"Huh? Vimara Village feels so lively! Did something happen?"
A short-haired, golden-haired Lumine, accompanied by a small, white, mysterious floating creature, finally returned to Vimara Village after much wandering—a place that, for them, was 'where the dream began'.
Who would have thought that simply saving an ordinary Forest Ranger from a Fungus ambush on the mandatory path to Sumeru City would eventually lead to becoming a great hero who saved the rainforest crisis?
Unfortunately, Lumine, the unwitting hero who saved Sumeru, had her deeds known only by a group of adorable Aranara; the people of Sumeru were unaware of everything she had done.
Now, with everything done, Lumine and Paimon returned to Vimara Village, because there was still one thing they absolutely had to do there.
However, when they arrived at Vimara Village, they found that the usually peaceful and tranquil village was bustling with activity, leaving both Lumine and Paimon utterly bewildered.
As a foodie, Paimon smelled the lingering scent of spices and the enticing aroma of roasting and stewing ingredients from afar, which immediately perked him up.
During his time accompanying the Traveler to save the Sumeru forest, he had experienced countless hardships, either traveling or resolving crises in the forest, and hadn't even had a proper meal. Seeing Vimara Village in such a festive state, Paimon could no longer hold back.
Paimon looked at Lumine with shining eyes, pointing towards Vimara Village, and excitedly said, "Lumine, look! Vimara Village seems to be holding a banquet! There must be so many delicious things… No, wait, they must need help, let's go check it out."
Lumine put her hands on her hips, displaying a doting expression mixed with a hint of mischief, and said, "Paimon, you're so insincere. If you want to eat something delicious, just say so. But isn't Vimara Village a quiet and peaceful little village? Why would they suddenly hold a banquet? I'm quite curious."
Paimon quickly nodded and said, "Exactly, I'm curious too! Let's go check it out."
With that, without waiting for Lumine's response, Paimon took the lead and flew towards Vimara Village. Lumine could only smile at the sight and followed after him.
As they got closer, Lumine and Paimon were surprised to find many foreigners in Vimara Village. Their clothing styles suggested they were from Inazuma, seemingly the Inazuma Delegation, whom Lumine and Paimon had met when they visited Liyue.
Had the Inazuma Delegation journeyed to Sumeru? But why would they choose to stay here? Weren't Sumeru City and Port Ormos, not far away, better choices?
No! If the Inazuma Delegation was here, didn't that mean that man was here too?
Thinking of this, Lumine subconsciously searched for that man's figure in Vimara Village. However, with everyone in Vimara Village bustling for the banquet, finding him wouldn't be easy.
As Lumine looked around, she was surprised to find five buildings with architectural styles completely out of place with the village suddenly appearing on the high ground of Vimara Village, standing out prominently.
Lumine had a feeling that the person she was looking for might be there.
Sure enough, when Lumine and Paimon arrived at the villas on the high ground, they saw Miyashiro, Ayaka, and Kokomi from afar, gathered around watching the local villagers prepare specialty dishes. This cooking style, so different from Liyue, Inazuma, and even Mondstadt, was a fresh sight for them.
After Miyashiro observed the process of making these specialty dishes, he immediately and discreetly instructed the delegation's chefs to prepare some Inazuman-style dishes… he was genuinely worried he wouldn't get used to the local cuisine.
Upon seeing familiar faces, Paimon immediately waved his arms and greeted, "Hey—Miyashiro! Ayaka! Kokomi!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Miyashiro, Ayaka, and Kokomi all turned around and immediately saw Paimon and Lumine waving, a smile involuntarily appearing on their faces.
Miyashiro: "Lumine, Paimon, long time no see. You really did come to Sumeru."
Paimon: "Of course! After all, Lumine is a Traveler determined to visit The Seven Nations and meet the Seven Archons. As one of The Seven Nations, there's no reason for Sumeru not to be visited. We've been in Sumeru for over half a month already.
Huh? Miyashiro, what's that you're wearing on your ear? Huh? Why is everyone wearing one?"
Paimon's words surprised Miyashiro and the others, who asked, "What are you talking about? This is an Akasha Terminal! As soon as we arrived at Port Ormos, the Sumeru officials gave one to each of us. Haven't you been in Sumeru for over half a month? You mean you don't know about this?"
Paimon then realized, "So that's it! This is the Akasha Terminal Tighnari told us about. It sounds really impressive, like a leaf."
Kokomi, nearby, asked curiously, "Do you two really not know? I heard that Sumeru has been distributing them for free to all Travelers, and there are even special officials at the city gates giving them out. You two have been in Sumeru for over half a month; haven't you entered Sumeru City or Port Ormos?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged an embarrassed look.
Paimon: "Now that you mention it, in the past half month, we seem to have visited all of Sumeru's rainforests, but we haven't been to Sumeru City or Port Ormos…"
Miyashiro, Ayaka, Kokomi: ???
Miyashiro: "It seems your travel route in Sumeru is quite unique."
Paimon: "Hmph! You wouldn't understand even if I told you. Lumine and I saved the Sumeru forest during this time!"
Hearing this, Miyashiro immediately realized the reason for their unique route: those two unlucky souls had gone to do the Aranyaka.
Miyashiro: "So that's it, I understand now. You must have met the Aranara, right?"
Lumine and Paimon looked very surprised, and Paimon asked incredulously, "You actually know about the Aranara? Have you met them?"
Kokomi and Ayaka, hearing the name Aranara for the first time, seemed quite surprised. Was Aranara a significant figure in Sumeru?
Miyashiro: "Although I haven't seen them, I can sense their existence. Besides, who wouldn't know about the Dendro Archon's retainers? Perhaps it's just the Sumeru people who only care about Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and overlook their existence."
Upon mentioning retainers, Ayaka and Kokomi understood what kind of beings the Aranara likely were. The Electro Archon's retainer is Yae Miko, the Geo Archon's retainer is Azhdaha, and the Anemo Archon's retainer is Dvalin—all formidable beings. So, the Dendro Archon's retainers should also be quite powerful, right?
However, another question arose in their minds: Wasn't Sumeru's deity, Lesser Lord Kusanali, still alive? How could her retainers be forgotten by the people of Sumeru?
Paimon: "Yes, now only children can see the Aranara. Once they grow up, they seem to forget all about them."
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