After venting for quite a while, Scaramouche finally calmed down.
He looked at Valerius, his eyes even carrying a hint of pleading.
"Can the past really not be changed?"
"No."
Valerius shook his head, giving him exactly the same answer he'd given Raiden Ei earlier.
He certainly wasn't going to tell Scaramouche that Teyvat's ley lines were special. Even if the past were changed, it would all be restored anyway.
However, thinking about what Scaramouche would eventually do—essentially wiping away all his sins—made Valerius somewhat dissatisfied.
How could things be that easy?
Valerius immediately said, "Of course, it's not like there's no way to revive those people."
"How?"
"I run a game arena. As long as you participate in the games and win, you can obtain revival items."
"???"
Are you kidding me?
"That's right."
Yae Miko spoke up in agreement, tossing the Gnosis in her hand once again.
"Even the Gnosis has plenty of those things inside. If you don't believe me, you can ask Tartaglia and Arlecchino."
Signora was shocked.
Revival alone was terrifying enough...
There were even Gnoses as rewards?!
Suddenly, she thought about Tartaglia's attitude in Liyue.
He had been unbelievably relaxed.
There was no need to say it—he must have been able to participate in the games, which was why he wasn't worried at all.
"How do I participate?"
"Become a player."
"Then... what do I have to do to become a player?"
Scaramouche's mind immediately became active.
As long as he could participate in the games, he'd do anything.
"Heh."
Valerius suddenly sneered and shook his head.
"You don't qualify."
"Why?"
"I don't like you."
Those words sent Scaramouche's heart straight into an abyss.
He'd never expected that the reason he couldn't participate in the games was simply because Valerius didn't like him.
Where was the fairness in that?
"Then... what do I have to do to become a player?"
"Atone."
"Atone?"
"Of course."
Valerius nodded firmly.
"The day you atone for all your sins is the day you can become a player."
"What exactly do I have to do?"
"Figure it out yourself."
In reality, Valerius could simply kill Scaramouche.
But Scaramouche's sins were far too serious, and Valerius didn't particularly like him either.
Naturally, he couldn't allow him to escape everything through death.
Sometimes, death was actually the easiest form of liberation.
Valerius only wanted to say—
You think you'll get off that easily?
Live while carrying your sins.
Giving someone hope while refusing to provide them with a clear path forward...
That was what truly made a person struggle.
Scaramouche lowered his head, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
He genuinely had no idea what sins Valerius was referring to.
And even if he wanted to atone...
What exactly was he supposed to do?
"Fine."
"I'll atone."
In the end, Scaramouche still decided to listen to Valerius.
Even though he didn't know what to do, at least he had a direction now.
"Sir, can I become a player?"
"You need to atone too."
"Uh... me?"
"I... I don't think I've done anything that serious."
Signora was getting annoyed.
Sure, she wasn't exactly a saint.
But she hadn't done anything that serious, had she?
"You beat my Traveler sister in Mondstadt."
"That's a grave sin."
"Ah..."
"I understand."
Signora nearly jumped out of her skin.
So that blonde Traveler had such a powerful backer?
Valerius was actually standing up for her!
I've decided.
The next time I see that blonde, I'm taking the long way around.
[Paimon: Hahaha! Scared now, huh? Let's see if you still act so arrogant next time!]
Paimon was delighted.
So Valerius really was on her side!
Signora had been so arrogant before.
Why wasn't she arrogant anymore?
[Lumine: He's standing up for me. You have nothing to do with this.]
Obviously.
Valerius had specifically said he was doing this for her!
[Venti: .....]
What does that mean?
I got beaten too!
Why didn't you mention me?
Venti suddenly felt rather unimportant.
But after thinking about it...
He didn't want his identity exposed anyway.
Maybe it was better not to mention him.
Finally, after some discussion, Raiden Ei released the two Harbingers and assigned people to escort them, ensuring they left Inazuma safely.
"Valerius..."
"Are you really planning to let that... Sca... Scaramouche become a player?"
Raiden Ei was somewhat dissatisfied.
If she had once felt even the slightest bit guilty toward Scaramouche, that feeling had completely disappeared after discovering him at the Delusion Factory.
"He has almost no chance of becoming a player."
"Unless he accomplishes something truly world-saving."
"That..."
Ei's eyes widened.
"His sins are really that serious?!"
She secretly wondered what exactly Scaramouche had done for even Valerius to say that it was nearly impossible.
"Oh."
"I simply don't like him."
Raiden Makoto: "....."
Raiden Ei: "....."
Yae Miko: "..."
So...
He was making the decision based entirely on his personal likes and dislikes?
Still...
This indirectly proved that she was rather well-liked by Valerius, didn't it?
Raiden Ei suddenly felt pretty good about that.
"When are you opening the next game?"
"It's only been three days. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Three days is a long time!"
"You should just open it today. This time, I'll definitely win."
Seeing her little sister pestering Valerius about another game, Makoto quickly grabbed her.
"Ei, the decision to start the game is naturally up to Mr. Valerius."
"Besides, you've already used your spot."
"This..."
Ei finally remembered.
She'd already used her player slot.
She would have to wait until everyone in Inazuma had rotated through before she could participate again.
Her excitement immediately disappeared.
"Don't worry."
"Next time will be a full-player game. All of you can participate."
"Really?"
"Really."
Valerius nodded.
"The next game will be a full-scale individual competition. Everyone will participate, but only the top three will receive rewards."
Valerius had already decided what the next game would be.
Giving them a little information in advance was fine.
It would also encourage the players to participate more actively.
[Lucy: Everyone... and the top three all get rewards!]
[Caesar: Excellent! Sons of Calydon, let's do this! We must take all three spots!]
[Sparkle: Friend, please stay...]
[Jane: I strongly recommend that Sparkle be banned from the next competition.]
They were rather depressed.
Sparkle's skill was simply too troublesome.
If she participated...
They were afraid it would be extremely difficult to beat her.
[Nicole: What are you afraid of? Cunning Hares, charge!]
[Nekomata: Don't worry. I'll deal with Kirara.]
[Kirara: I already apologized...]
She wanted to cry.
I only betrayed you once!
Why are you still holding a grudge?
[Zhu Yuan: With so many people participating, the competition is bound to be fierce.]
[Qingyi: Relax... with this many people participating, it won't be you getting punished.]
[Zhu Yuan: Senior, that's not what I meant.]
[Koleda: Belobog Heavy Industries is in! This time, we're definitely getting a reward.]
[Ningguang: Heh. You don't even know what kind of game it is, yet you're already this confident.]
[Hu Tao: As long as I, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, participate, none of you stand a chance! Hahaha!]
[Arataki Itto: What a joke! I'm Arataki "The One and Oni" Itto! Why would I be afraid of some little girl like you?!]
[Kuki Shinobu: Boss, she has a Noble Phantasm. And your luck has always been terrible.]
Kuki Shinobu covered her face.
If you want to get yourself killed, don't drag me into it.
Did he seriously not know what his luck was like?
Once the game started...
He'd better be prepared for Hu Tao to chase him around and hunt him down.
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