After dealing with the rebel group, Keqing and the others didn't leave right away. Instead, they entered the rebel research center to investigate.
They found a number of strange and unfamiliar devices.
Keqing didn't recognize a single one.
However, thanks to the captured rebels, she was able to learn the functions of so of the equipnt, gaining new insight into New Eridu.
While Keqing, the Traveler, and the others were inspecting the research center...
At that mont...
In another part of the Hollows—
Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Asaba Harumasa, Soukaku, and the others detected a surge of Etheric fluctuations up ahead. Guessing that Keqing and her group were once again engaged with an Ethereal, they rushed toward the source.
Soon, they arrived at the area where Keqing's group had just fought against Hoshimi Miyabi's clone and were t with clear traces of the recent battle.
Tsukishiro Yanagi frowned slightly. "That fight ended fast."
Soukaku nodded thoughtfully. "Sa as before... faster than eating a al."
Asaba Harumasa looked around in surprise at the widespread signs of destruction. "Look at all the damage... That building over there, and that one too. Even the ground's been blasted into a crater!"
Unlike previous battles, this ti the aftermath was extensive, a clear sign of how fierce the fight had been.
Asaba Harumasa knew Keqing and the others were strong—against ordinary Notoriety-level Ethereals, they could end fights in an instant.
But this ti, he couldn't even imagine what kind of opponent they'd faced.
There was no ti to dwell on it.
Tsukishiro Yanagi imdiately began scanning the area for clues. Before long, she found several strange surveillance caras tucked away in a hidden spot.
It was obvious.
These weren't part of the original structure—they had clearly been placed there by soone else.
When Tsukishiro Yanagi found them, the caras were still active.
In other words...
Soone had been watching their every move.
Asaba Harumasa said seriously, "Judging by the markings, they're rebel tech. That ans there are rebels nearby?"
Hearing that, Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi both frowned.
They hadn't expected such an unexpected discovery during their trip to the A37 Hollow.
Tsukishiro Yanagi muttered, "Section Chief, our position has been exposed. We need to act fast—track them down before they escape."
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "Can you determine their location?"
Tsukishiro Yanagi hesitated. "Not yet... but they can't be far."
They needed to start searching—imdiately.
Just then, Soukaku called out, "Section Chief, Yanagi—look over here! There's a line of footprints..."
Hearing that, Tsukishiro Yanagi rushed over and found a clear trail of footprints in the rubble.
Judging by the prints, there were four people—and a Bangboo. These had to be left by Keqing and her group.
Tsukishiro Yanagi said firmly, "Looks like this is their trail. Let's follow it."
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "Let's move."
Without another word, the group quickly set off, following the footprints through the ruins...
...
anwhile.
Inside the rebel research center, Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, Xiao, Proxy Belle, and Paimon were curiously examining the surrounding equipnt.
Just then—
Paimon suddenly shouted, "Traveler! Co here, quick!"
The Traveler rushed over. "What's wrong, Paimon?"
Paimon pointed and said, "That weird thing just lit up, and then it went dark again..."
The Traveler looked puzzled. "????"
He followed Paimon's finger and saw a large screen the rebels had left behind.
But he had no idea what it was.
At that mont, Belle slowly approached, controlling Eous.
"That's a large monitor. It must've picked up so kind of signal—that's why it flickered."
She then had Eous climb onto a chair and gently tapped a few keys on the keyboard.
The screen lit up imdiately.
Dozens of surveillance feeds popped up—live footage from caras the rebels had set up around the lab.
Suddenly—
Paimon pointed at one feed. "Traveler, Proxy—look! There are so people there, but they're too small to make out clearly."
Belle quickly tapped a few more keys. "I'll zoom in."
A second later, one of the feeds enlarged. And finally, they could make out the figures on-screen—it was Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others they had run into in the Hollow yesterday.
Seeing them again—
Paimon was stunned. "They're here too?!"
Hu Tao said seriously, "That spot in the ruins looks familiar... Isn't that the path we just walked? They must be close. I'll go greet them."
At that, Belle suddenly realized the problem.
They'd entered the Hollow without authorization—while Hoshimi Miyabi's team were official mbers of the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6.
This was bad.
"If the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 finds us here, we're done for..."
"Don't worry, Miss Proxy," Paimon reassured. "We saw them just yesterday, and they didn't arrest us. They even helped us get out of the Hollow."
Completely unbothered, Paimon glanced at the screen again and flew after Hu Tao.
Watching this, Belle sighed helplessly. "..."
Well, at this point, there was no turning back.
Hopefully Section Chief Hoshimi Miyabi wouldn't arrest them.
With that thought, Belle quickly controlled Eous, sprinting after Hu Tao and Paimon with her little legs.
At the sa ti, Keqing and the Traveler, having realized Hoshimi Miyabi's group was approaching, also hurried outside.
By the ti they all reached the entrance of the research center—
Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Asaba Harumasa, and Soukaku had already arrived.
Expecting a group of rebels to co charging out of the lab, Tsukishiro Yanagi and Asaba Harumasa had even prepared for battle.
But instead—
They saw Hu Tao, Paimon, and Eous step out.
Soukaku was shocked. "You guys just walked out of the rebels' hideout?!"
She had already raised her Oni Blade Banner.
Realizing who it was, she hurriedly tried to lower her weapon—but fumbled and nearly tripped in the process.
Paimon was even more surprised. "It's the oni folks from yesterday! How'd you end up here?"
Asaba Harumasa said seriously, "Shouldn't we be the ones asking that? A37 Hollow is under strict control. Unauthorized personnel aren't allowed. And yet, you've barged into another restricted zone—again."
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