Paimon asked, greatly puzzled, "Eh? Why not? If Tighnari could become a sage, then we'd have more backing when adventuring in Sumeru."
Tighnari merely smiled faintly at this: "Heh heh, I never liked the working atmosphere of the Akademiya. Rather than participating in those mystical grand projects within the Akademiya, I'd prefer to use my knowledge and studies to practically improve the rainforest environment.
After all, my major is botany. If I were to leave the rainforest environment, my wisdom would be like a castle in the air, showy but impractical. As for helping people grow brains, that's not my area of expertise.
If you want someone to back you in Sumeru, you can ask Cyno for help. He now holds great power, controlling the matra with one hand and Sumeru's army with the other. As for Alhaitham, from what I know of him, if you want his help, it's best not to bother him during his rest time."
Lumine: "Sumeru's army? Does Sumeru have its own army? Was it the Thirty Personal Guards from before?"
Tighnari laughed, "Something like that. Before, Sumeru City and the Thirty Personal Guards had an employment relationship, but after your actions, both Lesser Lord Kusanali and the Akademiya scholars felt that such city defense forces were insufficient to protect Sumeru's people.
So, the Akademiya funded Cyno to select the best from the Thirty Personal Guards and recruit suitable talents from various regions. The current Guards not only enjoy the status of official Akademiya personnel but also have their command authority vested in the military. The era of scholars imperiously directing Guards is over."
Paimon nodded and said, "In that case, this policy is indeed necessary. Mondstadt has the Knights of Favonius, Liyue has the Millelith, Inazuma has the Shogunate Army, and if Sumeru only had mercenaries, it really wouldn't be proper."
Lumine: "What about Azar and his accomplices?"
Tighnari: "They are currently undergoing labor reform in Aaru Village. Lesser Lord Kusanali, being magnanimous, spared them the death penalty, but that doesn't mean the people of Sumeru will easily forgive them. It is said that during their escort to Aaru Village, many, unable to bear the humiliation, chose to take their own lives."
Paimon: "Hmph! That's how it should be. They got what they deserved."
Lumine: "By the way, Tighnari, are you attending the celebration banquet Nilou is preparing?"
Tighnari asked, puzzled, "Celebration banquet? What celebration banquet? I haven't heard about it."
Paimon: "Huh? Didn't Nilou's letter say it was to celebrate Cyno and Alhaitham? Did Cyno not tell you?"
Tighnari: "Possibly, or... he himself might not even know about it."
Paimon: "Uh, now that you mention it, Cyno really doesn't seem like the type to attend banquets..."
Lumine: "Perhaps Nilou and the others acted first and reported later."
Paimon: "Tighnari and Collei are both good friends of Cyno, so why don't we all go together? It's the night after tomorrow."
Tighnari showed a thoughtful expression upon hearing this: "The night after tomorrow? That should be fine. I'll bring Collei and be there on time."
Paimon: "Then we'll head to Sumeru City first to ask Nilou about the situation. Uh, we should be able to go out now, right?"
Tighnari gave a cheerful smile and said, "Your wounds have mostly healed, so go ahead, but still be careful, okay?"
And so, Lumine and Paimon arrived at the Grand Bazaar in Sumeru City and met Nilou. Only then did they learn that, of the letters Nilou had sent out, only their side had received a reply; everyone else had been met with silence, no news at all.
It seemed that Nilou's celebration banquet had not only failed to inform Alhaitham and Cyno in advance, but even the guests hadn't been properly notified. One could say that, apart from Nilou, the host, no one else knew about this news.
Fortunately, there were still two days until the celebration banquet. In that case, it would be up to the busy Traveler to go around and notify everyone individually.
Thus, over these two days, Lumine practically ran all over Sumeru, finding Alhaitham at the Akademiya, Deena Dazed and Dehya at Port Ormos, and Cyno, Candace, and Rahman at Aaru Village.
Everyone was very gracious about Lumine's personal invitation and said they would attend.
In her conversations with them, Lumine further learned about several major events happening in Sumeru, especially in Aaru Village, where she saw Azar wildly tilling the land with a hoe, which filled her with emotion. Because of her arrival, yet another nation had undergone significant change—this was already the fourth time, wasn't it?
She had only wanted to ask a few questions of the Seven Archons and search for her brother, but she never expected to get involved in such big matters every time. Perhaps this was the true meaning of traveling.
She hoped that when she traveled to the next nation, she could have a peaceful time.
Thanks to Lumine's efforts, the celebration banquet and Alhaitham and Cyno's promotion party at the Grand Bazaar were finally able to proceed as scheduled. The venue was tastefully and beautifully decorated, and delicious food and unlimited drinks further ignited the party's enthusiasm.
The generous Tighnari led a slightly timid Collei, the calm Alhaitham brought along a grumbling Kaveh, and the usually stern Cyno now seemed like a different person, playing the latest Genius Invokation TCG card game with Rahman.
Meanwhile, Deena Dazed, Dehya, and Candace were discussing clothing and cosmetics together, and Nilou chatted and laughed with Lumine and Paimon about the changes in Sumeru.
In the joyful and wonderful atmosphere, time flowed by, and everything felt like a beautiful dream.
Towards the end of the banquet, everyone gathered together to discuss and summarize the thrilling operation to save the Archon.
Collei, Candace, Kaveh, and others who were unaware of the events, after hearing their stories—especially Collei—looked at everyone with a newfound sense of admiration.
Even Kaveh, who usually didn't get along with Alhaitham, had a different view of him after hearing the story and also expressed gratitude to Alhaitham for inviting him to this celebration banquet.
Unfortunately, Alhaitham dismissed Kaveh's gratitude with disdain, an attitude that almost made Kaveh explode with frustration, but Tighnari eventually calmed him down.
Just then, two figures, one tall and one small, walked into the Grand Bazaar together, and the staff of the Zubayr Theater, upon seeing the two, had their expressions freeze.
"Oh? The Grand Bazaar is so lively tonight. It seems we've arrived just in time."
A familiar voice drew everyone's attention. Those on the high stage finally noticed the tall and small figures below.
"Miyashiro?! Nahida?!"
"Lesser Lord Kusanali and Regent!"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"