Two days had passed since the Sabzeruz Festival. It was late morning, and sunlight poured over the Adventurers' Guild reception counter, painting the world in tranquil gold.
Shao Yun leaned against the counter, both hands propped on its edge as he listened to Katheryne—currently possessed by Nahida—describe everything that had happened since the festival's end.
As the tale wound down, Shao Yun couldn't help yawning widely, his expression one of utter boredom.
"So, you're telling me that's how you broke the Akademiya's dream-harvesting plan?"
Nahida nodded lightly, but then shook her head and clarified, "Strictly speaking, it wasn't a complete 'breakthrough.'"
"More accurately, the scholars of the Akademiya achieved what they wanted—and at the same time, I found a way to counter them. It was, in essence, a mutually beneficial outcome, where both sides got what they sought."
Shao Yun found her explanation increasingly dull. He lazily rolled his head and muttered, "Alright, fine. But if we can already communicate using those Akasha Terminals you modified, why bother possessing Katheryne just to talk to me face-to-face?"
Nahida blinked and answered as if it were obvious. "Because some matters are best discussed in person. It helps prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication."
Shao Yun couldn't think of a proper retort to that, so he simply nodded in resignation.
"Fine, I'll give you that. But is that the only reason you dragged me out here first thing in the morning? Just to hear about how you heroically woke Sumeru from its slumber?"
Nahida replied without hesitation, "That's right. You have the right to be informed."
Shao Yun frowned and muttered, "I thought you'd at least found the Sages' god-making workshop by now—or maybe figured out how to interpret that line. Turns out it was just a waste of my precious time."
Nahida sighed softly. "Deciphering the phrase that Lumine told me—'The world has forgotten me'—is not something I can do with wisdom alone. It requires the power of a Gnosis."
As he expected—it was another dead end.
He rubbed his temples and grumbled, "So basically, you've done nothing useful these past two days…"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice came through the Akasha Terminal on his ear.
"Hold on a second!"
Shao Yun gestured to Nahida to wait, covering his ear as he answered, "Lumine? What's going on?"
Lumine's voice crackled through clearly. "Shao Yun, Paimon and I are over in Pardis Dhyai right now. We're helping Tighnari handle a sudden outbreak of Withering Zones. Things are a bit rough, so we probably won't make it back to Sumeru City for a few days—but don't worry about us!"
Shao Yun immediately understood—she'd triggered Tighnari's Story Quest.
Although he still felt a twinge of concern, he wasn't too worried. Knowing their strength and how they handled crises, this wouldn't be a big problem.
"Alright then, just be careful. If things get dangerous, grab Paimon and run for safety."
He thought the conversation was over, but Lumine added, "Oh, right—Lisa's here in Pardis Dhyai too. She wanted to tell you something."
A melodic voice came through the Terminal next. "Mr. Shao Yun, are you sure you don't have anything to say to the adorable Noelle? Just a casual greeting for the Knights? Nothing else?"
Shao Yun froze for a second at being called out so directly.
After a short pause, he answered, "Uh… fine. Tell her not to overwork herself. She needs to rest more and not wear herself out."
"Oh—and make sure you tell her exactly this: 'Don't take everything Kaeya says seriously. That guy's not reliable at all.'"
On the other end, Lisa let out a small, exasperated sigh. "That's it? Such a short, emotionless message! You could at least sound like you care a little."
Shao Yun rolled his eyes. 'What else am I supposed to say?'
"Just tell her what I said. Now give the Terminal back to Lumine."
Realizing he wasn't in the mood for teasing, Lisa replied lightly, "Alright, alright. I'll make sure she gets the message."
Then Lumine's voice returned. "Okay then, Shao Yun—talk to you later through the Akasha Terminal."
…
When the call ended, Shao Yun turned back toward Katheryne—still under Nahida's control—and frowned impatiently. "So? Aside from what you just said, do you actually have any progress to report?"
"Honestly, everything you've told me so far sounds like a bunch of fluff."
Nahida remained calm and composed. "Please be patient. I need more time. We don't have enough allies right now to achieve a bloodless victory. I'm still looking for potential insiders who can assist us from within. Only with such cooperation can we execute a coordinated strategy—but these things take time."
Shao Yun scowled. "Time is exactly what we don't have! Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because we made that deal—Scaramouche's life for my cooperation—you can relax. If that devil makes a move, you'll have nowhere to run!"
Seeing his growing agitation, Nahida tried to soothe him. "I understand, but rushing won't help. I'll leave Katheryne's consciousness now. We'll talk through the Akasha Terminal if something comes up."
Before Shao Yun could respond, Katheryne closed her eyes as Nahida's presence faded from her mind.
Shao Yun gritted his teeth, tapping the Terminal. "Hey! Don't run away from this, it won't help!"
No response.
He cursed under his breath, 'Great. Nahida should just rename herself the Compassionate Living Bodhisattva while she's at it.'
Just then, Katheryne blinked back to awareness and looked at him quizzically. "Ad astra abyssosque. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. Would you like to accept a commission?"
Shao Yun waved dismissively. "No, not today…"
But before he could finish, a familiar voice called out from nearby—Dehya.
"Well, look who it is! What a coincidence, running into you here!" she said with a bright grin.
Shao Yun straightened his posture, forcing a bit of energy into his tone. "Hey there, Dehya! Didn't expect to see you here either."
Dehya gave him a quick once-over and noticed he was standing right in front of the reception desk. "You here to take a Guild commission or something?"
Shao Yun glanced briefly at Katheryne and replied, "Nah, just chatting to pass the time."
"Chatting with Katheryne?" Dehya raised an eyebrow, amused. "Wow, you must really be bored."
Shao Yun shrugged. "Beats talking to myself like a lunatic."
Dehya smirked and leaned closer. "You know, spending your time like this is kind of a waste…"
She studied his expression as she spoke.
Shao Yun met her gaze and said flatly, "Alright, cut to the chase. You clearly have something you want to ask me. Go on—I've got time."
Dehya blinked in mild surprise, then chuckled. "Heh, your instincts are sharp. You could outmatch even a veteran mercenary at reading people."
Then she got straight to the point. "Actually, I took on a job recently—escorting a caravan to Aaru Village. But I'm short on hands. Interested in joining me?"
Shao Yun froze for a moment at the name. "Aaru Village? So, you're heading into the desert?"
Dehya nodded. "That's right."
Shao Yun frowned. "But aren't you still employed as Dunyarzad's bodyguard? Taking private jobs like this—won't that upset her father, Shahzaman?"
That's like a security guard moonlighting as a delivery man, he thought. Pretty gutsy.
Dehya scratched her head awkwardly. "Ah, that's a long story. During the Sabzeruz Festival, somehow the Master and Madam found out that our Lady Dunyarzad was the one organizing the event!"
"So… they grounded her immediately. And me? Well, I got lucky—I've been 'temporarily relieved' of duty."
Shao Yun didn't know whether to laugh or sympathize. Dunyarzad grounded, Dehya on indefinite leave—it was tragic and funny all at once.
After a moment, he said, "Well, at least Dunyarzad got to meet the one she wanted to see—the Archon herself."
After all, with that Akasha Terminal, she could talk to Nahida whenever she wanted.
Even if she was stuck at home, Dunyarzad probably wouldn't be too lonely.
Dehya nodded in agreement. "True enough. As long as she can chat with the Dendro Archon through the Terminal, she'll be fine. I just hope she doesn't go stir-crazy."
Then she clapped her hands together, returning to business. "Anyway! Back to the main point—Mr. Shao Yun, are you interested in taking this commission or not?"
Shao Yun thought for a moment before asking cautiously, "How long will it take?"
Dehya crossed her arms and considered. "Hmm… let's see. From Sumeru City, head south, then west through the Ardravi Valley, past Caravan Ribat, and finally to Aaru Village. If everything goes smoothly, maybe five days round trip."
"Five days, huh?" Shao Yun rubbed his chin, then nodded. "Alright. I'll take it."
If nothing else, it'd be a good way to kill time—while waiting for that Compassionate Living Bodhisattva Nahida to finally come up with a plan.