When Shao Yun heard Nahida mention the task Lumine had given him, he couldn't help but ask in surprise, "How did you know about that?"
Katheryne—under Nahida's control—gently pointed to the Akasha Terminal hanging from her ear and explained, "Through this device, of course. Even though I'm confined to the Sanctuary of Surasthana, I can still learn quite a lot about those who wear an Akasha Terminal."
"Lumine and Paimon are both wearing them, so that's how I knew they asked you to look for clues about me."
After hearing her explanation, Shao Yun suddenly remembered. As the original Akasha Terminal, Nahida's consciousness was constantly linked to the Akasha system. It made sense—she could indeed access the data of any wearer.
In other words, that little girl had the ability to spy on others' private lives without leaving a trace! Thank the Archons I never wore that damned thing!
With an annoyed expression, Shao Yun spoke impatiently. "We already made a deal, didn't we? After the Sabzeruz Festival, you're supposed to meet with Lumine and Paimon. I don't see why I have to befriend that Dunyarzad girl at all!"
Katheryne blinked, her tone turning playful. "But don't you all want to enjoy this grand festival? There'll be plenty of sweets and delicious food. If you can get Dunyarzad's invitation, Paimon will definitely be thrilled."
At the mention of Paimon being happy, Shao Yun hesitated for a moment. Half of his irritation melted away.
"Well…"
Sensing her chance, Nahida continued gently, "Besides, you still need to gather some information about me for Lumine and Paimon, right? We agreed that you wouldn't tell them about me possessing Katheryne's body. So I should at least give you some information to report back with."
The reminder about their agreement made Shao Yun frown. "That deal got interrupted by Dunyarzad, remember? I never actually agreed to keep your secret!"
Nahida's voice turned sweet and almost pleading. "Then… would you really expose my secret and ruin my birthday?"
Shao Yun recalled that he had indeed promised to let her celebrate her birthday in peace. A man's word is his bond—he had no choice but to begrudgingly accept.
"Fine. Once the Sabzeruz Festival is over, we'll settle this."
Then, he suddenly remembered what Nahida said earlier about "observing" Lumine and Paimon through the Akasha Terminals—and his mind flashed back to what had happened between him and Lumine the previous night.
"So, if you can see what the wearers experience through that terminal… then about what happened last night between Lumine and me…"
Nahida instantly panicked, waving her hands frantically. "Ah—uh, that! I—I saw you two were about to, um, do something private, so I logged out right away! I swear I didn't see anything!"
Shao Yun's eyes narrowed dangerously. Her face all but spelled out the word "lie." His expression darkened, and his tone dripped with threat.
"Be honest. Once your birthday's over, I'm marching straight into the Sanctuary and dragging you out myself. Then I'll beat you senseless and lock you up."
Realizing her lie had been exposed, Nahida quickly bowed her head in apology. "I'm really sorry! You startled me so badly that I forgot to disconnect from Lumine's terminal. I promise it won't happen again!"
When Shao Yun realized that Nahida had indeed witnessed what happened between him and Lumine, his anger exploded. He grabbed Katheryne—still possessed by Nahida—by the neck and hissed furiously, "I'll kill you! You're even worse than that damned drunk from Mondstadt! How dare you eavesdrop on us!"
(Katheryne: What the—what did I ever do to you?! Why are you choking me?!)
Seeing him about to twist Katheryne's head off, Nahida cried out urgently, "Stop! If something happens to Katheryne, that'll be a huge problem!"
But even with her warning, Shao Yun didn't loosen his grip. He kept his voice low and dangerous. "You're getting a lesson today you won't forget."
After all, Katheryne can be repaired. Not like it'd hurt anyone.
(Katheryne: Oh, great. I'm just a punching bag now? Guess androids don't get human rights.)
Nahida noticed several people starting to glance their way. "People are looking—stop it already!" she whispered urgently.
Realizing she was right, Shao Yun quickly released his hold.
Katheryne, still under Nahida's control, rubbed her neck and muttered, "You really don't hold back, do you? You've bent several of Katheryne's neck joints!"
Cracking his knuckles, Shao Yun glared and warned coldly, "Keep that secret buried, or I'll break your legs next time."
To defuse the tension, Nahida quickly changed the subject. "Don't worry, I'll keep it completely to myself. By the way, have you considered wearing an Akasha Terminal? Then we could communicate directly."
Shao Yun thought grimly that he had no interest in letting his brainpower get mined. That thing was useless except for talking to her!
In fact, he didn't even want Lumine or Paimon involved in that so-called cycle of the Sabzeruz Festival. He'd even considered taking off their terminals while they slept.
As for Dunyarzad—she had that demonic painting protecting her anyway…
Suddenly, a thought struck him. The devil's plan.
He paused, thinking it over carefully. Considering Nahida wasn't his enemy—not yet—he decided it was worth warning her.
"As for the Akasha, we'll talk about that after the Sabzeruz Festival. Right now, there's something you should know."
Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Nahida immediately understood what he was referring to. "This must be about that mysterious entity behind you, isn't it?"
"Actually, I've been wondering—why would that being help Collei and Dunyarzad but refuse to aid those suffering from Eleazar at the Bimarstan? Do you know why?"
Recalling the schemes that the devil had revealed that night, Shao Yun began explaining everything in simple terms.
"To put it plainly, that devil's plan is to strike a bargain with you—using the lives of those who still worship the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata in exchange for the lives of those who worship you, Nahida."
After listening to his explanation, Nahida began to piece together the meaning.
She remembered the Eleazar patients who had suddenly and inexplicably recovered—all of them devout believers of hers.
In other words, they believed in her as the true Dendro Archon, not in the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
A mystery solved—but new doubts arose.
"So you mean that being can 'solve' Sumeru's problems, but only if some Sumeru citizens pay with their lives?"
Shao Yun elaborated further. "More precisely, its real goal is to collect the souls of the Sumeru people. Whatever 'solution' it offers, I'd suggest you don't expect much from it."
After all, when devils promised solutions, the results usually weren't what you hoped for.
Nahida frowned slightly at that, asking, "If that devil wants Sumeru souls so badly, why not simply take them all? Why bother making a deal with me at all? Wouldn't that limit the number of souls it can claim?"
Shao Yun recalled what the Man with a Top Hat had told him—that parable of the shepherd and his flock—and explained in detail.
"According to what that thing said, since you're one of the Seven Archons, the souls of those who worship you fall under your domain. It can't intervene freely."
"It values 'contracts'—twisted as it may be. It bends the rules through wordplay, but it still follows them."
Then, out of what little goodwill he had, Shao Yun warned her.
"That devil might approach you directly, so be cautious. If you firmly refuse to engage, it usually retreats on its own."
Nahida took his advice to heart and nodded gratefully. "I understand. Thank you for sharing such valuable information."
Meanwhile, Dunyarzad and Nilou had finished discussing the stage decorations, and Nahida realized she might have been using Katheryne's body for too long.
"Dunyarzad and Nilou should be back soon," she said through Katheryne. "Anything else? If not, I should get going."
Shao Yun thought for a moment, then asked one last question.
"Since we're on the topic—Morax once mentioned you might have the power to resist that thing. Do you really?"
Nahida frowned slightly before replying, "As I am now, I absolutely cannot oppose the entity behind you. There's no question about that."
Hearing her say as I am now, Shao Yun pressed further. "And in the future? If I freed you from the Sanctuary, combined your power with your Gnosis—or the Akasha, or even Irminsul—could you defeat it then?"
Nahida gently shook her head and cautioned him. "Let's worry about that after the Sabzeruz Festival. There's no need to rush."
Shao Yun bit his lip, warning her gravely, "By the time there's a need to rush, it might already be too late."
Nahida patted his shoulder softly and said in a calm, reassuring tone, "Take things slowly. This isn't Inazuma."
With that, Katheryne—still under Nahida's control—turned and walked away from the Zubayr Theater, her figure gradually disappearing into the vibrant crowd of the Grand Bazaar.
Shao Yun stood there, eyes fixed on her departing silhouette, muttering under his breath,
"I can take things slowly… but the devil won't. It won't wait—and it won't show mercy."
"It'll tempt me again, like the serpent to Adam and Eve… and drive me to do something truly mad."