Setaria's arrival was indeed an unexpected gain for Miyashiro and Kokomi.
As Grand Sage Azar's assistant, she naturally knew many things about the Akademiya, but because she was only an assistant, she couldn't access the core secrets of the Akademiya's high-ranking officials.
However, Kokomi wasn't picky. Her greatest skill was to meticulously piece together the full picture of an event by extracting clues from minor details.
Since Kokomi needed such an insider, Miyashiro would provide her with one.
Of course, Setaria's greatest value was to return to Azar's side as a hidden piece in Miyashiro's plan. Therefore, after Kokomi obtained the information she wanted, she had Miyashiro lift the illusion on her, allowing her to return to Sumeru City in a state of confusion.
Taking the breakfast Ayaka handed him, Miyashiro slowly savored it. Before he had even taken a few bites, Miyashiro heard Paimon's characteristic 'Mm-hmm, mm-hmm' sound from outside the door.
Sure enough, the next moment, Paimon flew over to Miyashiro, complaining with a wronged expression: "Miyashiro, you be the judge! We came to Vimara Village this time by agreement with Arana to catch the bad guys in Vimara Village.
I ate a bit too much at last night's banquet and was a little tired from playing, so I fell asleep quickly. The next morning, when I remembered this and wanted to remind Lumine, she actually told me that she had already found the bad guys and the matter was resolved, and no more children would go missing.
It's one thing for Lumine to handle this alone and leave me out, but the crucial thing is that when I asked her who the bad guy was, she wouldn't tell me! It's so infuriating!"
Watching Paimon stomp her feet frantically in the air, with an expression of powerless rage, Miyashiro couldn't help but want to laugh out loud. Lumine gave Miyashiro a look that signaled she needed cover.
Miyashiro readily nodded in agreement. After all, Lumine had handed Alfonso over to him to deal with out of consideration for him. Since Lumine didn't want the innocent Paimon to know such a cruel truth, Miyashiro naturally had to help.
Besides, tricking Paimon was one of life's great pleasures, and there might not be another chance later.
Miyashiro comforted her: "Alright, Paimon, you need to understand Lumine. There's a reason why she doesn't want to tell you who the bad guy is."
Paimon showed a confused expression: "Eh? What reason?"
Miyashiro: "What kind of place do you think Vimara Village is?"
Paimon: "A quiet, peaceful little village. The villagers are all very simple and warm-hearted."
Miyashiro: "Exactly. Such a beautiful little village, yet a big bad guy who lured children to go missing appeared, and this big bad guy was hidden among these warm-hearted villagers. Do you think if the other villagers knew about this, they would still trust each other so much in this village?
Even if this big bad guy has been brought to justice by Lumine, who can guarantee that there aren't any other hidden bad guys among the remaining villagers? Under such a suspicious mindset, the originally simple folk customs would be destroyed, people's hearts would scatter, and Vimara Village would no longer be the same Vimara Village.
Rather than that, it's better to keep this matter hidden and secret from the villagers. That way, Vimara Village can restore its former tranquility."
After listening to Miyashiro's explanation, Paimon felt it made some sense, but also felt something was off, saying: "So that's how it is, no, wait! I'm Lumine's best companion. She could have quietly told just me. Keeping it from even me is too distant."
Miyashiro: "Paimon, you're wrong to think that way. From what I understand, your lips aren't exactly sealed. As a talkative person, you could easily blurt out this secret.
The consequences of this secret leaking are very serious, and it might leave you with a lingering sense of guilt. Lumine must have considered this, and decided to guard this secret herself. This isn't a sign of her being distant from you; it's precisely proof of Lumine's care for you!"
Upon hearing this, Paimon suddenly understood and looked at Lumine with a somewhat embarrassed expression: "Is that how it is? Lumine, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."
Lumine secretly gave Miyashiro a thumbs up and explained to Paimon with a doting expression: "If it were any other secret, I'd be very happy to share it and bear it with Paimon, but this matter, to protect the peaceful atmosphere of Vimara Village, I'd rather keep it buried in my heart.
If Paimon you really want to know, you can take a walk around Vimara Village and see which villager is missing, then you'll know who the bad guy was. I won't force you."
Paimon quickly waved her hands upon hearing this: "No, no, I'm not interested in this matter anymore. Oh, right, since our agreement with Arana is complete, shouldn't we head to Sumeru City now?
After all, what Miyashiro gave us was just a fallback plan. If the person Tighnari recommended to us has other ways to meet the Dendro Archon, we won't need to trouble Miyashiro.
Also, I'm very interested in that Akasha Terminal by Miyashiro's ear. I heard that Travelers who enter Sumeru City can get one for free. Lumine, let's go check it out?"
Lumine nodded at Paimon's suggestion. As a Traveler determined to journey through The Seven Nations, it was indeed a bit strange that she hadn't visited Sumeru City after so many days in Sumeru. Moreover, from her interactions with the Aranara, Lumine still had some questions about this city, and she had to go to Sumeru City to find the answers.
Paimon: "Since Lumine has also agreed, then Miyashiro, we'll see you in Sumeru City. I heard that Sumeru's annual Sabzeruz Festival is coming soon, and Sumeru City will definitely be very lively."
Lumine: "Goodbye."
Seeing them bid him farewell, Miyashiro gave them one last piece of advice: "Lumine, Paimon, Sumeru has a magical phenomenon: adults don't dream. Not dreaming is a manifestation of rationality and wisdom, you know. Alright, we'll see each other in Sumeru City."
When Paimon still wanted to ask Miyashiro what he meant by that, Miyashiro's attention was no longer on them. Seeing this, Paimon could only discuss it with Lumine.
Paimon: "Hmm? I think I heard the Aranara mention Miyashiro's last sentence. Apparently, in Sumeru, only children dream. I just don't know what the connection between them could be."
Lumine also felt that Miyashiro, as the Inazuma Regent, must have some information she didn't know. His last sentence certainly wasn't baseless. Was he trying to remind her of something through this opportunity?
Although Lumine felt there was definitely a deeper meaning to that sentence, she always felt something was missing, unable to connect it all together.
Never mind, she would see when they got to Sumeru City.
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