Some time later, Dehya, having dealt with the mercenaries, found Lumine's group.
"Miss, so you were here."
Paimon: "Dehya! You finished them off so quickly!"
Dunyarzad noticed the bandage on Dehya's arm and rushed forward, gently taking Dehya's hand in concern.
"Dehya, your arm..."
"Oh? This? I'm fine, just a scratch. They wouldn't have been able to hurt me normally, but I'm still getting used to this new Claymore."
Dunyarzad remained worried. "Let me take a closer look."
"Come on, I told you I'm fine. Mercenaries aren't as delicate as you think."
Dunyarzad: "And about that new Claymore... what happened to the one you always used before?"
Dehya suddenly became evasive.
"Ah... well... um... I was a bit short on funds recently, so I had to sell it. It happens sometimes."
"Could it be... that the source of the final batch of funding for the venue setup, that mysterious sum of money, was..."
"Ehe, heh heh..."
Dehya scratched her head, feigning ignorance for the first time.
Dunyarzad: "..."
Dunyarzad seemed to be... crying...
Dehya immediately panicked. "Ah, hey, Miss, I didn't mean to make you cry! Will making my employer cry get my commission docked?"
"...Pfft... Heh heh... Fine, making your employer cry won't get your commission docked. But selling equipment without permission and getting injured for my sake... I'll need to reassess those."
"Ha ha ha... You're so unreasonable, Miss."
"Ha ha ha..."
Silaya crossed her arms, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.
No wonder some players ship these two, she thought. Their relationship is genuinely heartwarming.
"Dehya and Dunyarzad seem to be more than just mercenary and employer, don't you think?" Silaya nudged Chu Xi with her elbow, and Chu Xi nodded eagerly.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Dunyarzad's condition suddenly deteriorated, her complexion turning pale.
"Traveler, would you please take Miss Dunyarzad to rest? I need to scout the area further to ensure no accomplices are lying in wait."
Lumine: "No problem. Leave it to me."
Silaya and Chu Xi had initially wanted to stay with Lumine and Paimon, but Dunyarzad insisted that Lumine and Paimon were enough. The two then headed to Zubayr Theater to see Nilou perform.
Lumine and Paimon led Dunyarzad to a nearby seat to rest.
After a while, Lumine noticed Dunyarzad's condition had improved significantly and asked about her health.
Paimon also looked at Dunyarzad with genuine concern, deeply moving her.
"...So you're both truly worried about my illness? Then I can't keep hiding it any longer. I was born with Eleazar, and it has now reached its final stages..."
Dunyarzad explained the nature of Eleazar and the grim reality that there was no cure in Sumeru. The only option was environmental therapy to prolong her life.
Gradually, she began sharing her life story.
Dunyarzad was genuinely kind and gentle. Despite her lifelong battle with illness, she never wallowed in self-pity, instead living with unwavering optimism and positively influencing everyone around her.
Unfortunately, Eleazar was incurable, and Dunyarzad was counting down the days until her death.
The process was agonizing and cruel.
Now, Dunyarzad had found so many friends. Celebrating Lord Kusanali's birthday together was such a meaningful occasion. Even when that day finally came, there was no need to be overly sad.
Dunyarzad: "At least now, so many people will remember that I once lived in this world, right?"
Lumine: "Exactly! I'll remember you!"
Paimon: "As long as you don't forget me, I won't forget you either! Ah... wait, even if you do forget me, I'll still remember you!"
In Jiang Mumu's original world, Dunyarzad had attracted countless fans even with her NPC appearance. Now, in this revamped Genshin Impact, Dunyarzad's character model was even more stunning, making her even more beloved by players.
Chen Xiyao: "Trying to live without regrets, huh, Dunyarzad?"
[Dunyarzad is exactly how I imagine a noble lady should be.]
[It's such a shame that such a wonderful person had to suffer from Eleazar.]
[She's even funding the Sabzeruz Festival herself, something that never existed before. Lesser Lord Kusanali's situation is truly tragic...]
[My mind is already conjuring up several conspiracy theories.]
[Why does seeing this scene make me think of tragedy?]
[Damn it, who turned you into this?]
Zubayr Theater.
Silaya and Chu Xi arrived early to help with preparations, setting up a row of small stools beneath the stage.
Just then, the detestable Great Sage approached from afar with his assistant scholar, Setaria.
As they passed the stools Silaya had arranged, the Great Sage kicked one aside with his foot.
Silaya's face flushed with shock.
You kicked my stool?!
The arrival of the Great Sage and Setaria drew the attention of many Zubayr Theater staff members. They strode onto the stage, forcing the imminent performance to halt.
Lumine, Paimon, and Dunyarzad arrived at that moment, joining Silaya and Chu Xi to observe the situation unfolding on stage.
Setaria: "...Regulations clearly state that such performances require prior authorization. Were you unaware of this?"
Paimon: "Over there... it looks like someone's scolding Nilou."
Dunyarzad: "I think I see the Great Sage of the Akademiya... Why would he come here personally?"
On the stage, Nilou pleaded earnestly, "But the Dance of Sabzeruz is a fixed part of the Sabzeruz Festival. If we can't perform it, then..."
"The Sabzeruz Festival... Isn't it strictly forbidden to hold large-scale religious ceremonies in private? The Akademiya alone has the authority to organize such events. If you persist in this, we'll have no choice but to order an investigation into all organizers of the Sabzeruz Festival..."
"The Great Sage has already shown leniency. Please show some sense."
Nilou: "How... how could you do this?"
While the exchange continued on stage, Silaya had already pulled Chu Xi onto the stage.
"The Sabzeruz Festival should have been organized by the Akademiya all along! It's your negligence over the years that led to this situation. Now that we're organizing it, you're trying to sabotage us? Do you even respect Lord Rukkhadevata and Lesser Lord Kusanali anymore?"
Azar, who had remained silent until now, immediately turned to Silaya at these words.
"You're... Silaya? You have no right to speak here. Get off the stage."
Silaya crossed her arms, thinking, Two adults bullying Nilou? How shameless!
Azar: "Art... dance... In this nation of wisdom and reason, aren't you ashamed to pursue such frivolous and empty pursuits?"