The flower carriage moved neither too quickly nor too slowly.
At a steady pace, enough to circle the main avenue within a morning, it carried Nahida through Sumeru City.
They passed the Akademiya, the bustling commercial streets, and the entrance to the Grand Bazaar.
Children ran forward excitedly, scattering petals they had prepared in advance.
Ryen noticed something important.
They were all girls.
Only then did he feel satisfied.
Boys should stay far, far away from his precious daughter.
In this world, there was only one man allowed to be close to Nahida.
Him.
Such was the possessiveness of a doting father.
Unbeknownst to him, Tighnari had nearly panicked earlier at the sight of children approaching.
Having understood Ryen's overwhelming protectiveness, he feared Alhaitham might absentmindedly allow boys near Nahida.
Fortunately, Alhaitham had anticipated even that detail.
Eventually, the carriage arrived at the city gate.
Azar hung there, tightly bound, eyes vacant.
Members of the Corps of Thirty and the Eremites stood guard with solemn expressions.
Judging by the fresh wounds on Azar's body, however, they had not been idle.
Nahida did not pity him.
She was kind, but that did not mean she lacked anger.
He had imprisoned her.
Taken her Gnosis.
Trampled divine dignity.
She could have let those pass.
But he should never have attempted to exploit Sumeru's citizens, their minds, for his twisted scheme.
In Nahida's heart, only two treasures were untouchable:
The people of Sumeru.
And Ryen.
Though Ryen treated her as a daughter, Nahida had never forgotten her own ambitions.
Becoming his rightful partner remained firmly in her plans.
She glanced at Azar briefly, sighed, and guided the carriage onward toward the Akademiya.
The parade had ended.
Next came the formal proceedings.
As the procession passed, some citizens hurried to throw rotten eggs at Azar before rushing back.
The guards watching him looked envious.
A soldier from the Corps of Thirty sighed.
"Her Excellency is so kind and adorable. And yet on her birthday, we're stuck guarding this trash."
An Eremite grumbled as well.
"We want to celebrate too! The boss said Lesser Lord Kusanali will bring better days for the desert, even incorporate us into the official military."
"We should be out there participating!"
"This is all his fault!"
"If killing him weren't too merciful, I'd have done it already."
He rolled his shoulders.
"I need to vent. Anyone joining?"
"That's… not appropriate today," one soldier hesitated. "It's her birthday."
The Eremite laughed, slinging an arm around him.
"Don't be stiff. Beating him is celebrating too."
He produced a modified Hilichurl club, wrapped in cloth and decorated with flowers.
"See? Festival edition."
"…At least give me my club back before saying that."
Soon, one soldier gagged Azar with cloth.
The others descended enthusiastically.
From afar, Cyno observed silently.
He did not intervene.
They deserved some outlet.
It was definitely not personal revenge.
And certainly not because Azar had once manipulated him.
Cyno was not petty.
Casually, he tossed over an upgraded club, this one with barbed flowers attached, and departed.
The soldiers stared at it.
"Nice."
They resumed enthusiastically.
"Careful not to break it, I want a turn!"
"Too light and it's a reward!"
"Good point. Harder then."
"Quick, potion! If he dies, who'll serve as tomorrow's punching bag?"
Thus Azar continued his blood-soaked path of atonement.
He wished for death.
Or madness.
But milk cured illness.
Even madness.
Near noon, the carriage reached the Akademiya.
The vast plaza was packed.
Even rooftops were crowded.
Nahida took a deep breath.
Now came her true dialogue with Sumeru.
Holding her crystal orb, she stepped lightly from the carriage, bare white feet touching the ground.
Grass and flowers bloomed beneath her instantly.
Adorable. Sacred.
Her full figure appeared before her people.
A small girl.
Unbelievably cute.
The nation of wisdom collectively collapsed.
Some gazed with hearts in their eyes.
A few even fantasized about lying down so she could step on them.
Sumeru had become an idol worship concert.
Alhaitham and the others stood nearby.
The plaza fell silent.
Nahida glanced around, lips pursed slightly, a tiny gesture that triggered an overwhelming surge of maternal instinct across the crowd.
The entire nation suddenly wanted daughters.
"Everyone…"
"Please be careful. Those on rooftops, come down safely. It would be terrible if you fell."
The citizens froze.
That was her opening line?
Nahida flushed red, lowering her head shyly.
The reaction was explosive.
"She's so gentle I'm crying!"
"She's too cute!"
Nahida blinked in confusion.
"All of you are my people. My family…"
The fervor only increased.
Ryen watched calmly.
Nahida's charm was irresistible.
"She said we're her family!"
"She meant all of us!"
"Azar deserves it!"
"With Greater Lord Rukkhadevata before and this adorable Archon now, we must have saved the world in a past life!"
They were already ecstatic, and she had barely begun.
Nahida herself felt bewildered.
Only recently, many had been indifferent to her.
She had agonized all night over how to win their hearts.
And now,
It was this easy?
Had she overprepared?
Still, the outcome was wonderful.
She smiled softly.
The crowd erupted again.
Alhaitham observed quietly, lips curling faintly.
"You've handled public sentiment well," Cyno remarked.
"The people are simple," Alhaitham replied. "They trusted the Akademiya too much. Once Azar's deeds were revealed, they judged for themselves."
If Azar could manipulate them, so could he.
But Nahida required no embellishment.
Her nature spoke for itself.
Naphis seized the opportunity once more.
"Have you reconsidered becoming Grand Sage?"
Alhaitham wisely ignored him.
Even today, Naphis might publicly propose it.
He had to remain vigilant.
Nahida listened to the cheers, heart brimming with joy.
These voices were hers now.
She raised her hand.
Silence fell.
Her voice rang clear, gentle yet youthful.
"Hello, everyone. I am the second Dendro Archon of Sumeru, Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nahida."
"But I hope you won't call me 'Lesser Lord.' Please just call me Nahida."
"You are all my family."
"So… people of Sumeru, it's our first meeting."
"Please take care of me from now on."