However, before Nahida could finish her words, a sound of light, hurried footsteps suddenly came from not far away.
A young girl with brown hair tied into a bun was seen running swiftly toward them.
She wore an elegant purple blouse paired with a pale blue long skirt, like a blooming Padisarah radiating youthful vitality.
This young girl was none other than Miss Dunyarzad.
Panting slightly, Dunyarzad ran up to Katheryne, waving excitedly as she called out, "Miss Katheryne, I'm here!"
At that moment, Katheryne—who was possessed by Nahida—instantly switched back to her original gentle voice, her face softening into a kind smile.
"Oh, hello there, Miss Dunyarzad."
Dunyarzad looked at Katheryne with anticipation, asking anxiously, "May I ask how the flowers I commissioned from the Adventurers' Guild for the Sabzeruz Festival are coming along?"
Katheryne smiled reassuringly and said, "Oh, please rest easy. The Guild has already finalized the order with the merchants of Sumeru. The flowers will arrive two days before the Sabzeruz Festival, and the Guild will make sure their quality is strictly inspected."
Hearing this good news, Dunyarzad finally relaxed the tension that had been tightening her heartstrings.
She exhaled softly and said in a gentle tone, "That's wonderful. Without floral decorations, it really wouldn't be worthy of being called the Sabzeruz Festival…"
Shao Yun, who had been standing quietly to the side, originally intended to remain unnoticed.
After all, he had already established contact with the Dendro Archon; expending more effort to get acquainted with Dunyarzad seemed unnecessary.
Yet unexpectedly, just then, Katheryne—still under Nahida's possession—suddenly had an idea, her eyes glinting mischievously as if she had just thought of something interesting. She took the initiative to introduce Shao Yun to Dunyarzad.
With a bright smile, she spoke warmly, "Oh, by the way, Dunyarzad, let me introduce you to someone. This is Mr. Shao Yun—one of our Guild's most outstanding adventurers!"
Shao Yun froze for a moment, stunned that Nahida would suddenly introduce him to Dunyarzad.
What the hell is going on? Why am I suddenly dragged into this? Nahida, why in the world are you introducing me to one of your most loyal followers?
Meanwhile, Dunyarzad noticed the tall, strong man beside her.
She lifted her gaze slightly toward him, her eyes showing a hint of nervousness, but she still nodded politely and greeted him softly.
"Hello, my name is Dunyarzad. I just heard Miss Katheryne mention your name—Shao Yun, correct?"
Although Shao Yun was reluctant, he still nodded politely and replied with courtesy, "Yes, that's right. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Dunyarzad."
Upon hearing his confirmation, Dunyarzad smiled brightly and introduced herself in more detail.
"Oh, hello again! I'm the daughter of Mr. Shahzaman. I actually overheard my father mention you last night—what a surprise to meet you here this morning!"
Hearing Dunyarzad's self-introduction, Shao Yun returned a polite smile and said conversationally, "Ah, yes—your father, Mr. Shahzaman, is indeed a very generous man."
"Though, I suspect the reason he treats me so kindly might have something to do with Dori Sangemah Bay."
At this point, Nahida interjected smoothly, "By the way, Miss Dunyarzad, this gentleman is currently seeking information regarding the Lesser Lord Kusanali. Would you be able to assist him?"
Shao Yun's eyes widened instantly.
What the hell! Haven't I already met you? Wait—don't tell me you're trying to make me plan your birthday celebration!
You sneaky little feathered badminton racket!
Are you a sunflower? I give you a bit of sunshine and you beam right up—show you a little kindness and you start walking all over me?
Katheryne subtly blinked at Shao Yun, signaling him that since he didn't "know" her current identity, introducing him to Dunyarzad made perfect sense.
Lumine and Paimon want you to find a way to meet the Dendro Archon, her look seemed to say. So just use Dunyarzad's situation as a cover. After the festival ends, then tell them about our arrangement.
If Shao Yun knew what Nahida was thinking, he would probably have shot "Katheryne" on the spot.
(Katheryne): Wait a minute! It was the Lesser Lord Kusanali who annoyed you—why are you taking it out on me?!))
The moment Dunyarzad heard Shao Yun was interested in the Lesser Lord Kusanali, her eyes sparkled, and her voice rose several pitches.
"You want to learn about the Lesser Lord Kusanali? That's wonderful! In Sumeru these days, it's so rare to meet someone who still remembers Her Excellency!"
Seeing Dunyarzad's excitement, Shao Yun couldn't help but smile faintly. He raised a hand in a calming gesture and explained kindly, "Actually, it's not me who's truly interested in the Lesser Lord Kusanali, but rather Lumine and Paimon, who are traveling with me."
"I'm merely helping them fulfill this small wish of theirs."
Dunyarzad nodded understandingly.
Although Shao Yun didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about the matter, the mere fact that others still cared for the Lesser Lord was enough to fill her with joy.
Thinking of that, her enthusiasm only grew stronger. She quickly continued, "I see! Well, that's perfectly fine. I'm a devoted admirer of the Lesser Lord Kusanali! I know many stories about Her Excellency!"
Then Dunyarzad asked eagerly, "So, what exactly does your wife wish to know about?
"Or, if it's convenient, why don't I go meet your wife right now? We could have a good chat face-to-face. I'm sure we'd have plenty to talk about!"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, clearly eager to meet these two kindred spirits she'd never seen before.
Shao Yun chuckled and gestured for her to calm down.
"Easy there, no need to rush."
"They went adventuring in Vimara Village. But no worries—we can always arrange to meet for dinner later and talk more then…"
Before he could finish, Dunyarzad's eyes suddenly fixed on something in the distance.
Her body stiffened; her face turned pale with surprise.
Then, as if startled, she spun around and bolted, hastily calling out, "I'm so sorry, something urgent came up! I'll be right back—just wait a moment, I'll come right back!"
Before her words even faded, her figure had already vanished into the crowd.
Shao Yun blinked, puzzled, then quickly looked in the direction she'd been staring at.
Not far away stood two familiar men—it was Muruwa and Hamasa from the Homayani Family.
Shao Yun muttered under his breath, "Oh, for crying out loud! What are those Homayani guys doing here?"
With Dunyarzad gone, Shao Yun thought to himself that this might be the perfect chance to go settle accounts with Nahida.
He turned toward Katheryne, his expression darkening, his tone sharp. "Mind telling me what exactly you were thinking?"
Confronted by his sudden question, "Katheryne" looked utterly confused.
"Ah? Mr. Tacitus Kilgore, do you mean… you want to accept a commission?"
Hearing that name, Shao Yun let out a cold laugh. This featherball really runs fast, doesn't she.
Seeing that Nahida had already slipped away, he decided not to argue with the Snezhnayan android before him. Instead, he muttered quietly, "Fine, whatever. Since it's your birthday soon, I'll let you off the hook—for now."
At that moment, Muruwa and Hamasa ran up, panting heavily.
"Excuse me," one of them gasped, "have you seen a young girl with brown hair tied up, wearing a purple top and a pale blue skirt? We're looking for her."
Shao Yun turned slowly, eyeing them from head to toe, then feigned surprise and said, "Ah, I know you two—you're from the Homayani Family, aren't you? We just met yesterday."
Muruwa and Hamasa froze for a second before exchanging a quick glance.
Then Muruwa's eyes lit up as he exclaimed joyfully, "That's right! You were our master's guest yesterday! Hello, hello!"
Hamasa quickly added, "Now's not the time for greetings—sir, have you seen our young lady?"
Muruwa nodded repeatedly, adding anxiously, "Yes, yes! It's urgent! Our lady has suffered from Eleazar since childhood and usually stays home to rest."
"Who could've guessed that she'd disappear so suddenly this morning? The master and mistress are frantic—we're about to lose our minds!"
Shao Yun recalled how Dunyarzad had sprinted away earlier—if he hadn't known the truth, he'd never have believed she was someone with Eleazar.
Seeing him deep in thought, Muruwa asked hurriedly, "Sir, have you seen our lady?"
Shao Yun nodded slightly, making up a lie casually. "I think I saw her near Treasures Street, close to the Sumeru City gates."
Muruwa and Hamasa expressed their gratitude almost in unison.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Without another word, they turned and ran off toward the city gates.
…
Meanwhile, outside the Lambad Tavern—
After stopping to catch her breath, Dunyarzad glanced back cautiously to make sure her pursuers hadn't spotted her. Only then did the tension in her heart ease.
"Phew…" she exhaled deeply, her nerves finally relaxing.
But just as she was about to return to find Shao Yun, he appeared before her, guided by the system's prompt.
With a teasing grin, Shao Yun said, "I hadn't even finished what I wanted to say, and you took off faster than a rabbit. That's not very polite, you know."
"And what was that all about just now?"
Looking guilty, Dunyarzad quickly bowed her head in apology. "I'm really sorry. The truth is, I sneaked out of home without telling anyone."
"My parents must've realized by now and sent the household staff to look for me. They're probably worried sick and want to drag me back home. I finally got a chance to get some fresh air—I don't want to go back so soon."
Shao Yun listened quietly as Dunyarzad explained, recalling what Muruwa and Hamasa had told him earlier about her condition.
Especially the part about her Eleazar—it stirred his curiosity.
He studied the lively, radiant girl before him and asked, "Those people just now said you have Eleazar."
"But from the way you ran, you look perfectly healthy—not even out of breath."
Dunyarzad hesitated briefly before answering honestly, "Yes, I've been suffering from Eleazar since childhood."
"But lately, my condition has improved a lot. My family just refuses to believe it."
Hearing that, Shao Yun couldn't help thinking of Collei, who shared the same illness.
"Improved?"
He frowned slightly, muttering inwardly, Could it be the work of that demon again?
Dunyarzad nodded, explaining in detail.
"Yes… roughly in the past month or two, my symptoms have gradually lessened."
"Now, I can run and jump freely. My body feels full of energy. If it weren't for these faint purplish scales still on my skin, I'd almost think I was completely cured!"
As she spoke, Dunyarzad suddenly noticed a few familiar figures searching nearby.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Oh no! They're looking for me again. This isn't a good place to talk—let's go somewhere safer and quieter to continue."
Following her gaze, Shao Yun saw members of the Homayani Family walking briskly in their direction, calling out Dunyarzad's name.
He muttered under his breath, "Just how many people does your family have, anyway?"