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The issue with Benben was temporarily set aside.
Outside Aaru Village, Lumine rode the ivory-platinum Dutch Warmblood horse "Buell," while Shao Yun rode "Barefaced" Baylock, taking the time to strengthen their bond.
Before departure, Jeht unfolded a map and began studying the route, saying, "Miss Candace gave me this map. Let's see… how do I get to the Tanit tribe?"
As Jeht gestured over the map, Shao Yun kindly said, "I've been to the Tanit tribe before and know the route. You can put your map away."
Hearing that Shao Yun had been there, Jeht asked curiously, "You've been there?"
Shao Yun nodded calmly: "Yes, I passed through there once on an errand and stayed overnight. I'm fairly familiar with the route."
Seeing that Shao Yun knew the way, Jeht felt a slight relief.
"That's wonderful! Then I'll leave it to you to lead the way."
With that, she quickly folded the map back and placed it in her arms, moving deftly to the horse Lumine was riding.
She hesitated briefly, then shyly climbed onto the back of Lumine's horse.
Once seated, she wrapped her hands tightly around Lumine's soft waist, as if afraid of losing balance and falling off.
Her body instinctively leaned forward against Lumine's back, and her cheek brushed lightly against Lumine's soft clothing, feeling the warmth radiating from her.
But since both were girls, Lumine didn't overthink it, assuming Jeht was just nervous because it was her first time riding a horse.
...
Along the way, to stave off boredom, Shao Yun broke the silence.
He casually remarked, "Lumine, I've been thinking—how many desert maps do you think Candace must have? It seems like she gives a map to every outsider who comes into the desert. Just a few days ago, she even gave one to Eula."
Lumine, riding beside him, froze at the name "Eula," her face showing extreme shock.
"Eula came to Sumeru?!"
Seeing her reaction, Shao Yun quickly said, "I haven't told you yet—Eula has left the Knights of Favonius?"
This nearly stunned Lumine, who urgently asked, "You didn't say… what exactly happened?"
...
Shao Yun recounted the events in Aaru Village when he encountered Eula to Lumine and Paimon.
However, he wisely omitted the embarrassing little incident where Eula suddenly freaked out and nearly revealed her bare body while changing clothes in front of him.
It wasn't that he wanted to hide anything—there was just Jeht, who was even brighter than Paimon and could easily witness it…
After Shao Yun's explanation, Paimon murmured, unsure what to make of it: "So that's what happened… Eula left the Knights of Favonius and started traveling to clear her mind, just like us."
Seeing Paimon's complex expression, Shao Yun reassured her:
"Maybe you'll run into her during your desert adventures. She was a guerrilla squad leader in Mondstadt, used to surviving in the wild. She should be fine."
Paimon relaxed slightly, saying, "True, with Eula's skills, she shouldn't be in danger in the desert."
At that moment, Jeht, quietly sitting behind Lumine and holding her close, suddenly spoke up curiously: "Eula? Is she your friend?"
Lumine replied to Jeht: "Yes, that's right. She's a friend of mine, just like you, Jeht."
Hearing that, Jeht immediately became enthusiastic.
"Does your friend have nowhere to go right now?"
Lumine paused a few seconds before answering: "Well… according to what Shao Yun said just now, that's roughly the situation."
Without hesitation, Jeht said boldly, "Then why not have your friend come with me to the Tanit tribe? Your friend is my friend too. I can take care of them."
Shao Yun thought: even though your return to the Tanit tribe is a done deal, you haven't even returned to your father's tribe yet. And now you want to help Lumine's friend? That's some high-level friendship.
He gently advised Jeht against the idea: "I don't think everyone is suited to survive in the desert. If she rode a sumpter beast around the desert, she'd probably head elsewhere."
Hearing this, Jeht offered her opinion: "If she's riding a sumpter beast through the desert, she might go to Natlan. Heading west, if the weather permits, it's fairly easy to reach Natlan."
Shao Yun glanced at the western desert, murmuring: "Who knows…"
...
After a long journey, Shao Yun and the group arrived at a canyon ruin, the "Tanit Camp."
Two scouts of the Eremites from the Tanit tribe spotted them and immediately raised their weapons.
One scout barked: "Halt! Who are you?"
"Hello, I—"
Paimon intended to greet them politely, but before she could finish, Jeht dashed forward, stepping up to declare their purpose.
"May I see the tribe's chief?"
The scout's gaze swept over Jeht's distinctive desert attire. His tension eased slightly, but caution remained.
He scrutinized Jeht and asked: "Do you have business with Matron Babel?"
Jeht took a deep breath, steadied herself, and briefly explained her identity and origins.
"My father's name was Jebrael. According to notes my mother left, my father was a member of the Tanit tribe. Therefore…"
Her voice trembled when mentioning her father, her eyes briefly welling up with tears.
Pausing to calm herself, she continued, "I have come wishing to return to the tribe. Also, there are more complex matters I'd like to discuss with Matron Babel."
The scout hesitated, then spoke to his companion before saying: "Wait here. I'll report to the Matron first."
...
Inside the tribe, Matron Babel had long, soft pink hair, partly held by a side hood.
A delicate mask covered most of her face, revealing only her lower face and forehead, adding a mysterious aura.
Her attire was luxurious, with desert tribal characteristics.
She wore an off-shoulder fitted top in dark tones, adorned with gold and red patterns, giving an exotic flair.
A wide red Eremites-style silk sash encircled her waist, with a prominent gold ornament acting as a belt.
Her legs were clad in tight black stockings, harmonizing with the top.
She wore arm guards with gold decorations and high-heeled shoes with gold accents, matching her outfit.
Hearing that someone sought her, she curiously asked who they were.
Upon the scout's report, a slight sneer appeared: "What? Three outsiders and a deserter want to see me? Quite the strange mix…"
She sneered again, mockingly: "Jebrael… a traitor! Now his daughter, this outsider and traitor's bloodline, dares to return to the tribe? How laughable…"
The scout, hearing her tone, cautiously asked: "Then, Matron, should we…"
Babel wanted to deal with the visitors but chose caution, wanting to see them first.
"Bring them to me. I'll decide after seeing them."
...
Following her order, the Tanit scout led Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Jeht into the Tanit Camp.
The camp was nestled in a quiet, deep canyon ruin, surrounded by the weight of history.
Once-glorious structures were reduced to crumbling remnants.
Among the ruins were neatly arranged tents in desert style.
The scout brought the four before Matron Babel.
She assessed the three girls and one boy.
Seeing Lumine, Paimon, and Jeht first, she felt little but slight contempt.
To her, Lumine and Paimon looked like outsiders, and Jeht, a traitor's descendant, was even more detestable.
However, her gaze shifted to Shao Yun, and her expression changed.
Her previous sneer vanished, her eyes beneath the Eremites visor narrowed sharply, as if surprised.
After a brief hesitation, she spoke slowly: "Hmm… wait, you are…?"
Shao Yun remained calm: "We've likely met before. Sethos and I stayed here a night not long ago."
Upon the reminder, Babel recalled the visit—a boy from the Hall of Silence bringing a tall, imposing man for lodging.
"Oh! I remember now. May I ask, what brings you here again?" Her tone softened considerably.
Partly out of courtesy for Sethos, partly because of Shao Yun's subtle, hard-to-read aura.
Shao Yun wore the Legend of the East outfit but with the Gambler's Hat, negating its intimidating effect.
Even so, Sumeru's "-6" honor value still induced a physiological fear, making Babel, a ruthless beauty, wary.
For now, Shao Yun wasn't here to seize the camp, so she felt safe.
"It's not me. It's Jeht—she has something to tell you," Shao Yun explained, gesturing lightly.
He signaled Jeht with his eyes and quietly whispered: "Jeht, this is your turn."
Jeht stepped forward to speak with Babel.
After introducing her father, Jebrael, Babel suppressed her resentment and feigned admiration:
"Jebrael… the tribe records do show such a person, though that was a very long time ago."
She mentally calculated, deciding to shift from her previous cold demeanor and appear welcoming.
Smiling, she said kindly to Jeht: "Nevertheless, you carry our blood. You are a member of our tribe. Welcome back, Jeht."
Jeht's mood brightened instantly.
Since her father's passing, she had been immersed in grief, and now she finally felt warmth and belonging.
Excitedly, she replied: "Thank you, Matron Babel!"
Babel crossed her arms, straightened slightly, and smiled warmly: "Call me Madam Babel—no need for the formal title. I want you to treat me like a mother."
Jeht, moved, nodded eagerly: "Alright, Madam Babel!"
The distance between them seemed to shrink instantly, as if they were truly mother and daughter.
Seeing Jeht's delighted expression, Babel smiled in satisfaction.
"Then let's not delay. Tonight, we'll hold a grand welcome feast for you!"
At this, Paimon's eyes lit up, a trail of drool glistening at her lips.
"A welcome feast? Wow! Will there be lots of delicious food?"
Babel turned to Paimon, softening her gaze to appear more amiable:
"Yes, a variety of delicacies will be prepared. You are honored guests of our tribe, so I sincerely invite you to join."
Hearing the invitation, Paimon spun excitedly in the air.
She quickly looked at Lumine: "Wow, there's food! Lumine, Shao Yun, shall we join?"
Paimon's eyes were already on the imagined spread of food.
Lumine glanced at the eager Paimon, then at Babel, thinking that with Shao Yun there, nothing untoward would happen.
Smiling slightly, she said to Babel: "Alright, since Matron Babel has invited us, we shall graciously accept. Please make the arrangements."
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