Chapter 95. Coming Together?
Nahida had not forgotten the real purpose of this visit. She gently offered the Teleportation Scepter to Zhongli, hoping he could examine the artifact. At the same time, it also served as her apology for her earlier indiscretion.
Attempting to pry into another person's identity without permission would have been one thing if it had gone unnoticed. Being caught in the act, however, was undeniably embarrassing. Although Zhongli had graciously said he did not mind, Nahida still felt that an apology alone was not enough.
Other than the Dendro Gnosis, the Teleportation Scepter was the most precious possession she owned.
"So this is the Teleportation Scepter."
Zhongli accepted the scepter, and a subtle glimmer passed through his amber eyes. The more he learned about the Chat Group's rewards, the more astonished he became.
Nahida could sense that the power contained within the scepter resembled the authority of an existence beyond comprehension.
As the oldest of the Seven Archons, Zhongli could perceive the same truth.
More importantly, he also sensed a faint but unmistakable danger.
The spatial authority contained within the white gem was unimaginably pure. If that power were ever released in its entirety—
Even he could be placed in mortal danger.
Of course, that was only a theoretical possibility. Yet the mere existence of such a possibility was frightening enough.
One had to remember that Zhongli stood among the strongest beings in Teyvat. Though he was not the absolute pinnacle of existence, there were exceedingly few who surpassed him.
If even he could perceive danger from this artifact, then its function could not possibly be limited to teleportation alone.
Should the spatial authority within it be unleashed completely, it might very well become a single-use weapon of catastrophic destructive power.
Naturally, doing so would also render the Teleportation Scepter useless.
"The rewards obtained through the Chat Group are becoming increasingly unbelievable."
Unable to restrain his curiosity, Albedo stepped forward and examined the scepter alongside Zhongli.
Having been among the earliest members of the Chat Group, he had witnessed its rewards evolve firsthand—from Condensed Resin, Purification Water, and Special Husk Dolls—to this.
A Teleportation Scepter capable of manipulating space itself.
With nothing more than a visual reference to the destination, Nahida had crossed the vast distance between Sumeru and Liyue in an instant.
That implied something extraordinary.
As long as Nahida gradually traveled throughout Teyvat and personally saw every location—
Then with this single scepter in hand, no destination on the continent would remain beyond her reach.
"It truly is extraordinary."
Guizhong nodded in agreement before leaning in to inspect the white gemstone.
"And look—the gemstone doesn't appear to have consumed any energy at all."
Indeed.
Even after transporting Nahida all the way from the outskirts of Sumeru City to Liyue Harbor, the pristine white gem continued to radiate a gentle glow, showing no visible signs of depletion.
That fact alone was astonishing.
Unable to stop herself, Guizhong entertained a bold thought. If such an artifact had existed during the Archon War—How many tragedies could have been prevented?
So many losses during that era had not occurred because Zhongli or Azhdaha lacked strength.
Rather, they simply could not arrive in time. Had they possessed a tool capable of instantaneous travel, they could have returned the moment disaster struck.
Perhaps countless regrets from that age would never have come to pass.
After briefly examining the artifact himself, Zhongli handed the Teleportation Scepter to Albedo.
"As an alchemist, you are better suited than I am to study its construction."
Albedo accepted it without hesitation, immediately beginning a careful inspection.
Meanwhile, Zhongli turned back to Nahida.
"What did you experience during the teleportation?"
"Hm~"
Nahida fell into thought before gently shaking her head.
"I didn't really feel anything. It was... strange. It felt as though I simply closed my eyes and when I opened them again, I was already standing beside Albedo. It was almost identical to the sensation of moving through dreams."
"When I'm inside a dream, if I wish to go somewhere, I simply close my eyes and open them again. And when I do—I'm already there."
"Can it transport other people as well?"
Guizhong tilted her head curiously.
"If it can, perhaps I should accompany you. The more combat strength you have, the better. Besides, I've never visited Sumeru before."
Nahida blinked thoughtfully. The proposal was undeniably tempting. Having another Demon God-level combatant on her side would greatly strengthen her position.
Although Nahida could tell that Guizhong's divine strength was somewhat weaker than her own—
She had still survived the Archon War.
Whether in battle experience, judgment, or accumulated wisdom, Guizhong vastly surpassed her.
If Nahida set aside the advantage of possessing the Dendro Gnosis—
She estimated that, in a direct confrontation—
The odds would probably be three to seven.
She would be the three.
Guizhong would be the seven.
After all, Nahida had spent all five hundred years of her life imprisoned within the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Despite everything she had learned, very little of it translated into practical experience among gods especially the battle experience.
"No."
Zhongli rejected the suggestion without hesitation. His tone was calm, but left no room for argument.
"You cannot go to Sumeru. A Demon God from another nation entering Sumeru at this moment would inevitably be viewed as political interference. It would also negatively affect Nahida's future succession."
"Futsu Mitama and his companions are a different matter. They entered Sumeru because of their conflict with the Fatui. Furthermore, the Electro Gnosis is currently in Dottore's possession."
"Beelzebub and the Tsaritsa entered into a contract. So regardless of what happens between their respective parties, few would question it."
"But your circumstances are entirely different."
Indeed.
Few people would object to Futsu Mitama and his companions entering Sumeru. Despite possessing combat abilities on par with Archons, Futsu Mitama and Aila were, by all outward appearances, still humans.
They stood infinitely close to the realm of gods— But they were not true Archons or Demon Gods.
Although such individuals were exceptionally rare throughout Teyvat, they were not unheard of.
Guizhong, however, was different. She was a genuine demon god who had survived the Archon War.
Furthermore, Nahida's standing within Sumeru remained fragile. For five hundred years, she had existed more as a symbolic figure than a ruling deity.
Throughout that same period, the Akademiya had continuously exalted Maha Rukkhadevata while relegating Lesser Lord Kusanali to the background.
As a result, although nearly every citizen of Sumeru knew Nahida existed—very few truly understood what she had done for them.
If, under such circumstances, Guizhong openly entered Sumeru—
How would the people interpret it?
They would inevitably wonder whether their own Archon lacked the ability to govern her nation independently.
Why else would a foreign god involve herself in Sumeru's affairs?
Moreover, Sumeru's situation had not yet deteriorated to the point where intervention from another nation could be justified.
There was also another concern.
Guizhong's personal combat strength was relatively limited.
Should she encounter danger in Sumeru—then either Zhongli or Azhdaha would inevitably intervene.
And if those two moved—
The remaining Adeptus, whether secluded or occupied elsewhere, would almost certainly rush to Sumeru as well.
At that point, the situation would spiral beyond anyone's control.
Even if Maha Rukkhadevata were somehow restored to life, she might no longer be able to prevent the conflict from escalating.
For that reason—
The safest course of action was for Guizhong to remain in Liyue Harbor.
Guizhong merely smiled after hearing Zhongli's reasoning.
"I'm only going sightseeing. I promise I won't cause any trouble."
"..."
Zhongli simply looked at her. He did not believe a single word.
Guizhong was, in many respects, simply an older version of Director Hu. Dependable when it mattered but equally capable of causing unimaginable trouble.
"It's fine."
At that moment, Albedo finally looked up from the Teleportation Scepter.
"Klee and I can accompany Nahida to Sumeru. Our combat strength may be limited, but we can still assist with many smaller matters. It would also give us an opportunity to test whether the Teleportation Scepter can transport multiple people. And, if it can whether doing so increases its energy consumption."
He returned the Teleportation Scepter to Nahida before thoughtfully stroking his chin.
"Another interesting discovery—I've never encountered either of the materials used to create this artifact. Neither the wood comprising the staff nor the white gemstone itself. Replicating something like this will be extraordinarily difficult."
Unlike Condensed Resin, Purification Water, or the Special Husk Dolls—
Albedo had at least been able to identify the materials and principles behind those creations.
The Teleportation Scepter, however, was deceptively simple.
A staff carved from completely unknown wood.
A flawless white gem containing an almost unimaginable concentration of spatial authority.
And paradoxically—
The simpler its construction appeared—
The more impossible it became to understand. What kind of gemstone could contain such pure spatial power?
What kind of wood could safely conduct and stabilize that authority?
Even Albedo found himself confronted with questions for which he had no answers.
Zhongli had reached much the same conclusion. That was precisely why he had entrusted the artifact to Albedo in the first place.
Even he could not identify its materials.
"You and Klee are coming to Sumeru together?"
Nahida accepted the Teleportation Scepter, though Albedo's inability to replicate it scarcely occupied her thoughts. Instead—
Her attention rested entirely on one sentence.
Klee would be coming to Sumeru.
That prospect genuinely delighted her. Klee had been the first person to ask to become her friend. She had also enthusiastically invited Nahida to go bomb fishing together.
Bomb fishing—
Nahida had never experienced such a thing before. Nor had she ever had a friend.
For five hundred years, her life had been filled with responsibilities. Every day she studied tirelessly, striving to become a worthy Archon.
Only after night fell and the people of Sumeru entered their dreams did she gain even the briefest opportunity to rest.
Yet even during those quiet hours—
She continued studying.
She continued working.
She continued guiding lost souls through dreams and quietly watching over the desert's people.
Now that she had finally escaped the Sanctuary of Surasthana—
She still had to concern herself with the Fatui.
The Akademiya.
And the future of Sumeru itself.
There were simply too many burdens resting upon her shoulders. In that sense, being invited into the Chat Group by Futsu Mitama had changed everything.
There, she had Maha Rukkhadevata to guide her. She had senior Archons willing to offer advice whenever she needed it.
And now...
She had Klee.
Someone who expected nothing from her except friendship.
For the first time in five centuries—Nahida found herself genuinely looking forward to what tomorrow might bring.
"Yes." Albedo nodded with a gentle smile. "It's about time Klee left Liyue Harbor."
"If she stays any longer—I'm afraid she and Director Hu will create even more... memorable incidents."
Zhongli quietly fell silent.
Guizhong merely smiled knowingly.
After Futsu Mitama's group had departed Liyue, Klee and Hu Tao had indeed become remarkably—active.
There was a reason why the Millelith constantly shadowed Klee rather than Albedo.
Whenever Hu Tao and Klee acted separately— Nothing particularly unusual happened.
But once the two of them were together—The Millelith could only brace themselves for another day of complaints.
One wandering spirit from Wuwang Hill had even traveled all the way to Qingce Village just to file a grievance. He insisted that he had merely been peacefully wandering—
Yet the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had declared him an evil spirit before convincing a little girl to bombard him with explosives.
To his own surprise, the experience had actually purified all of his lingering resentment.
But even after becoming harmless—Hu Tao and Klee had continued chasing him.
Did ghosts no longer deserve the chance to exist in peace?
The Millelith had offered their sincerest condolences—before politely recommending that he reincarnate as soon as possible.
Compared to everything else Hu Tao and Klee had accomplished—His experience was, unfortunately, one of the less serious incidents.
Together, they had nearly blown apart an entire mountain. They had obliterated over half of a massive Hilichurl encampment near Wuwang Hill, forcing the survivors to relocate and creating additional work for the Millelith.
They had entered an ancient ruin for "exploration" and nearly demolished the entire structure.
Only afterward did everyone discover that the ruin happened to be the secluded cultivation site of an Adeptus.
Compared to all of that—
A bombed ghost seemed almost insignificant.
After hearing the complete story, the wandering spirit silently accepted his fate and immediately departed for reincarnation.
Following those events, Albedo had little choice but to take Klee away from Liyue, bringing her instead to the Chasm to spend time with the Traveler, Paimon, and Keqing.
Unfortunately, the Chasm was hardly an ideal playground for a child.
So when Futsu Mitama later mentioned in the Chat Group that Sumeru was short on manpower—
Albedo promptly volunteered.
"No problem." Nahida agreed without hesitation.
"Sumeru has many wonderful places to visit. Once everything involving the Akademiya and the Fatui has been resolved. I'll accompany Klee wherever she wants to play."
Albedo smiled warmly. For a long time, he had hoped Klee would spend more time around gentle companions.
The Knights of Favonius all adored her.
Acting Grand Master Jean was both a strict guardian and a caring mother.
As for himself—
He had always been little more than an indulgent older brother. Whenever Klee sincerely apologized with those earnest little eyes—
No matter how firmly he intended to lecture her—
His resolve invariably melted away.
Because, compared to everything Alice had done, Klee's little adventures were practically harmless.
If Klee accompanied Nahida to Sumeru this time, it would almost certainly do her more good than harm.
At the very least, it was far better than staying beside Hu Tao, who always seemed ready to encourage Klee to pull out a Jumpy Dumpty whenever the slightest disagreement arose.