A giant wooden stage suddenly rose at the Inazuma Delegation's residence, immediately becoming the focus of attention for the people of Sumeru.
Of course, it also did not escape the Akademiya's notice. After all, the House of Daena was right next to the Inazuma Delegation, so such a major event was naturally reported to the Akademiya immediately.
The Akademiya immediately dispatched Mahamatas to investigate the situation. Upon learning that the people from Zubayr Theater had actually persuaded the Regent of the Inazuma Delegation to agree to use their residence for a festival performance on the day of the Sabzeruz Festival,
those Mahamatas instinctively wanted to call the Guards to stop this blatant defiance of Sumeru City's ban, but the Inazuma Delegation's status made them hesitant.
Especially after Miyashiro explained the diplomatic regulations to them, stating that the Akademiya had no right to interfere, the Mahamatas, pressured by Miyashiro's authority and explanation, could only return dejectedly and immediately report the situation to their superiors. Their superiors, seeing how complicated the situation was and unable to make a decision themselves, had to continue reporting to their own superiors.
Soon, even Grand Sage Azar was aware of the matter. As it involved the Inazuma Delegation, he specifically summoned his assistant, Setaria, to inquire about the full story, as she was currently responsible for monitoring all actions of the Inazuma Delegation.
After carefully listening to Setaria's detailed report on the incident, Azar realized that this matter was not, in fact, a premeditated scheme by the Inazuma Regent.
The cause of the incident was simple and straightforward: he had previously announced the Art Ban, but the people of the Grand Bazaar were not reconciled to this. After much inquiry, they found the Inazuma Delegation and persuaded the Regent.
As for the diplomatic regulations, Azar, as the Grand Sage, was naturally well aware of them and knew that this matter was legitimate and lawful. However, this did not prevent his dislike for Miyashiro.
He had just announced the Art Ban, and Miyashiro immediately welcomed the actors from Zubayr Theater to perform at their residence. What was this? What was this! Disrespecting him? Deliberately going against him?
Setaria, seeing Azar's face turn ashen, asked, "Grand Sage, should we intervene to stop this? After all, privately holding large-scale divine festival activities is explicitly forbidden."
After much deliberation, Azar still chose to tolerate it and shook his head, saying, "Hmph! That Inazuma Regent is quite clever with his little tricks. However, this can also be considered a form of wisdom, albeit unconventional, but certainly effective.
What you call 'explicitly forbidden' is according to Sumeru's laws, but according to Teyvat's diplomatic regulations, during their mission to Sumeru, their temporary residence does not belong to Sumeru's territory but to Inazuma's, and Inazuma's laws apply. We indeed have no right to interfere with their performances on Inazuma's territory.
Hmph! If I had known, I wouldn't have provided them with such a good and large residence. Now it seems we've shot ourselves in the foot a bit.
Never mind, let them be. What I'm more concerned about now is what you mentioned earlier: a giant stage suddenly rose at the Inazuma Delegation's residence? Is this true?"
Setaria nodded and said, "According to the Akasha's response and inquiries with the onlookers present, it can be confirmed that less than ten minutes passed from the appearance to the formation of this stage."
Although Setaria really wanted to explain that the actual situation was less than one minute, she worried that reporting such a fantastical detail would make Azar re-evaluate his perception of Miyashiro, so she took the liberty of changing 'less than one minute' to 'less than ten minutes'.
While the meaning was similar, the impact it had on people was completely different.
Indeed, a look of surprise appeared on Azar's face, and he asked, "Ten minutes? I haven't heard of anyone in the Inazuma Delegation with such an ability. Could it be the alchemy researched by the Spantamad School?
Speaking of alchemy, I recall that besides Sumeru, there is currently a very famous alchemist in Mondstadt named Albedo, who has elevated alchemy, which was not highly regarded in Mondstadt, to a level second only to our Akademiya."
Setaria immediately interjected, "Grand Sage, speaking of this, I once overheard members of the Inazuma Delegation mention that Mr. Albedo, whom you just spoke of, seemed to have been invited by him to Inazuma for a tour and observation recently."
Upon hearing Setaria's words, Azar's face showed an expression of'so that's how it is,' and then he said disdainfully, "Hmph! I knew it. How could a tiny nation like Inazuma have someone so deeply versed in alchemy? In that case, this must be Mr. Albedo's work.
Tsk tsk, to create a giant stage in ten minutes, I'd like to poach such a talent from Mondstadt too. I could directly give him the title of Kōbanḍa, and within a few years, the position of Spantamad sage would surely be his."
The intelligence provided by Setaria successfully dispelled Azar's reconsideration of Miyashiro, which made Setaria secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Afterward, Azar found another point of doubt and asked, "Why doesn't the report mention how the people from Zubayr Theater persuaded him? Was it with money? Or some valuable resource?"
Setaria explained, "I apologize, Grand Sage, regarding this point, there are many conflicting opinions among the subordinates, and no accurate answer has been reached. Therefore, to ensure the report's professionalism and accuracy, it was not included."
Azar nodded in understanding. After all, this incident had only just happened, and it was already quite difficult to investigate it to this extent. However, out of caution, he continued to ask, "I see. Are there any particularly convincing theories at the moment?"
Upon hearing this, Setaria's face showed an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating. Azar, seeing this, frowned and said, "Speak your mind, don't be evasive. As a scholar, that is a great taboo."
Setaria immediately said, "Yes, Grand Sage. Regarding your question, according to our investigation results and interviews, the most convincing theory currently is that Zubayr Theater, in order to successfully negotiate this matter, had Nilou, their most beautiful actress, approach the Regent to discuss it.
Eyewitnesses have seen Nilou with traces of tears at the corners of her eyes when she left the Inazuma Delegation's residence; her makeup was smudged, and her face was noticeably flushed."
Azar burst out laughing when he heard Setaria's words: "Hahahaha, he's still just a young boy after all. I can't believe that a dignified Regent of a nation would be seduced by such a vulgar honey trap.
Nilou... hmm, I have some impression of her. She's the one who tried to defile the wisdom of the Akademiya countless times, isn't she? She does look radiant. Good, good. Now that we've discovered this Inazuma Regent's weakness, things will be much easier from now on."
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