"Get them! Don't let them escape!"
Lumine, Paimon, and Faruzan fled through the streets of Sumeru, with Matra and Fatui soldiers hot on their heels. The chaotic chase became a spectacle for the city.
Lumine had been worried Dottore might join the pursuit. Thankfully, things hadn't escalated to that worst-case scenario. In her current state, she wouldn't have been able to outrun him.
She had sustained significant injuries during the earlier battle, and now the side effects of the pills she'd taken were setting in. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, her eyelids growing heavier by the second.
"Traveler, how are you feeling? Just hold on a little longer!" Paimon cried out, noticing Lumine's faltering state.
Lumine shook her head, trying to signal that she was fine. But the next moment, her mind went blank. Her body lost control and pitched forward. Faruzan reacted instantly, grabbing Lumine's arm just before she hit the ground.
"Don't push yourself," Faruzan said, her brow furrowed. She quickly made a decision. "Paimon, you get her out of here. I'll hold off the Matra."
"Madam Faruzan!" Paimon gasped, shaking her head frantically. "No! We dragged you into this! You've already helped us more than enough!"
"Madam Faruzan, you should be the one to leave!" Paimon insisted. "The Traveler is incredibly strong—these Matra are no match for her!"
"Right? Right, Traveler?"
Paimon looked to Lumine, desperate for confirmation, but Faruzan had already charged forward.
"Stop dithering! If we hesitate any longer, none of us will get away!" Faruzan shouted back. "Don't worry. As a senior scholar and mentor at the Akademiya, they won't do anything too drastic to me. Just come back for me when you get the chance!"
"Madam Faruzan!" Paimon cried out, watching her retreating figure.
Just then, Lumine clutched her head with one hand and aimed her other at the pursuing Matra. A brilliant green light bloomed in her palm.
"Ah!"
A thick tangle of vines erupted from the ground, instantly ensnaring the Matra and immobilizing them.
Faruzan froze for a moment, stunned, then quickly turned and ran back toward Lumine and Paimon.
"Ugh..." Lumine's head swam, her eyes squeezed shut, her face pale.
"Traveler..." Paimon hovered anxiously, unsure what to do.
"How are you? Are you alright?" Faruzan asked as she reached them, then couldn't help but add, "I told you not to push yourself! Let me, your senior, handle things!"
"We need to find a place to rest."
Lumine shook her head and started running again, but she stumbled after just a few steps.
"Sigh... Why won't young people these days listen to advice?!" Faruzan grumbled as she moved to support Lumine. Using her Anemo powers, she helped them continue their escape from the pursuing Matra.
"Over here!"
A voice called out. Faruzan spotted a beautiful young woman waving at them from a dark alley. After a moment's hesitation, she guided Lumine toward her.
"Quick, follow me!"
As they drew closer, the woman led the way, opening a small door a short distance ahead and ushering the three of them inside.
"Get in. They won't search my home."
Without hesitation, Faruzan helped Lumine through the doorway. Once Paimon had followed, the woman shut the door securely.
"Thank you, Miss Dunyarzad," Faruzan said, finally able to breathe a little easier.
In truth, she didn't know Dunyarzad well; she had only confirmed her identity through her Akasha Terminal. But that didn't matter. At the very least, she was certain Dunyarzad wasn't affiliated with the Akademiya.
"You're too kind, Miss Faruzan."
"It's Madam Faruzan!"
"Er..." Dunyarzad froze, taken aback by Faruzan's dead-serious expression.
"Dunyarzad... That name sounds so familiar."
Paimon scratched her head, feeling like she'd heard the name somewhere before, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Oh, right! I think that pretty big sister who came to the Bimarstan yesterday mentioned it!"
"Hahaha, you must be talking about me."
Just then, Dehya appeared before the three of them, letting out a hearty laugh.
"You're with Dr. Edward, right? Is he doing okay?"
"Dr. Edward isn't with us," Paimon replied. "He's still inside the Restricted Zone. We don't know his exact situation."
Dehya nodded at Paimon's answer. "Dr. Edward is too important to the Akademiya for them to let anything happen to him. You probably don't need to worry too much about his safety."
"As for you guys... kidnapping the Great Sage..."
"Nice work!"
"I've been wanting to do that for ages! Your little operation was so satisfying!" Dehya pumped her fist, a look of pure glee on her face.
"But we didn't succeed," Paimon said, a little embarrassed. "And we ended up getting chased all over the streets by the Matra..."
"The fact that you even came close to succeeding is incredible," Dehya said. "By the way, how is the Traveler doing now? Where is she injured?"
"The Homayani Family has a private doctor who can treat her injuries."
"Miss, what do you think?" Dehya glanced at Dunyarzad for confirmation.
"Of course, no problem," Dunyarzad replied, shaking her head. "Follow me first. I'll take you to a safer place, and then we'll have the doctor examine her."
"Thank you so much!" Paimon said, looking at Dunyarzad with gratitude.
"It's nothing. Any friend of Dr. Edward is a friend of the Homayani Family. Please don't feel indebted."
"This way, please."
Dunyarzad and Dehya quickly led the three of them to a guest room. With everyone's help, they managed to lay Lumine flat on the bed.
Lumine had all but lost consciousness. Her body was burning up, and a green light pulsed intermittently on her head, leaving everyone deeply concerned.
"I'll go get the doctor," Dehya said. "You all rest for a bit." With that, she turned and left the room.
Paimon's gaze shifted from Dehya to Dunyarzad. "By the way, Miss Dunyarzad, I remember you ran away from home yesterday, right?"
Dunyarzad gave a wry smile. "Just call me Dunyarzad."
"Yes, I did run away yesterday when I saw an opportunity. My parents are too strict and stubborn, and there are things I absolutely have to do, so it was the only way."
She sighed softly before continuing. "I knew I'd be found eventually, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."
"When I went to eat yesterday, Dehya was already waiting for me there. She caught me red-handed."
"It's strange... How did Dehya know to wait for me at the restaurant ahead of time?"
"Uh..."
Paimon was too awkward to know how to respond to Dunyarzad's question.
"Never mind," Dunyarzad said, waving it off. "Dehya and I have already worked things out."
"Usually, I have to stay home to avoid danger, but she'll cover for me when I need to do things."
Hearing this, Paimon couldn't help but wonder what was so important that Dunyarzad felt she had to do it. "Dunyarzad," she asked, "what's this important thing you want to do?"
Then, as if remembering something, Paimon quickly added, "Of course, you don't have to tell me if it's a secret!"
"It's not really a secret," Dunyarzad replied, her gaze turning a little melancholic. "I just want to hold a Sabzeruz Festival. After all, I don't know how much time I have left, so it's best to get it done while my body can still move."
Only then did Paimon suddenly recall that Dunyarzad also suffered from Eleazar.
"If you want to hold the Sabzeruz Festival," Paimon said, "the Akademiya will most likely forbid it."
Faruzan slowly began to speak.
"The Akademiya has always intentionally downplayed the Dendro Archon's existence. They will never agree to you holding the Sabzeruz Festival."
"I know what you're saying, Madam Faruzan... but I still want to try."
Seeing the determination in Dunyarzad's eyes, Faruzan realized she couldn't change her mind and gave up trying to persuade her further.
"Dunyarzad, if you run into any trouble, the Traveler and I will do our best to help you!" Paimon declared. "Consider it our way of repaying you for helping us."
Dunyarzad paused for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Thank you in advance, then."
Just then, Dehya finally rushed into the room, leading a doctor...
-
"Hello, are you still hiring here?"
The Marionette, Sandrone, narrowed her eyes, subtly sizing up the young man standing at the entrance of the Fontaine Research Institute.
Given his age and presence here, he was clearly a researcher from the Institute.
However, she found his attire displeasing. It was far too casual—even his collar was pulled open. He was handsome enough, she supposed, but in the field of research, results were what ultimately mattered. Good looks didn't enhance one's abilities.
The young man was clearly surprised that someone would walk in to apply for a job. After a brief pause, a wide smile spread across his face.
"Hiring? Of course we're hiring!"
"Please follow me, Miss. I'll take you to our person in charge!"
Sandrone nodded and followed him into the Fontaine Research Institute.
To her surprise, she wasn't subjected to any security checks. Even the Autonomous Mechanism trailing behind her wasn't detained. None of the procedures she had anticipated occurred.
Sandrone couldn't help but frown. The security measures here are laughably poor. Does this mean an enemy could infiltrate the Fontaine Research Institute with such ease?
What is Rene thinking? How have his management skills actually regressed after all these years?
While Sandrone was lost in thought, she was led to the reception room.
After pouring her a glass of water, the attendant finally spoke.
"Miss, please wait a moment. I'll go get our person in charge right away."
With that, the attendant hurried away.
A short while later, the attendant returned, slowly leading a middle-aged man toward her.
"This is the young lady who wishes to join us."
"Yes, I see. You may leave now."
After dismissing the attendant, the man smiled at Sandrone and extended his hand.
"Hello, Miss. I am the temporary person in charge here."
"May I ask your name?"
"Just call me An," Sandrone replied slowly.
"Very well, Miss An. We are delighted that you've chosen the Fontaine Research Institute."
"To be honest, we've just had a number of positions open up and are in desperate need of talent like yours."
Hearing this, Sandrone felt a flicker of pride. So he recognized my exceptional abilities at a glance, she thought. This person in charge has a decent eye.
"Miss An, may I ask when you would be available to start?"
"I can start today."
"Is that so? That's wonderful!"
The person in charge spoke with a hint of excitement. Sandrone saw no reason to doubt him; after all, recruiting a world-class genius like herself was certainly cause for celebration.
Just then, the man handed her something. Sandrone took it instinctively, but when she saw what it was, she froze, utterly dumbfounded.
In her hands was a broom.
"Miss An, time to get to work!" the man said cheerfully. "Our restrooms haven't been cleaned in days. You've arrived just in time!"
Sandrone: "?"
Bang!
Sandrone slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet, glaring furiously at the man.
"What is the meaning of this? Are you insulting me?"
"Do I look like a janitor who cleans toilets?!"
Her outburst clearly startled the man. His initial surprise quickly gave way to a look of profound guilt.
"My apologies, Miss An! My sincerest apologies! This is entirely my fault."
"It was a terrible mistake. I mistook you for someone applying for the janitorial position. I am so sorry!"
As he spoke, the person in charge bowed deeply to Sandrone.
Seeing the man's textbook-perfect apology, Sandrone's anger subsided significantly.
Judging by his reaction, she thought, it must have been a genuine mistake, not a deliberate insult.
With that, her mood calmed slightly.
"Forget it," she said dismissively. "Just tell me where my workplace is. I can find it myself."
"The location is..." the man began immediately.
After he finished, Sandrone turned to leave, but she hadn't taken more than a few steps before he called out to her.
"Wait, Miss An! You forgot your work uniform."
"Work uniform?"
Sandrone was puzzled. She hadn't expected the Academy to be so strict about dress code, even requiring a unified style.
"That's right, Miss An."
As he spoke, the man placed a set of white clothes in Sandrone's hands and then put a separate white hat on her head.
Sandrone stared at the hat, which looked suspiciously like a chef's toque, and her mind went blank...