Nilou was able to realize she was in a dream because she devoutly believes in the Dendro God.
In the stories about Lord Kusanali, there is the story of the 'First Sage,' which Dunyarzad also told the Traveler.
But actually, it has a sequel. The sage's devotion and wisdom moved the Dendro God, so the Dendro God bestowed wisdom upon him.
In that moment, all the knowledge in the world appeared before him, making him intoxicated.
After that, he remembered his wife and children whom he hadn't seen in a long time; he wanted to go home.
The Dendro God just smiled, and the next second, the sage woke from the dream. He was lying in bed.
His wife said to him, "You're setting off today to find the Dendro God, right? Have a safe journey, dear."
This instant feeling was like a lifetime apart—a dream of golden millet.
This dream was like having lived an entire life, making one unable to distinguish which side is reality.
From this story, one can see that the Dendro God's authority is related to dreams. As a believer in the Dendro God, Nilou naturally thinks of dreams first.
But since Nilou has already realized this is a dream, then the dream is about to wake.
[Nilou smiles faintly: "Since we're in a dream, then the final 'Dance of the God of Flowers' can be danced a bit more gorgeously, right?"]
In the illustration, a Crystalfly appears. It flies to Nilou's hand and turns into a lotus flower emitting blue light.
The transparent lotus emits sparkling light like stars—a flower that doesn't exist in reality.
This is a dream; dreams don't follow logic or reason.
Nilou throws the lotus in her hand; the lotus seems to turn into a stream of light enveloping the entire Grand Bazaar.
The stream of light is like the veil of the starry sky—transparent yet carrying the splendor of the galaxy.
Romance is embodied at this moment.
[Nilou smiles sweetly: "Sorry to keep everyone waiting."]
The following illustrations are of Nilou's dance poses, with lines written beside them.
["Let me dedicate the Dance of the God of Flowers to the divine."]
Nilou's hand sweeps across the 'lens,' sweeping through layers of flowing light, like sweeping through smooth hair.
Dunyarzad, perhaps it's too late, but I still want to dance it for you to see.
Eyebrows like a painting, dance poses natural as flowing water—just like the lotus that appeared at the beginning, she in the painting is pure white and stunning.
A beauty dances like a lotus spinning; the world sees it and is amazed and sighs.
In the dream, no one cheers; in reality, the whole world praises.
Romantic, pure—Nilou's dance is like flowing water, cleansing the readers' anxious, weary hearts.
As Nilou dances, the whole world cooperates with her.
Her every movement drives the flowing light. Raising her hand, the starry sky makes way for her; lowering her head, plants bloom for her.
The walls of the Grand Bazaar cannot contain Nilou's beauty; the walls begin to dissipate, revealing the moon behind—because the moon wants to watch too.
The peerless dancer gracefully dances; everyone in the world is watching this scene.
But the person who most wanted to see it can't see anymore.
The Traveler's expression is tragic; her furrowed brows speak of Lumine's regret. This time is different from usual—Dunyarzad is not by her side.
This is Dunyarzad's first absence in Sumeru City, and the most regrettable one.
At this moment, Dunyarzad's figure surprisingly appears in the illustration—it's her semi-transparent figure, not the puppet!
She cups her hands, her eyes full of joy. The feeling of delight and pleasure—the readers can feel it through the illustration and empathize, because—
She saw it! She saw this dance she dreamed of! No regrets!
Is this Dunyarzad's own consciousness? Or an existence created by Nilou hoping Dunyarzad could see it? The readers can't judge.
But the readers are willing to think positively—perhaps Dunyarzad didn't die!
Great! This dance is truly too beautiful!
One dance disperses all the previous irritation, anxiety, anger, and regret of the readers.
Clearly appreciating with so many negative emotions, yet magically, after seeing Nilou's dance, they all disappear.
As Nilou's steps proceed, the world falls apart; light emits from everyone's bodies—not just people, everything is glowing, except Dunyarzad, who is slowly fading.
This atmosphere is shaped too well. On stage, Nilou dances; the world and audience gradually disappear with the dance's progress.
Off stage, Dunyarzad and the Traveler both watch Nilou—one growing brighter, one growing dimmer.
In the end, Nilou's curtain call is the world's closing.
She spreads her hands and bows elegantly in curtain call; the world pulls the closing curtain for her.
The sudden burst of light makes people unable to see Nilou's final expression clearly.
The final illustration can only see Nilou's eyes, but even so, everyone faintly feels Nilou's emotions—that is sadness and satisfaction.
Clearly only eyes are visible, yet the emotions fill the readers' hearts—this is an emotional resonance that hits the soul directly.
Why satisfied? Why sad? Everyone feels the same.
The dream should wake. Hope tomorrow is good weather.
At this time, the readers' Hydro element is overflowing; these tears come from 'satisfaction' and 'regret.'
Clearly two contradictory emotions, yet at this moment, they magically coexist.
When everyone watches the final scene, they are still wiping tears, suspecting their own tears made the picture unclear.
This ending knife is the real knife—turns out Paimon's previous knives were just stacking vulnerability.
Sadness isn't something that can be empathized with in a few words, but at this moment, without words, everyone produces the same emotions.
The readers are good at condemning; for all this, everyone naturally hates the Grand Sage even more.
If not for him causing trouble, what a beautiful, happy Sabzeruz Festival this would have been!
Nilou also finished watching this dance segment; she understands her final expression.
Satisfied, because she completed the Sabzeruz Festival and danced the Dance of the God of Flowers.
Sad, because this dance was originally for celebration, yet at this moment, it is filled with feelings of parting.
Dunyarzad's tears simply won't stop; she hasn't finished watching the dance because she really can't stop the tears.
Hydro element too overflowing, making her unable to see the pictures in the book clearly—she has to keep wiping and wiping.
Dehya is a bit at a loss, only able to keep passing tissues from the side.
Remembering what Lucian taught her, she hesitates and says: "Need a hug?"
And at this time, another dark-skinned one, Cyno, also finished the story. He can't help but feel glad that back then he tried several 'interrogation techniques' on the Grand Sage—otherwise, he probably couldn't vent this chest frustration now.
And Tighnari beside him asks: "Cyno, how did you interrogate the Grand Sage back then?"
Tighnari would question Cyno's jokes but not his interrogation techniques. Asking this is purely to hear something venting.
And Collei can no longer listen to their conversation; at this time, she's burying her head crying hard.
So, I just learned to read, why are the stories I read all like this! Woo woo woo!
Lucian, you're bad!