More than half an hour later.
Nashida, Yuri, Bailu, Qiqi, Kevin, March 7th, Liuying, Klee, and Aether gathered at Tighnari's house to rest.
Tighnari asked gently, "Little Auspicious Grass King, is there anything you'll need my help with later?"
Nashida thought for a moment. Her eyes carried determination.
"No, I plan to go to the desert. I want to improve the lives of the people there."
Tighnari immediately understood what she meant.
Nashida wanted to reclaim the hearts of the desert folk and help them recognize her once more. For years, Sumeru had been governed by the Church Order, leaving many citizens to forget or deny Nashida's guidance, recognizing only the cold bureaucracy of the Order.
True, Nashida had the strength to crush the Church Order, but doing so would only deepen division.
Tighnari nodded solemnly. "If you're set on going to the desert, I have someone I can recommend—someone who can help make your journey smoother."
Nashida tilted her head. "You mean the Blazing Lion, Dehya?"
Tighnari blinked in surprise. "You knew?"
Nashida smiled softly. "In the desert, the only person with a kind heart and the strength to help is Dehya. I doubt you'd suggest anyone cruel."
Tighnari chuckled, admiring her insight. "Yes. She's currently working as a bodyguard for Dunyarzad. The two are very close. If you offer medicine to help Dunyarzad, I'm sure Dehya would happily lend her aid."
At the mention of that name, Nashida's expression softened.
"Dunyarzad... She was my first friend."
Nashida turned to Tighnari. "Please reach out to Dehya. Ask her to bring Dunyarzad here."
Tighnari gave a respectful nod and left to fulfill the request.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group rested while Cole had someone prepare lunch. Aether glanced at Nashida, then quietly slipped out.
Unbeknownst to him, Kevin had been watching the entire time. Curious, Kevin followed.
"Hey~ Aether, why are you sneaking off?"
Aether sighed. "My name is Aether, not 'Ying's brother.' I'm going to spread some news. The people of Huachengguo need to know who really helped them. We gave out so much medicine today—it shouldn't go to waste."
Kevin's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ooh, interesting. What kind of news are you spreading?"
Aether grinned. "What else? The Church Order's evil deeds, of course. Like how they imprisoned Nashida. If she hadn't been locked away, people wouldn't have had to suffer from magic scale disease for so long."
Kevin clapped his hands. "I'm in! Spreading the truth is fun."
Aether nodded. "Alright. I'll tell you a few of the Order's darkest secrets, and then we split up."
After a quick briefing, Kevin rushed off, eager to cause a stir.
In a quiet square, a few elderly women were chatting. Kevin strolled up, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I'm only telling you this because I trust you... The Church Order is doing human experiments! You didn't hear it from me, but my cousin's brother-in-law's second cousin's son is in the Church, and he told me everything. Just don't spread it around, okay?"
Of course, that last line was specifically added by Aether—he knew how gossip worked.
Soon, the rumors spread like wildfire. Outrage bubbled through Huachengguo. People were furious.
"How could they imprison the Little Auspicious Grass King?!"
"She had a cure this whole time and they locked her away?!"
"Human experiments?! That's too far!"
Those suffering from magic scale disease, full of gratitude and anger, began organizing to storm the Order's headquarters.
Thankfully, the forest rangers under Tighnari intercepted them.
Later, Nashida listened to Cole's report, her gaze shifting toward Aether and Kevin, who were now casually sipping juice.
She didn't even need to ask. She knew exactly what had happened.
Still, it had been done for her. In Liyue, she once heard Kevin—Zhongli—say this was a "war of public opinion."
In Sumeru City...
The messenger sent by Tighnari found Dehya strolling with Dunyarzad.
"Dunyarzad, we should head back. I'm worried your family will notice you're gone."
But Dunyarzad beamed. "Just a little longer, Dehya. I love these moments outside."
Dehya sighed. "You're sick, you know."
"I know. But... just a little longer. Please."
At that moment, the messenger approached. "Excuse me, are you Dehya?"
Dehya turned warily. "Yes? Who's asking?"
"I'm here under the orders of Forest Ranger Tighnari. He asks that you and Miss Dunyarzad come to Huachengguo. He said... there may be a cure."
Dehya blinked. "A cure? For magic scale disease? That's impossible."
The messenger added, "You don't have to believe me. But Tighnari's student, Klee, was cured."
Dehya's breath caught. She knew Klee—knew the child had been afflicted.
Dunyarzad placed a hand on Dehya's arm. "Let's go. Even if it's just a chance, I want to take it."
Dehya hesitated. Then nodded. "Alright. I'll carry you."
With Dunyarzad on her back, Dehya and the messenger set off.
Neither of them noticed the silent figure observing nearby.
Alhaitham narrowed his eyes. "Tighnari has a cure for magic scale disease? ...Interesting."
And with that, he followed them, disappearing into the shadow of the trees.
Canvas When the sun was about to set, Dishiya finally arrived at Huachengguo with Dina Zedai on her back.
"Dishiya, put me down, we're already here."
Dishiya panted slightly and gently set Dina Zedai down.
Dina Zedai had long wanted to walk on her own, but Dishiya insisted on carrying her the whole way.
Taking out her kettle, Dishiya drank deeply, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Come on, Dina Zedai, let's go into the city."
Led by the messenger, the two stepped into Huachengguo.
Unlike the bustling city of Sumeru, Huachengguo was quieter, gentler. As the sun dipped below the horizon, many residents had already returned to their homes.
Soon, they found Tinari, hunched over a desk, scribbling a letter—he was contacting his trusted classmates. Nashida had confided in him that the Grand Sage planned to create a god through the Void System. Tinari's goal was to gather allies, disable the system, and reclaim the city from the Grand Sage's control.
"Are you Tinari?" Dishiya finally asked, her voice filled with urgency. "Do you really have a cure for magic scale disease?"
Tinari nodded calmly. "Yes. The Little Lucky Grass King brought us a medicine—one that truly heals."
As if on cue, Nashida stepped out of the nearby hut.
Her eyes locked on Dina Zedai, warm and unwavering. "Dina Zedai, long time no see."
Dina Zedai froze, her hand covering her mouth. That voice...
"You... you're..."
Tears welled in her eyes. The one she'd longed to meet—the one who existed in myths—stood before her, very real.
Nashida smiled. "Yes, it's me, Dina Zedai."
Dina Zedai trembled with emotion. "It's really you! Little Lucky Grass King!"
Nashida held out a small bottle of elven spring water. "This will heal you. Go ahead."
Without hesitation, Dina Zedai drank. Almost instantly, color returned to her cheeks, and the weariness in her limbs began to fade.
"I feel amazing! This isn't a dream, is it? I'm here in Huachengguo, I met the Little Lucky Grass King, and my disease is cured!"
Nashida beamed. "It's all real~"
Dishiya smiled with deep relief. "Congratulations, Dina Zedai."
Dina Zedai turned to her. "You promised that once I got better, you'd travel with me across Sumeru."
Dishiya chuckled and thumped her chest. "And I keep my promises."
Tinari interjected gently, "Dishiya, I may need to borrow you for a while."
Dishiya blinked. "Huh?"
"The Little Lucky Grass King plans to go into the desert to help the people there. I'd like you to be her guide."
Without missing a beat, Dishiya grinned. "That's it? I thought it was something serious. Leave it to me—I'll protect her with my life!"
"Thank you, Dishiya," Nashida said sincerely.
"When do we leave?" Dishiya asked.
"Now," Nashida replied. "We must reach the desert as soon as possible."
Dishiya scratched her cheek. "Can we go tomorrow? I still need to bring Dina Zedai back."
The door creaked open, and Alhaitham stepped inside.
"I suggest Dina Zedai stays in Huachengguo."
Nashida raised an eyebrow. "After eavesdropping for so long, you finally show yourself."
She'd noticed him earlier but chose not to speak. Alhaitham, unlike the rest of the Order, had his own ideas—and a place in her future plans.
Alhaitham closed his book and gave a courteous nod. "Alhaitham, at your service, Little Lucky Grass King."
Dishiya frowned. "Why shouldn't she go back?"
"Because the magic scale disease is still seen as incurable in Sumeru. If word got out that Dina Zedai was healed, it could bring unwanted attention—from the Church Order especially. They'd likely seize her for experimentation. It could also disrupt the Little Lucky Grass King's plans."
Dishiya turned to Dina Zedai. "Would you mind staying here a while longer?"
Dina Zedai smiled, serene. "Not at all. I'd like to stay."
Dishiya nodded. "Alright, let's go, Little Lucky Grass King."
Nashida led the group outside, to the shade of a large tree.
Aether and Kevin were nearby, having spent the afternoon wandering Huachengguo. They had managed to capture a mushroom pig and were now roasting it over a bonfire.
The scent of grilled mushrooms and meat filled the air.
Nearby, three tiny mushroom pigs were huddled in a cage.
Kevin crouched down, grinning mischievously. He tossed in a cabbage. "Eat up, little guys. Grow big and juicy. When you're nice and plump, you're going straight into my belly~"
The mushroom pigs trembled with indignation. Eating in front of them while planning to eat them? Monster!
Elsewhere, the six little ones were gathered around March 7th and Liuying, begging for adventure stories.
March 7th struck a pose. "I swear, the doomsday beast was this big, and when I told it to come down, it did! Just like that!"
Klee gasped and clapped. "Wow~ Big Sister March 7th is amazing!"
March 7th basked in the praise, eyes gleaming.
Yuri sat quietly nearby, watching the joyful scene.
Nashida, Dishiya, and the others approached.
"Everyone," Nashida said, "we're ready to depart."
Kevin turned, holding a skewer in one hand. "Right now? But the pig's almost done!"
Nashida eyed the sizzling meat. "That's called a Tan Pig. It really does smell good."
Kevin's eyes widened. "Tan Pig? A pig with feelings?"
Nashida sighed. Better not explain any further.
They all sat down briefly around the fire. Tinari had already arranged for Cole to look after Dina Zedai during their journey.
Nashida looked to Alhaitham. "Will you come with us?"
He gave a slight nod. "Of course."