"...No one laughed. And here I thought about saying something lighthearted to improve the mood...", Cyno commented 2 minutes or so later, sounding a little annoyed, before there was a short pause, "Fine, I shall simply continue the retelling, then.", he finally said, this time in a calmer voice, before there was another short pause, "After hearing the explanation about what is actually going on in Sumeru, the recently rescued scholars and merchants were given a choice: They shall be allowed to stay in the organization's base only if they make an unbreakable vow to never share what they saw and heard ever since their rescue, which includes information about the Temple of Silence and "Samir". Otherwise, they shall have their memories wiped out and be then "returned" to wherever they came from before their kidnapping.", he explained, this time sounding very serious and even slightly threatening, "Some of these people didn't want to make this choice...And so, they were "dealt with" appropriately.", he darkly added, even evilly chuckling by the end there, "Don't worry, they are not dead. They are simply "indisposed" at the moment, with their last memories having been completely erased."
-...So they weren't truly given the freedom to choose for themselves. -Venti couldn't help but comment soon enough, starting to feel a little iffy about the whole thing. -I know that the Temple of Silence organization must have their own rules, but those people were only recently rescued from a kidnapping and...!
"This organization values Secrecy above all else, hence its name: The Temple of Silence.", Cyno interrupted him, sounding mostly respectful now, yet still quite serious, "You are the God of Freedom, so I understand why you might not like how this organization operates, but those rules were made for a reason: To prevent a great crisis from happening again.", he soon explained, before there was a short silence, with a sad sigh following, "...I am not allowed to elaborate much, so instead I will say this: Too much knowledge could put you and those around you at risk, Forbidden Knowledge even more so."
...
"...It's due to what happened in the past, isn't it...? With the Forbidden Knowledge "outbreak" and what followed after, right...?", the Traveler soon asked, sounding a little concerned, before there was a short pause, "...Cyno...?"
They asked in some confusion and concern,
And moments later an annoyed sigh was heard...
"...I only answered Lord Barbatos since he is an Archon, a god. Which is allowed based on the rules of the organization, as a form of respect to the gods.", the General Mahamatra finally answered, sounding dead serious, before there was a short pause, "...But I can't say that you are wrong in your assumption, Traveler."
He added in a quitter voice,
Before getting completely silent once again...
...
Silence which continued for quite a while...
"UUUUGH, YOU DIDN'T EVEN FULLY ANSWER THE TRAVELER'S QUESTION!", Paimon yelled out moments later, sounding very annoyed, "So the Forbidden Knowledge "Outbreak" is what led to the organization making up all those rules, but what is "what followed after" supposed to be...? Eleazar affecting the people...? King Deshret's...?!"
"I can't disclose anymore that I already did, Paimon.", Cyno interrupted her in all seriousness, sounding annoyed now, as well, "...And between Lord Barbatos, the Traveler and yourself, I respect you the least.", he soon admitted, before there was a short pause, "...Good, you understand what I meant. Let's continue the retelling, then."
"...You stupid meanie...!", the Pixie soon mumbled, sounding a little annoyed, "...But fine, continue the retelling. Paimon is not going to help with it this time."
She soon added, before a loud huff was heard,
As there was complete silence soon enough...
*Venti understood why Paimon got annoyed,
But he also understood why Cyno couldn't say much...
...
"...I only answered Lord Barbatos since he is an Archon, a god. Which is allowed based on the rules of the organization, as a form of respect to the gods.
...But I can't say that you are wrong in your assumption, Traveler."
He already said enough due to having respect for him and the Traveler...
*Cyno is not going to get into trouble over this, right...?
...
...
"Too much knowledge could put you and those around you at risk, Forbidden Knowledge even more so."
Considering what happened in Sumeru in the past and until now,
Venti realized that he couldn't really blame the organization either...
*Even if what they are doing went against his sense of Freedom...
...
"Some of these people didn't want to make this choice...And so, they were "dealt with" appropriately.
Don't worry, they are not dead. They are simply "indisposed" at the moment, with their last memories having been completely erased."
Still, going about it in this way...
...
...
No, don't think about it...
*Just don't.
...
...
Sometimes,
The circumstances...
"Now that you had time to process my earlier words, it's time to to start the next part of the retelling: The group's journey to The Orchard of Pairidaeza, also known as the Eternal Oasis.", Cyno said a minute or two later, sounding quite serious, before there was a short pause, "To be truthful, since I was staying in the base with "Samir" a lot of the time, I mostly know bits and pieces of the group's adventure from this point onward. So it would be best if the Traveler started this particular retelling."
He finally admitted, sounding mostly calm, yet also a little conflicted,
"Interestingly" enough not including Paimon in the list of story presenters...
...
"Paimon is no longer annoyed. Paimon understands why you are keeping secrets, Cyno.", the Pixie soon said, as if realizing the reason for this, "...Paimon was just too used to everyone sharing their secrets with Traveler and Paimon, that Paimon wasn't sure how to react.", she admitted in some guilt, before a small sigh was heard, "...Maybe Paimon just likes being relied on...? Paimon is not sure..."
"...If it's like that, then I am probably the same way, Paimon. Ever since I was separated from my Twin, finding myself in this new world I came to slowly know...I just kept volunteering my help to people, even when helping out wouldn't proceed the goal of finding and rejoining my Twin in any way.", the Traveler thoughtfully added, before there was a short pause, "Of course, in time, some of those once-strangers became my good friends and part of my family and I would gladly help them. But when I see someone in trouble, even if they might not necessarily need MY help, I will still offer it.", they soon sighed, "...It was like this even before I found myself stuck in Teyvat, without my Twin. Still, if the reason for me offering my help is really some kind of Hero Complex..."
"It is still fine. As long as it's not for nefarious purposes, help is still help.", their words were interrupted by an unfamiliar muscular voice, "...And whatever this "Hero Complex" means, my instinct tells me that it's different for you, Traveler."
-...Yes, the Traveler is usually the one being asked for help, which they soon agree to provide. Moreover, I never saw or heard about them creating the desperate situation themselves. -Venti couldn't help but agree, remembering all the times that the Traveler "volunteered" their help. Wait...-...Who are you...? I don't think I heard your voice before.
He soon asked, wondering who it was on the other side...
*Still, if this person joined their discussion, he probably already knows...
"The name is Jebrael, Lord Barbatos.", his thoughts were soon interrupted, as Jebrael unknowingly admitted that he indeed knows, before there was a short pause, "...I should explain the reason why I interrupted your ongoing discussion.", there were a few seconds of silence, again, "...I recently saw my daughter leaving a room together with Al-Ah...Lord Rhadames. She was crying, but as I started asking her what was wrong, she suddenly leaped towards me and moments later was tightly hugging my neck...All the while Jeht was crying and I could vaguely hear her mumble "I love you, father. P-please, don't go.". I have to admit that this took me off guard...", he soon recalled, sounding concerned, as well as a little embarrassed, "When Lord Rhadames saved me, he heard my discussion with Samail. Jeht must have asked what it was all about and after being told...", he soon heavily sighed, before there were a few more seconds of silence, "I am truly grateful for my rescue back then, as well as for all the help we have gotten until now. So I wish to help with the retelling of past events, if it is no trouble to you. Which part are you currently on...?"
"We were just about to start with the "Eternal Oasis" situation!", Paimon was the one to answer, sounding quite enthusiastic, "Since you and Jeht were the ones who insisted on going there, you can take over most of the retelling!"
"...The "Eternal Oasis", yes. Since we are already comrades, I should tell you the reason why...", Jebrael mumbled, sounding thoughtful, "...The message I left for Jeht at that time, it should shed light to our relationship. As well as my relationship with my long dead wife, Ufairah."
-As long as you are fine revealing it. -Venti commented almost right away, wondering if this was really okay. -...This is your secret, after all and...
"I have already decided, so there is no need to worry, Lord Barbatos.", Jebrael interrupted him, sounding serious, as well as reassuring, "The message went like this: 'Jeht, forgive me. You'll have to go on alone from now on... No, I'm sure you won't forgive me. After all, it's my first time breaking a promise to you. I hear the voices of many here. I think I hear Ufairah too. She's humming the song of her home. Oh... If only you could hear it too. Why couldn't I have told you a little more about her? Her soft curly hair... and that innocent smile of hers. I have so many things I want to share with you, but I'm no longer able to distinguish if they are my memories...or "our" memories...Sorry...'", he recalled, before a heavy sigh was heard, "...Back then, I truly thought this was the end of me. If not for Lord Rhadames saving me at that moment..."
...
"Then you should tell him this! Samir is still blaming himself for the whole situation even happening.", Paimon said moments later, mostly sounding concerned, "...Seriously, if that guy gets all depressed like THAT again...!"
"I should explain what happened before we met during the expedition.", Cyno soon said, sounding mostly calm, yet also a little weary and concerned, "It was when the Traveler, Paimon and some others came upon the hidden ruins under the Mausoleum of King Deshret...", he started the retelling of what happened back then, starting from the "recording" they saw and to himself having to find and talk to the depressed Samir, "...So you see, between that guy and Lord Kusanali, I am not sure who is self-reproaching themselves the most. It is like they are having a competition out of it."
"...And when the Traveler compared him to Nahida, he got all mad and scary looking, again!", Paimon added, sounding a little fearful, "The way he can suddenly change from friendly and approachable to "Don't even look at me or I will kill you" is really scary in itself! Paimon didn't expect it at all!", she continued, before there was a small pause, "...Is this really because he was a "King" like Paimon theorized, added with that suddenly blank face he showed before...? Is that the requirement of the job...? Or is it...?"
"Paimon, you are getting off topic. We can just ask Samir about this later. Probably with Cyno's help, since he knows him better due to his connection with Priest Kasala...", the Traveler interrupted her, sounding mostly calm, yet also a little concerned, "Sorry about Paimon, everyone. We are ready to continue the rete..."
"And the nonchalant way he talked about getting mummified...!", the Pixie interrupted them, her horrified voice suddenly trailing off, before there were a few seconds of silence, "...Paimon is sorry. Paimon will stop getting shocked and horrified about things now. Paimon is ready to hear the rest of the retelling…", there were a few more seconds of silence, "...Paimon wouldn't interrupt anymore, really...Does no one believe Paimon…?"