Episode 196: The First Dance of Sabzeruz Within the Dream
『 It was even more impossible to use such a reason to question the authority of the Akademiya.
Therefore, after arriving in this dream world, logically speaking, such things shouldn't have happened.
This matter was truly confusing.
Lumine and Paimon were also completely baffled, feeling that there must be something strange hidden within.
"Oh, so our current situation is like this…" Nilou began to softly recount a story from the past.
"Have you heard the legend of the First Sage?"
"The hero who, in order to escape disaster, embarked on a journey to find the Dendro Archon."…
"Hmm, it rings a bell. When we first arrived in Sumeru City, Dunyarzad told us this story. So, that was your Sumeru's First Sage."…
Paimon and Lumine's memories were awakened, recalling the legend told by the real Dunyarzad. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "This story is very famous in Sumeru, you know!" ]
[ Alhaitham (Genshin Impact): "The Sages are propagating their own greatness, but this is also to dilute the presence of the current Dendro Archon." ]
[ .....]
『 As a native of Sumeru, Nilou continued to reveal secrets, giving this story a new meaning.
"That's right, but in the version you heard, he indeed didn't become the first Sage, because the story has a sequel."
"His piety and wisdom won the favor of the Dendro Archon, and the Lord Dendro Archon finally decided to grant him a supreme grace."
"Thus, the Dendro Archon showed the First Sage scenes of wonder, as if all the knowledge in the world had been conceptualized and spread out before his eyes, leaving him mesmerized."
"Time passed, and he couldn't remember how long it had been, but he mastered all the knowledge he could understand."
"After the dust settled, he said to the Dendro Archon: 'I am starting to miss my parents, wife, and children at home. I have been away too long; they must be worried.'"
"The Dendro Archon simply smiled slightly and said nothing. But in an instant, the Sage suddenly opened his eyes and found himself lying in bed, as if waking from a long dream."
"His wife was right beside him, saying gently, 'Darling, you are setting off to find the Dendro Archon today, right? May you have a safe journey.'"
"Since then, this First Sage resolved the many crises of Sumeru City and founded the Akademiya, becoming a legend."
Nilou narrated this past with joy in the dream.
"So you're saying that for all those years, that First Sage lived entirely within a dream from start to finish, and never actually started his journey?" Paimon suddenly realized.
If the Sage had truly embarked on the journey back then, he naturally wouldn't have woken up at home.
All of this, just like what they were facing now, was the creation of divine power, accomplishing a series of great feats within a dream.
"Exactly, but it must have been his piety and determination that touched the Dendro Archon, allowing the dream to serve as a bridge to receive the grace," Nilou said with determination.
"I get what you mean; that's a really interesting connection. But we need to be like the Sage in the story and wake up from the dream," Paimon urged Lumine and Nilou anxiously.
Just like the First Sage in the dream, it was time to awaken and welcome a new beginning.
"No problem. Since Nilou has already realized that this is a dream, we should be able to wake up very soon." Lumine was full of confidence. … 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "Nilou really played a big role this time." ]
[ Nilou (Genshin Impact): "I still caused trouble for you, Miss Dunyarzad." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Finally, things here are about to end." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "After we get out, this livestream should also end, right?" ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "This birthday party has truly been long." ]
[ Eriri Spencer Sawamura (Saekano): "It's been many, no, it should be I don't know how many times we've had this birthday party." ]
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "In the end, we got through it with more scare than harm." ]
[ Dehya (Genshin Impact): "But, Miss, you…" ]
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "I'm fine. I believe in Lesser Lord Kusanali." ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): "Let them pass." ]
[ .....]
『 After all, the main person had already woken up, so they could quickly exit this dream and return to reality.
"So that's how it is? What a coincidence, today's Sabzeruz Festival is also about to draw to a close."
As Nilou spoke, she walked to the edge of the stage, beaming with joy: "Since it is a dream, why not dance the Dance of Sabzeruz even more magnificently for the finale?"
"I can't wait anymore, dance to your heart's content!" Lumine encouraged Nilou, full of anticipation. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "I can finally see the Dance of Sabzeruz, I'm looking forward to it so much." ]
[ Nilou (Genshin Impact): "Please enjoy my dance to the fullest!" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "I'm looking forward to it too, a dance within a dream. Doesn't this mean whatever you want can appear?" ]
[ Barbara (Genshin Impact): "Barbara also wants to hold a concert in a dream! Dedicated to Lord Barbatos!" ]
[ Yun Jin (Genshin Impact): "I also want to present an opera to the Lord of Geo." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "Rationally speaking, Boss Yun's opera is unmatched in Liyue." ]
[ Yun Jin (Genshin Impact): "Thank you for the praise, Mr. Zhongli. I recently have a script for a new piece, 'The Divine Damsel of Devastation', and I would appreciate your feedback if you have time." ]
[ Zhongli (Genshin Impact): "Rationally speaking, that would be excellent." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Usually, there are so many things one can do in a dream." ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Now being able to control one's own dream, what a beautiful scene that will be." ]
[ .....]
『 The camera turned to Nilou, who was preparing to perform the legendary Dance of Sabzeruz.
A green Crystalfly drifted down leisurely from the sky, landing lightly on Nilou's palm, instantly transforming into a quiet, pale blue flower.
Nilou gently raised her hands, and pale blue light spilled out like a tide, instantly dyeing the entire Grand Bazaar stage.
The audience below, who were enjoying the joy of the Sabzeruz Festival, were deeply attracted by the light that suddenly bloomed overhead and stopped to look up involuntarily.
"Dear friends, I have kept you waiting! Please allow me to dedicate this Dance of Sabzeruz to the noble deity!" Nilou stood in an almost sacred posture, her gentle words sweeping through the crowd like a spring breeze.
Dressed in a crimson dance skirt, wearing exquisite horn ornaments, her face veiled in light gauze, and stepping on high-soled shoes, she danced lightly to the melodious melody, like an elf in the forest.
With every spin and every leap, she drew wisps of flowing light that circled her body. The entire space seemed to be plated with a layer of gold, slowly melting and fading away.
The audience was captivated by this beautiful dance, unable to extricate themselves, and Paimon was also staring intently, full of joy.
Witnessing this scene, Lumine couldn't help but recall the regret that Dunyarzad couldn't witness Nilou's dance with her own eyes, and a trace of sorrow welled up in her heart.
Just then, a hazy figure quietly approached.
It was Dunyarzad!
She walked slowly to the front of the stage, her eyes filled with endless expectation for Nilou's dancing skills.
Lumine and Paimon were stunned by this sudden appearance, their eyes widening as they stared at the fully focused Dunyarzad.
Unknowingly, the surrounding crowd began to glow with a warm golden light, foreshadowing the destiny of this world's imminent disappearance.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a knowing smile and continued to watch Nilou's dance with focus.
Finally, amidst Nilou's graceful steps, the entire world seemed to be wrapped in a gentle power, gradually fading into that brilliant golden glow… 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "This scene is so beautiful. So the Dance of Sabzeruz is this beautiful?" ]
[ Nilou (Genshin Impact): "Yes, our Dance of Sabzeruz, with the enhancement of the dream, can be this beautiful." ]
[ Nilou (Genshin Impact): "This is something I hadn't thought of either." ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): Thank you all. I am very happy to have such a birthday. ]
[ Theresa (Honkai: Impact Third): "It's just a pity that this is a birthday in a dream, and a birthday in the future at that." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "That's simple, can't we just make it a reality?" ]
[ Dehya (Genshin Impact): "That's right, that's exactly what should be done." ]
[ Dehya (Genshin Impact): "As for the detestable Akademiya, hmph hmph hmph." ]
[ .....]
『 The screen suddenly went dark, then switched back to that very familiar bedroom they had been to countless times.
Paimon and Lumine seemed to have just woken up from a dream. …
"Phew~ Good morning, Traveler. It feels like I've slept for a century." Paimon rubbed her eyes, her voice still carrying a bit of laziness.
Lumine also let out a big yawn, her voice full of drowsiness: "Morning, Paimon. My head is a bit dizzy."
Lumine felt a dull ache in her head and thought it was due to lack of sleep. Just as she was gently massaging her temples with her hands…
"My head feels heavy and groggy. Did I oversleep? How did we fall asleep last night again?"
"Let me think, it seems like after the Sabzeruz Festival ended… Huh?"
" The Sabzeruz Festival!" Paimon's eyes suddenly widened, suddenly remembering everything from last night.
"That's great, Traveler! We've escaped the samsara of the Sabzeruz Festival, right?"
"Paimon, I remember now!" Lumine looked at Paimon excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Hurry up and take off the Akasha Terminal!" As she spoke, Paimon deftly pulled the Akasha Terminal from her ear and tossed it aside.
"I remember last night, at the end of the Sabzeruz Festival, I seemed to catch a glimpse of Dunyarzad!"
"Let's go find her quickly!"
The two suddenly remembered Dunyarzad and rushed out of the room without a word, heading straight for Dunyarzad's residence next door.
They thought they would be greeted by a Dunyarzad who had woken up peacefully.
However, when they pushed open the door, only an empty room greeted them.
The two looked disappointed and walked out of the room with heavy steps.
"How can this be? She's not in the room!" Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Lumine's mind: "I know, it must be that old place!"
Before the words fell, she had already dashed out, giving Paimon, who was stunned in place, no chance for an explanation.
"Eh? Where are you talking about?"
Paimon looked at Lumine's receding back and quickly followed. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Which old place?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Is it in front of that small hut?" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Where else could it be?" ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): "So smart." ]…
[ .....]
『 Here they really found the newly awakened Dunyarzad, and beside her was an unexpected figure!
So that's how it was!
Dunyarzad, who had just woken up from her dream, still had a trace of drowsiness in her eyes as she looked at the hurriedly arriving Lumine and Paimon. Busily attending to her by her side was Katheryne from the Adventurers' Guild.
Katheryne smiled and said to Lumine and Paimon: "Well done, Traveler, and little Paimon!"
"Also, thank you so much, Dunyarzad, for everything you did to prepare for the Sabzeruz Festival."
"Who are you?" Dunyarzad looked at Katheryne with a puzzled face, sure that she had never met this lady before.
"Dunyarzad! Oh my~, it's so good that you're okay! Don't scare us like that again!" Paimon appeared very worried, staring at Dunyarzad, who seemed a bit unusual.
Lumine also looked at Dunyarzad with concern…
"Oh!~ Traveler, Little Paimon! Listen to me~."
As soon as Dunyarzad saw the two by the bed, she couldn't wait to share her experience with them.
"I just had a wonderful dream! I dreamt that Nilou was dancing the Dance of SABZERUZ!!"
"Dunyarzad, that dream might not just be a dream, you know!" Lumine and Paimon smiled at each other and spoke in unison.
Paimon acted mysteriously and muttered a sentence to Dunyarzad that was confusing:
"You are actually Nahida, right! I said that Miss Katheryne we saw at the Sabzeruz Festival venue, was a bit strange."
"And about Dunyarzad, it was you who saved her, right?" Paimon asked the "Katheryne" Nahida in front of her one question after another.
"It's a long story. It's better not to disturb the patient's rest here; her spirit is still very weak."
"Let's chat somewhere else. How about near that bench the Traveler was fond of before?"
As soon as Katheryne finished speaking, she led the two towards another location. Her mouth didn't stay idle on the way, continuing her long speech.
"What's wrong with you two? Haven't we just not seen each other for one night? Why are you so excited to see me?"
As soon as Katheryne's figure disappeared around the corner, the two of them turned their gaze to Dunyarzad in unison, their eyes full of care and tenderness…
As for Dunyarzad, two red clouds quietly climbed up her cheeks. Her eyes flickered, looking shy.
"Um… well, it's a long story. It's really more than just one night." Paimon couldn't find the right words to describe that wonderful experience for a moment and appeared somewhat flustered.
After all, everything that happened during that time was too weighty to be described by the word "bizarre"; it was simply incredible.
Although Dunyarzad was full of doubts about her two friends' words, perhaps out of trust in her friends, or perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere in the air, she didn't rush to ask further, but silently hid this confusion in the bottom of her heart, letting that mixture of warmth and mystery ripple gently in the lake of her heart…
Suddenly, just as Dunyarzad was about to ponder something, she abruptly clutched her head.
"Ouch, it feels so strange. Turns out I slept for so long, no wonder my head hurts so bad!"
Seeing that Dunyarzad seemed to be fine, Lumine let her rest well first, while she dragged Paimon to find Katheryne sitting on the bench.
She wanted to figure out why Katheryne was looking after Dunyarzad, or if all of this was actually Nahida manipulating things from behind the scenes.
Upon arriving at the bench, they saw Katheryne(actually Nahida) already waiting there.
"Let's talk about Dunyarzad first. It's great that she's okay!" Paimon asked "Katheryne".
"Yes, after we separated on the last day of the Sabzeruz Festival, I ran outside the city and witnessed the scene the Traveler spoke of with my own eyes."
"Within the layers of dreams, I found a dream that was slowly fading, which happened to confirm my guess."
"When Dunyarzad could no longer withstand the Akasha's erosion of the dream, her consciousness scattered, ironically escaping the Akasha's control."
"But that weak consciousness couldn't last too long. It would return to its own dream and fade away along with the dream until it disappeared."
"I used all my strength at the time to barely preserve Dunyarzad's dream, but this wasn't a long-term solution. Fortunately, you broke the cycle in time."
Nahida acknowledged the efforts of the two; this was the result of everyone's joint efforts.
"Hehe, so that means we saved Dunyarzad together! We made it in the nick of time!" Paimon felt very happy to have been able to save Dunyarzad together.
"What a comforting ending."
Lumine agreed. …
"Eh? Why are you both smiling? I thought you would be moved to tears hearing this news. Hmm, it seems I still need to learn more about human emotional reactions."
Nahida was puzzled by the smiles of the two after hearing the news. Logically, they should be moved, so why were they laughing?
"Hehe, these two emotions are actually about the same! It mainly depends on personal mood."
Paimon explained. …
"Is that so? Then, do you have any questions you want to ask me? As a favor for saving my devout believer, I will tell you everything I know without holding back."
"I want to know, why do you look like Katheryne?" Lumine thought of the Nahida from before, small and cute. 』
『 .....』