In fact, Collei's hands were also bandaged, but she used gloves instead of bandages, which generally didn't draw attention.
[Dunyarzad: "Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Dunyarzad. Actually, I'm a faithful devotee of Little Lord Kusanali!"]
Dunyarzad hadn't expected to appear. Seeing herself in the illustration—face flushed, expression excited—she felt a little embarrassed.
Being known for worshipping Lord Kusanali was nothing to be ashamed of; she was proud of it. But having this side of herself seen by the entire world made her shy.
Dunyarzad, like Collei, shot Lucian a resentful glance.
Just moments ago she had been smiling fondly at Collei's story; now it was her turn, and the smile was gone.
She secretly glanced at Nahida and found Nahida looking back with a gentle smile—suddenly her heart was full.
For a faithful believer, nothing charged the soul and dispelled gloom quite like a god's smile.
The nun named Gotelinde could live off that illustration of calling Venti "big sister" for the rest of her life; the other nuns were green with envy.
Back to the story: once Dunyarzad in the book started talking about Kusanali, her entire energy rose a level. She happily told the Traveler fables about the Dendro Archon.
The gist was: a person learned calamity was coming, so he sought Kusanali's wisdom, but he searched rainforest and desert and could not find her.
When calamity arrived, the despairing man thought the god had abandoned him, only to realize that the experiences along the way had increased his wisdom—he now had a way to face the calamity.
Finally Kusanali appeared as a little bird and told the traveler: "Seeker of the divine, do you understand now? You have long since found me—and the traces of wisdom."
As long as you do not cease thinking, we are there.
This was the meaning of travel for the people in the story.
The fable was interesting; Paimon liked it a lot, but the Traveler wanted more than just this, so Paimon continued asking about little Lord Kusanali.
Dunyarzad rarely met people so eager to learn about Kusanali; her desire to talk was surging.
Unfortunately, before she could tell more stories, she noticed people approaching and could only hurriedly say goodbye.
Members of the Gilded Brigade drew near, asking the Traveler if she had seen a "young girl with brown coiled hair, wearing a purple top and light-blue long skirt."
The description was far too accurate—clearly referring to Dunyarzad.
Those unfamiliar with Dunyarzad began to suspect: could Dunyarzad be a wanted criminal?
I told you guiding the Traveler to a god carries karma! Those without strong fate can't handle it!
Now look—Miss Dunyarzad had only met briefly and chatted a bit, and she was already in trouble!
She wouldn't end up arrested and forced to kneel too, would she? Thoma, where are you? Save her! You have experience with this!
Unfortunately Thoma was too far away; now only the Traveler and Paimon could save her.
[Paimon asked: "Does she also have bandages wrapped around her wrists?"]
Readers gasped—oh no! There's an idiot!
Asking that was basically telling them you had seen Dunyarzad!
[Paimon pointed in the opposite direction: "I saw her—she went that way!"]
Huh? Paimon isn't stupid anymore? What's going on? Is the nation of wisdom truly that miraculous? Even Paimon got cured?
Had the Traveler secretly enrolled Paimon in classes?
Pointing the wrong way wasn't actually a great strategy—once they realized they'd been tricked, they'd definitely chase back, and she'd get beaten as an accomplice.
If Dunyarzad really were a wanted criminal, the problem would be even bigger—the Traveler would get wanted again.
But for Paimon this was already a very clever performance—worthy of praise. Quick, get Yoimiya and Nahida to praise her together.
As for beatings and wanted posters? Minor issues. Wasn't the Traveler there? Who beats whom was still up in the air; being wanted was routine.
The Traveler, wanted wherever she went, was long accustomed to it. Those who could only issue warrants weren't much; those who could actually catch her were the real deal.
The Traveler paid no mind to the Gilded Brigade members and went with Paimon to find Dunyarzad.
Dunyarzad was hiding behind a house. Her health was poor and she wasn't good at running, so she hadn't gone far.
The Traveler brought Dunyarzad to a tavern to hide. Shortly after entering, Dunyarzad shouted:
["Stop! Dehya!"]
Behind the Traveler, a dark-skinned, blue-eyed woman reached out with clawed gauntlets to seize the Traveler, but at Dunyarzad's cry her hand froze mid-air.
Dehya's portrait appeared at the perfect moment. The most striking feature was her eyes—those beautiful blue eyes were even more eye-catching than her cat-ear hairstyle.
Besides those sapphire-like beautiful eyes, her cat-ear hairstyle and powerfully defined waistline radiated her charm.
This truly made some readers who liked cool big sisters see hearts in their eyes.
Shikikan, three minutes—I want all her info!
This was the reason people pulled for Pyro Archon and didn't get distorted into Sumeru Pyro goddess—otherwise they wouldn't want it.
Lucian indicated no problem; he'd immediately share Dehya's information with everyone.
[Dehya to Dunyarzad: "Miss, who are these two?"]
Dunyarzad introduced the Traveler duo to Dehya, and only then did Dehya lower her guard and introduce herself:
["I'm Miss Dunyarzad's bodyguard. I'm here to safely bring the young lady home."]
Everyone suddenly understood—Dunyarzad was a runaway young lady.
It made sense: a wanted criminal wouldn't dress so lavishly, and someone poor at running couldn't have escaped this long.
Look at the Traveler—nimble as a mountain dog. That was the confidence of someone wanted yet never caught.
Back then the Raiden Shogun sent an entire army after her, and little Lumine still developed nicely in the resistance.
Then look at Mondstadt's runaway sun—running while tossing bombs; ordinary people couldn't match that vitality. That was escape confidence.
Unfortunately her guardian wasn't ordinary—Jean, who dismantled mecha barehanded, caught her every time.
But Dehya was different—she was much gentler. She only wanted to carry the disobedient Dunyarzad home.
[Dunyarzad: "How much?"]
["How much do I need to pay to hire you so you stop listening to my mom and dad? Double… triple? Just give me a little time—I'll definitely gather it!"]
Dunyarzad's parents fell into thought upon seeing this: double, triple—in the end wouldn't they still be the ones paying?
The bodyguard I hired got bought out with my own money?
That said, given how much they doted on Dunyarzad, they'd probably pay it.
[Dehya: "Sigh, I don't know how you view us Eremites, but let me say this: I like money, but I absolutely won't do anything that goes against my principles."]
The more readers watched, the stranger it felt—this dialogue had a domineering CEO vibe?
Which family's young lady and which CEO was this!?
Citlali: So good I'm kicking my feet!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Lucian: Severely Injured
"Instant hearthstone! My friend!"