Herta left decisively.
But that shout of hers had been loud enough that even Valerius down on the first floor heard it—let alone the other two still on the third floor.
Inside her room, Raiden Ei clenched her teeth.
"What do you mean by that?!"
Unable to leave her room, all she could do was curse under her breath.
She hadn't bought any information, so she had no idea about the killer's supposed order of murders. Her original plan had been simple—stick close to Xiao and survive the night under his protection.
And now?
One sentence from Herta, and Xiao was barred from leaving his room entirely.
How was that fair?!
"At this point, Herta has to be the killer."
In Raiden Ei's eyes, Herta had become the prime suspect—clear motive, clear malice.
Meanwhile, in another room, Furina was far calmer.
She sat leisurely at the desk and opened a black-covered notebook she'd discovered earlier that day.
Judging by its appearance, it looked like a diary.
[May 7 – Sunny]
Today is my first day in this household. That man looks happy—he has a wife and a daughter.
I envy them.
I hate them.
Why… why did you already have a family, yet still entangle yourself with Mother?
Why… did you have to give birth to me?
Furina turned the page.
[June 9 – Overcast]
It's been a month since I arrived. I've earned their trust.
The lady of the house is kind. The little daughter treats me well too.
And of course… the man behaves like a gentleman.
Heh.
But I know it's all an act.
What kind of father wouldn't recognize his own child?
Another page.
[July 8 – Cloudy]
We moved today—to an old castle. This will be our home from now on.
They trust me greatly and have handed all household matters over to me.
I've been ordered to recruit necessary staff…
A doctor is essential—after all, the master needs treatment.
A maid as well. This place is far too large to clean myself—and I don't want to.
The garden needs tending. A gardener is necessary too.
As for the rest… I'll think about it later. I need to decide what other positions are needed.
"…Huh?"
Furina's eyes widened.
From this diary alone, it was clear—the people in the game had been recruited by the diary's owner.
If only it said who this person was…
She turned another page.
[September 1 – Overcast]
Mother is sick. Treatment costs a fortune.
I asked the master for my wages in advance—he refused.
Hehehe… then you can all die.
[December 4 – Sunny]
It was a perfect accident.
I have an airtight alibi.
It's unfortunate that the young lady stayed home today—but no matter.
There's plenty of time.
My status is special, and the young lady trusts me deeply.
If something were to happen to her… I would have every reason to inherit this estate.
Mother… just wait a little longer. I'll have the money soon.
The diary ended there.
But Furina's heart was pounding.
This wasn't just any diary—
It was the killer's diary.
And with this, Herta's suspicion was completely cleared.
The diary made it obvious: the killer intended to murder the young lady—not be her.
That left only two people unaccounted for.
The Bodyguard, Xiao.
And the Chef, Raiden Ei.
"Which one of you is it…?"
Furina closed her eyes, thinking carefully as the two figures flashed through her mind.
Then—
"It's Xiao."
Her eyes snapped open.
The diary mentioned absolute trust, authority to recruit staff, and control over household affairs.
A chef could never hold that level of influence.
But a bodyguard—someone close, dependable, always nearby?
That fit perfectly.
Eliminate every impossibility…
And what remained, no matter how uncomfortable—
Had to be the truth.
"…Well done, Herta."
At that moment, Furina genuinely admired her.
Earlier, she'd thought Herta was sabotaging them by restricting Xiao.
Now she understood.
That wasn't sabotage—
It was protection.
"Fine," Furina muttered.
"I was planning to make a solo accusation… but for your sake, I'll vote with you tomorrow."
Of course, she had no idea that Herta had no intention of sharing a victory.
Still, Furina was already happily imagining what kind of reward she'd get.
The Next Morning
Bright and early, Furina sat waiting in the main hall.
All she needed now was for everyone to arrive—then she'd initiate the vote.
"Hehe… so much for Electro Archons and Demon Conquerors."
Her lips curled smugly.
"Turns out, I'm the smartest one here."
She could already picture Raiden Ei's shocked expression.
Showing up another god?
It felt great.
Before long, Raiden Ei came downstairs.
"Come here," Furina whispered eagerly.
"I know who the killer is. Vote with me later."
"Really?"
"Absolutely certain."
"…I'll see."
Raiden Ei wasn't brilliant, but she wasn't stupid either.
She wasn't about to follow anyone blindly—not after everything so far.
A little later, Xiao and Herta arrived as well.
Seeing Xiao's dark expression, Furina immediately understood—
Herta's authority had worked.
Xiao really had been confined all night.
Everyone took their seats.
No one spoke.
They waited for Valerius.
There'd been no murder last night, so no investigation was needed.
The moment Valerius arrived—
They could begin the vote.