Paimon: ...You mean, after you became interested in playing with mud, you developed this skill?
Lumine: I'm actually also interested in playing with mud...
Qixuan & Paimon: Shut up!
Lumine: ... (They threw mud at me.)
Akin: Hahaha, actually, it was just a whim. More than that, it was my old man's help. He was a bricklayer. After learning the craft from him, I started secretly making pottery, and it turned out pretty decent, so I just switched careers. Too bad the knowledge the Akasha provided me with is useless.
Paimon: That's still pretty good!
Katheryne: Eh, is your father still a bricklayer now?
Akin: No, no. Years ago, he fell off a roof while working and broke his leg. Anyway, he had saved up a lot of money over his lifetime, so he just retired in Port Ormos.
Katheryne: I see. I hope he has a peaceful and happy old age. I'll have the Adventurers' Guild logistics team come to check the goods another day. I won't bother you today.
Akin: Alright, don't worry. You'll be satisfied with the goods.
...
Nahida: This is the last one. Setaria always misses the taste of this restaurant when he's in the Akademiya. Every time he comes to the city, he always makes sure to sit down here.
Qixuan: Hmm~ The food at this restaurant is indeed good.
Paimon: Hehe, you're making me a little hungry. But Nahida knows so much.
Nahida: Hehe, after all, watching over the people of Sumeru is also my duty.
At this moment, Nahida walked up to a girl.
Katheryne: I think I've seen you near the harbor...
Qi Shan: Eh? Is that so?
Katheryne: At that time, you seemed to be discussing ship design with someone.
Qi Shan: Ah~~! Yes, yes. Technical issues related to ships have always been my personal interest. After all, I grew up in Liyue Harbor. I've loved watching ships come and go since I was little. Later, I came to Sumeru to study, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough Talents and failed the exam.
But I still often discuss issues with various scholars and also study and research in the restaurant's basement. I believe I will do well next time.
Qixuan: Her spirit is no less than that of the 'Qixing'.
Qi Shan: Eh? Looking at your clothes, you're also from Liyue? That's great! I've seen so few fellow townsfolk since I came here. But you're joking, how can I compare myself to important figures like the Qixing?
Katheryne: Hmm, humble, and with an admirable spirit for learning. Truly remarkable.
Paimon: Why do I suddenly feel like I'm very lazy?
Lumine: Don't doubt yourself, you are.
Katheryne: So this restaurant also has a basement? This is the first I've heard of it.
Qi Shan: Ah, yes, the form is not right. It's not open to guests and is generally only used for staff breaks and private events.
Katheryne: I see... I understand. Then I wish Miss Qi Shan success in her studies.
Qi Shan: Ah haha, thank you. I'll be satisfied as long as I can become an official student of the Akademiya.
...
Qixuan: It looks like enough information has been gathered.
Nahida: Hmm, three familiar faces of Setaria should be enough.
Paimon: We've learned so much, Nahida, but you still haven't told us how to make Setaria realize his problem?
Nahida: He has gotten used to escaping. We must first break through his psychological defenses. I remember you also mentioned it, right? The Eremites in Port Ormos are all spreading the news that the Scarlet King is about to be resurrected.
Although it's nonsense, for Setaria, this kind of belief from the Desert area can hit his soft spot.
Paimon: Oh~~ I think I understand. It's using Setaria's guilt towards his hometown? He clearly feels he should go back and help the Desertfolk, but instead, he's colluding with the Sages of the Akademiya...
Qixuan: Paimon, are you trying to stand on the moral high ground and point fingers?
Paimon: Eh?
Lumine: I've decided. It'll be called 【In the Name of the Scarlet King】.
Paimon: Eh?!
Nahida: Alright, alright. We can't really make the Scarlet King appear. Secondly, Setaria is also a very intelligent person... If we just pretend to be Scarlet King believers and negotiate with him, I believe he will be wary, and it might not have the desired effect.
Qixuan: Nahida means?
Nahida: Hmm, if we 【borrow】 his acquaintances to speak... the effect should be completely different.
Paimon: So Nahida wants to possess those few people?
Nahida: Hmm, after 【possessing】 them through the Akasha, express their identity as Scarlet King believers in their words, and then convey the false 【Will of the Scarlet King】. As long as it appears natural, it will definitely break through Setaria's psychological defenses. He won't expect it.
Paimon: Indeed, only by imitating them perfectly will it be effective.
Nahida: Exactly. So, I'll leave the imitation to Lumine.
Paimon: Ah? Leave it to us? But, but we don't know how to 【possess】!
Nahida looked at Qixuan.
Qixuan: Alright, alright. I can use my ability to transfer Lumine's consciousness to them. Don't worry.
Paimon: So convenient! Wait... Why does it have to be Lumine? Can't Qixuan-jie do it herself?
Lumine: I have the title of 【Teyvat's Endurance King】.
Paimon: When did you get that? Why don't I know? No, what kind of strange title is that?!
Qixuan: If something unexpected happens, Paimon, do you think Lumine can handle it?
Paimon: Uh... Alright...
Nahida: Alas... If possible, I'm actually very reluctant to occupy the consciousness of those few people, but now is not the time to care about such things.
Paimon: Yeah, don't worry too much.
Nahida: Hmm, let's start the operation tomorrow afternoon.
The next afternoon...
Paimon: Here he comes, here he comes! It's Setaria! He really showed up!
Nahida: Let's follow him first. We'll start the operation when he's chatting with his acquaintance.
Qixuan: Lumine, at that time, you'll need to unleash that momentum you use to argue with Paimon.
Lumine: No problem!
Paimon: Hey!
Nahida: They seem to be chatting already. Let's begin.
Qixuan placed one hand on Lumine's head. 【Feather of Transcendence】 activated. A feather was seen falling onto the person's head in the distance, then disappeared. The acquaintance chatting with Setaria suddenly trembled.
Setaria: Yes... matters of love really can't be forced. Besides, the backgrounds of the people around me are too different from mine... Hmm? What's wrong, Nabiya?
Nabiya: (It worked)?
Setaria called out again.
Nabiya: Ah? I, I'm listening. It's the hardships of love, I heard it.
Setaria: Hmm, nothing. It's just that you suddenly trembled just now. I thought you were sick.
At this moment, the two great divine cats suddenly started meowing at Nabiya.
Setaria: Eh? Your two cats seem to be growling at you. What's wrong? I remember they're usually quite docile. Oh, right, what are their names again?
Nabiya: (Think fast, you idiot! Ah!) They are Harut and Marut.
Setaria: Ah, right, little Harut and little Marut, how cute.
Nabiya: Alright, what do you want to divine today? I suppose you came to listen to the voice of the gods again?
Setaria: Well... Although I want to divine my love fortune again, to be honest, my heart has been in a mess lately...
Nabiya: In a mess?
Setaria: Hmm, how about this, can you help me divine when the 【Installation】 I'm working on will be completed? I really want to finish it quickly...
Nabiya: I see... No problem. Then let the gods reveal the answer to you...
Nabiya: (Help me, I don't know how to divine at all!)
Qixuan: Don't worry, I'll tell you.
Paimon: Eh? Qixuan-jie can do this too?
Nabiya: ...Hmm hmm hoh hoh... I heard it.
The group hiding nearby.
Paimon: Are you doing this on purpose?
Qixuan: I am doing it on purpose.
...
Setaria: Pfft... Hoh hoh hoh? Sorry, sorry, your mouth tic is too strange, I couldn't help it...
Nabiya: Oh, don't pay too much attention to such details. The god says: 【Setaria, why haven't you returned home?】
Setaria: Go... return home? Does the god really know what I'm thinking?
(Nahida: Got him)
Nabiya suddenly said with some excitement: "Setaria, why haven't you returned home! This time it's a question, the god seems very angry."
Setaria: Ah! Ah... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Lord God, please convey my apologies to the god, and beg him to quell his anger...
May I ask... Nabiya, which god is speaking in your ear?
Nabiya: ... (Subconsciously looked towards Paimon's side).
Qixuan: (The Scarlet King~~).
Nabiya: Hmph, what a direct and rude question. Of course, it's the greatest and wisest Lord 【Scarlet King】.
Setaria: The Scarlet King?! No wonder he would question me like this... No, no... He died a long, long time ago... Although the news of the Scarlet King's resurrection has been widely spread recently, those are all false messages deliberately released by the Akademiya... How could the Scarlet King truly still exist?
Nabiya: (Hmm? So that's how it's revealed.)
Nabiya: Rude! I am the most loyal believer of Lord Scarlet King! Do you want to deny the voice of the god in my ear?
Setaria: No, no, no... I'm just honored as a Desertfolk to learn that Lord Scarlet King's grace has spread this far. I will reflect carefully on Lord Scarlet King's question... Sorry, I'm leaving first.
Setaria left.
Nabiya: Eh, wait...
Setaria didn't stop.
Paimon: He left in a hurry, he looks very flustered.
As Lumine's consciousness returned, Lumine's body moved.
Lumine: ...So... so numb. How long have I been standing here?
Paimon: Let me help you stretch!
Paimon helped Lumine stretch her arms.
Lumine: Much better, thank you, Paimon. Oh, right, how are things going?
Nahida: Very good! Setaria probably didn't notice anything suspicious. The part of his mind that he had been avoiding has suddenly come to question him... The impact on him must be huge.
Lumine: Hehe, I told you, my title of Teyvat's 【Endurance King】 isn't for nothing.
Nahida: Let's not talk about that for now. Let's quickly catch up with Setaria.
...
Paimon: He really came to Akin's place.
Qixuan waved her small hand, and Lumine possessed Akin again.
Setaria: Oh, right, what kind of work were you saying you wanted me to help you find before?
Akin: They threw mud at me.
Setaria: Hmm? What are you saying?
Qixuan: (Oh no, I sent the wrong message.)
Akin: Ah, it's nothing, just a new verbal tic. The job I wanted you to help me find was a bricklayer.
Setaria: Oh, right. Like father, like son. I actually forgot about that. By the way, how's your old man? Has he recovered a bit?
Akin: Much better. It's much easier for him to walk now.
Setaria: That's good, that's good. I've always been thinking about your old man. If I had a holiday, I'd really like to visit him. Speaking of which... your old man is still in Port Ormos, right?
Akin: Yes, he's been living in retirement in Port Ormos.
Setaria: It's best if you write to him and tell him that recently, the belief in the Scarlet King has been constantly Spreading in Sumeru, originating from Port Ormos...
Old Tian is stubborn and a believer of the Grass God. I'm afraid he might conflict with those Scarlet King believers due to conflicting beliefs...
Akin: Oh? Then what is your stance? The Akademiya? Or the Scarlet King?
Setaria: Uh... this...
Akin: Alas, I envy you. You were born a Desertfolk, but unfortunately... you betrayed Lord Scarlet King and chose to be with those Akademiya guys.
Setaria: Akin...? Are you also a believer of the Scarlet King?
Akin: Is there anything strange about believing in the wise Lord Scarlet King? Rather, isn't it you yourself who is strange for having an wavering stance?
Setaria: I... I am wavering...
Setaria left somewhat unsteadily, appearing very emotionally unstable. Afterwards, Lumine returned.
Paimon: Wow, I didn't realize Lumine had so much Talent.
Qixuan: Look at his expression, he's almost depressed from being argued with.
Lumine: It seems... I really did go a bit too far.
Nahida: The problem has been further brought to the forefront, very directly. Although Setaria is a bit pitiful...
But after this is over, I will visit his consciousness one day and explain everything to him. Alright, let's continue to follow him.
...
Setaria: So, Qi Shan, have you noticed anything strange in the city recently? Like... has anyone preached to you or anything?
Qi Shan: No, I spend all my free time studying in the attic.
Setaria: Wait, you said attic? I don't remember there being an attic here, and don't you usually study in the basement?
Paimon: Oh no...
Lumine, at this moment, had a flash of inspiration... and easily found an excuse.
...
(Here's an explanation: there's a possession part, right? The previous few paragraphs were Nahida possessing Katheryne, switching between Katheryne's tone and her own tone.)
