Based on Kazuha's analysis, those with Visions have dream realms, so it makes sense that the Traveler, who lacks a Vision, has no dream realm.
Though the more fundamental reason is likely that Lesser Lord Kusanali cannot see the Traveler's life trajectory.
In any case, after much discussion, the group concludes that the device is the true culprit and decides to return to the Fatui camp to investigate.
Riding the "Miitoboru," they arrive at the Fatui's camp island, where a researcher lies sprawled out.
He's drunk as a skunk, his "spirit" utterly shattered.
Like Mona, he once sought to prove himself a genius, but now the device has gone haywire, everyone's gone mad or fled, and he's failed.
Unlike Mona's resilience, his spirit is as broken as the wine bottles scattered around him.
Yet, in his heart, this device remains his treasure, and he's still quite proud of it.
The stench of alcohol hits them, and Fischl lets out a disdainful "hmph," clearly repulsed.
Thankfully, Oz is there, flapping his wings to fan away the smell for everyone.
Venti scratches his head. Surely people don't find me this off-putting, right? No way, no way!
Of course not. To Mondstadters, the scent on their Anemo Archon isn't alcohol—it's the fragrance of wine! The more you smell it, the richer it gets; the richer it gets, the more fragrant it becomes!
Enough about the Anemo Archon. Back to the story's Inazuman "Anemo Archon." Kazuha scouts the area but finds no other Fatui.
Even the Ice Fatui from last time, the one searching for his hat, is gone—likely hiding on some island, as there's no sign they had any means to leave.
With no other options, they'll have to "interrogate" the drunken researcher in front of them.
But first, they need to wake him up, or he won't be able to talk.
[Fischl: "Descend, holy fountain of retribution!"]
What the young lady means is, splash "pee" on him.
The suggestion is adopted, but they just splash water on his face to sober him up.
When he wakes, he's still half-mad, rambling about how the Fatui higher-ups are "ignorant fools" who dismissed his research and forced him to conduct experiments on this deserted island.
He's a genius! Those fools could never comprehend his talent!
In the future, the Fatui will surely regret this!
"That's what he says," Sandrone remarks coolly.
"Mhm, I read it," the young Dottore responds softly, not looking up, seemingly engrossed in some experimental data.
Once the data stabilizes, he continues, "Regret? He's questioning my judgment?"
"But he's got a point. I'm actually curious—what does regret feel like when it stems from misjudging a research project?"
"Sadly, it's unlikely, because I never misjudge."
"Hah, 'genius' and all that—it's utterly worthless."
"Oh, I'm not talking about you, Sandrone. You still have value."
Sandrone, expressionless, gazes at the somewhat "deranged" Dottore and casually says, "Next time, leave a slice that talks less."
"You think I wanted to stay?" the young Dottore replies, irritated.
"Leaving me here for these boring experiments is just using me as a communicator!"
"That main body of mine actually assigned me such tedious tasks!"
"My talent surpasses 'his'—why didn't he send me to Sumeru?!"
Prideful and conceited—no wonder Dottore left so many slices. They do offer different perspectives. The current Dottore no longer has this mindset.
Or perhaps he does, but he's just better at hiding his arrogance?
Sandrone falls silent, thinking this might be a slice from Dottore's chuunibyou phase. Better to keep reading.
[Persikov, raving: "…My treasure! My treasure, waaah… They scorn me… and my precious invention!"]
["Waaah… My manuscript, my manuscript! Only this… can save… save… waaah…"]
He's completely lost it—whether driven mad by the Fatui or the illusions, who knows.
Fischl asks where the manuscript is, and he flinches, perhaps intimidated by her sharp tone or maybe because she's not wearing white stockings.
[Mona, gently: "Dear sir, look at me. Tell me, where did you hide the manuscript?"]
Yet, even faced with Mona's gentle approach, the researcher remains terrified, fully immersed in his own world.
Neither soft nor hard approaches work—Mona's never been so insulted! Having to ask for information with her own mouth?!
Damn it, who sealed my hydro scrying disk?! Let me take one look—just one, I beg you, just one glance!
Waaah—being unable to use my scrying disk feels like ants crawling all over me~!
With Persikov in this state, communication is impossible, so Kazuha steps in.
[Kazuha: "…Pardon my rudeness!"]
Kazuha grabs the researcher by the collar, lifts him up, and executes a shoulder throw.
Kazuha's as gentle and kind as ever—he even bows before acting.
The group's jaws drop. So that's how you handle it?
The Great Memory Recovery Technique works wonders. The researcher's mind clears up considerably, and they finally get some answers.
Good thing he spilled the info, or he'd have faced Xinyan's rock 'n' roll blasting in his ears, shattering his eardrums.
Let's just say everyone pulled out all the stops to extract this information.
With the manuscript found, Mona, being the most knowledgeable in this area, naturally takes on the task of analyzing it.
[Mona: "From the manuscript, it's clear the Fatui higher-ups didn't support Persikov's research. They even thought he was on the wrong path."]
So Persikov brought the device to this deserted island to continue his work.
The manuscript even mentions that the device was designed to mimic the power of a certain god.
The group is shocked. Which god? First, rule out the Cryo Archon—no need to study that one.
Venti? Possible! Didn't the space that whisked Stanley away in his story feel dreamlike?
Zhongli? Also possible! Doesn't he send dreams to others?
Ei? Still possible! The Plane of Euthymia and the Immernachtreich are so similar!
Focalors? The most likely! No one's seen her in action—maybe this is her power!
Murata? Probably the least likely, right?
Okay, actually, readers think Ei's the least likely—not because of her powers, but her personality.
Other gods might strike a deal with you, but Ei? You'd have to beat her first.
With her stubborn temperament, even the Cryo Archon would get a spear to the face. If you don't take a hit, she won't even bother talking to you.
She's more "war" than the God of War herself.
No one suspects Nahida, because everyone knows Sumeru's people don't dream.
A nation that doesn't dream—how could its god's power be tied to dreams?
Sumeru's people claim not dreaming is a gift from the God of Wisdom. Dreams and wisdom are "opposites."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Nahida: About the Grand Sage
"Imprisoning me, stealing my authority—these I can endure. But Lucian told me he would harm Sumeru's people."
"This is no time for hesitation. I won't allow Azar to hurt Sumeru's people."