The people present were not fools. After Nilou's reminder, everyone understood that this celebration banquet had another purpose. Although it was not very glorious, everyone could understand the actions of the Zubayr Theater.
After all, the implementation of the Art Ban was a devastating blow to those working at the Zubayr Theater, and their desire for change was understandable.
For theater staff, if they could work and live in Sumeru, who would truly be willing to travel across the ocean to Inazuma, a place they were unfamiliar with?
Miyashiro looked at Nilou's gentle and guilty expression and couldn't help but feel compassion. He casually conjured up a copy of the agreement signed with the Zubayr Theater at the time and gently asked:
"Nilou, what are your thoughts? If the Akademiya can truly abolish the Art Ban in a short time, would you and the people from the Zubayr Theater still be willing to go to Inazuma? If you're not willing, I can burn this agreement on the spot, and we can pretend this never happened."
As soon as Miyashiro spoke, the entire Grand Bazaar seemed to fall silent. Everyone, both on and off the stage, looked with complex expressions at the agreement, signed in black and white, in Miyashiro's hand.
When Nilou heard Miyashiro's question, she immediately fell into extreme entanglement and guilt. To be honest, she really wanted to stay in Sumeru. The familiar environment, the comfortable atmosphere, simple but warm interpersonal relationships, and the company of her parents and friends all offered various benefits.
But even with so many benefits, the reason for Nilou's deep internal struggle was because Miyashiro's help to her was truly immense.
Whether it was helping Deena Dazed organize the Sabzeruz Festival, or his generous offer to give everyone at the Zubayr Theater a chance to continue performing, she owed Miyashiro far too much. And now, Zubayr and his people actually wanted to break the agreement and were unwilling to go to Inazuma, which seemed a bit ungrateful.
Nilou hesitated and said, "I... I... Regent... I..."
Miyashiro comforted her, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I understand your hesitation, and I understand the feelings of everyone below the stage. To be honest, the main reason I chose to help you all back then was because of Lumine and Paimon's sake.
Besides, do you think, given my status, what does it matter to sponsor a not-so-large Zubayr Theater? To put it another way, if the Zubayr Theater doesn't want to go to Inazuma, it doesn't affect me, and I can even save some expenses.
So, Nilou, you don't need to be too conflicted. Follow your heart, because in my eyes, this is just an insignificant trifle."
Miyashiro's words were spoken with a slight playful smile, but to Nilou, they were like a heavy hammer striking her conscience and the depths of her heart. In that instant, Nilou made up her mind.
Nilou braced herself and looked at Miyashiro, saying firmly, "Regent, I cannot represent everyone's thoughts, but I can now clearly state my own. Whether Sumeru's Art Ban is abolished or not, I will follow you to Inazuma.
You have helped us too much. Although in your eyes, these are insignificant trifles, I cannot simply accept your kindness. Moreover, I already promised you that no matter what happens, I hope to be an honest, trustworthy, and grateful person."
Although Nilou's voice was not very loud, to the people below the stage, it felt deafening. Many people unconsciously lowered their heads, feeling extremely ashamed.
Upon hearing this, Miyashiro couldn't help but admire Nilou's courage and responsibility. He smiled slightly and said, "What if only you, from the entire Zubayr Theater, go to Inazuma? With no stage, no support staff, and even no audience, what would you do?"
Nilou, in turn, posed a question: "Regent, is there a law in Inazuma that prohibits artistic performances?"
Miyashiro: "There is not."
Nilou breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "That's good. As long as they don't forbid me from performing dances, I don't care if I become a street dancer, performing my dances for free for the people of Inazuma.
As for how I, alone, would live in Inazuma, if it really comes down to it, then I can only ask Regent to help me out."
Nilou's final playful expression and words made everyone present unconsciously show a relieved smile. Indeed, Nilou was still the Nilou they knew: gentle but not weak. Her strong and confident demeanor made her radiate an unparalleled brilliance, unconsciously influencing those around her.
Seeing Nilou's stance, many theater staff below the stage also made up their minds and expressed their determination.
"I've decided, I'll go to Inazuma just like Nilou."
"Wherever Nilou goes, we'll follow!"
"Nilou is the pillar of our Zubayr Theater, of course we'll follow in her footsteps!"
"Exactly, exactly! I joined the Zubayr Theater back then just to be able to watch Nilou perform for free!"
"Sister Nilou, I will go convince my parents to let me go to Inazuma!"
...As more and more people expressed their stance, tears welled up in Nilou's eyes as she looked at them.
Seeing this scene, Nahida, Alhaitham, and Cyno all felt a mix of shame and indignation.
What a group of simple and kind Sumeru citizens! Yet now, due to Sumeru's own policy issues, such a group of kind people had lost hope of survival, forcing them to travel across the ocean to Inazuma to make a living.
To Nahida, Alhaitham, Cyno, and others in charge of the Akademiya, this was a huge insult. Their expressions turned very grim.
At this moment, Miyashiro, who was on the side and not afraid to stir up trouble, said to Alhaitham and Cyno in a teasing manner: "Acting Grand Sage, General Mahamatra, seeing this situation, do you feel a hint of guilt in your hearts?"
Alhaitham and Cyno said nothing, but from the bulging biceps on their arms, it was clear that their hearts were not at peace.
Nahida, as the god of Sumeru, finally gave her last instruction: "Mr. Alhaitham, I know that I forcibly made you the Acting Grand Sage of the Akademiya, and you are quite dissatisfied with it. However, I hope that before you resign from this position, you can do something beneficial for Sumeru, can you?"
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