This completely got away from me and now I’m just about dead inside. ☠️
Attempt no. 2 of breaking Nahida out of Akademiya jail.
Wanderer!MC is very pissed at themself for taking so damn long with this.
They survey the political landscape again for changes — and the Akademiya’s higher-ups are more stressed out than expected.
Because in the time MC was “dead,” Nahida pulled herself together enough to try reaching out to the other Archons and the Akademiya’s Matra.
She still didn’t want to involve the Archons in Sumeru and her own problems, instead just telepathically popping in to offer some insight and suggestions (and instructions in Furina’s case); but they more or less clued in on what was happening.
At Nahida’s insistence, they respected her wishes. It’d be bad if ill-intentioned groups from other nations caught wind of her imprisonment, and exploited that to meddle with Sumeru’s internal affairs.
Is that going to stop MC from sneaking back into Sumeru and forging their own “house key” into the Sanctuary of Surasthana?
In the meantime, they resumed digging through very old records that might have been preserved or simply haven’t been disposed of yet.
Any written letters for Nahida — some of which weren’t even opened at all — were instead tossed into those boxes for unclaimed mail.
MC has a look through those letters and notices that only the letters received from rather significant persons, such as members of the Qixing or the Tri-Commission, were opened; but even then, hacking into and looking through correspondence records in the Akasha, those responses were all written by the sages on Nahida’s behalf…
That particular box of letters…looks like it dates back centuries ago.
About four to five centuries, to be more specific.
But, shouldn’t the mail in here already be discarded? Why is there so much still here, collecting dust? It’s so filthy that even burning it would most likely constitute a biohazard.
Do they dare get their hopes up…?
MC starts digging around in that dusty (and probably moldy) box anyway. (Their inner microbiology student is screaming in disgust.)
Nahida: 😦😨😰 “Woah… You’re actually touching it… Uh… Remember to wash your hands when you’re done, okay? And make sure to get under your nails.”
Librarian: 😦🤯😱🤢💀🗿 “Uh… M—miss? Is everything alright so far? Need any help…?”
Wanderer!MC: “No, thank you. I’m fine.” 🙂↕️
Librarian: “Alright, um… If you change your mind, I’ll be over at reception…”
Wanderer!MC: “Okay, thanks.”
An invitation to the garden party at Tenshukaku, from the Yashiro Commission to the Dendro Archon.
MC certainly remembers Nahida never showing up that evening, or they would have been yapping with each other so much sooner; and from what it looks like in other boxes, it’s been the same each year. What very few letters were answered by the sages were all rejected: “Unfortunately, the Dendro Archon is preoccupied with her research and administrative duties.”
Research and administrative duties? They’re not even giving Nahida anything to begin with!
If even the highest governing authorities are rejected by the sages…
…then how about the Archons above those authorities?
And yes, MC remembered to wash their hands for a whole hour and then some.
Zhongli: “You want to run a ‘behavioral experiment,’ not with the Akademiya but on them?”
Furina: “An experiment on human arrogance? Ooh, this sounds fun~!”
Miko: “I can do a little ghostwriting. This should make for interesting writing material~”
Some days later, the sages are panicking over letters sent directly from the Archons of Fontaine, Liyue and Inazuma.
Focalors is known as the God of Justice, while Morax and “Baal” are known for their martial might since the Archon Wars and can be seen as war gods in addition to their respective ideals as the Gods of Contracts and Eternity.
The first round is mostly just to test the waters. MC wouldn’t be surprised if the sages resorted to ghostwriting like Miko and tried to pass their responses as from Nahida.
So they added a little more pressure by having Focalors and the Iudex seek a direct audience with Lord Kusanali over a few cases involving samples of abyssal matter that they found.
Furina: “There’s just simply not enough knowledge on the Abyss in our archives, so even the Marechaussee Phantom has been hitting dead ends. Might as well see what the God of Wisdom thinks…if the sages are willing to let us meet her, that is~”
As expected, the sages did ghostwrite responses, all rejecting the various invitations even directly from the Archons.
But that was before Furina’s announcement that she would be visiting Sumeru with Neuvillette to “seek the Lord Kusanali’s professional advice.”
Rex Lapis is also “considering” visiting his new colleague “for an intellectual and meditative repose…and to simply chat over tea.”
Now that definitely threw the sages into a frenzy. Not only do they have to deal with the God of Justice and her Chief Justice visiting soon, but also the God of Contracts, the Geo Archon who participated and emerged a victor in the Archon Wars.
As for MC, they managed to catch some luck a long while back.
Some students — Vahumana, Amurta and Spantamad — looking for research material for their papers arrived in Inazuma. The Vahumana student was actively seeking out MC for first-hand accounts, references and knowledge on the Raiden Gokaden.
Then the Amurta and Spantamad students started asking MC about certain wildlife, flora, and environmental phenomena, like the effects of Electro-saturated environments on the Onikabuto, Naku Weeds, the Abiding Angelfish from Liyue becoming Raimei Angelfish in Inazuman waters, etcetera.
Apparently, a lot of the locals referred those students straight to MC.
And the final papers turned in must have been pretty damn good for the Akademiya to actually reach out to invite MC as a guest teacher.
Yes. Not just a guest speaker, but a guest teacher, joining several other foreign guests for an academic seminar.
At the very least, MC only has to worry about planning lessons and seminars. No grading papers from Archons know how many students. (Xiao and Columbina would probably riot if that were ever the case.)
Their very first appearance as a guest teacher in the Akademiya saw MC slipping right back into teacher mode and providing far too many corrections on not just outdated information, but also proving several theories wrong with actual practical demonstrations.
Spantamad students witnessed a live demonstration of adeptal arts, the Yougou tengu’s art of transcension, Kamuna Harunosuke’s onmyoudou, and various alchemical processes.
They also assisted with teaching the Inazuman and Liyue languages to students wanting to travel. Even taught some Vision-bearing students how to fend for themselves (after getting the okay from supervisors and the Matra).
A few folks in Amurta won free handmade plushies of Onikabuto and Raimei Angelfishes.
Nahida almost exposed herself by too eagerly jumping into a group discussion on bio-alchemy recently seen in Mondstadt, and MC scrambled to excuse her as a pen pal from Chenyu Vale. People started guessing that this telepathic pen pal might be a real adeptus. Neither MC nor Nahida will confirm nor deny.
Word got around that MC is actually long-lived, and they “had no choice” but to confirm that, yes, they’ve (technically) been around for over 400 years, when the Raiden Gokaden was still intact.
After the seminar ended, too many students submitted requests for MC to come back for more. Even the faculty was trying to poach MC as an actual professor and / or investigator for the Akademiya.
Wanderer!MC: “Restoring the crafting arts of the Futsu, Senju and Hyakume schools is still an ongoing process, I’m still seeing patients affected by the Tatarigami, and those scattered mask fragments aren’t going to gather themselves. I can’t just drop everything and stay in Sumeru…” (If I take on too much work I might actually explode…! ☠️)
So the Akademiya swapped the offer from a permanent teacher to a consultant and a seasonal tutor.
Wanderer!MC: “Well… If it’s just consultations and occasional tutorials, then…I guess I can cram in a few trips back here once in a while…and maybe get some help from the Matra with investigating some issues I noticed in Sumeru…”
And overtime, MC carefully crafted a reputation as a stern and no-nonsense (yet still reasonably open-minded) mentor.
Which brings back the present moment with a higher-up in the council scrambling for MC’s opinion on the Archons’ recent invitations and requests. MC has traveled far, has met with the Hydro Archon, attended formal meetings and parties for the Electro Archon, and studied under the adepti, who directly answer to the Geo Archon. MC would surely know how to best approach them—
Wanderer!MC: “Just let them.”
Wanderer!MC: “Let them do as they wish. Let them meet with the Dendro Archon. Lady Furina and Monsieur Neuvillette are requesting direct guidance from Lesser Lord Kusanali, and Rex Lapis simply wishes to know a fellow Archon’s successor. Surely, there can’t be any reason to refuse them.”
Wanderer!MC: “…Is it the prospect of meeting the other Archons in person? I can definitely understand the anxiety of meeting gods you’re unfamiliar with. If you’re worried about their temperaments, I can assure you they don’t bite…much.”
Wanderer!MC: “Well, at the very least, I know Lady Furina doesn’t bite. If you build a good rapport with her, she might even invite you to her tea parties, and Rex Lapis has no shortage of stories to tell. Ah, but…”
Wanderer!MC: *sigh* “I’m a little concerned about how to answer the Shogun. She’s…how do I put this…very…difficult and severe nowadays. She might present herself as stoic and indifferent, but the Akademiya has apparently rejected all her invitations on Lesser Lord Kusanali’s behalf, from what I’ve heard so far? Even the Lady Guuji doesn’t know what goes on in the Shogun’s mind, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s become irritated after reaching out and being rejected so many times. I only do that because my schedule can be pretty packed sometimes, and only sometimes… So, whatever reasons you might have for insisting on rejecting her, unless you can provide a good and clear reason, and I’m assuming that you’ve done so in the past, I definitely do not recommend continuing unless you want to risk offending her. The Dendro Archon is also the God of Wisdom, no? Since the Shogun is insistent on directly getting in touch with Lesser Lord Kusanali…why not let Lesser Lord Kusanali herself decide how to handle this?”
Wanderer!MC: 🤔 “That look on your face tells me I haven’t said anything satisfactory, let alone useful… Are there other concerns and issues that are worrying you?” (Keep a straight face. Keep acting helpful and don’t give in to spite yet, or they’ll start suspecting…!) “If you’re struggling over how to receive the Archons as guests, I can recommend some ideas on offerings and gifts, just to help cover your bases. I know Lady Furina enjoys sweets, and there’s no shortage of those in Sumeru, so that’s not a problem—”
Sage: “Th—there’s, uh, y—you’re right, that’s not really the problem. It’s just…”
Wanderer!MC: 🤨 “It’s just…?”
Wanderer!MC: (Still not going to budge, eh?) “If I may be so bold…is it the Dendro Archon herself who is having issues? With how she constantly holes herself up with her, ahem, research and administrative duties to the point where almost nobody has ever seen her, and strictly relies on her sages to communicate for her… Personally, I’m starting to grow concerned for her well-being. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata certainly left behind some massive shoes for her to fill.” (Not that she needs to.) “Might I ask what exactly she’s researching, by the way?”
Sage: “U—uh… Confidential matters…related to Irminsul… Along with…the causes and effects of the Withering and Eleazar that continue plaguing Sumeru. Lesser Lord Kusanali surely appreciates your concern. Her work is indeed dreadful and time-consuming but, please, rest assured that she is doing fine. She is…deeply focused on her responsibilities. That’s all.”
Wanderer!MC: “Then, unless there’s anything else you need from me, I’ll be going now.”
Sage: “…Thank you for your time, Mx. [MC].”
The longer this goes on, the more people start to wonder and talk.
Some rumors whisper that there actually isn’t a new Dendro Archon, and the Akademiya just made one up.
Others say the Dendro Archon is a shut-in, too afraid to face the elder and undoubtedly stronger Archons.
Others whisper behind closed doors that the Akademiya has turned against the Dendro Archon, believing themselves wealthier in knowledge and wisdom than even the God of Wisdom herself.
The Akademiya continues to operate as normal, but the tension can still be felt in its hallways.
Even the faculty can’t stop whispering.
Why has Lesser Lord Kusanali never shown herself? Even if she’s busy with work, surely she would step out at least once for fresh air?
Why has Lesser Lord Kusanali rejected all invitations and requests from her fellow Archons?
Why do the sages insist on communicating with Sumeru’s people and foreign guests on her behalf?
Does she even exist, or is she actually a fictional figure the Akademiya created to claim governing authority over Sumeru, after Greater Lord Rukkhadevata’s passing?
Wanderer!MC: 😒 “If you have time to be gossiping, I’m sure you have time to be finishing all those papers and projects. So noisy…”
The gossipmongers scurry away from MC’s radius.
MC is also keeping an ear out for any contracts from Liyue, and keeps staff posted every now and then on their travel schedule.
Wanderer!MC: “I’ll be leaving for Inazuma again soon. So, if you want to ask me anything like before, now’s a good time to do so.”
If nothing happens, their last day in Sumeru should have the final triggers.
In the meantime, MC takes Xiao to a cafe for some coffee.
Xiao: “It’s…quite bitter… Does Sumeru often prefer bitter flavors aside from spice?” 😶
Wanderer!MC: “Well, it stands to reason that the locals are used to the bitterness.” 😌☕️
Xiao: “Fair enough…” 🤨 “Wait, how many have you had just now?”
Wanderer!MC: 👀💧 “Uh… This is my second refill.” <- it’s actually their fifth
The final day eventually arrives with Furina and Neuvillette at Nahida’s doorstep.
So does the final trigger—
—Rex Lapis arriving at the Akademiya.
Some time ago, the Grand Sage signed a contract with not just the Qixing, but Rex Lapis himself, regarding Vahumana’s study of Liyue’s history and culture.
The contract was most likely not read properly in its entirety, otherwise it would have been rejected or outright thrown out.
One of its clauses states that “Morax” will be allowed audience with “Buer” at the latter’s discretion, and not the Akademiya’s.
After a little digging, MC found that most people, including some of the Akademiya’s council, don’t even know “Buer” is another name of the Dendro Archon’s.
Security received word that they — along with a couple of adepti — would be escorting Rex Lapis to the Sanctuary of Surasthana to meet with the Dendro Archon regarding abyssal matter found in the Chasm.
Nobody bothered to check with the council.
And it seems like some people in the Corps of Thirty didn’t even get the memo.
Which means the guards standing in front were given a real fright at the sudden arrival of a dragon-like entity accompanied by a pair of cranes.
Oh, and a pair of clearly uncomfortable Millelith.
MC’s having coffee with Xiao again when everything starts to explode.
“YOU MORTALS CALLING YOURSELVES ‘SAGES’ DARE PRESUME YOU CAN BREAK A CONTRACT WITH THE GOD OF CONTRACTS HIMSELF!?
🌪️ “SUCH BLATANT HUBRIS AND INSOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!” 🌪️
Every Sumeru local in the vicinity: 🤯🗿🥶😱👀☠️🫢🫨😬
Furina: *trying her hardest not to pass out from fright*
Neuvillette: 🙂↕️ (My eardrums…)
Wanderer!MC: “…Could definitely get a master’s in theater.” 😶☕️ <- told Xianyun to scream that line at the top of her lungs for all of Sumeru to hear
Xiao: “She did have a brief period as an opera singer.” ☕️
Wanderer!MC: “Really now?”
Xiao: “Mm. Back when the Guili Assembly was still intact.”
Wanderer!MC: 👀 “Ooh, now that’s a story I don’t think I’ve heard yet…!”
Xiao: “I can tell you later. We have errands to run.” <- has an Akasha Terminal as a “traveler”
Wanderer!MC: “Tsk, you’re right. Apam Woods, later?”
The sages finally crack under the pressure.
Not from the sudden arrival of Rex Lapis, but also the arrival of the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Miko: “First you deny the Almighty Shogun so many times, allegedly on Lord Kusanali’s behalf, and now you’re breaking a contract with the God of Contracts? Surely, you don’t believe the ‘wrath of the rock’ is but a myth? Such levels of disrespect and ignorance are hardly becoming of the Akademiya’s sages~”
Grand Sage: “L—Lady Guuji!? Wh—what brings you here?”
Miko: “Why, I was invited by Lord Kusanali herself, of course! Aren’t you closest to the Dendro Archon, tasked with relaying her wisdom and wishes? Don’t tell me she never told you I was coming.”
Grand Sage: 😱 “Of course not! She’s— Er…”
Grand Sage: 🗿 “There has to be some mistake…”
Mountain Shaper: “The only mistake one sees here is this absolute circus.” 😒
Grand Sage: “…Lesser Lord Kusanali…never sent any invitations…”
Miko: “Well, if she didn’t send me an invitation, then who did?”
Grand Sage: “..Lady Guuji, I can only ask for your forgiveness in my next act of rudeness, but I must verify that the Dendro Archon has indeed invited you. Do you have any letters or items from her that you can present?”
Miko: “I do. A visitor’s pass into the Sanctuary and a written letter of authorization, signed and delivered by Lord Kusanali herself. If you still doubt me, I can describe her appearance for you. I must say, while she’s around three to four centuries in age already, I was still surprised by how young she appeared. Were it not for her heavy resemblance to her predecessor, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, I would have thought she were just a lost child.”
Grand Sage: “…Lady Guuji, I must examine those items to ensure they are not fraudulent.”
Miko: “Here you are, though I can’t imagine why they would be fraudulent.”
Mountain Shaper: “…Rex Lapis, he seems very insistent on forbidding any audience with the Dendro Archon, who has to yet to appear at all. One is beginning to suspect foul play. Perhaps it is not we who should be questioned, but this mortal who calls himself the ‘grand sage.’”
Neuvillette: “…Lady Furina, I must agree. The grand sage’s behavior is growing increasingly suspect.”
Wanderer!MC: “So, how’s the cage looking?”
Some months ago while preparing for the seminar, MC snuck back up into the Sanctuary like the first time, and this time they planted a branch into the tree encasing the Sanctuary, close to the roots.
MC took that branch from the top of the tree when it was still young and tiny, alchemically modified it, and then replanted it back into the trunk closer to the roots. Once the grafted scion started growing its own roots, its modified cells will eventually reach into and gradually erode the barrier of Nahida’s cage.
The modification process itself spanned about a few days to a week, with MC trying to complete the modifications as fast as possible while keeping the green scion alive with the right conditions. (Too dry, and it’ll die. Too wet, and it’ll grow mold and begin to rot.) After that, they had to hope that nobody in Amurta noticed and removed it.
Nahida unfortunately bore witness to MC consuming an obscene amount of coffee in such a short timeframe.
Xiao: “The barrier’s still sturdy enough to keep holding, but it’s weakened considerably. I think I can break it in the rest of the way.”
Nahida: “There’s no need for that anymore.”
Nahida forces open the barrier herself.
Wanderer!MC: 👀‼️ “Xiao, get back down from there before somebody spots you…!”
Miko: “See? Isn’t she the spitting image of her predecessor~?”
Nahida: “Rex Lapis, Lady Guuji, it’s an honor to finally meet you!” ☺️
The sages are forced to eat crow and admit they’ve been holding the Dendro Archon prisoner.
Despite Nahida and the Matra’s attempts to keep certain information confidential until proper announcements could be made, word of the scandal spread like wildfire throughout Teyvat.
The sages’ accomplices jumped ship all too eagerly and gave entire lists of lists of names.
Evidence collected by the Matra and Corps of Thirty traces back to all six sins being committed.
⬆️ Which is honestly shocking for MC since that shit’s not really seen until Dottore’s shenanigans a century later; but it definitely shows that, even without his influence, some things can run a lot deeper than expected.
As punishment, the sages would be stripped of all honors, certifications and licenses, and they were given only a few options: exile while serving as either Forest Rangers or educators for the desert folk, or imprisonment.
Nahida insists on sharing with Zhongli information extracted from Irminsul.
Nahida: “Those oozing concretions match samples gathered from Withering Zones and Eleazar. And even without that or a contract, the presence of abyssal matter in the Chasm at all is a serious safety issue for the miners.
“I’d also like to discuss treatment options for abyssal corrosion and karmic debt in more detail. I know someone who’s severely affected by them, and I’ve been looking for someone to share ideas with in how to help.”
Not even a full week, and she’s already winning over the people she was locked away from. Including the people of other nations and their respective Archons.
Natlan is faring far better against the abyssal invasions thanks to Nahida’s suggestions and advice.
Nahida also follows through on analyzing the abyssal samples for the Melusines, even if that was just an excuse.
And for the very first time in centuries, the Dendro Archon accepts an invitation to Inazuma.
Nahida: “I wouldn’t be where I am now without a friend to encourage me, and that friend was born here in Inazuma. Even if I can’t fully repay their support, I still want to pay it forward to the people of their homeland.”
General consensus: protecc the Little Radish God at all costs.
However, Nahida’s very first order of business is to confiscate MC’s entire stash of coffee beans.
Nahida: “I absolutely cannot support such an unhealthy obsession with so much caffeine.” 😑
Wanderer!MC: 🗿 “Wait. Waitwaitwaitwaitwait it— It’s not an obsession, I really need it—!”
Nahida: “Not anymore you don’t.”
Miko: “Child, your entire house always reeks of coffee.”
Xiao: “I keep having to stop you from grabbing an extra cup every day.” 😒
Mountain Shaper: 🙂↕️ “One can always tell when you’re near Mt. Hulao because you always smell of coffee…”
Wanderer!MC: 😭 “I don’t smell like coffee!”
Xiao: “I keep smelling coffee the entire time that we spar.” 😑
MC looks at Zhongli. He’s usually buried in work everyday in his cramped and dusty office, tracking Liyue’s laws and economy, surely he can understand—!?
Zhongli: “All those cups of coffee must be quite horrid on your nerves so late at night. Why don’t you try this blend of tea recommended by pharmacists for a good night’s sleep~?” 😊🍵
RIP Columbina, missing out on the drama because she got stuck training new recruits, and reorganizing a whole mess of files because some of the mooks got careless delivering and shelving them.
The Radish is free! I repeat! THE RADISH IS FREEEEE! Wanderer!MC! You did it! You, and everyone in the plan, freed the Radish before a 100 years early!
That means no stupid Samsara in any given future, right? The Traveler definitely won't have to worry about loops when coming to Sumeru, right?
But besides that, again, Nahida is free! And look at that, she's already helping so much, and everyone loves her! Protect the tiny radish goddess!
Tagging: @platinumrosetail, @arn9tails, @bloodytea, @lovelyjane-stuff
