Seated below were not only scholars represented by Naphis, but also those who had directly participated in bringing down Azar.
Opposite Naphis sat Dunyarzad, now fully cured of Eleazar and one of the key participants in the plan. She had come as a representative of Sumeru City's rainforest citizens.
Beside her stood representatives of the desert: Rahman of the Eremites, and Candace, speaking for the desert folk.
This Sabzeruz Festival would be unlike any before. Such an opportunity could not be missed.
Candace had arrived days earlier upon receiving word.
As for Aaru Village, others were overseeing it. Rahman's Eremites and Dehya's mercenary band were both more than willing to help guard the region.
After all, Aaru Village now possessed something miraculous, an inexhaustible water source.
Though Lumine had only left a small patch of farmland there, just near the village chief's house, no one underestimated the properties of Minecraft soil.
Potatoes yielded seeds upon harvest. Replant them, and by the next day they would grow again, each potato hearty and substantial.
In just a few days, Aaru Village no longer worried about food or water.
Stationing forces there had become a coveted assignment.
For desert folk, water and crops meant paradise.
The Akademiya faction, represented by Naphis, had no pressing questions. The matter of Liyue increasing procurement prices could be discussed later.
For now, they would follow Nahida's direction. The Akademiya belonged fully to her.
The only lingering issue was whether the Akasha system would continue, but that required internal deliberation first.
All eyes shifted to Dunyarzad, Candace, and Rahman.
Even Candace, composed as she was, felt the weight of the room.
If this gathering were only Alhaitham and scholars, she would not have been concerned.
But now,
At the head of the hall, Ryen sat with Nahida in his left arm, Klee in his right, Paimon dozing on his shoulder.
Across from them sat the most powerful figures in Teyvat:
The Geo Archon, the Cryo Archon, the Anemo Archon, the Electro Archon…
Liyue's adepti. Leaders of four nations.
Every supreme authority was present.
Being watched by such individuals felt like standing beneath a mountain.
Unexpectedly, it was Dunyarzad who spoke first.
She looked at Nahida with shining eyes.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali… do you still remember me?"
Nahida smiled gently.
"Of course, Dunyarzad. You were the first friend I made during my five hundred years of dreaming. I would never forget you."
Dunyarzad's eyes reddened.
"If not for you… I might have…"
"Call me Nahida," the Dendro Archon interrupted softly. "You are my friend."
Dunyarzad laughed through tears.
"I have one question. Many still suffer from Eleazar. I was fortunate. I had Dehya and Nilou. And I'm grateful to Ryen for the medicine."
"But what of the others?"
Before Nahida could answer, Ningguang spoke with composed clarity.
"It was not divine medicine. It was milk from that world."
"Milk cures roughly ninety percent of curses and ailments."
"If that fails, Golden Apples or Enchanted Golden Apples can resolve the rest."
"Our nations maintain livestock farms with thousands of cows. Milk production is steady."
"In our nations, milk is distributed as common medicine, free upon request to citizens."
"Once Sumeru joins the alliance, we will provide an initial supply to treat Eleazar patients."
"Afterward, as your own exploration progresses, you will produce milk yourselves."
"An alliance means mutual assistance, not indefinite dependency."
"Do you understand?"
Dunyarzad bowed deeply.
"As long as there is hope, that is enough."
Candace then rose.
"I represent the desert people. I wish to ask about the future relationship between rainforest and desert citizens, and about the Wall of Samiel."
"Under past Sages, especially Azar, our people were divided."
"The Wall no longer protects from sand, it separates people."
Nahida's small face grew serious, though seated in Ryen's lap, her authority felt genuine.
"All desert and rainforest citizens are first and foremost Sumeru's people."
"As the Dendro Archon, I do not recognize such division."
"If the Wall has become a symbol of separation, then it must be dismantled."
"After the Sabzeruz Festival, I will order its removal."
"This is not merely removing stone, it is removing prejudice."
"But we must also address the desert's environment."
"Treating the symptoms is not enough."
"I intend to join the alliance and use Ryen's world's resources to transform the desert."
"Just as Greater Lord Rukkhadevata once acted."
"We will turn the desert into an oasis."
Candace and Rahman froze.
"Farmlands. Rivers. Livable land."
"The desert people will not need to abandon their homeland."
"Of course, important cultural landmarks, such as the Mausoleum of King Deshret, will remain preserved."
Candace bowed deeply.
"You are truly benevolent."
"But the desert is vast. Transforming it entirely… is it realistic?"
Keqing answered confidently.
"We transformed the entire Guili Plains, tens of thousands of square kilometers, in just over two months."
"In Ryen's world, soil is cheap. Place dirt, and crops grow."
"Even if the desert is larger, it will not take more than a year."
Candace was stunned.
"One year…"
Excitement trembled through her.
The vision of rivers cutting through golden sands. Crops where there had been nothing.
For desert people to thrive in their homeland,
It was beyond hope.
Nahida turned to Alhaitham.
"After the festival, coordinate with Keqing. Begin preparations."
"The sooner we start, the sooner happiness arrives."
Rahman added solemnly:
"We may still revere King Deshret, but you are Sumeru's present Archon."
"We will fight for you."
At last, Nahida turned to Rahman again.
"And your final question?"
Rahman scratched his head shyly.
"It concerns the Eremites…"
He hesitated.
"About our mercenary organization… what role will we have moving forward?"