Ranunculus Chapter : Act II - Wisdom is Just A Game Between Geniuses

(Next morning. Close to the Valley of Dahri.)

Paimon
Everyone seems to have gathered up and we are the last ones, again. Quick, we shouldn’t miss the second round. Seems like speech has already started.

Hammad
Each contestant will be sent to a labyrinth of King Deshret’s Civilization beneath the sand. This labyrinth is checked by the sages beforehand and every possible danger is taken care of. So rest assured about your safety. If there is a risky situation, our observers will be there to come pick you up. However, sending our contestants into an empty labyrinth will serve nothing to us. That’s why Akademiya places a few puzzles inside this labyrinth to test your abilities. Without further ado, let’s take our contestants to the labyrinth.

Bahar
Hey, stop pushing me.

Amil
What is this fuss?

Guard 1
How fast we get there, this round will end that early. You are keeping all of us here under the sun for nothing.

Guard 2
Please try to cooperate with us.

(Contestants are taken away in a hurry.)

(Dafadi tries to catch up with Hayri but they stop her.)

Guard 3
Hey shoo! Go away! Where is animal control?

Paimon
Hey, be nice to her! She is Hayri’s mother!

Dafadi
Ribbit.

Guard 3
Are you kidding me? Take your giant pet and leave. You can not go any further from here.

Paimon
Come on Dafadi, we can watch him from the crystals.

(They join the crowd.)

Dafadi

Ribbit…

Paimon

She seems upset. What shall we do?

Traveler
Don’t worry Dafadi, he will get out without any scars.

Paimon

Yeah! If they get paired up like yesterday, that means there will be someone who is taking care of him. Cheer up.

Dafadi
…

Paimon
It’s not working. Paimon feels bad for her, she couldn’t even say goodbye.

Traveler
…

Paimon
Hm? What’s on your mind?

Dafadi
Ribbit?

Traveler
I think Dafadi and I think the same.

Paimon
So you also sensed there is something going on, huh? Surely it was bizarre that they took away the contestants in such a hurry. It looked like they were kidnapping them.

Traveler
Only if we could get closer to them.

Paimon
Like changing places with one of them?

Dafadi
Ribbit.

(Dafadi runs away.)

Paimon

Hey, wait! Where are you going?

Traveler
I think she has a plan.

Paimon
Then let’s catch up with her.

(Dafadi comes to an oasis and looks around.)

Paimon
Why did we come here? Are we looking for something?

Dafadi
Ribbit. Ribbit ribbit.

(Dafadi touches a plant.)

Plant
Ehehe! You are tickling me.

Paimon
Wait, is that-?

Nahida
So you found me. Guess we were thinking the same.

Paimon

Nahida, what are you doing here?

Nahida
I came here to watch the second round from a closer look. You must have already noticed, but this year something is off. Normally Hayri shouldn’t be allowed to participate in Interdarshan Championship because of the age restriction. The minimum age to be able to join the competition is fifteen, and even then, until age eighteen the candidate needs family's approval with a written declaration. Dafadi didn’t sign anything and she can’t because she is a frog. Yet Hayri was able to take part this year.

Paimon
Why did nobody stop them then?

Nahida
He was already selected to the championship, and when we asked Dafadi if we approves, Hayri translated her words as “yes”.

Dafadi
Ribbit!!

Paimon
So that’s why you were angry. He was mistranslating your words to get in the championship and used your communication restriction as an advantage.

Nahida
Joining Interdarshan Championship was Hayri’s personal decision. If I rejected him, this could have discourage him from attending new event. However, someone else has to write his name and allow him to join. That was the reason why I personally joined in the participation. This year’s judges and observers came from outside of the Akademiya. So I thought they might be connected to something bigger. Even after having a close investigation, my hands were empty. Thus, I decided to enter their mind. But no matter how much I try, I couldn’t manage to read their minds.

Paimon
That’s odd.

Traveler
They must know your powers and how to protect themselves.

Dafadi
Ribbit ribbit.

Paimon
Ugh, wish Paimon could understand what she is saying. This is making Paimon anxious.

Nahida
Oh, I might grant your wish Paimon.

Paimon
Really?

Nahida
Yes. I can connect your minds to each other and you will be able to understand each other without problem.

Traveler
This might make the rescue process faster. Let’s do it.

Nahida
Are you alright with this Dafadi?

Dafadi
Ribbit ribbit.

Nahida
Very well then. I’m connecting your minds now.

(Nahida uses magic on them.)

Nahida
How do you feel?

Paimon
A little bit dizzy.

Dafadi
Will be better for sure. Thank you Dendro Archon.

Paimon
Wow! She just talked!

Dafadi
No Paimon, I can not talk. I don’t have a mouth like humans. But thanks to Dendro Archon, now you can understand my ribbits in your language. And I assume Traveler is hearing me in their own language, am I correct?

Traveler
How do you know that?

Dafadi
Mother knows everything. Dear child, I know you are tired from your long journey, but I’m asking for your help to protect my child. Please, lend me your hand.

Traveler
Don’t worry Dafadi, we won’t let anything happen to Hayri.

Dafadi
Thank you. You have my gratitudes.

Nahida
There is also one more thing: If I get too close, they will be more cautious. That’s why I will be projecting the competition from Hayri’s eyes and changing places if needed. So you won’t need to worry about his safety. I’m leaving the rest of the investigation to you.

Paimon
Understood. By the way, what is Wanderer doing meanwhile? Paimon thought he would help you.

Nahida

He has other matters to take care of. Currently we are under attack from different facades. I want you to get to the bottom of this championship scheme and tell me the situation. I will take the right action when the time comes.

Paimon
We will do our best. You can trust us.

Dafadi
Let us not waste any time. My child might be in bigger danger than we think.

(They come back to the viewing terrace.)

Paimon
People are so focused on watching the competition. Let’s try our luck with the guards.

Guard 1
Please go back to your places. You may not go any further.

Paimon
We know but we had some questions.

Guard 1

No questions. I’m here to prevent the trespassers from interrupting the game.

Paimon
Yeah but how are we going to enter there if we don’t know the entrance?

Guard 1
It’s not hidden anyway. But it’s true that candidates are taken to their corresponding starting points by the observers.

Traveler
So we need a worker to take us inside.

Guard 1
Indeed. And since you are not a contestant, you can not pass. Now please go back, you are making my job more difficult than it is.

Paimon

Guard 2
Sure. What’s the problem?

Paimon
Well, we were watching the competition and noticed how young one of the contestants is.

Guard 2
You folks don’t seem from here, so it’s normal for you to not know. Hayri is a genius Akademiya student who got accepted at a very young age and is about to graduate. He might even break a record in history. Lots of people wanted to see him in the Interdarshan Championship.

Traveler

Like who?

Guard 2
Like everyone from the Akademiya, especially Amurta. Hope he wins, otherwise I will lose all of my money.

Paimon
What money?

Guard 2
Ugh, it’s nothing, really.

Paimon
You already started your sentence, now finish it!

Guard 2
What are you, a cop?

Traveler
I am worse than a cop, now talk.

Guard 2
Ok ok fine. It is very common to bet on the contestants. I put all of my money on Hayri, cause I know he is a genius and can win this year. But on second thought, maybe I shouldn’t have bet on a kid.

Paimon

You should be ashamed of yourself for playing on a kid like a racehorse.

Guard 2
Excuse me but who are you two to give me a lesson? Get away now, or I’ll force you!

Paimon
We don’t want to stay any further anyway.

(Behind the stage.)

Guard 3
Sir, preparations are ready. The chart is waiting for us.

Hammad
The round is almost over. Wait a little bit more. You may leave when the rest of the contestants are back here.

Paimon
What are they talking about? Can we have a closer look?

Dafadi
That would be too dangerous. We shouldn’t scare them away. Instead, let’s go check on that chart.

Paimon
Good think Dafadi, let’s go.

(They go to the chart’s location.)

Paimon

Look, there are other scholars as well. Are they kidnapping them? We should stop them quickly!

Driver
Hey! What are you doing here? Stop, you’ll break my chart!

(They defeat the mercenaries.)

Paimon
You are free now, come on, run!

Student 1

What are you doing? Why did you attack us?

Paimon
Um, excuse me?

Student 2

They were here to take us to Fontaine. Now how are we supposed to leave without a chart?

Student 1
How is going to take responsibility?

Alhaitam
What is going on?

Paimon
Alhaitam! You are right on time.

Student 3
Ah, dear scribe. You have to be faster. Those hooligans attacked our chart and our guards, and told us to leave.

Paimon

But, we thought you were getting kidnapped.

Alhaitham
Traveler got the right action. You are not allowed to leave the border without your permission papers. May I see them?

Students 1
Huh, didn’t our papers reach you?

Alhaitham
There is a procedure you have to follow before leaving the city while traveling to another nation. Skipping even one step is considered violation of regulations and penalized with arrestment. If I don’t get your papers right now, you will be taken with us back to Sumeru City for an examination.

Student 2
Our papers should be given to you last week. Are you kidding with us?

Alhaitam
Is that your answer? Very well then. Please take them to the city.

Gizzal
There is no need for that.

Paimon
Huh, Gizzal? When did you come here?

Gizzal
Oh, flying kid. And you were?

Traveler
I’m (----).

Gizzal
Sorry, I forgot for a moment. But I remember you.

Alhaitam

May I ask your reasoning to interrupt a legal inspection?

Gizzal
You wanted the papers, right? Here.

Alhaitam
…You may leave. Sorry for breaking your chart. We will cover the damage.

Gizzal
Thanks. All of you are Kshahrewar students, can’t you fix a chart?

Student 2
Of course we can.

Gizzal

Then start working.

Alhaitam
Let’s go.

(Back to the viewing point.)

Paimon
What was all that about!?

Alhaitham
Even if I explained everything, it wouldn’t make sense to you. You don’t have enough background about political exchanges and the refugees. And I don’t have enough energy to explain it anyway.

Dafadi
Dear Scribe, we still deserve an explanation.

Paimon
Yeah! We are already involved in it.

Alhaitham
I have no power over political negotiations with other countries’ diplomats. Abusing my power to kidnap a group of students would shake the trust of the Akademiya again. Only thing I can do at the moment is to make a copy of all those documents, and send them to authorized units of other nations.

Paimon

So you are telling us to just sit back and wait!?

Alhaitham
We know where they are going at least. All we have to do is wait patiently.

Traveler
Those students didn’t seem to be forced.

Alhaitham
At first, I thought they were kind of brainwashed. Nowadays there is a campaign going over the seven nations. A research institution in Fontaine is collecting qualified researchers to work under them. As for Sumeru, their main target is Kshahrewar students. Of course, there is a huge difference between working in the field and sitting behind a desk all day. Not every scholar is meant for solely reading books to finish their projects.

Paimon
You have a point. We met so many scholars on our way to finish their research in other nations.

Alhaitham
That’s the number one reason why they willingly go to that institution. They were given an opportunity on-field. Secondly, after Akasha Terminal was shut down, finding information got harder because now they have to read books for hours. Where they are going, they won’t need to do any research before they start to work. Previous workers already have enough information about the ongoing project. Only a short instruction and their previous knowledge will be enough for them to succeed. Based on their own judgment they’ve learned enough, now it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. The institution had to convince them to work with them. But whatever they are working for shouldn’t be fully explained to them.

Paimon
What could it be?

Traveler
…

Alhaitham
There is something bothering you.

Traveler

It might be related to the Liyue incident.

Paimon

Oh you mean Jade Chamber?

Alhaitham
Go on.

(They explain what happened in the Jade Chamber briefly.)

Alhaitham
Yes, I was also informed. I don’t know the details but it was related to Natlan’s general. During her visit to Akademiya, we were both warned about the situation and further.

Paimon
What is going on? Why doesn’t anybody say anything?

Alhaitham
Because this is a political problem. An outlander like you shouldn’t interfere. Don’t worry, everything is under control.

Paimon
But there is more you don’t know!

Alhaitham
I’m all ears.

Paimon
Why should we give our info without anything in return?

Alhaitam
Hiding crucial information from the authorities is a serious crime. If you don’t want to spend the rest of the week behind bars, I suggest you talk right now.

Dafadi

Paimon, I know you are furious but my child’s life might be at stake. This is not the time to negotiate.

Paimon
Maybe you’re right. Okay Alhaitam, you win.

(They tell their suspicions over Hayri.)

Alhaitam
Yes, I was also suspecting something. So you also noticed, and the Lesser Lord decided to charge you on it.

Traveler
So that was the other issue.

Alhaitam
Yes, but it is not over yet. We might find more clues if we work together. I’m suspecting that these two cases might be connected.

Paimon

Like how?

Alhaitam
There is an infiltrator inside the championship’s organization team. They are also the one who are collecting the Akademiya students to take them to Fontaine.

Traveler
They might have their eyes on Hayri.

Alhaitam
Exactly.

Paimon
So they were the ones who put his name in the championship.

Dafadi
They are trying to kidnap my kid!

Alhaitam
Each stage is getting harder to get involved with it, and leaving Hayri alone without protection. Their goal is to get him in his weakest moment and take him out of the nation without anyone noticing.

Paimon
We should stop them!

Dafadi
Ribbit!

Alhaitam

We can’t take any risk. If we don’t move with caution, they will carry out their plan faster. I bet they have multiple escape plans.

Paimon
Can’t we cancel the championship?

Alhaitam
This is too risky. It’s not only decreasing our chance to find the culprit but also putting Hayri in a bigger risk.

Dafadi
Wait a minute! I know who the mastermind is. I think we all know.

Paimon
Do we know?

Traveler
It’s Hammad!

Paimon
Of course he is! He was talking about a chart, the one that Kshahrewar students were taking! If they were taking the students away to Fontaine, that means Hammad is the one who was planning this all. And he is the one who is trying to isolate Hayri, so he can get him.

Alhaitam

He is also the one who is in charge of the championship organization. Now all dots connect.

Paimon
We should get him!

Alhaitam
Slow down Paimon. We are coming to the same conclusion: We shouldn’t take any reckless action. If we want to ensure Hayri’s safety, we should get them in action. Here is the plan: We will inspect Hammad and his man from a closer look. When they act, we will sneak attack on them. If we stay right behind Hammad, we can get him before he can even lay his hands on Hayri.

Dafadi
Then we should check on the second round.

Paimon
Right. We must be sure that Hayri wasn’t alone this whole time.

(They check on the crystals.)

Hammad
And our third contestant arrives. With Amil’s arrival, this round is also over. Bahar gets four points, Hayri gets three and Amil gets two. Based on the score table, Bahar is carrying the leadership crown. Three of our contestants are following her with very close scores. Layla is right behind them with two points and Mohamed is becoming the tailender with zero points. Sorry boy.

(Hayri is on the stage, waving at Dafadi.)

Hayri
Mom, look! I did it! I’m almost there!

Dafadi
I’m so proud of you! But please be careful my baby.

Bahar
Don’t think I will let any of you pass me. I’m taking the Akasha Terminal with me.

Hammad
Normally, we would wait a day for the third round. However, considering how fast our contestants are, we will continue with the third round right away.

Mohamed
What? We just came out of that hell. You can’t take us to another test.

Hammad
You can retreat anytime you want, young boy. If you think you are incapable for this contest, leave the crown to the real contestants.

Mohamed
…

Paimon
Can they do that? Wait, they are already taking them away.

Alhaitam
Let’s follow them.

(Samudra Coast.)

Hammad
For our final round, contestants will find the treasure island in Samudra Coast. Our grand jury is awaiting on that tiny island with the grand prize, the Akasha Terminal. Your travel methods and vehicles you need will not be provided by the Akademiya, but you have to find a solution yourself.

Amil
What, at least give us some time to think.

Layla
This is exhausting…

Bahar
You may sit here. I’m going now.

Hayri
Wait! They didn’t start the round yet!

Pharez
I can not lose.

Mohamed
Am I the only one who finds it abnormal?

Paimon
They are trying to send them to the water. If Hayri gets to the water, we can’t help him.

Dafadi

We should prevent Hayri from getting close to the water.

(Contestants make themselves boats. Layla creates an ice boat, Pharez uses the wooden pieces and other materials he found from an old Hilichurl camp, Hayri ties the palm tree leaves together and floats over the sea.)

Dafadi
Hayri! Don’t go there!

Hayri
Huh, Dafadi? What are you doing here? Look, what I can do!

Paimon
Come back Hayri! Don’t go any further! This is a trap!

Hayri
What?

(Three of the contestants start to move away from the shore.)

Layla

Uh… Good thing I brought a star map with me. Now if I can calculate this constellation’s distance, then…

Pharez
Amil, the only reason I allowed you to join me is that I trust your geography knowledge.

Amil
Give me some time. Easterly winds are the main source of the waves in Samudra Coast. That means, every wave should be vertical to the shore -unless there is an island, blocking the waves and winds. Then, the waves will change direction and collide with each other, creating a bigger wave with a different direction than others. We have to observe their movements carefully.

(Hayri dipped his head in water, his eyes turned yellow and black like frogs.)

Hayri
That’s not an island. Is that a ship? It looks big. Uh-oh!

(Hayri got his head out of the water and checked other contestants.)

Hayri
They are too far for me to warn them. Maybe I should go back.

(At coast.)

Paimon

Ooooh, what are we gonna do? He has already gone too far.

Bahar

Mohamed
I don’t know why but something feels odd.

Bahar
Are you sure it’s not because you will lose?

Mohamed
This is not the time for jokes! I’m serious! Don’t you think the way they rushed the third round like that is weird? And of course the other two rounds also put us into a helpless situation. It’s even like they want us to fail.

Bahar
That’s what makes tournaments a competition.

Mohamed
You don’t listen!

Dafadi

Paimon
Dafadi wait for us!

Hammad

(The ship gets closer to the contestants.)

Pharez

What the-

Amil
What is that? Where did it come from?

(Pirates inside the ship throw ropes to the contestants and pull them all on board.)

Layla
What is going on? Is this a part of the tournament?

Hayri
Let me go! This is a crime! I’m too adorable to be kidnapped.

Dafadi
Hayri!

(Dafadi swims faster underwater.)

Paimon
We can’t stand here and do nothing! Come on, let’s use four-leaf sigils to get there.

Mohamed

Bahar
Let’s go to the labyrinth. I saw three Matras and the Scribe there from the stage.

Mohamed
Quick!

(Traveler makes it to the ship at the same time as Dafadi. They meet in a corner, hiding from the pirates.)

Paimon
Dafadi you’re here!

Dafadi
I thought you wouldn’t make it faster than me, glad to see you here.

Paimon
So we were right, they actually planned to kidnap Hayri.

Dafadi

If I’m not mistaken, their destination is not Fontaine, but rather Natlan.

Paimon
How do you know?

Dafadi
The fastest way to get to the Fontaine is overland routes. Samudra Coast is the furthest point of Sumeru to Fontaine, but neighbors with Snezhnaya. So I’d assume that they are taking us to Zapolyarny Palace.

Traveler
There are Fatui recruits too.

Dafadi
Yes, but taking us to Snezhnaya isn’t a clever move.

(Contestants talking to each other.)

Layla
Why is that?

Hayri
Because this ship’s sails are too big compared to Snezhnayan ships. Under the south’s strong blizzards it is harder to control your ship if it has big sails. Also the wooden that is used is a tropical tree, also much lighter. This ship is one of the fastest ships after Liyue’s Alcor and many other record breaking warships. Although, I can’t recognise this one’s image. This must be a new production, because if it was an old one, we could recognise it from the flags and the bow.

Amil
What are we going to do!? We are trapped here!

Pharez
Stop acting like that! *whispers* There is a kid with us, think about him.

(Dafadi is making a plan.)

Dafadi
Traveler, I need you to go to the rudder and take down the pirate. If we can stop this ship until the help arrives, not only we can save Hayri but also we can keep the criminals inside the ship and hand them to the authorities. They are also carrying very important information for us about this Jade Chamber incident you had in Liyue.

Paimon
You are right. We should keep them on the same spot until Cyno and the others arrive.

Dafadi

We trust you Traveler.

(Traveler sneaks to the rudder without being caught and tracks down the sailor.)

Pirate #1
Look! One of them escaped!

Pirate #2
This is not one of the captives, it’s an absconder!

Fatui Skirmisher
Get them down!

(Traveler fights against the enemy while Paimon tries to flee the captives.)

Hayri

Mom!

Dafadi
It’s alright my dear, we came to rescue you.

Layla
We should help the Traveler.

Pharez
Miss, you have a vision, right? Escort me to the engine. I think I can stop this ship from moving.

Amil
I-I’m coming too.

Pharez
No, you stay with the kid and protect him. You won’t be much help anyway. Now, go!

Layla
Stay close to me, Mister Pharez.

Paimon
What about the Traveler?

Dafadi
I’ll go help them, please take Hayri to a safe place in Paimon. I can only trust you with his safety.

Paimon
Oof, got it! Paimon will do her best. Please be careful.

(Dafadi helps Traveler to distract the enemy.)

Pharez
I’m almost done. Help me to push this. Ugh! And done!

(Ship stops.)

Eremite Pirate
What is going on?

Fatui Agent
They cannot escape anywhere. Get them all and sail this old ship!

Alhaitam
Not so fast.

(The Corps of Thirty surrounds the ship with their own. Soldiers and Matras hop on the ship with Hammad tied up from behind.)

Cyno
I’d like to hear your explanations in detail, right here, right now. Otherwise this ship will encounter my wrath of thunder.

Hammad
Ok ok fine, I’ll talk! Please have mercy!

Fatui Agent
You coward!

Cyno

Maybe I wasn’t clear enough. Surrender! You have no other option.

Fatui Agent

We Fatui will never surrender to any- Ugh!

(Cyno knocks him down.)

Paimon
Cyno! How did you find us? We were so scared. You couldn’t come at a better time.

Cyno
Two of the contestants came to the previous area in a hurry. They told us about the situation. So we came here as fast as we could.

Alhaitam
I must admit that I’m impressed about how you showed up out of nowhere before anyone else. When it comes to your work, you are more serious than playing Genius Invocation TCG.

Cyno
I’ll be there to save people who are in need, like the fish out of the water. Get it? Because we are in the sea.

Hammad

Ugh, enough! You know that no one finds your jokes funny.

Cyno
They don’t?

Paimon
But Alhaitham, how did you manage to capture him?

Alhaitam
It was easier than I thought. We captured him while trying to get away with one of the dinghies that was left by this ship to the Samudra Coast.

Cyno

What kind of evil mind would try to escape without a proper plan in front of witnesses?

Pirate
I can’t believe we followed this guy’s orders. I feel so stupid.

Aarav
Keep your grips to the interrogation. You’ll need your energy there. General Mahamatra, we are taking the suspects to the city.

Cyno
I’m coming with you. Seems like the kidnapped kid napped.

Everyone
…

Cyno
Sigh… Guess I still have more sea miles to go with my jokes. No? Still no good?

Alhaitam
You were right with your clues. Hammad actually tried to kidnap Hayri, but while doing that, they also caught the other contestants by accident. Their aim was only Hayri, all the stages were created to leave him alone and vulnerable so they could get him without anyone noticing. Now, if we come to the reason…

Hammad

I won’t say a word! I’m ready to die on this road, and will never surrender. In the name of Tsaritsa and the Harbingers!

Cyno
Keep your words to yourself.

(Cyno knocks him out.)

Cyno
At least for now.

Aarav
We are taking all the suspects. Traveler, thank you for your help.

Dafadi
Thank you for everything you’ve done for my kid. Ribbit ribbit.

Aarav
Haha, she seems happy. Well, everyone, follow me!

(Back to Sumeru City.)

Paimon
That was tougher than expected. Paimon almost had a heart attack while watching you fighting against all those pirates.

Traveler
They are no match to me.

Paimon
You have a point. But what if you fell into the water and couldn’t climb back up? What would Paimon do?

Dafadi
It is obvious that you love them so dearly, Paimon. I’m sure you could find a way to help the Traveler somehow. Just like how I did everything within my power to save my child.

Paimon

You can say so. Guess family bonds don’t only rely on blood ties.

Dafadi
Indeed. It might sound silly, a frog who adopted a human child and raised him as her son. But we bonded for a lifetime, and no force can separate us.

Hayri
Thank you for saving me. And I’m sorry for not listening to you. You were right, it was too dangerous for me to join.

Dafadi

I hope that was a good lesson to you, gentleman. Do not disobey me like this again. Understood?

Hayri
Yes mom…

Dafadi
Good. As for you Traveler, I can not show my gratitudes to you enough. Please, feel free to ask for any kind of help without hesitation.

Traveler
You are so kind.

Paimon
Don’t worry, saving people is like a hobby for them.

Dafadi

Yet still, if there is anything I can do for you, just tell me. I’ll do my best to fulfill that wish.

Paimon

Hmmm, do we even need anything?

Traveler
Actually there is something we need your help with.

Dafadi
Oh really? Please enlighten me.

(Traveler tells about the Cailean’s problem and the letter.)

Dafadi
Aah, understood. It should be a piece of cake.

Hayri
But I don’t have Akasha with me anymore. They collected them all. I can’t read every document in the library.

Dafadi

There is no need for that. I know someone who can provide us with an Akasha Terminal.

Paimon
Really? Who that might be?

Dafadi
I think you already know the answer, Paimon. This person is an old acquaintance of yours and the only person who has access to the Akasha Terminal directly.

Paimon
You mean?

Dafadi
Follow me.

(Sanctuary of Surasthana.)

Nahida
Greetings. I was waiting for you. You are quite late.

Dafadi
Greeting Dendro Archon.

Nahida

Hello Dafadi. It’s been a while. I see everyone is safe and sound. That’s good news.

Hayri
Gasp! That’s the Dendro Archon! Dafadi look!

Dafadi
Ribbit.

Nahida

The pleasure is mine. I was looking over you two for quite a while and I was amazed by your accomplishments. Keep working like that, Hayri. I’m sure you’ll achieve great positions in the future.

Hayri
Uh, ehe! Thank you. B-But we have a very important question!

Nahida

I know why you are here. And of course you can use the Akasha Terminal. I was keeping a few copies for research purposes.

Hayri

Thank you ma’am. Ok Traveler, now we will find the truth about that delusion you asked.

(Hayri sits down crossed-leg.)

Hayri
Akasha, the words I’m looking for are: delusion, Fatui, Mondstadt, Ragnvindr, merchant.

(So many articles run in front of Hayri’s eyes.)

Hayri
Add missing and runaway… The time gap is ten to two years ago.

(Articles lessen, only a few articles leave.)

Hayri
I think I found something. Let’s see…

Nahida
I must admit that I’ve never seen someone who is as talented as Hayri at using the Akasha System. It would take longer even for me.

Paimon

Yep, he is a genius by it means.

Hayri
Hm… Not sure if this is what you are looking for but I found a few things. To sum up everything, the first merchant who brought the Delusion to Mondstadt is no longer with us. He lived hundreds of years ago and passed away while trying to escape from Mondstadt. The reason can be related to your friend’s mother. The next owner of the delusion appeared fifty years ago. And yes, later on he gave the delusion to Crepus Ragnvindr. He is mentioned as a young, curious boy. After the Black Fire Incident this Delusion is given to one of Il Dottore’s segments. None of the previous owners are alive.

Paimon
Then, what are we going to look for?

Hayri
I also checked on that old Witch. There is not much information about her. All of her works are related to Hexerzinkel, and they are not connected to Akasha System. I also checked on Mister Cailean’s past records on Akasha, just in case.

Nahida
It’s almost like you are looking for nothing.

Hayri
Sorry for not being able to help. This is the first time I couldn’t find anything.

Dafadi
That was unexpected.

Paimon
Ugh, it’s alright. Guess we are empty handed. Our only hope is Isabella again, but we can’t go back to Liyue, can we?

Traveler
We should continue forward.

Paimon
Huh? What do you mean by that? Oh, you mean Natlan?

Nahida
Are you going to attend the meeting?

Traveler

Isabella was the one who stole the documents and started all these. She must be there too.

Paimon

You are right! Fatui is plotting something behind Natlan’s new general. That means Isabella will be there too to join the ambush. She knows all of their plans.

Nahida
I doubt they will be in Natlan.

Paimon

Huh? What do you mean?

Nahida

After what happened in Liyue -and based on where Fatui is taking our scholars-, my guess is they will meet at Fontaine, Nation of Justice.

Hayri
Fontaine is the center of Teyvat. And a meeting under the God of Justice’s management should be the most fair one. Plus, Akademiya can take their students back.

Nahida
Ehehe, you are indeed a genius Hayri.

Hayri
Um, t-thank you ma’am.

Nahida
Before your arrival, I received a letter from Fontaine related to the Liyue’s Jade Chamber theft incident. I can’t give you further detail, however, Focalor invited every administrator to a meeting to talk about that incident and discuss further events. The answers you are looking for should be there.

Paimon
Our next stop is Fontaine then. What are we waiting for?

Nahida
You can use the Fontaine mail system to inform your friend too.

Hayri
It’s the fastest in the whole Teyvat.

Paimon

We’ll be on our way. Thank you for all the help.

Dafadi
We should be the ones who’s thanking you. I wish you the best of the luck in your journey.

Nahida
Good luck on your journey. I will always be watching over you. If you need help, just call my name.

Paimon
Thanks Nahida. Then let’s head off quickly!

(Outside.)

Paimon
Look! That’s Gizzal! Why is she talking to Kaveh? Gasp! Could it be that she's trying to get him too? We should stop her!

Gizzal

If you are gonna complain about your roommate, why don’t you just build yourself a house?

Kaveh
What about the furniture and other stuff? Do you think it’s easy to build a house, yet decorating it.

Gizzal
You are the architect, you think. I can lend you one of my instruction machines.

Kaveh
No need. I also need construction permission and fees done. You really don’t know any process of building an instruction, right?

Gizzal
No, I’m a mechanic.

Traveler
Stop right there!

Kaveh
Huh? Oh Traveler, you surprised me. Is everything ok?

Paimon
Stay away from him, you traitor!

Gizzal
Me?

Kaveh
Hold on! What do you mean by traitor? Gizzal is one of my business partners. No need to raise your guards.

Paimon
We can’t be sure. She helped Fatui to kidnap a group of scholars!

Kaveh
She did what?

Gizzal
I didn’t kidnap them.

Kaveh
See? Seriously, what’s wrong with you two today? Did you get a heat strock?

Gizzal
They left with their own wills.

Kaveh
Hold up. What is going on here? Can someone tell me what is going on?

Gizzal

My workplace needed new members so I found some from the Akademiya. Now we are all going to Fontaine.

Paimon
But you work for Fatui!

Kaveh
You didn’t tell me anything about that.

Gizzal
I don’t question my boss’ morality. I’m paid well, I can invent machines and use them here.

Traveler
Tell us all of your plans, NOW!

Gizzal
Which one? My personal plans or?

Paimon
What do you plan to do in Natlan? Spill out!

Gizzal
We instruct a tunnel. The purpose of this tunnel: Not shared with me. I do not have authority to reach the top secret information.

Kaveh
Gizzal, what does that mean? I thought you were helping the desert dwellers.

Gizzal
I do. I work at Fatui’s research lab to invent machines and sell them to the Eremites. So they can build houses and other types of buildings. Even you rented my machines to make that library in Aaru Village.

Paimon

You can’t trick anyone. There is no excuse for kidnapping a group of people.

Gizzal
They are not kidnapped, their visa process was done months ago. You phronemophobics.

Paimon

What do you mean by that!?

Gizzal
If you have a complaint, send it to the boss by letter. They will return you in 5 work days. And Kaveh, just think about what I said.

Kaveh

Believe me, if I could build my own house, I’d do it years ago. What you say is impossible.

Gizzal

You know best.

(Gizzal leaves.)

Kaveh
(Takes deep breaths.) Would you mind explaining to me what is going on?

(They tell everything that happened during the Inter Darshan Championship.)

Kaveh
You gotta be kidding me. All that happened and I didn’t hear a single thing about it?

Paimon

We are telling the truth. Gizzal is working with an evil organization and helping their evil deeds.

Kaveh

I mean, Gizzal is unable to distinguish what is morally right or wrong. Unlike a certain person who I assumed to be incapable of understanding human emotions but turns out to be just ignoring them, Gizzal actually can’t tell the difference between good and bad. Doctors said that she has a developmental disability and neurological disorder. So you can say that she is quite, blunt. But that’s not because she is a bad person. However, if she actually did get into bad business, she needs help. I have to get her back to her home. I promised her late father to take care of her.

Traveler

Maybe it’s better if you leave it to us.

Kaveh

Why is that? You were just accusing her.

Traveler

Fatui is a very dangerous organization. You may not be able to save her.

Paimon
Indeed. We are already fighting against them all this time, so we somehow know how to deal with them. We even have some intelligencers inside the organization. Leave it to us. Based on what you said, she definitely needs our help.

Kaveh
Sigh... Thank you both. Please bring her back safely.