"Little sister, what's your name?"
After hearing the introduction, the young girl didn't immediately answer. Instead, she glanced at the group before slowly replying, "I'm called Buer."
"Hmm... you can also call me Nahida."
After saying this, Nahida realized the name "Buer" might be a bit inappropriate, fearing misunderstandings, so she quickly clarified.
(P.S.: Buer is one of Solomon's infamous demon gods, known for their ostentatious displays.)
"Why do you go by both Buer and Nahida? Is there some connection between those two names?"
However, Nahida's worries were clearly unfounded. March 7th, a beautiful girl who hadn't bothered to properly study or research in the Archive, showed no fear or surprise whatsoever upon hearing the renowned name "Buer." Instead, she was simply curious about why Nahida had two names.
Could it be some tragic, melodramatic backstory?
After asking the question, March 7th's mind drifted back to the short dramas she had scrolled through earlier on social media.
With this thought, her gaze toward Nahida couldn't help but fill with a hint of pity.
As for Stelle and Little Swarm, it went without saying—they were only a few months old. Managing their own lives was already impressive enough; it was unfair to expect them to have a vast store of knowledge.
Compared to March 7th, although these two also didn't recognize the name, at least they refrained from wild speculation about the experiences associated with Nahida's two names.
"The answer is no connection." Facing March 7th's question and sensing her pitying gaze, Nahida, though somewhat puzzled, waved her hand and explained.
"Um... okay, Nahida, are you and Sister Lumina related? Could you be her younger sister?"
Hearing this, March 7th stopped fussing over the name and began to scrutinize Nahida from head to toe. The more she looked, the more she realized that, aside from their distinct auras, Nahida was essentially a super-miniature version of Sister Lumina.
Sister Lumina possessed an innate aura of gentleness, holiness, and immaculate purity that radiated from within, drawing people to her and making them want to shower her with affection.
While Nahida still carried a hint of that same gentleness, it seemed much fainter, perhaps reserved only for her closest friends...
Despite her diminutive stature, Nahida exuded an aura of profound wisdom. It was as if any problem, no matter how complex, would be effortlessly resolved simply by asking her for help.
March 7th couldn't explain why she felt this way. After all, Nahida looked like a mere seven or eight-year-old child—her IQ probably wasn't even as high as mine!
At least, that's what March 7th thought to herself.
"A connection to Lady Lumina? The answer is yes." Ignoring March 7th's persistent glances, Nahida nodded slightly.
"Really?!" March 7th's heart leaped with joy. Happiness and excitement instantly filled the air.
You look so much like Sister Lumina, and there's even a connection between you!
It seems that by asking you a few questions or bringing you to Sister Lumina, we might finally get the clue she's been searching for!
"Like Lady Lumina, I am a citizen of Sumeru City."
But in the next instant, Nahida poured cold water on March 7th's excitement.
"Huh? Nahida, besides that, do you have any other connections to Sister Lumina?"
Stunned by Nahida's words, March 7th pressed on, her face full of disbelief.
You look exactly like a miniature version of Sister Lumina! If you're telling me that besides being citizens of Sumeru City, there's absolutely no other connection, I simply can't believe it.
"I'm not lying to you. I have no reason to, nor would I lower myself to deceive you," Nahida said, shaking her head. Her delicate, childlike face showed no hint of deception.
"My only contact with Lady Lumina has been through news reports and television broadcasts. I've never had any meaningful interaction with her."
"If you insist on calling it acquaintance, it's simply that I know her, but she doesn't know me."
Nahida spread her hands, revealing the "entirety" of her relationship with Lumina.
"Hmm... alright then." Hearing this and seeing Nahida's sincere expression, March 7th couldn't help but believe her.
If Nahida had never even met Sister Lumina, how could she possibly know about the clue Sister Lumina had mentioned?
In the end, they still hadn't found any information related to the "clue" Sister Lumina had mentioned.
Sighing inwardly, March 7th had already decided how she would atone to Sister Lumina later. ｡ﾟ(T ^ T)ﾟ｡
The clever little March 7th, seemingly never considered that the "clue" Sister Lumina mentioned might not just be a piece of information. It could be a person, an object, or something beyond mere words...
But our adorable March 7th remained blissfully unaware of this possibility.
As for Stelle and Little Swarm... well, let's just not comment on them.
"Hey, Nahida," March 7th asked, "since you look so much like Sister Lumina, haven't you ever wondered why?"
"Haven't you ever thought you might be long-lost sisters?"
"Why don't I take you to meet Sister Lumina? I bet she'd be shocked to see you!"
Even if March 7th hadn't considered the "clue" angle, anyone who met someone who looked so much like Sister Lumina would naturally think of family...
Comparing Sister Lumina's appearance to Nahida's, they definitely seemed like sisters!
Hmm... they couldn't possibly be mother and daughter, right?
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, March 7th gazed at Nahida with eager anticipation, already imagining Sister Lumina's expression when they finally met. Oh, this is going to be so exciting! o( ̄▽ ̄*)ブ*
"Have you ever wondered why?"
"We're definitely not long-lost sisters."
"I won't go."
Nahida answered March 7th's three questions in quick succession, each reply succinct and firm.
"Huh? Why not?" Just when March 7th thought Nahida would eagerly agree, she was met with an unwavering refusal, her face immediately falling into a puzzled frown.
Nahida's response was completely beyond March 7th's expectations.
If March 7th ever learned about someone who looked just like her, she would never miss the chance to meet them, no matter how she looked at it...
"Do you really think I wouldn't know if I were Lady Lumina's sister or any kind of relative?" Nahida crossed her arms, her expression turning slightly cold.
"Do you imagine I haven't spent this entire time trying to verify this?"
"I can tell you with absolute certainty that Lady Lumina and I are related, but only distantly—so distantly it's practically negligible."
"As for why we look alike, I've known the answer for a long time."
Nahida's eyes remained wide open, her expression placid, showing not the slightest hint of deception as she spoke utter nonsense.
As someone who had wandered the Cosmos for countless Amber Eras, someone who had encountered countless beings... No, someone who had been seen by countless beings—Lumina—if she had truly intended to deceive March 7th and the naive Stelle and Little Swarm, who were barely a few months old, they would have stood no chance of seeing through her lies.
Without a doubt, the little girl who stood before March 7th and the others was the very body Lumina had crafted from the branch she had broken off Irminsul.
A new body naturally required a new identity, so Lumina named this vessel Buer.
However, deeming the name too ostentatious, Lumina gave this body another name: Nahida.
Hmm... While it bore a slight resemblance to a certain two-character game, well, the Cosmos is boundless and infinite. Isn't it perfectly normal for similar yet distinct people, events, or things to exist?
No need to worry—it's purely coincidental!
Even though all these coincidences were meticulously orchestrated by Lumina herself...