"After getting separated and realizing that Xiao is going to be busy for quite a while, we decided to go sightseeing in Sumeru city.", the Traveler started the next part of the retelling, "Of course, we weren't simply touring around, but actually doing our own research on the Land of Wisdom. From everything that happened until this point, I couldn't help but suspect that something weird was going on...", they soon admitted, their voice sounding thoughtful by the end, "So first we went to met up with Rohawi, Tighnari's acquaintance and afterwards we walked around the city, asking some other people about the situation in the nation. And there were quite a few interesting things we found out:
1. Lord Atharva might be the current Dendro Archon, but he is believed to be the one destined to help them bring their former Archon and his mother, Lord Rukkhadevata, back. Hence he is working closely with the Akademiya Sages led by Sage Azar of the Rtawahist Darshan(one of the the six main schools of Sumeru Akademiya, which specializes in Illuminationism/the study of the stars and it includes disciplines such as astronomy and astrology) and is seen a lot with them. When he is not, usually either the General Mahamatra (who is actually Cyno, as Xiao mentioned earlier, I think I saw him in Mondstadt before...?) or two of the Matras are escorting him, with them all seemingly deeply in discussion.
2. The Eremites (a group of people who hail from Sumeru's desert region, with most of them being mercenaries by trade and conduct business across Teyvat), are allowed inside Sumeru City, yet there are some tensions between most of their clans and the locals. An exception to this seems to be the Eremite brigade called the Corps of Thirty which is in charge of Sumeru City's defenses, hired by the Akademiya itself and have a somewhat tenuous relationship with the other Eremites, especially the Ayn Al-Ahmar subclan (who are devout followers of King Deshret, the former Lord of the Desert region who died a few millennia ago and are apparently planning to revive him?).
3. There are rumors going around that some of the Sumeru Sages are affiliated with the Fatui. There is currently no evidence that those rumors are correct, hence implying them as truth will have you detained and put into prison. But some say there were seeing's of weird individuals around the city and the Akademiya, one of them being a tall light blue haired male.
4. There's some people believing in "Lord Kusanali", seeing her as "the true Dendro Archon", apparently having met her in their dreams when they were children and some even being saved by her. Those people are frowned upon by the Akademiya and might get heavily punished if found. We soon met one such person. Her name is Dunyarzad, the self proclaimed "faithful follower" of Lord Kusanali. We met her by chance as she was running from her Eremite guards."
"Dunyarzad is actually a member of the extremely wealthy Homayani Family! But she is also very ill, so she was stuck in the family's manor for most of her life.", Paimon commented soon enough, her voice getting sad, "Paimon thinks she has the same illness as Collei. Paimon thinks it was called "Eleazar"...?"
"From what I heard, yes, they do have the same illness. One which...", the Traveler's voice soon broke off, before there was a small pause, "...There should be a cure for it, shouldn't there...? If so, we have to find it...", they mumbled, before there was another short pause, "After stumbling on Dunyarzad and talking with her a little, we also met one of her guards, Dehya. She wanted to stop her charge from running off all by herself, but after some talking(and "bribing") relented. We then heard of Dunyarzard's plan and the reason why she ran away from home: To help fund the Sabzeruz Festival. Based on what we heard: The festival is named after the deceased Goddess of Flowers, who had initially conceived of the celebration to celebrate the birthday of her friend, the previous Dendro Archon Lord Rukkhadevata. After the "disappearance" of Lord Rukkhadevata, the festival was banned from being held by the Akademiya and in recent times they were even willing to shut down the performance of the Dance of Sabzeruz, the festival's most important event, altogether.", they soon explained, deciding to continue the retelling for now, "At some point in her childhood, Dunyarzad was so ill that she was paralyzed and couldn't even get out of bed. And she was also afraid, afraid that...", they sadly sighed, "Just when she was about to give up, she heard a reassuring voice, telling her everything is going to be alright. It didn't take long for her to befriend the source of the voice, who helped her through her bouts of illness. This was how she came to believe in "Lord Kusanali", even if it's an offense to the Akademiya."
"But they still can't do anything about it, since her family is so wealthy! Her father just has to say that her faith in "Lord Kusanali" is "a regretful side effect due to her illness" and no one would stop her from doing what she wants, even if it's helping to organize the festival they have banned!", Paimon soon commented, sounding amused, before there was a short pause, "It is annoying, though, that they say it like that, but Dunyarzad said that she doesn't mind this, since this lie lets her continue to safely worship "Lord Kusanali" as her "faithful follower". Even if it means organizing the "forbidden festival", just for her."
She added in some warmth, before there was a pause,
A much needed one, which gave Venti some time to ponder on what he heard until now...
*Though at the moment, since the last words he heard were about Dunyazard's resolve,
He couldn't help wondering how similar she sounded to his own people...
...
Whoever "Lord Kusanali" was, she had a faithful follower in Dunyarzad...
*Though he couldn't help but wonder if he already heard about this mysterious god before...
...
Wait...
-Is "Lord Kusanali" actually Nahida...? -He asked soon enough, getting thoughtful and intrigued about the whole thing. But if that was the case...-...What she was mumbling at that time, about wanting a similar relationship that I have with my people...
"Yes, it's her. But there's still some things I need to tell you before I can get to that.", the Traveler sadly admitted, before sighing, "So much has already happened during our time in Sumeru. And I get that it's the "Land of Knowledge", but still...", they mumbled, before there was a small pause, "Either way, back to the retelling. "Rational sense and wisdom are the mainstream in Sumeru, while art, which stands for sensibility, does not enjoy the same popularity and respect. Yet if wisdom is meaning bestowed upon Sumeru by the goddess, then art stands for meaning that human beings seek for themselves.", this is basically the current state of Sumeru, as any forms of art are usually only allowed to be held at a specific location: the Grand Bazaar. This is also where Dunyarzad was planning to go next, in order to start making preparations for the upcoming festival.", they continued in a more calm voice, "Thinking about the situation some more, neither myself or Paimon saw any real danger in holding this festival, since if anyone asks, it's just us celebrating a "new beginning", as well as showing the importance of the arts. So when we were asked to help with it by Dunyarzad (with her own version of the "Puppy eyes" look, no less), I soon agreed and we went to Zubayr Theater in order to visit its dancer and main star, Nilou. She is also a believer of "Lord Kusanali" and for a while now, desperately tried to hold the festival."
"So after this, we were walking around the place and talking to people about the upcoming festival! There were quite an adequate number of people present and it was really fun talking to them! And then we met with Sumeru's Katheryne, who was acting pretty strange!", Paimon decided to continue, soon pausing for dramatic effect, "At first she was speaking all like: "Hmm? Oh, hey, it's the Traveler and Paimon. What's shakin'?". Then she started talking more formally...? Paimon remembers her saying things like "Sometimes the answers we're looking for aren't necessarily at our intended destination. Instead, they're found along the way.", "If festivals bring happiness to everyone, then that's where their true value lies." and "I'm sure you two will get along well with the people here. You've already been blessed by the element of Dendro, after all."!"
"At the time, I didn't know that the one we were talking to wasn't truly Katheryne, but a completely different person. But considering how differently she was talking compared to the usual Katheryne, our conversation did feel weird.", the Traveler commented, before there was a slight pause, "After Katheryne left we met up with Dehya and got told about a new "quest": making a detour to Port Ormos in order to search for the whereabouts of a certain item. Apparently this item, which has a great deal to do with the Akasha, knowledge, and even the gods, was stolen and the thieves might be there. So after talking to Paimon and seeing as Xiao was still busy, as well as the fact we can just teleport back when the "quest" is done, we decided to accept it. Before leaving for the port we sent a message to Xiao through the wind."
"It's a good thing that you informed me beforehand, sparing me from needless worry.", Xiao was the one to comment this time, having been quiet for quite a while, "...Though the message did come at quite the...Interesting time. Lord Atharva was just telling me how many people are secretly on their side and would gladly burn the Akademiya to the ground if ordered to, telling me he really wanted to do it, but since he had an agreement with the "true Dendro Archon", he abstained. During this talk, General Mahamatra didn't look in the least bit concerned or surprised by the other's words. The "replacement Archon" is an interesting one and I still can't help but wonder if...", his words suddenly broke off, before there was a small pause, "...No matter. It's just a theory by this point. I will leave you to continue the retelling, Traveler."
He dutifully added, before becoming quiet again,
Making the three others wonder what this was all about…
"...After finally arriving to Port Ormos, we were almost conned by two Ayn Al-Ahmar Eremites, who said they would give any kind of information for a big amount of Mora.", the Traveler decided to continue, sounding a little unsure, "...We wanted them to give us info about "King Deshret's return", theorizing that the stolen item might have something to do with it, but apparently...Thankfully we were "saved" by Alhaitham(the Akademiya's Scribe, responsible for documenting their findings and drafting ordinances), who fought the two off all by himself and got my Mora back."
"And it's a good thing that he did! It was 500,000 Mora! 500,000! Enough money to buy lots of food!", Paimon commented in clear annoyance, before a huffing sound was heard, "After everything that happened since we arrived to Sumeru, Paimon needed a good break with lots of food for Paimon's hurting brain from all that information everyone keeps feeding us!", she added in more annoyance, before there was suddenly a pause, "And now Paimon remembered about the Aranaras again and that long long long "quest" we had to go through!"
"...Paimon, you know that you were mostly floating around, right...?", the Traveler rhetorically asked, getting an annoyed huff in reply, "Was it really so hard for you...? Do you need another hug...?", there was another pause, before a small chuckle was heard, "...Well, it's time to continue the retelling...Paimon, stop pouting, you look like a squirrel."
"Paimon is not a squirrel! And Paimon is going to continue the retelling this time, Traveler, so don't make fun of Paimon's intelligence!", the Pixie suddenly yelled out, sounding a little embarrassed, before there was a short pause, "Those guys Alhaitham beat up, they seemed to really hate the former Lord Rukkhadevata, even saying that she betrayed King Deshret and stole his Dendro Archon position. They also seemed to hate anyone who has even the slightest connection to her, as well as any desert dweller who doesn't believe in King Deshret anymore. They were also scaring Paimon and the Traveler with tales of what would happen when their god finally returns! Paimon can't forget how mean they were and glad they got beaten up!", she added in some annoyance, before there was another small pause, "We found out from Alhaitham that the lost item must have been a "Canned Knowledge" capsule, which is basically "an item that lets the user download and access knowledge into their Akasha terminal without any restrictions, hence it's acquiring and distribution is banned to normal people and only the Akademiya can use those to transfer knowledge gained from Irminsul, before destroying the device itself". So it's basically downloading some "forbidden files" from the internet and onto your computer folder...?", she couldn't help but wonder soon enough, before there was another pause, "So one thing led to another and in the end we decided to help Alhaitham with his detective work as gratitude for saving our Mora…!"
"...I think I should continue from here. You did well, Paimon.", the Traveler soon said, sounding a little concerned and grateful, "Alhaitham theorized that the stolen item was a "Canned Knowledge" capsule, so he soon directed us to Dori, who is "a merchant who dabbles in high-quality goods for further collaboration, as her wares are against Akademiya regulations. So if anyone knows what happened to the stolen item, it's her". We soon found out that Alice is her supplier and since I am "Klee's family", hence Alice's "adopted child"(?), we managed to get a good discount from her, buy a bunch of "Canned Knowledge" capsules and even get one "on the house". Alhaitham was very impressed by our "negotiation skills" when we got back!", they couldn't help adding in some amusement, "Having gained Alhaitam's respect and gratitude for "having made his job way easier", he revealed that the capsule lost by the Akademiya is apparently one containing Divine Knowledge, which is a red one instead of the usual green. He gave us some funds again and we soon bought it from Dori. And when both me and Paimon thought that the "quest" was done and we were about to return to Alhaitham and give him the item…Just when I was about to, we suddenly got surrounded!", the Traveler continued in some annoyance, which was steadily rising, "It was the Leader of Ayn Al-Ahmar, Mizri, who planned to buy the capsule, but got mad since we were faster. It was basically myself (already tired from the day's events) and Alhaitam, against him and like 20 more people. So, in the end, he managed to steal the capsule, using it himself and soon getting into a dazed trance. He got insane and started beating his own henchmen, so Alhaitham had to cut his connection to the Akasha Terminal. Then the matra came and took him away.", their voice got concerned, "The whole thing, as confusing as it was, happened very fast and ended similarly quickly. What was even weirder was when Mizri muttered "World... forget me", the same words I heard from Irminsul at that time!"
"Alhaitham said he is going to return to the Akademiya and soon only Traveler and Paimon remained.", the Pixie decided to continue, sounding slightly concerned herself, "That's when Paimon remembered about the upcoming Sabzeruz Festival and that we desperately needed a rest, especially considering it was already starting to get late! So we agreed to go back to Sumeru City, relax there and spend the night!"
"That's right, we did return there. Though sadly we couldn't see Xiao before going to sleep. If he was already with us at the time, maybe things would have gone a little differently, just like that time when he stopped the kid from running into the withering zone...", the Traveler soon admitted, sounding thoughtful, before there was a pause, "Paimon, do you remember the "Canned Knowledge" capsules that we bought...? There was one called "Swordfighting Techniques VIII". I think it would be best if you use it, as you currently have no real way to protect yourself in a fight or even..."
"So you are saying that Paimon is too weak as Paimon is now.", the Pixie interrupted them, sounding a little annoyed, before she sighed, "...But you are right, Traveler. Paimon can't help you much as Paimon is now. Paimon is also tired of worrying for your wellbeing when you get in trouble or even disappear(just like before), so with this knowledge, Paimon could help you more.", she admitted in a quieter voice, before there was a short pause, "...You would still need to order Paimon a custom-made sword, Traveler, since a normal one is too big for Paimon."
After a short and necessary break,
As well as a "suspicious" sound of a paper being turned...
"Since we went to sleep as soon as we arrived back to Sumeru city and gave a short report on our "stolen item quest" to Dehya, Paimon and myself only heard in passing about what happened while we were away: Azar, with his attendant Setaria and some guards, came to Zubayr Theater and demanded that the preparations for the festival will be halted. When he was denied this, he threatened to decree the prohibiting of public art performances through the Akasha during Jnagarbha day(when the sages and core Akademiya personnel are busy loading the latest batch of research developments and legal decrees into Knowledge Capsules, so that they can be entered into the Akasha), saying this was their last chance to stop their sinful acts and do right for once. The people didn't budge, so he said that he gave them a chance, but they didn't take it and they are going to regret this. Then he went away with his "entourage".", the Traveler decided to continue the retelling, "The people weren't too afraid of the Grand Sages' threat at the time, continuing their preparations for the Sabzeruz festival. But they should have, since people like Azar are truly the worst of the worst...", they soon added in dead seriousness, "And I too should have noticed something was amiss the moment I heard a beeping sound with an unknown voice stating that the project has just begun, followed by there being an unknown element "interfering" in their plan...Instead of dismissing it as part of a weird dream I was having due to extreme tiredness from the events of the day..."
They dramatically ends before becoming quiet,
Now seemingly deep in their own thoughts...
...
-...Traveler, I understand that you wanted the whole thing to feel dramatic, but maybe it's about time to continue the retelling? -Venti couldn't help but comment a while later, looking and sounding a little concerned. -...And if you are unable to continue, either Paimon or Xiao can do it instead, yes...?
"...It was both to add some drama and for myself to prepare to retell what happens next, since this is the part which made me the most enraged...But it looks like I still need some time to calm down...", the Traveler quietly mumbled, before a deep sigh was heard, "...What those Sages did is just...Have they truly no regard for human life...?"
"Paimon can continue the retelling, Traveler.", the Pixie soon promised, sounding a little concerned, "The "next day" we walked around the stalls with Dunyarzad in order to support the merchants, who had come to support the festival out of the blue and without regard to profit. After visiting a candy stall, Dunyarzad decides to return to the lodging as she forgot something, but we soon run into an Eremite brigade intent on capturing her. That's when Dehya came and told us to go, because she is going to take care of them all by herself!", she added in some dramatism, "Dehya soon returned, but she was injured! She said it was because she was still not used to her new greatsword...", there was suddenly a pause, "...Um, Traveler, since Paimon already used the "Swordfighting Techniques VIII" capsule just like you asked, when are you going to order Paimon a custom-made sword...?"
"...I will order you one later, Paimon. I still need to process everything that happened.", the Traveler promised, before they slightly sighed.
"Paimon understands. Paimon will wait until you are feeling better, Traveler.", she reassuringly said, before there was a short pause, "So, after talking a little with Dehya, Dunyarzad went into a coughing fit! Dehya ordered the Traveler to bring her somewhere safe while she patrols the area to ensure no one else was following us. And then Dunyarzad admitted that the Traveler was right: She was born with Eleazar, which is terminal and can easily kill her if she is not careful. So now she was trying to do everything to make an impact and be remembered for something. Poor Dunyarzad... ", the Pixie added in some sadness and regret, before there was another short pause, "...Dunyarzad suddenly remembered the Sabzeruz dance and we raced to the bazaar, only to find Nilou being scolded by Azar and Setaria, with some guards menacingly standing nearby. The whole place was also decorated by some very pretty light purple flowers that Paimon never saw before!"
"I didn't realize the importance of those flowers at the time. If only I knew sooner...", the Traveler quietly commented, before becoming quiet again.
"Paimon was surprised to see that what was happening at the time, was very similar to what we were told already happened before, with Azar being a Karen and bullying poor Nilou!", the Pixie continued, sounding a little annoyed, "...The whole thing felt really weird, but Paimon wasn't sure why at the time. Paimon was just wondering if Azar was just overly persistent about banning the festival...", she slightly reluctantly admitted, "And then we spotted a strange young teenager(?) girl who wanted us to follow after her to a more "secluded place", so we could talk! Then she asked us to introduce ourselves, just to make sure it's "the people he said would arrive". She didn't look like a bad person, so we introduced ourselves and the Traveler asked her how she knew us. And instead of replying to the question, she said that first we had to do something and showed a "Canned Knowledge" capsule! then it turned out that Traveler and Paimon were in a kind of a time-loop for a few days!", she added in some dramatism, "Apparently it wasn't quite it, as she soon told us, but before anyone could even blink...The place all around us suddenly started distorting! Reality was breaking down!", she made sure to add in some fright, her voice sounding scared now, "...It turned out to be Xiao, who tried to eat the dream we were stuck in...Which was also artificial and tasted really really bad (so now he wanted to eat some Almond Tofu to "wash away the taste") and eating it would only make things worse...Apparently we were repeating the same dream over and over, which was 24 days for Traveler and Paimon and more than 70 days for everyone else...And the more loops passed, the more at risk everyone here were...Paimon got really confused about what was going on by this point...", the Pixie admitted, sounding pretty confused, "And then when Paimon was still confused, we noticed that Xiao brought another person with him, a teenage boy who looked like a desert dweller! Paimon was worried he was from the Ayn Al-Ahmar clan! He and the young teenager(?) girl(who turned out to be Nahida) also seemed to be acquaintances! And apparently "Both "Azar" and "Eleazar" are terminal illnesses~"...? Paimon was already too confused at the time to understand the joke…"
"And this was when we were finally told what was really going on.", the Traveler decided to continue, sounding dead serious, "With Xiao first telling us his side of the story, about what happened when we were split and then Nahida (as she asked us to call her) and the newcomer explaining why we we in this "Dream Samsara" to begin with.", they continued, before there was a short pause, "Lost story short, the Akademiya Sages didn't like the fact that we decided to celebrate the "forbidden festival", for an "imaginary god", no less. And so they implemented a Samsara to harvest the dreams of everyone in Sumeru City, though what they plan to do with all that energy is still unknown. Azar is overseeing it, as are three of the Sages working with him, while the other two opposed to the plan and were thus locked up for "insubordination".", they slightly gravely explained, "Nahida found out about this from "Lord Atharva"("Radames"/formal, "Samir"/friendly) and came here as soon as she could in order to find a way to break the Samsara and get everyone out. In the meantime, Radames was busy searching for more information on the matter, deciding to meet up in the dream later."
"Lord Atharva used his "Archon position" to get answers, relaying any new information he could to Lord Kusanali. I also wanted to do something about the Dream Samsara, but...", Xiao soon added, sounding a little ashamed, before he sighed, "After being told that eating the dream wouldn't help, myself and Lord Atharva decided to enter the dream, in order to more effectively find a solution. Cyno was left guarding our unconscious forms in the meantime (and hopefully not repeating what Bocasius once did, drawing on my face like that)..."
He ended in some annoyance, as well as reminiscence,
Before soon becoming completely quiet...
...
He was probably reminiscing about his family, the other Yakshas, Venti soon realized...
*And since the retelling took some time again, another break wouldn't hurt anyone...
...
Especially since there was quite a bit of new information again...