Early the next morning.
As the rising sun tore through the lingering twilight, Sumeru City was already alive with celebration.
Men and women, elders and children, whether from the rainforest or the desert, had donned their finest garments. At dawn, they poured into the streets.
The city that encircled the towering tree was already a sea of green.
Today, it became a sea of flowers.
Flowers lined the roads. Flowers adorned houses. Citizens held blossoms in their hands and wore wreaths upon their heads.
Because their new god loved flowers.
They owed her too much.
This was the only offering they could make.
The once-spacious main avenue was now packed tight on both sides.
Since the previous night, citizens had gathered and begun lining up.
People from distant regions had also arrived.
Even the most rigid scholars set aside their research, placed vibrant wreaths upon their heads, and gazed expectantly toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
For five hundred years, this was the closest Sumeru had come to its god.
Sumeru had a god again.
They had heard that the current Lesser Lord Kusanali was gentle and kind, much like Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Chosen by the former Archon herself.
Though they still cherished memories of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, if she had chosen this successor, then there could be no mistake.
For generations, the Grand Sage lineage had suppressed all information about Nahida.
Only recently had the truth emerged.
They had all been deceived.
Including the god herself.
To think that a ruling Archon had willingly endured five hundred years of confinement for her people,
That alone proved her compassion.
In a world where gods and monsters roamed Teyvat, Sumeru needed a god.
Wisdom alone was not enough.
Without strength, wisdom faltered.
Thus today, every citizen came willingly to celebrate her birthday, and the return of their god.
Under Alhaitham's arrangements, Zhongli and the others stood at an excellent viewing position.
Few people crowded there, yet the view was perfect.
Watching the eager citizens stretching their necks toward the Sanctuary, Zhongli spoke calmly.
"They may now stand united, but Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's influence runs deep."
"And the former Sages diminished Nahida's presence for centuries. Confusion still lingers in their hearts."
"Yet, by universal principle, a beginning is better than stagnation."
"The future depends on Nahida herself."
Ryen shrugged.
"She's an excellent god. She simply never had the opportunity before."
Though he had stayed in the Sanctuary overnight, he did not intend to ride the flower carriage with her.
Not even Klee accompanied her.
Today belonged to Nahida alone.
They could share her joy.
But not her glory.
"Ehe!"
Venti stood with hands on his hips, grinning at the bustling city.
"Such a lively scene makes me want to compose a hymn!"
Diluc cast him a sidelong glance.
"I doubt your poetry would resonate with Sumeru's citizens."
"Eh?! Beauty should be universally appreciated!"
Venti protested indignantly.
Guizhong clung to Ping's arm, brimming with anticipation.
"How much longer? I can hardly wait to see our Nahida ride out!"
Tighnari checked the sun's position.
He had been assigned as guide.
Sumeru's administrative structure was currently unstable.
Four of the Six Sages' seats were vacant.
The remaining two focused solely on research.
Effectively, Alhaitham was acting as interim Grand Sage, though he wanted nothing to do with the title.
If a Grand Sage must be chosen, scholars unanimously agreed on one name:
Lisa.
In only two years at the Akademiya, she had mastered all six Darshans and nearly founded her own.
Her legend inspired every scholar.
But she had no interest.
So the position remained vacant.
Better empty than poorly filled.
At roughly eight in the morning, the long-sealed doors of the Sanctuary finally opened.
Emerald divine power surged outward, bathing the city in dreamlike radiance.
Citizens stood on tiptoe.
The Corps of Thirty straightened proudly, wreaths hanging from their spears.
A stream of divine energy flowed across the ground.
Grass spread instantly along the main avenue.
Flowers blossomed in an instant.
From within the Sanctuary emerged footsteps.
Leading were Rahman of the Eremites and the commander of the Corps of Thirty.
The two rugged men wore formal attire adorned with flower garlands.
Behind them, soldiers from both forces marched in orderly lines.
Their weapons decorated with flowers.
Today, no blade was drawn for battle.
Then,
A flower carriage rolled slowly forth.
Not large, but exquisitely crafted.
White and green, adorned with elegant patterns like a miniature Sanctuary.
It moved without attendants.
Nahida's divine power guided it.
Seated within, she wore the most beautiful wreath.
Her bright green eyes sparkled like stars.
In her hands rested a deep-blue orb, the color of the sky.
From the moment she appeared, her smile shone brighter than the blossoms.
Her delicate ears flickered slightly as she gazed upon her people.
In dreams, she had seen this countless times.
In dreams, she had celebrated Sabzeruz Festival for five hundred years.
Now she truly sat upon her own carriage.
Listening as citizens called her name.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
Nahida was not greedy.
She understood that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's place in Sumeru could never be replaced.
She did not seek replacement.
Only this day.
Only this moment.
If Sumeru's people would call her name, even once,
It was enough.
For the first time, they saw her.
Small arms. Soft cheeks.
Emerald eyes with brilliant cross-shaped stars within.
A pure smile, both innocent child and exalted god.
In a single glance, she captured every heart.
To think such a gentle girl had endured five centuries of imprisonment,
Rage surged among the crowd.
Were it not for the festival, many would have rushed to continue beating Azar.
The carriage rolled slowly onward.
Perhaps it was imagination, but people felt it gently swaying.
Their god within seemed to bounce lightly with it.
Sumeru, the ancient land of wisdom, felt reborn.
Suddenly, someone began shouting.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
"Happy Birthday!"
"Sumeru welcomes you home!"
Wave upon wave of voices followed.
Nahida's smile grew brighter.
She raised her chubby arm and waved.
Cheers intensified.
Many young women felt their hearts melt.
They wanted nothing more than to scoop their adorable Archon into their arms and kiss her.
Then,
From afar, Nahida spotted Ryen and the others.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she waved even more enthusiastically.
The crowd mistook it for delight at their cheers and shouted louder still.
Ryen smiled warmly and waved back.
Watching her carriage glide through the sea of flowers, his gaze softened.
"The flower carriage sways and sways, Nahida opens her eyes."
"A five-hundred-year dream dissolves like illusion."
"And Sumeru becomes the garden she once only saw in sleep."