After hearing the light screen's evaluation, Nahida couldn't help but imagine the future scenario it described.
First, she and the Traveler would journey into the Chasm to find the sealed elemental lifeform.
Then, they would seek out the Dendro Dragon, Apep.
Some kind of accident would occur along the way, preventing them from saving Apep through normal means.
And in such circumstances...
What choice would she make?
Nahida frowned thoughtfully.
After considering it carefully, she realized that in a moment of desperation, she really might choose to sacrifice herself.
As the person involved, she likely wouldn't stop to think things through.
She would simply do whatever seemed necessary at the time.
But now, viewing the situation from a third-party perspective, she instantly realized how problematic that decision was.
And not just a little problematic.
It was a huge mistake.
This situation was completely different from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's sacrifice.
Had Lumine not stopped her—
Sumeru might truly have faced another catastrophe.
Thinking of the light screen's serious warning and the concern of her friends beside her, Nahida lowered her head in embarrassment.
Even her pointed ears drooped slightly.
"Lumine... Paimon... I'm sorry."
"I was wrong."
"I carry the responsibility of an entire nation."
"I shouldn't have rushed into sacrificing myself."
"And I definitely shouldn't have entrusted Sumeru's future to you."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances before finally letting out relieved sighs.
Whew...
Good.
At least Nahida listened to reason.
Then again, that was only natural.
If she stubbornly refused to listen no matter what, she wouldn't deserve the title of God of Wisdom.
"As long as you understand."
"When we go save that Dendro Dragon in the future, you'd better—"
Lumine paused.
Then she crossed her arms.
"Actually, forget it. I'll just come with you."
This concerned one of her closest friends.
There was no room for carelessness.
She had to keep an eye on Nahida personally.
"And me too!"
Paimon patted her chest proudly.
Nahida looked at the serious expressions on both their faces and felt deeply moved.
"Lumine, Paimon... thank you."
"Hehe, you're being too polite!"
"Exactly! I'm your very first Sage! If I don't look after you, who will?"
"..."
The atmosphere quickly became lively once more.
Villa
Luo Chen continued speaking.
"Looking at everything as a whole, Nahida's merits far outweigh her faults."
"Unlike the other Archons, Lesser Lord Kusanali possesses a complete growth arc."
"Through these evaluations, we've witnessed the entire journey of a child god—from birth, to growth, to transformation, and finally to taking her place among The Seven."
"After experiencing all of this, she is no longer the ignorant, timid, powerless child she once was."
"She has become a decisive and resolute God of Wisdom."
"Her compassion is not weakness."
"Nor is it some form of self-indulgent martyrdom."
"It is genuine concern for life itself."
"It is the determination to bring hope and happiness to those who suffer through concrete action."
"Even when her own power was limited, she still did everything she could to save every single one of her people."
"Although Nahida is the reincarnation of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, she is not that great deity."
"Just as Hanachirusato was not Kitsune Saiguu."
"Nahida's fate extends from her own choices."
"And her experiences have led her down a path completely different from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's."
"Nahida chose to let go of the past."
"But letting go does not mean severing all ties."
"It means embracing the past..."
"And looking toward the future."
"At this moment, Nahida is no longer the moon."
"She has become a rising sun."
"Slowly ascending above the horizon."
"Though this newborn sun is still young, it already radiates warmth and hope."
"One day, Nahida had a very long dream."
"In that dream, people stood hand in hand, dancing around her."
"Sages and fools."
"Dancers and warriors."
"Puppets and gods."
"Their cheers contained all the wonders of the universe."
"Life has always been the purpose."
"Wisdom is merely the means."
"And in the end, whether it is Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Nahida—"
"Both are compassionate and truly great gods."
"Spring returns to the verdure, wisdom flows like endless sands."
"The gods love their people."
"And the Great (Nahida) Path shall endure forever!"
The audience finally understood.
Although the light screen had previously revealed many things about Nahida, their impressions had been fragmented.
Now, after seeing her complete evaluation, especially the people of Sumeru, everything suddenly clicked into place.
Just like Greater Lord Rukkhadevata—
Nahida was also a gentle and great deity.
Despite being imprisoned for five hundred years, she never stopped loving Sumeru.
Without anyone realizing it, she had already done countless things for her people.
She still had flaws.
She could still be impulsive.
But those flaws were not her fault.
They were the fault of Sumeru itself.
Just as the light screen had said—
given enough time, this young Dendro Archon would undoubtedly become a deity equal to, or perhaps even surpassing, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
[Ordinary Chat Group]
[Dunyarzad]: Lesser Lord Kusanali, please don't belittle yourself! You're already amazing!]
[Rana]: That's right! Everything was the Akademiya's fault! It was Sumeru's fault!]
[Rahman]: First Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, then Lesser Lord Kusanali! Having two such wise gods is Sumeru's blessing!]
[Dunyarzad]: We are willing to follow the Dendro Archon forever!]
[Dunyarzad]: Spring returns to the verdure, wisdom flows like endless sands. The gods love their people, and the Great (Nahida) Path shall endure forever!]
[Others]: Spring returns to the verdure, wisdom flows like endless sands. The gods love their people, and the Great (Nahida) Path shall endure forever!]
Mondstadt had its slogan.
Liyue had its slogan.
Inazuma had its slogan.
"Let the wind guide you."
"The mountains stand eternal."
"May Narukami's glory endure forever."
But Sumeru had never possessed one.
At most, there was:
"May we hear the wisdom of the gods."
Yet it lacked impact.
It lacked spirit.
Now, however—
the light screen had handed them the perfect slogan.
The moment they heard it, countless Sumeru citizens lit up with excitement.
It perfectly represented both Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Nahida.
Soon, under Dunyarzad's lead, the phrase flooded the chat group.
And before long—
it spread into reality itself.
Across Sumeru, voices began echoing through cities, villages, and forests alike.
"Spring returns to the verdure, wisdom flows like endless sands."
"The gods love their people, and the Great (Nahida) Path shall endure forever!"
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Venti]: Betrayed twice by her own people, yet she chose love instead of resentment. She defeated the false god, weakened the Doctor, and saved Apep.]
[Venti]: Young though she may be, she's already become an excellent god.]
[Zhongli]: By universal standards of reason, none of this would have been possible without great wisdom.]
[Makoto]: She may have been insecure at first and impulsive later, but given her circumstances, it's understandable. Being able to achieve so much after five hundred years of imprisonment is remarkable.]
[Ei]: Better than me, honestly.]
[Ei]: I admire your humility, Nahida. Humility is indeed a virtue of the wise. And despite possessing powers capable of unimaginable things, you've only ever used them to protect and guide others.]
[Ei]: You're truly a gentle god.]
[Furina]: Wonderful! I can see a determination within you that differs from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's! Given enough time, you'll surely become a great deity equal to—or even surpassing—her!]
[Neuvillette]: Whether through excessive focus or excessive compassion, there may be flaws in your actions, but I acknowledge your sense of responsibility as Sumeru's god.]
[Neuvillette]: Though when the youngest god can accomplish this much, it makes one certain hysterical individual look rather questionable.]
[Dvalin]: Agreed! Nahida is hardworking, responsible, and amazing. Unlike a certain slacker.]
[Azhdaha]: Exactly! Far better than a certain old fossil!]
[Furina]: ???]
[Venti]: Ehehe~]
[Zhongli]: ...]
To everyone in the chat group, Nahida had always seemed less like a god and more like a diligent student.
Whenever previous Archons were discussed, she always listened attentively and tried to learn.
She genuinely wanted to become a qualified deity.
Now, seeing all the gods and dragon sovereigns openly acknowledge her efforts—
many people felt genuinely happy for her.
[Lumine]: Wow! First the light screen approved of you, and now six gods, three dragon sovereigns, and even Greater Lord Rukkhadevata herself!]
[Lumine]: Our Nahida is amazing!]
[Paimon]: Hehe! Everyone believes in you, Nahida!]
[Nilou]: Lesser Lord Kusanali has finally received the recognition she deserves!]
[Charlotte]: Lesser Lord Kusanali, after receiving praise from both the light screen and your seniors, how do you feel?]
[Nahida]: Thank you! Thank you, everyone!]
[Nahida]: I'll continue working hard and won't disappoint the expectations placed upon me!]
At that moment, Nahida was genuinely happy.
For most of her life, she had been burdened by insecurity.
She constantly studied.
Constantly learned.
Constantly wondered how to become a proper god.
How to become someone worthy of standing beside Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
And now—
her wish had finally come true.
She had been recognized by the gods.
By the Dragon Sovereigns.
By her idol.
By the light screen itself.
Everyone acknowledged her as a capable and worthy deity.
For the first time, she felt that all her efforts had been rewarded.
Then Alice suddenly laughed.
[Alice]: Not bad! Congratulations, little Dendro Archon! Whether you're the sun or the moon doesn't matter. After all, I know a certain runaway sun myself~]
[Klee]: Hehe! Congratulations, Nahida!]
[Jean]: Congratulations, Lesser Lord Kusanali. Mondstadt sends its regards!]
[Ningguang]: Liyue sends its congratulations.]
[Yae Miko]: Inazuma sends its congratulations.]
[Clorinde]: Fontaine sends its congratulations.]
Then Cyno spoke.
[Cyno]: In the past, the Akademiya valued Greater Lord Rukkhadevata far more than Lesser Lord Kusanali. I was influenced by that thinking as well.]
[Cyno]: It may be presumptuous for me to judge a god, but I still wish to express my opinion.]
[Cyno]: Through the light screen's evaluations, I witnessed Lesser Lord Kusanali's wisdom, courage, and determination firsthand.]
[Cyno]: She is truly an outstanding and respected deity.]
[Alhaitham]: Agreed. Everything Lesser Lord Kusanali has done for Sumeru deserves respect.]
[Nilou]: I'm too excited to find the right words.]
[Nilou]: But one phrase perfectly sums up how I feel—]
[Nilou]: Spring returns to the verdure, wisdom flows like endless sands. The gods love their people, and the Great (Nahida) Path shall endure forever!]
Soon the entire chat was flooded with the slogan.
Nahida's eyes grew moist.
At last.
At long last.
She had gained the recognition of Sumeru's people.
And she felt every sacrifice had been worth it.
A while later, Lumine suddenly remembered something.
[Lumine]: By the way, the light screen mentioned someone who "suffered three betrayals." Who exactly is that?]
[Barbara]: Three betrayals...? That's terrifying...]
[Ganyu]: Exactly. Nahida's two betrayals were already heartbreaking. Three sounds unimaginable...]
[Yae Miko]: Oh no no~ Not all betrayals are equal. What Nahida experienced is extraordinarily rare.]
[Navia]: The light screen implied that compared to Nahida, the difference is night and day. What did it mean by that?]
[Alice]: Oho? Maybe they turned evil!]
[Alice]: As they say, redemption weakens you by three parts, but corruption makes you ten times stronger!]
[Kaeya]: In that case, perhaps they're one of the Fatui.]
[Diluc]: With a Delusion boosting their power, it's certainly possible.]
[Lumine]: Ooh~ Maybe they're even a Fatui Harbinger.]
[Paimon]: Then the real question is—who exactly suffered those three betrayals?]
Only two Harbingers responded.
Signora.
And Tartaglia.
The remaining ten remained silent.
Most people couldn't figure out who the light screen was referring to.
But one person knew.
The Doctor.
After all, one of those betrayals had been personally delivered by him.
Still—
he had no intention of revealing the answer.
Instead, he looked forward to the day the light screen exposed the truth itself.
That would surely be entertaining.
Inazuma
In a remote corner of the nation, Scaramouche stared at the chat with a dark expression.
He knew exactly who they were talking about.
The one betrayed three times.
The one who had fallen into darkness.
It was him.
As memories resurfaced, the anger buried deep within him exploded.
"Damn it!"
"Damn it all!"
Consumed by rage, he forgot he was supposed to be hiding.
His shout echoed through the air.
Instantly exposing his location.
Far above, a streak of violet lightning shifted direction.
A figure descended.
In the next moment, a flash of Electro appeared behind him.
Looking at the familiar puppet standing before her, Ei revealed a faint smile.
"Scaramouche... no."
"Kunikuzushi."
"I've finally found you."
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