Since Nahida still needed time to prepare and Silaya's condition wouldn't improve immediately, Lumine and Paimon decided to head into the city to check on things.
They wondered how Dehya and the others were faring with their mission.
And then there were Angie and Tartaglia, who had promised to help. With Scaramouche looming, Nahida—not skilled in combat—would greatly benefit from their assistance. Lumine would also find things much easier with their support.
Lumine and Paimon arrived at the Grand Bazaar, where they ran into Dehya.
"Hey, you two! What are you doing out here? I was just about to come rescue you!"
"It was Chu Xi," Paimon explained. "She sneaked in after the guards were distracted and let us out."
Paimon continued, "We just left the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Nahida's been freed, and Silaya's there too. We're about to face Scaramouche. We're looking for Angie and Tartaglia—have you seen them, Dehya?"
"Not recently," Dehya replied. "Maybe you should keep looking."
Dehya and her team had already dealt with the Akademiya guards, locking them all up.
Despite their opposing factions, both sides were citizens of Sumeru and refused to kill each other.
"Can you tell me about Silaya's current condition?" Dehya asked.
Lumine briefly explained Silaya's situation to Dehya.
Dehya sighed and said to the pair, "Then you two should go find them first. I need to track down that Alhaitham guy too. He's been looking for Silaya everywhere."
Paimon waved goodbye to Dehya, then followed Lumine to search for Angie and her companion elsewhere.
Lumine and Paimon searched high and low, but with the time they had agreed upon with Nahida fast approaching, they still couldn't find Angie and the others.
"Damn it!" Paimon grumbled angrily. "They promised to help us, but they've vanished at the most crucial moment!"
"Exactly! When we find them, Paimon's gonna give them a big punch!"
Angie's voice suddenly rang out, and Paimon instinctively nodded. "Exactly!... Wait, Angie, when did you get here?"
Angie: "Just as some little one was furiously accusing us..."
Paimon giggled nervously, tapping her tiny finger. "Well, you weren't around when we needed you..."
"Wasn't Paimon going to punch us?" Angie teased.
Paimon hid behind Lumine. "I-I was afraid I'd hurt you too much, and then you wouldn't be able to fight Scaramouche later..."
Angie stopped teasing Paimon, her expression turning serious as she looked at Lumine. "What's the situation?"
"Nahida is waiting for us at the Sanctuary of Surasthana," Lumine replied. "We'll face Scaramouche together..."
Angie turned to Ailina. "Ailina, go back and wait for us."
"My lord, let me come with you!" Ailina pleaded.
"No. It's too dangerous. Your strength isn't enough to keep up with us."
"But..."
Ailina glanced at Paimon, her meaning clear: If that little brat can go, why can't I?
Angie remained firm. "No means no."
Paimon had the protagonist's aura—she could survive even under the Shogun's blade. But Ailina? She was just an NPC, the kind who always got into trouble.
Ignoring Ailina's resentful gaze, Angie led her brother and Lumine toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
"Oh, Traveler," Angie asked, "did you tell Little... Nahida about us?"
Lumine nodded. "She said she wants to meet you."
Angie glanced at her brother. The God of Wisdom... we need to handle this carefully.
"How's the progress coming along, Nahida?"
Paimon walked in, asking, "The operational parts are finished... Are these the Fatui Harbingers you mentioned, 'Childe' and the adjutant Angie?"
Angie greeted, "Hello, Dendro Archon! I'm Angie. Let's get this straight: we're here to help take down Scaramouche. We'll discuss other matters after that's settled."
Nahida chuckled softly. "Very well."
Beside Nahida floated a small creature resembling both a dog and a rabbit, its gaze fixed on Paimon as soon as she entered.
"Nahida, what's this floating little thing?"
"It's something I created in my spare time," Nahida explained. "Think of it as an upgraded Akasha Terminal."
After explaining to Paimon, Nahida turned to Lumine. "You won't need it yet, but it might prove useful in certain situations."
Paimon crossed her arms, bristling with dissatisfaction. "Wait a minute! This little thing overlaps with my attributes! At first glance, we both float and are small in size..."
"Hey... it's stealing my unique trait! People won't remember me when I'm with the Traveler anymore. I won't be the one-of-a-kind Paimon anymore..."
Angie couldn't help but laugh. Was little Paimon getting jealous?
Paimon glared sideways. "Hey, I'm talking about something serious here!"
Lumine: "But the differences are obvious..."
Nahida: "Don't worry, Paimon, it can't replace you. It's just a flying tool, but you're the Traveler's irreplaceable friend!"
"Whoa, Nahida's really good at comforting people! If only the Traveler were as smart as you..."
Lumine rolled her eyes. This little rascal.
Nahida: "Huh? I'm just stating what I believe to be facts, not trying to comfort you."
Paimon: "Are you a natural at comforting people, Nahida? You just made me feel even better!"
After chatting for a while longer, the group prepared to set off.
The Joururi Workshop was located outside Sumeru City.
After some time, the group of five arrived at the workshop's entrance.
"Everyone, the enemy we're about to face is incredibly powerful. We must remain fully focused," Nahida urged.
"Don't worry, Nahida! I'm all set!" Paimon declared confidently.
The workshop was still teeming with Fatui soldiers. With Angie and Tartaglia's intervention, they were swiftly dismissed.
As they ventured deeper, the workshop's layout gradually revealed itself.
"This false god's true name is Scaramouche, isn't it? We've previously connected with his consciousness. He carries two distinct, intense obsessions: one born from being a Gnosis container, driving his innate craving for the Gnosis itself..."
"The other obsession likely stems from his past experiences, though its exact nature remains unclear," Nahida explained.
Angie interjected, "Before becoming a Fatui Harbinger, Scaramouche was originally the Raiden Shogun's puppet. He was abandoned due to some flaw, and after enduring a series of events, he transformed into the person he is today..."
Nahida nodded in agreement. After navigating a series of mechanisms, the group finally arrived at the entrance to the dimension where Scaramouche resided.
"Do you feel it? This oppressive aura..." Nahida murmured.
"What we're about to face is truly Archon-level combat power..." Lumine murmured, her expression grave.
Angie: "Let's go. I've been wanting to punch him for ages."