Nahida's plan was to possess Setaria's acquaintances to PUA Setaria—this was the way to deal with her.
What is PUA? It's not explaining things clearly, applying pressure, making accusations, causing the other party to feel guilty on their own and overthink.
There was no need to worry about the possessed people getting involved, because they were only deceiving Setaria and wouldn't touch on Akademiya matters.
The possession and imitation needed to be done by the Traveler. Nahida couldn't do it—she wasn't good at imitating.
However, Nahida just wasn't good at imitating humans. Imitating Fungi was still possible: "Nana~."
This might be because, compared to humans, Fungi don't have as many movements and expressions. Nahida had been imprisoned for five hundred years without contact or interaction with people—how could she be skilled at things like controlling expressions?
If anything, Paimon is quite good at imitating others—her movements and expressions are very similar. But this kind of thing couldn't be left to her, because she's hopelessly unreliable and not up to the task.
Paimon's mental fortitude doesn't hold up. If she were the one doing it, she might drop the ball at a critical moment. In the end, only the Traveler is reliable.
Paimon just needs to be in charge of being cute. The Traveler has a lot to consider.
[Nahida sighed: "Alas… If possible, I actually really don't want to occupy the consciousness of those citizens. But at this point, it's not the time to worry about such things, right?"]
Nahida: Solid as a rock, stacking defenses.
She clearly stated that she didn't want to occupy the citizens' consciousness—it was only a necessary evil now. For everyone's information.
The next day, everyone began implementing the plan. Nabiya, who was chatting with Setaria, suddenly experienced a "pupil earthquake."
Setaria noticed the abnormality, but how could she imagine something like mental intrusion? She didn't pay much attention to it and continued the previous topic:
["…Yes, matters of love really can't be forced. Moreover, the backgrounds of the people around me are too far removed from mine…"]
This was what the Traveler heard. At this point, she had already possessed Nabiya's body and heard Setaria's words. So she had come for a love fortune divination before.
The Traveler was just about to speak, but right after possessing and before saying more than a couple of words to Setaria, she was hissed at by the two cats nearby.
Clearly, these two cats were no ordinary cats—they had detected the abnormality in Nabiya (the Traveler).
Everyone knew Nabiya was special, but they didn't know she was special to this extent—even the cats she kept were no ordinary felines.
So here's the question: the two little cats caught Setaria's attention, and she curiously asked their names.
What are these two cats called? First, rule out Kirara and Diona.
As for the answer, I won't mention some from earlier. Instead, let's talk about Lumine's evaluation of the cats in real life.
Lumine: "More perceptive than Paimon."
Paimon costs 300,000 Mora a month in food expenses—how much is cat food?
But the cats could detect the abnormality. If it were Paimon, would she be able to? Hard to say.
Paimon: "What are you saying! No matter how you think about it, I'm better, right!"
Paimon crossed her arms and tilted her little head up: "Clearly, I'm the one who's more perceptive!"
Paimon's proud appearance made everyone nearby who overheard the conversation hold back laughter.
Lumine smiled without saying anything. Mona sighed instead: "Idiot, what's there to be happy about winning in this aspect? It's a comparison of perceptiveness."
Paimon fell into thought. "Eh? Huh?"
Just when everyone thought Paimon had realized it, after thinking for a long time, Paimon spoke.
After thinking for half a day, Paimon said: "Mona, you're really smart. Then why do you always get deceived by Lucian?"
Oh no, she really got it.
It turns out she wasn't thinking about her own issue for half a day—she was thinking about this.
Mona clenched her teeth and said nothing. I kindly help you, and you stab me in the back!
I, Mona, am not being deceived!
It's just that Lucian's teachings are too profound—even I need time to understand them! You all understand even less!
Mona huffed lightly, ignored Paimon, and buried her head in the book.
In the story, Setaria had just stated the issue she wanted divined this time:
["Could you divine for me when the 'project' I'm working on will be completed? I really want it to end soon…"]
While Setaria was speaking, behind the wooden crate in the back, a little Paimon was sneakily peeking out—her appearance was extremely cute.
Although the illustration's main focus was on Setaria, readers strongly suspected Lucian was giving Paimon special treatment.
This Paimon's cuteness level was off the charts. Sigh, just let her be a freeloader.
As for the "project" Setaria mentioned, she didn't even fully understand what it was, but she knew some of the dirty aspects involved. She was very much against it, but she was helpless.
So now she only hoped this "project" would end quickly.
Then, in the story, the Traveler began acting like Nabiya the mystic, closing her eyes and pretending to listen to a "divine oracle."
[Nabiya (Traveler): "The god says... 'Setaria, why haven't you gone home yet?'"]
Zero-frame start—no buildup at all.
She was clearly asked when the "project" would end, and had no idea how this sentence related to the question.
But it didn't matter. That's how mystics are—no need for buildup. The more mysterious and incomprehensible you are, the more real you seem. The other party will fill in the blanks themselves.
["'Setaria, why haven't you gone home!' This time it's a question, okay? The god seems very angry."]
This bold and confident statement—those who didn't know might think the Traveler was truly possessed by the Scarlet King.
Who would have thought? The Traveler is actually quite skilled at this kind of thing. Not only does the imitation look alike, but the accusations are done convincingly, with extremely daring statements.
[Setaria: "If I may ask… Nabiya, which god is the one speaking in your ear?"]
[Nabiya (Traveler): "Hmph, a childish and rude question. Of course, it's the greatest and wisest Lord Scarlet King."]
Although everyone knew it was the Traveler speaking, seeing a rainforest "theologist" open with "the greatest and wisest Lord Scarlet King" was still a bit hard to hold in.
This feeling was like Captain America saying "Hail Hydra."
For Teyvat people, it felt like a shrine maiden from the Grand Narukami Shrine saying "the greatest and wisest Lord Orobashi."
It was the kind of inexplicable that even people from Watatsumi Island would find strangely off.
However, compared to others' bewilderment, as a Sumeru person, Dori's focus was a bit unusual.
"Greatest and wisest"? Using "most" twice—isn't that violating advertising laws?
No, no—the prophecy book is a golden advertising signboard, but this isn't an advertisement, so "most" is allowed.
In that case, doesn't that mean I can have Lucian write in the book that I'm the absolute best supplier without it being illegal?
This is simply the best advertising spot! Lucian, quick, quick!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Lines · Dori: About Advertising
"Lucian rejected me!!!"