My name is Lumine.
This person in front of me is my super-simp older brother, Aether.
"Little sister, you have to help me this time!"
"Your brother's lifelong happiness depends entirely on you!"
"Just do your brother this one favor—ask my goddess out for me. If it works out, I'll treat you to a huge feast!"
Lumine shot Aether a look of utter disgust, turned, and prepared to leave.
It wasn't the first time her brother had pestered her dorm mate. The friend had made it crystal clear she wasn't interested, but her brother just wouldn't listen.
"Little sister, my dear, sweet little sister!"
"Just help your brother one last time!"
Just as Lumine was about to walk away, Aether threw himself at her legs, clinging on tightly to stop her from leaving. He wailed dramatically, snot and tears streaming down his face.
"Your brother is truly in love with her! I'll only marry her in this lifetime! You don't want your brother to die alone, do you?!"
Watching her brother's theatrical display, Lumine seethed with frustration. But then she noticed the commotion was drawing a crowd, and her face flushed with embarrassment.
This is so humiliating!
Lumine wanted to bury her head and flee, but her legs were trapped in Aether's iron grip. She couldn't move an inch.
Furious, she kicked him twice, but it was useless. Aether clung on for dear life, refusing to let go.
Lumine was at her wit's end. He was her own brother; she couldn't just kick him to death, could she?
With no other choice, Lumine finally agreed to Aether's request, promising to try asking her friend out one last time.
In the past, to avoid being a third wheel, Lumine always made a quick exit as soon as the two met.
But this time, her friend clung to her desperately, refusing to let her leave. "If you go, I won't feel safe!" she insisted.
Lumine sighed in resignation. She knew her brother, Aether. He was shameless, with skin thicker than a city wall, but he'd never resort to force. Still, seeing her friend's unwavering determination, Lumine had no choice but to stay.
And then, she witnessed a scene that shattered her entire worldview.
"Goddess, I love you! Please go out with me!"
"Get lost! I'd rather die than date you!"
"Oh my god, Goddess! Your love for me is so profound you'd die with me!"
Lumine: "?"
"Want to be my boyfriend? In your next life!"
"What? You want to be with me in the next life too? I'm so happy!"
Lumine: "??"
"I already have a boyfriend, and we're living together! Stop harassing me!"
"It's okay, Goddess, I'll wait for you. Just send me your address—I can help you make the bed."
Lumine: "???"
Lumine gasped for air, her eyes fixed on Aether with the fury of a demon crawling out of hell.
This was her brother's true face!
No, this wasn't her brother. She didn't have a brother like this!
Lumine shoved her friend aside, a sickly smile twisting her lips. A five-meter-long Dull Blade materialized in her hand.
"Wait, Lumine, what are you doing?!"
"I... I'm your own brother!"
"Muda!"
Blood splattered...
-
"Traveler!"
Hearing the familiar call, Lumine rubbed her groggy head and sat up in bed.
For some reason, the back of her neck throbbed with pain, as if someone had ambushed her.
"Traveler, why did you do something so rash?!"
Paimon shoved a handful of snacks into her mouth, then threw herself onto Lumine, wailing indistinctly. She even wiped her mouth on Lumine's clothes for good measure.
Despite her dramatic words, Paimon seemed remarkably calm. This sort of thing had happened so often lately that she'd grown used to it. Still, she felt something would be missing if she didn't wail a little.
Lumine shot Paimon a glare, then pushed her away in disgust and got out of bed.
Only then did she suddenly remember why the back of her neck hurt so much: she'd knocked herself out yesterday.
Wait, how can you dream when you're unconscious?!
Lumine posed this question to Dr. Edward. He pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Are you truly certain you were unconscious?"
Lumine stared blankly at Dr. Edward. What do you mean? The back of my neck is still throbbing!
"Don't just assume," the doctor continued. "You must understand, your body is exceptionally resilient. Ordinary methods simply won't knock you out."
"This time, it may seem like you struck yourself hard enough to lose consciousness, but the force might not have been sufficient. Even if it was, you might not have fainted. And even if you did faint, you might have woken up halfway through."
"So, do you understand? Whether you fainted or not... it's like fainting."
Clutching her dizzy head, Lumine fled Dr. Edward's office. Just as she stepped out, his voice called after her.
"Remember to come back for your medicine in half an hour."
"Your condition seems to have worsened. The current dosage might not be effective enough. This time, I'm switching you to a basin-sized dose."
Lumine: "..."
Half an hour later, after downing an entire basin of medicine, Lumine lay sprawled on the sofa, one hand resting on her bloated stomach, her face a mask of utter despair.
Click!
Paimon secretly used her Kamera to capture the "beautiful moment," adding a caption to the photo.
If I get the chance, I'll send this to the Traveler's brother. Maybe he'll finally come back.
Paimon congratulated herself on her brilliance. If Aether asked, she'd just say the baby was due soon. As Lumine's older brother, he couldn't just keep gallivanting around, could he?
Just then, Dunyarzad walked in. She froze at the sight of Lumine, then raised a hand to stifle a giggle.
Hearing the laughter, Lumine rolled her eyes in resignation but didn't move a muscle. She didn't dare. It had taken all her effort to finish the medicine; what if a sudden movement made her throw it all up?
After a moment, Dunyarzad composed herself and approached Lumine and Paimon.
"Traveler, may I hire you for a day?"
"Don't worry, the pay will be generous!"
"How does ten thousand Mora sound?"
Ten thousand Mora was comparable to some minor commissions. For a simple bodyguard job—just escorting someone around the city—it was an excellent offer.
In the past, Lumine would even take on errand quests for as little as 5,000 Mora—tasks that often required her to travel halfway across the country. So, naturally, she was very satisfied with this offer and immediately agreed.
To avoid being recognized, Lumine and Paimon put on masks before heading out with Dunyarzad.
Dunyarzad's parents had initially tried to stop her, but seeing Lumine and Paimon accompanying her, they relented.
It was only then that Lumine understood why Dunyarzad had hired her. The risk of danger in Sumeru City was extremely low, so the money was practically free.
"I can't help it. My parents are just too worried about me," Dunyarzad explained with a sigh.
"They used to be even stricter—I had no freedom at all. They only eased up a little after Dr. Edward helped me suppress my Eleazar."
"But because I want to help organize the Sabzeruz Festival, an act that would anger the Akademiya, my parents refused to let me go out. That's why I ran away from home before."
"So that's how it is," Lumine and Paimon murmured thoughtfully after hearing Dunyarzad's explanation.
Just then, a triumphant smile spread across Dunyarzad's face.
"Hehe, even though Dehya found me quickly when I ran away last time, after that incident, my parents finally stopped trying to stop me. They just insisted that Dehya had to accompany me whenever I went out."
"You two are very strong too, so my parents feel at ease with you."
How could they not? Lumine and Paimon were the kind of badasses who could fail to kidnap Great Sage Azar and still escape unscathed!
In truth, Dunyarzad's parents were reluctant to oppose the Akademiya on this matter. However, their debt to Dr. Edward was too great, and they were not the type to forget such kindness. In the end, they decided to take a gamble.
If they lost, they could always move their entire family abroad. After all, they certainly had enough money for that.
"Hehe, don't you worry, Dunyarzad! With me and the Traveler here, no one will lay a single hair on your head!"
Paimon puffed out her chest proudly and promised.
Lumine shot her an exasperated glance. It'd be a miracle if you just didn't hold us back, let alone protect her.
By now, the medicine Lumine had drunk had mostly digested, leaving a warm, pleasant feeling in her stomach.
Though the taste had been agonizingly awful, the potion was incredibly restorative!
Lumine felt her aches vanish—no more sore back or tired legs. Her entire body surged with strength. She even felt an urge to pick a fight with Dottore just to burn off the excess energy.
But then she remembered Dottore's formidable power, and a shiver ran down her spine. She decided to postpone that showdown for another time.
It was precisely because Lumine could feel the medicine's benefits that she had forced herself to finish every last drop, even when she felt like she couldn't drink anymore, ending up with a bloated belly.
The sacrifices I make for power... she thought.
"Let me introduce you to my friends at the Grand Bazaar," Dunyarzad said. "Then we can go shopping for other things."
"It might take us two days to get everything done. I'll be counting on you both during that time."
"And afterward, I'll treat you to a meal!"
At the mention of food, Lumine and Paimon's eyes lit up.
They hadn't had a chance to properly savor Sumeru's delicacies over the past two days, with everything that had been going on. The prospect of finally getting to do so made them incredibly excited.
Dunyarzad was momentarily stunned to see Lumine and Paimon more excited about food than payment, but a charming smile soon returned to her face.
Before long, the trio arrived at the Grand Bazaar. A performance was underway on the stage, and their attention was immediately drawn to it.
On stage was a young woman with a graceful figure, her attire minimal to allow for maximum freedom of movement and showcase her dance.
A thin, cyan veil covered her face, her beautiful features tantalizingly obscured. Combined with her exquisite dancing, she held the audience completely captivated.
When the performance ended, a brief silence hung in the air before erupting into thunderous applause.
"Miss Nilou is so beautiful!"
"I could watch Miss Nilou's dancing forever!"
"Miss Nilou, please sign this for me!"
-
Once the commotion died down, the crowd began to disperse, completely satisfied.
They had come specifically to see Nilou's performance, and their high spirits led them to buy items from the street vendors lining the road. The vendors, grinning from ear to ear, were filled with gratitude for Nilou.
"Miss Nilou."
Nilou, who was talking with someone else, heard the familiar voice and turned her gaze toward the sound. Her face lit up with surprise when she saw it was Dunyarzad.
"Miss Dunyarzad! What brings you here today? Did you come to see my performance too?"
"Of course," Dunyarzad replied with a smile. "Everyone who sees Miss Nilou's performance loves it."
Nilou quickly finished her conversation with the person beside her and hurried over to Dunyarzad.
After all, Dunyarzad was her biggest patron; she couldn't afford to be anything but attentive.
"And these two are..."
"They're bodyguards assigned by my family," Dunyarzad explained, telling a white lie to protect Lumine and Paimon's identities. "We've become quite close—good friends, really."
"Hello," Nilou said.
"Hi, Nilou! It's great to meet you!"
Paimon's instantly familiar tone made Nilou smile.
She didn't question Dunyarzad's explanation—or rather, she didn't care much about it either way.
With her mask on, Lumine didn't draw much attention, but Paimon, no matter how you looked at her, bore a striking resemblance to the little white pixie on the Akademiya's wanted posters.
Naturally, Dunyarzad and her companions were aware of this, so Paimon refrained from her usual reckless flying and stayed perched on Lumine's shoulder, ready to pose as a doll if needed.
"Miss Dunyarzad," Nilou said, "you suddenly lost contact a while ago. I was worried you'd run into some trouble."
"I was planning to sneak out," Dunyarzad admitted, "but Dehya caught me and dragged me back not long after."
Seeing the bitter look on Dunyarzad's face, Nilou couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Let's not dwell on that," Dunyarzad said, changing the subject. "How are the preparations for the Sabzeruz Festival coming along, Miss Nilou?"
At Dunyarzad's question, Nilou adopted a more serious expression. "The preparations are mostly complete," she began. "The biggest problem now is how much resistance we'll face from the Akademiya."
A worried look crossed Nilou's face. The Akademiya was desperate to make everyone forget Lesser Lord Kusanali. While they couldn't openly oppose the Sabzeruz Festival, they had countless ways to sabotage it behind the scenes.
"Don't worry," Dunyarzad said reassuringly. "As long as we do our best, I'll accept whatever the outcome may be."
"Dunyarzad tried to reassure Nilou, but her own expression revealed she was far from calm."
"Sigh... Let's just hope the Akademiya is too preoccupied with the Restricted Zone to pay us any mind for the time being."
As she spoke, Nilou couldn't help but glance at Lumine and Paimon beside Dunyarzad, though she quickly averted her gaze.
"Sigh..."
Dunyarzad also let out a soft sigh. She knew the chances of the Sabzeruz Festival proceeding successfully were slim, but she was still unwilling to give up without trying.
However, Dunyarzad's mood was much lighter than before. She knew there was still a chance to cure her Eleazar, so even if they failed this time, she would have another opportunity.
At this thought, Dunyarzad felt immense gratitude toward Dr. Edward.
It was truly a blessing for those in despair like her that Dr. Edward had moved from Fontaine to settle in Sumeru.
"By the way, Miss Nilou, do you have any thoughts on the Akademiya's latest announcement?" Dunyarzad suddenly asked, hoping for Nilou's perspective. They were all at a loss, so she figured it was worth a shot.
After hearing the question, Nilou pondered for a moment before speaking to Dunyarzad.
"I don't know the full story, but I have a feeling the Akademiya has ulterior motives."
Everyone had witnessed the Akademiya's recent actions. Like Nilou, they didn't really believe the Akademiya would be so benevolent, so they were all waiting to see how things would turn out.
Dunyarzad sighed softly. Even an outsider like Nilou suspected the Akademiya had other motives. It was undeniable that the Akademiya had lost much of its credibility among the people.
"Alright, I understand."
"Let's go over the details of the Sabzeruz Festival again."
As Dunyarzad and Nilou began their serious discussion, Lumine and Paimon found themselves completely unable to contribute.
In fact, they hadn't known much about the Sabzeruz Festival until recently, when they'd looked it up using the Akasha Terminal.
Speaking of which, Lumine and Paimon couldn't help but complain. The information on the Akasha Terminal was clearly a censored version, consisting of only a few brief sentences. It was as if the Akademiya was terrified of anyone remembering they even had a Dendro Archon.
Lumine couldn't help but recall the situations in the previous three nations. Even Venti, who hadn't appeared publicly in a long time, was still deeply revered by the people of Mondstadt.
And then there was Lesser Lord Kusanali... Her situation was just pathetic
Lumine and Paimon truly couldn't understand how a mighty Archon could lose to a group of mortals. In the end, Lumine shook her head and decided not to dwell on it.
Throughout the day, Lumine dutifully stayed by Dunyarzad's side. Dunyarzad, in turn, didn't forget Lumine and Paimon, buying them plenty of delicious snacks and treating them to a grand feast before they headed home. The three returned to the Homayani Estate, completely satisfied.
"Traveler, it's time for your medicine."
Back at the estate, Lumine heard Dr. Edward's gentle voice utter the most terrifying words, and her body couldn't help but tremble.
But the thought of Dottore's overwhelmingly powerful strength hardened her resolve. She forced down the entire bowl of medicine. Having eaten so much earlier, she nearly threw it all up.
She barely managed to suppress the urge to vomit on the spot.
Night fell, and it was time for the daily "blind box" opening. The mere sight of her bed now triggered a stress response in Lumine.
Dr. Edward's words from earlier echoed in her mind, making her hesitate. Was I really too soft on myself?
Dr. Edward had a point. Her power was already approaching the threshold of an Archon. It would be difficult to truly knock herself unconscious without being ruthless.
So... should she just go for it?
After a moment of hesitation, Lumine's gaze hardened.
Thud!
"Traveler!"
The familiar scene played out once again...