[Charlotte: No doubt about it. It's Ms. Jade.]
[Neuvillette: Is it really?]
[Yanqing: All the clues point to Ms. Jade. It must be true.]
[Himeko: Then how do you explain the weapon and bloody coat?]
[Hanya: Self-framing.]
[Xueyi: Self-framing.]
[Topaz: It's over. Ms. Jade is finished.]
[Aventurine: The killer shouldn't be Jade. Even if it's self-framing, now wouldn't be the time.]
[Ruan Mei: Agreed… directing all clues toward oneself isn't wise.]
[Screwllum: I concur. If it were self-framing, either the weapon or the coat should have been placed elsewhere.]
[Sparkle: Aiya~~~ Just vote first. If it's wrong, deal with it later.]
[Sampo: Exactly. There are still others.]
[Seele: Why are you chaos-loving spectators everywhere?]
[Sushang: General, give us a hint.]
[Jing Yuan: Cannot say. Cannot say.]
Inside the Arena
Seeing the accusatory looks from the others, Jade's heart sank.
This might really be the end.
All the evidence pointed at her.
And she had no solid rebuttal.
She had stayed in her room all night.
She genuinely knew nothing about what happened outside.
At that moment, Su Ze suddenly spoke:
"Uh… did you forget? You can use points to buy clues from me."
"Points!"
That reminded Jade.
If these people were already determined to kill her off, she couldn't afford to be stingy.
If she got eliminated, her remaining points would be meaningless.
"I'll buy."
Without hesitation, Jade decided to purchase a clue.
"Very good."
Su Ze smiled.
He had expected this.
"Clues are priced at 1, 2, or 3 points. Which tier?"
"3 points."
Now was not the time to conserve resources.
She needed a critical clue.
"Come closer."
Jade leaned toward him.
"1. 3. 4. 2. 6. 5."
"…What?"
That's it?
Three points for a string of numbers?
She frowned.
What did those numbers mean?
"You can also buy 2-point and 1-point clues."
"…2 points."
"Excellent."
Su Ze smiled even wider.
He leaned close again.
"A nonexistent profession. Be careful."
The warm breath against her ear made Jade's cheeks flush slightly—
But when she processed the message, she froze.
Nonexistent profession.
1 3 4 2 6 5.
She looked at Su Ze seriously.
"Can you guarantee all your clues are true?"
"All true."
Receiving confirmation, Jade smiled.
Then she turned toward the others—
And smiled confidently.
Returning to her seat, she spoke calmly:
"I know who the killer is."
"Will you vote with me and achieve a collective victory?"
"Or shall I accuse alone?"
The room inhaled sharply.
If they followed her vote and she was misleading them—
They'd lose.
But if they refused—
And she accused correctly—
She'd win alone.
"Tell us the clues you got."
Jade shook her head.
"I cannot reveal purchased clues. But I have an 80% certainty."
That made things difficult.
For a moment, no one knew what to do.
Furina thought for a while and spoke:
"We vote with her."
Raiden Ei was shocked.
"What? What if she's the killer?"
"It's fine. If she's wrong, we vote her tomorrow."
That… actually made sense.
If Jade was correct, they'd win immediately.
If she was wrong, they'd eliminate her the next day.
Guaranteed outcome.
Jade's lips twitched slightly.
You don't have to say that part out loud.
But she wasn't worried.
She was certain.
And besides, maintaining goodwill for future games mattered.
Jade's Deduction
The clue: "Nonexistent profession."
Doctor, Gardener, Maid, Chef, Bodyguard—
All legitimate professions.
But what about "Young Lady"?
That wasn't a profession.
It was a status.
Su Ze had said "profession."
Not "identity."
Then the numbers:
1 3 4 2 6 5.
Jade inferred this was the kill order.
Jing Yuan had been in Room 1.
He died first.
Room 5 belonged to Herta.
Last in the sequence.
Everything aligned.
The killer was—
Herta.
And she had the ability to do it.
Last night, she ordered Xiao to guard her door—
Giving herself a perfect alibi.
Then she could have used the water pipes Furina mentioned—
Climbing down and entering other rooms.
As for knowing about the exterior pipes?
She was the Young Lady.
She lived here.
If the maid had keys to all rooms—
Surely the Young Lady had her own advantages.
With that thought—
Jade raised her hand.
"I vote for Herta."