"Oh—so this is the question Victor Wang asked Nahida back then?" Paimon said in delight. "Don't worry, Araja, the Dendro Archon has already agreed to help you! We just need to wait for a while—until we rescue her."
"Yes, but the Ashvattha Tree is very important. Bearing Bija, giving birth to new seeds, and maintaining the pathways of dreams all rely on the Ashvattha Tree. We can wait for the Lord of Verdure, but we must also prepare other plans."
"Eh? So, you actually have a way to heal the Ashvattha Tree?"
"It cannot be healed." Araja shook its head, its aged gaze turning toward Arama. "But we can grow a new Ashvattha Tree."
Arama replied, "Although I didn't expect it to happen so soon, I know that at the right time, I will understand what must be done."
"What?"
"It's fine if Paimon doesn't understand. Paimon doesn't need to understand, because Paimon is not a seed."
"A seed…"
Lumine sighed. "The Ashvattha Tree… is the Vasara Tree. The seeds of the Vasara Tree… are Aranara. The Vasara Tree is wonderful, but just like a real tree, it can no longer run around everywhere…"
"That's right. Just as clouds know when to release raindrops, rainwater knows to fall into the earth, and seeds know to grow strong, becoming great trees and then bearing plump fruit."
Paimon frowned deeply. "I understand, I really do… but freedom is very important to Nara. Losing freedom—many Nara would rather return to Sarva…"
Arama was startled. "Return to Sarva?! Why would Nara think like that?"
Paimon tried hard to explain. "Because… because once freedom is lost, Nara can't grow from a seed into a great tree. Nara's growth needs a certain amount of freedom—but not too much freedom either."
"Arama understands now. Like sunlight and water. Fortunately, Aranara are not Nara… and becoming the king within the Vasara Tree is actually an incredible thing. Only very powerful seeds can achieve that…"
"Exactly." Araja continued, "Growing a new Ashvattha Tree requires sufficient power. Only by obtaining the Vasoma Fruit will there be enough strength. To obtain the Vasoma Fruit, we must go outside to find the Ashvattha's Concourse. I can no longer leave the dream, so a Nara must accompany Arama on the search."
Paimon looked troubled. "If we get the Vasoma Fruit, Arama will have to become the Ashvattha Tree…"
Victor Wang almost couldn't bear to break the somber mood. "As long as Nahida can heal the original Ashvattha Tree, there will be no need to grow a new one."
"Oh, right—!"
Paimon floated out, instantly perking up, full of energy. "Nahida said she needed to rest for a while. I wonder how many days have passed—has she recovered yet?"
Lumine said, "We can teleport back to Sumeru City and take a look. It's very convenient to travel back and forth."
"Then I'll stay in Vanarana with Arama to search for the Fane of Ashvattha. If Nahida needs help, come tell Araja anytime. Once I receive the message, I'll head over immediately."
Victor Wang spoke seriously and earnestly, yet inwardly he was secretly pleased. This is openly slacking off—plan successful.
Lumine and Paimon agreed as expected and immediately returned to Sumeru City. After all, there didn't seem to be a better option.
But slacking was slacking—since he had promised to help Nahida, slacking off the entire time wouldn't be appropriate. He needed to contribute something; after all, he would still need her help when cleansing Dendro energy.
So, Victor Wang did continue guiding Arama in the correct direction.
Victor Wang knew the locations of the three Ashvattha's Concourse very clearly: one in the Yasna Monument, one at Devantaka Mountain, and one at Gandha Hill. Following this order in a loop would end near Sumeru City. The pace was entirely under his control, adjustable at any time based on Lumine's progress—fast or slow.
As a result, retrieving the first Vasoma Fruit took an entire day. That night, he even carried Arama back to Vanarana to get a good night's sleep. On this day, there was no news from Lumine's side.
On the second day, Victor Wang simply spent all his time wandering aimlessly during the search. By the time the sun set, he had arrived at Port Ormos, and even treated Arama to a hearty meal there.
However, just as he was about to return to Vanarana, someone came looking for him—it was one of Dori's informants.
…
"Big client! I've looked into your deeds in Inazuma. Under the gaze of countless people, you blocked the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi three times—that was truly imposing! So, big client, you're not only wealthy, but also very strong, right?"
"Actually, I don't have as much Mora as you think."
Dori's eyes lit up. "Which means the big client's strength is just as impressive as I imagined!"
"Let's hear what you want first."
"It's like this…" Dori adjusted her tiny glasses, her gaze shifting into the distance as her expression turned fierce. "Someone robbed my Mora. I want you to help me get revenge!"
"How much was taken?"
"A whole shipload of Mora!"
"A shipload of Mora…"
"A whole shipload of Mora! The more I think about it, the angrier I get!!"
Someone actually dared to do this?
Wasn't that basically forcing Dori to fight with sheer wealth?
But looking at it the other way around, it also meant the enemy probably wasn't simple… Victor Wang asked, "Where's the target, how do you want your revenge, and what reward do I get?"
"Those people are in Vimara Village. I sent people to take pictures, but they were discovered every time, so I can only describe them roughly. Among them are two especially eye-catching figures—one in a black cloak, and one young man carrying a white bone greatbow. With just these features, you'll recognize them the moment you see them."
Victor Wang took a sharp breath. He didn't even need to see them—an image had already formed in his mind. This combination sounded exactly like Kuiyuan and the Mirrormaster. So, they were still robbing people while staying in Vimara Village?
Unaware of Victor Wang's subtle change, Dori continued, "The revenge is simple. They dared to steal my Mora—I want them to pay back double!"
"…"
"As for the reward, I think the big client probably doesn't lack Mora. So, I'll offer you a favor from me, Dori, as payment. You help me once; I help you once. How about it—super worth it, right?"
This wasn't a matter of whether it was worth it. Doing good and punishing evil for free was fine—the key question was, what if he couldn't beat them?
Dori looked over with eyes full of anticipation, while Arama excitedly jumped up and shouted, "Beat the bad guys, Nara Victor, so amazing!"
My strength really isn't as great as you think… Victor Wang had words stuck in his throat.
"Now that I know those guys are in Vimara Village, if I don't get my revenge, I won't even sleep well hugging my Mora! Those Mora—sparkling, weak, pitiful, and helpless Mora—they're all crying out to me, telling me how much they want to return to my embrace. My Mora, my lovely Mora… If I don't bring them back, they won't be at peace anywhere else…" Dori declared passionately.
"Alright, alright."
Since he also wanted to talk to the Mirrormaster anyway, Victor Wang agreed.
===BREAK===
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