"You really are cautious to the extreme."
On the other end of the Akasha terminal, Apep sounded more than a little helpless.
Not only did Idris demand an oath—
he even planned to add something extra to the pill that would restore her power.
Though he hadn't said it outright, Apep knew perfectly well what that "extra" was meant to be.
Poison.
Insurance against disobedience.
This bastard truly didn't trust her at all.
Idris merely smiled.
"As I should be. After all, you are an Elemental Dragon Sovereign who has lived far longer than our princess."
"No amount of caution is excessive when dealing with someone like you."
"So—do you accept my conditions?"
Apep snorted coldly.
"Do I even have another choice?"
"Very well. I accept."
Becoming his mount would come with restrictions—but that was still better than being sealed away forever.
Death wasn't an escape either.
Even if she died, a second-generation Dendro Dragon Sovereign would eventually be born…
and would simply be captured by Idris all the same.
Better to surrender now than leave everything to a successor.
Idris nodded approvingly.
"A wise decision."
"I'll have pills delivered to you—medicine to cleanse the corruption in your body and restore your strength."
"How long will you need to recover?"
"Several months… perhaps a few years," Apep replied.
"That depends entirely on the quality of the pills you provide."
"Don't worry," Idris said calmly.
"Once you're willing to serve me, you're considered one of my own."
"I won't shortchange you on treatment."
"With my pills, a few months will be enough."
"Good," Apep huffed.
"When I recover my strength, I'll make you pay for mocking me today."
"By all means," Idris replied indifferently.
He wasn't worried in the slightest.
In a few months, he himself would likely undergo several more power boosts.
By then, even a partially restored Apep wouldn't pose a threat.
She could just obediently serve as his mount.
Nearby, Nahida looked at Idris with eyes full of admiration.
"Grand Sage… you're truly amazing."
"In all of Teyvat, you're the first to subdue an Elemental Dragon Sovereign."
Her voice carried a hint of envy.
After all, look at the others:
Morax once stood as an ally to Azhdaha
Dvalin served as Barbatos's companion
Neuvillette protected Fontaine
As for Inazuma… no one even knew where its dragon sovereign was.
Sumeru's dragon, meanwhile, was the oldest and most stubborn of them all.
Yet even she had fallen to Idris.
Idris merely replied,
"She chose this because she didn't want eternal confinement."
"Otherwise, with her temperament, she'd never submit."
"To be sealed forever with no future—there's nothing but suffering in that."
Nahida nodded softly.
She felt some sympathy for Apep.
After all, even in her own darkest days, Nahida's situation had been better.
Her body was imprisoned, but her consciousness was free to wander.
"By the way," Nahida said thoughtfully,
"I heard you plan to attend Liyue's Lantern Rite in a few months?"
"Of course," Idris replied.
"I'll celebrate—and while I'm there, see if Liyue is willing to share their Guizhong Ballista–derived engineering techniques."
"I see…"
Nahida nodded, quietly considering whether Sumeru should host a few festivals of its own someday.
Ideally… with a Liyue flavor.
Otherwise, the Grand Sage might not be interested.
"Alright," Idris said, stretching.
"Instead of worrying about all that, go warm the bed."
"The night breeze is nice—I'm heading out for a walk."
Nahida smiled teasingly.
"I hope you're really just going out to chat with people… not to meet some girl."
"Nilu was quite upset last time you disappeared overnight without warning."
She was referring to the night Idris left for the desert—
afterward leaving only a letter behind.
…A bit scummy, honestly.
Idris ignored the topic entirely, threw on his coat, and left.
Watching him go, Nahida felt a touch of regret.
Back when his strength was lower, she could secretly follow him using her consciousness.
Now?
She'd be discovered within seconds.
Late-night spying was no longer an option.
Still… warming the bed was something she could do.
Night fell over Sumeru City.
Idris strolled through the streets at ease.
The people's love.
The soldiers' loyalty.
The scholars' reverence.
All of it was visible.
Yet strangely, he didn't run into anyone he knew.
Instead, a few odd little beings popped up to greet him.
The Aranara.
"Is something wrong?" Idris asked.
"Why are you blocking my path?"
One Aranara—round like a watermelon—spoke up.
"Grand Sage, we discovered several women bringing a child into the forest to start a fire."
"Strictly speaking, they haven't started yet—but they're preparing to."
Idris waved his hand dismissively.
"If someone's planning arson, just stop them yourselves."
"Why report something this trivial to me?"
The Aranara shook its head.
"We intended to—but one of them was among the guests you received this morning."
"We feared her identity might be troublesome."
"And two of our kin are already following them openly."
"Oh?" Idris raised an eyebrow.
Morning guests…
That narrowed it down instantly.
Only Yoimiya would think of fireworks in the forest at night.
As for the "kin" following her—those were other Aranara.
Idris even suspected she might accidentally trigger her Story Quest.
"Alright," he said.
"I'll handle it."
"Tell me their direction."
"Since I'm already out enjoying the night breeze, I'll take a detour."
"Then we leave it to you, trusted human."
With that, the Aranara vanished.
Idris changed course.
At the edge of a mountain slope…
Two beautiful foreign girls stood side by side.
Kamisato Ayaka and Yoimiya.
Beside them sat a young girl in a wheelchair.
Two Aranara stood protectively at her sides, like tiny guardian angels.
Ayaka looked at the neatly arranged fireworks tubes and said worriedly,
"This area is relatively open, but there's still plenty of vegetation."
"Setting off fireworks here… won't that be dangerous?"
Yoimiya laughed.
"Relax, Ayaka! These fireworks are specially treated—fire risk is extremely low."
"And there's a stream right here if anything happens."
"Plus—you're here!"
"With your Cryo Vision, even a real fire wouldn't be a problem."
"And we promised this little sister, didn't we?"
She spread her arms excitedly.
"Under a night sky like this, in such beautiful nature—
add fireworks, and it'll be perfect!"
Ayaka hesitated… then nodded.
She walked to the girl in the wheelchair and said gently,
"Even if your legs can't move freely…"
"There are still so many wonderful, thrilling things in this world."
"These little spirits. This beautiful land."
"And the fireworks we're about to see."
The girl smiled brightly.
"I believe you, big sisters!"
"Alright!" Yoimiya grinned.
"Then get ready for the show!"
She stepped toward the fireworks—
But just as she was about to light them, a voice emerged from the shadows.
"Oh? I happen to know something far more exciting than secretly setting fire to a forest at night."
"Ladies from Inazuma…"
"Care to give it a try?"
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