lumine: "Ahem… maybe I'll try it if I ever wear a mecha suit someday?"
Dehya: "Why not try it now?"
Lumine: "Well, inside a mecha is one thing, but in reality, I really can't bring myself to say it!"
Hotaru: "INDEED!!"
Silver Wolf: "What's so hard about saying it? Someone just blurts it out effortlessly!"
Kafka: "Hehe, you'll get used to saying it."
Hotaru: "…."
....
『 The video continues.
[ Leave this stage to them, my dear. ]
Stelle wants to step forward to help, but is blocked by Black Swan.
Then, Black Swan chuckles softly, and throws a card at Stelle.
Instantly, the world spins, and Stelle suddenly arrives in a strange place.
[ Huh?! ]
[ Where is this? ]
Stelle hasn't reacted yet, looking somewhat bewildered.
[ Hehehe… truly a wonderful performance. ]
Suddenly, a playful laugh rings out, and Aventurine's figure actually appears here.
[ Thank you for your hard work, Memokeeper—a magnificent display of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf. ]
[ When I first saw the Ranger and the Hunter gathered together, my heart skipped a beat… ]
[ I didn't expect you to successfully provoke a conflict between them. ]
Aventurine approaches the two, his tone carrying a hint of praise for Black Swan.
[ As agreed, I have brought this child before you. ]
[ Transaction complete. ]
Black Swan speaks to Aventurine with a calm expression.
[ You two are in this together... ]
Stelle realizes the truth of it all, and immediately begins to question Black Swan. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "OH MY HEAVENS!!"
Furina: "Miss Black Swan is actually Aventurine's person?!"
Furina: "THIS IS TOO DRAMATIC!!"
March 7th: "Look! What did I say?!"
March 7th: "You'll be sold out by a mature woman sooner or LATER!!"
March 7th: "I wasn't wrong this time, was I?!"
Stelle: "No, you were wrong!"
Stelle: "The me in the video said from the very beginning that I didn't trust the Memokeeper."
Stelle: "So this doesn't prove anything."
March 7th: "Hey, you're still making excuses!"
Himeko: "Miss Black Swan, it seems you have forgotten the agreement between us… this is truly a regrettable outcome."
Welt: "Indeed. We entrusted an unworthy individual."
Hu Tao: "This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
Hu Tao: "Even Miss Black Swan isn't a good person anymore!"
Xiangling: "As expected, you can't go anywhere without Aventurine's villainous schemes!"
Ningguang: "A surprising scene. It seems Mr. Aventurine is indeed one step ahead."
Dan Heng: "Heh. 'Driving the tiger to swallow the wolf,' indeed."
Dan Heng: "I fear you have been plotting all of this for a long time, haven't you?"
Amber: "Could it be… Miss Hotaru's death was also Aventurine's doing?"
Amber: "All to lure out the Stellaron Hunter Sam?"
Kazuha: "It feels entirely possible."
Aventurine: "Um, I admit to not being a 'good person'."
Aventurine: "But you don't have to pin everything on me, do you?"
Yanfei: "You previously wished for Miss Hotaru's death just to use it as evidence to scheme against The Family."
Yanfei: "And now you've taken Miss Stelle to a strange place!"
Yanfei: "Tell me, if it wasn't you, who else could it be?"
Dr. Ratio: "Indeed. Your suspicion appears to be the greatest."
Aventurine: "I say, Professor, whose side are you on anyway?"
Aventurine: "If you won't speak up for me, that's fine, but why are you joining in on smearing my name?"
Aventurine: "Don't you know perfectly well whether I did this or not?"
Dr. Ratio: "Apologies, I do not know, because you—damned gambler—did not tell me."
Aventurine: "….."
Aventurine: "Fine, I'm afraid of you all."
Aventurine: "Miss Hotaru's death has absolutely nothing to do with me."
Aventurine: "Believe it or not."
Black Swan: "Let me say a fair word: that matter indeed had nothing to do with Aventurine."
Sushang: "Uh… Miss Black Swan, if you come out to speak now, I'm afraid no one will believe you, right?"
Guinaifen: "I… certainly don't believe it anymore."
Yoimiya: "Don't believe + 1"
Sucrose: "Don't believe + 2"
Collei: "Don't believe + 3"
Black Swan: "Sigh, this is truly a heartbreaking scene…"
Boothill: "What are you heartbroken for, you muddle-fudger?"
Boothill: "Weren't you the woman who betrayed them first?"
Black Swan: "Perhaps, I also had my difficulties?"
Beidou: "…So every person has their 'difficulties', is that it?"
Beidou: "That's a bit much."
Stelle: "I don't have any difficulties, because I am the victim! (Wailing.jpg)"
Fu Xuan: "Tsk, truly a pitiful child."
Fu Xuan: "Even this Seat feels a pang of sorrow seeing your tortuous encounters."
....
『 [ Haha, it seems our Nameless friend hasn't grasped the situation yet. ]
[ No matter, allow me to explain it for you. ]
[ All in all, friend, you should thank this lady. ]
[ She not only didn't scheme against you—quite the opposite, she saved you… ]
[ …from the hands of that Galaxy Ranger. ]
Stelle's question does not receive a direct answer from Black Swan, but is instead picked up by Aventurine.
[ What?! ]
[ What nonsense are you spouting?! ]
Stelle is somewhat shocked by Aventurine's words.
[ That's right, I just love that expression of shock. ]
[ Friend, let us open the skylight and speak clearly. That woman named Acheron is far from as simple as you imagine. A Galaxy Ranger… ]
[ ...She's actually an Emanator, who brings death and finality. ]
Aventurine speaks shocking words!
Revealing Acheron's true origin!
[ Emanator?! Whose Emanator?! ]
Aventurine's statement leaves Stelle stunned!
[ Perhaps The Hunt… or Destruction… maybe even Finality. It doesn't matter, these Paths all point to the same outcome. ]
[ Let me give you some IPC insider information, my friend. Do you know "Duke Inferno" — Fetora's Ifrit? ]
Aventurine asks with a smile.
[ Who? ]
Stelle has never heard of this person, her tone growing impatient.
[ You don't seem to have heard of him before... He belongs to the Annihilation Gang, so I guess it's normal. Then let me explain to you... ]
Aventurine begins to pace back and forth, preparing to give Stelle a proper lesson on the history of Duke Inferno. 』
『 ....』