Atop the colossal tree that cradled Sumeru City, one could gaze out over most of the nation's domain. Ordinarily, the greater lord Rukkhadevata might have patiently savored the sight of these cherished lands, but right now, she was in no mood for such leisurely contemplation.
Her slightly trembling hands revealed just how excited Rukkhadevata was—she had likely rarely felt this way since her birth. After all, in the eyes of most, the rukkhadevata was a benevolent and composed deity.
She might experience joy and happiness, but she always maintained a perfect sense of proportion.
Yet, it was quite clear that faced with the 'treasure' in her hands, this deity, usually so calm in others' eyes, felt her heart surge with immense anticipation.
It couldn't be helped, really. After all...
This was 'Truth.'
The culmination of wisdom. As the God of Wisdom herself, how could she possibly remain calm upon witnessing the very pinnacle of it?
She wanted nothing more than to explore 'him'—to wring out every last drop of wisdom 'he' contained, holding nothing back.
But...
"Is this... really okay?" Despite her intense desire, Rukkhadevata looked at the box in her hands, suddenly hesitant and conflicted.
This item, at the end of the day, was a gift from Jiang Qiao to Nahida, wasn't it?
If so, how could she dare to open it herself, let alone... 'test it out' immediately?
Dame! (No way!) Something like this was unacceptable. This was a gift to celebrate Buer's (Lesser Lord Kusanali) Sabzeruz Festival!
Strenuously suppressing the impulse, Rukkhadevata, a figure who could be called a paragon of virtue among the many Archons, clearly still had her principles.
Especially when it concerned her own successor.
No matter what, she couldn't be that unscrupulous, could she?
Clutching the box tightly, Rukkhadevata took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
"I mustn't... I can't do such a thing."
"This is a gift for Buer... an offering for the Dendro Archon during the Sabzeruz Festival... just like what King Deshret and the others did..."
Trying to counteract her craving for 'him' this way, Rukkhadevata, feeling a sense of calm, found her mind momentarily blank. Then, a new thought sprouted.
...An offering for the Dendro Archon...
Speaking of which, wasn't she also a Dendro Archon?
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata couldn't help but entertain this thought.
And there was nothing wrong with this line of reasoning. Although the title of Dendro Archon had been passed to Buer, even without the specific divine position, as the first Dendro Archon, she was undoubtedly the uncrowned Dendro Archon in everyone's hearts—her standing even surpassed Nahida's.
For this reason, she couldn't even show her face in Sumeru, needing to avoid overshadowing Buer.
Besides, even setting aside her status as Dendro Archon, like Buer, she originated from Irminsul. In a way, or rather, in essence, she and Buer shared the same origin—meaning, to a certain extent, she and Buer were one and the same person... one and the same god!
If that's the case...Then...
My things are Buer's things, and Buer's things should naturally be my things, right?
Knowing Buer's personality well, and certain that Buer would never mind sharing what she possessed, Rukkhadevata's eyes lit up. The mental block she'd been struggling with instantly vanished. She gripped the box and gulped.
"I am also Buer... So, it's the same if I open this gift!"
"Yes! That's right!"
Having convinced herself, Rukkhadevata was no longer conflicted. At worst, after she was done with it, she could share her filtered, second-hand wisdom with Nahida. Surely Nahida wouldn't have any objections then, right?
Completely unburdened, she gently lifted the lid. The box looked utterly ordinary, and even its interior was quite empty, containing only a single speck of light, like a star.
Her slender fingers picked up the speck of light—faint, yet incredibly dazzling; dazzling, yet incredibly gentle, just like a star in the night sky... But beneath that seemingly soft exterior, an ultimate 'Principle' lay hidden.
With a racing heart and trembling hands, Rukkhadevata clutched it in her palm, holding it against her ample bosom.
"Hmm~? What are you doing?"
A light, childlike voice sounded beside her, making Rukkhadevata's graceful body go rigid. The small figure was, without a doubt, the rightful owner... Nahida, the Dendro Archon.
She blinked her large eyes, her little bare feet treading on the soft green leaves atop the tree, looking very curious.
Feeling rather guilty, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata discreetly put the box away, then resumed her usual demeanor, smiling as she said, "Ah... it's nothing. I was just admiring the scenery of Sumeru."
"Really?"
Nahida walked closer, staring into Rukkhadevata's eyes, her chin cupped in her hand, looking a little suspicious. However, although the latter was indeed feeling guilty as a thief, who was Rukkhadevata?
The first Dendro Archon, Sumeru's original God of Wisdom. How could she let a little cabbage see through her act?
After a moment of panic, her replies flowed smoothly, leaving Nahida unable to find any flaws. Though Nahida still found it strange, she didn't dwell on it. Perhaps she was just being overly suspicious, and there was nothing to it?
More inclined to chat with Rukkhadevata, Nahida set aside her probing thoughts and sat down beside her.
"How did you find me?"
"Have you forgotten? We share the same origin. I sensed you as soon as you neared Sumeru."
"But there was a lot of work to handle at the Sanctuary of Surasthana... I couldn't come find you immediately. After I finished, I found you at the top of the Tree of Wisdom... so I came looking for you!"
Hearing this, Rukkhadevata broke out in a cold sweat. She had been so preoccupied with how to sneak Nahida's 'tribute' that she had completely overlooked this. Fortunately, she had already 'consumed' the stolen goods…
She subconsciously caressed her chest, feeling the warmth and the sweet, intoxicating 'source of wisdom' continuously flowing forth as she absorbed it. She let out a sigh of relief.
However, the next moment, Nahida's words made her heart tighten:
"...Did you bring any tasty snacks? I keep feeling... there's a very... 'alluring' scent."
Like a little puppy searching for treats, Nahida tentatively twitched her nose towards her.
"It must be your imagination..."
Rukkhadevata said, concealing her embarrassment and guilt.
Nahida sniffed again, as if reluctant to let the scent go, looking rather regretful.
"Is that so... I thought you brought me some delicious treats from Fontaine."
"Apologies... I was in a hurry and forgot to prepare anything. However, they and I have indeed prepared some gifts for you."
"Gifts? Really! What are they!?" Nahida perked up, extremely curious.
"Since it's an offering for the Sabzeruz Festival, it should naturally be presented when the festival begins."
"So, it's a secret for now," Rukkhadevata smiled.
"Muu... I'm so curious..."
Nahida, childlike as ever, bit her finger, looking quite torn.
The God of Wisdom was a deity who bestowed wisdom upon others, but also one who sought wisdom herself. This fated that the unknown was, for her, the most captivating.
Seeing Nahida's curious expression, Rukkhadevata thought for a moment and said, "I'll give you a little hint: it's a very good gift~"
Indeed, it truly is... exceptionally good... Feeling that 'Truth' named 'Jiang Qiao' continuously decompressing, releasing itself within her vessel—those completely untouched unknowns, those truths belonging to the world, to herself—it left Rukkhadevata utterly intoxicated, even trembling uncontrollably...
This was an instinctive response from her very essence as the God of Wisdom upon encountering something so deeply yearned for.
Just as flowers and grass become more vibrant and beautiful when nourished by sunlight and rain, Rukkhadevata was no different.
Because it was too intense, too difficult to suppress, she even had to try her utmost to conceal it, to prevent Nahida from discovering her 'unseemly' state.
To this end, Rukkhadevata even had to bite her lip until it bled to stifle the shuddering moans suppressed in her throat.
Life-giving currents flowed unnoticed onto the leaves of the Tree of Wisdom. The 'divine spark' generated from the communion of an Archon and wisdom made the Tree of Wisdom more vibrant than ever before.
"This is...?"
"Hmm... Haha, consider this a gift from me to you and Sumeru." Despite feeling incredibly embarrassed and shy internally, she realized Nahida had noticed the strange phenomenon she'd caused—or rather, with an elemental reaction of this magnitude and the undeniable Archon's grace leaking from Rukkhadevata, it would be strange if Nahida, as the Dendro Archon, didn't notice. She had no choice but to try her best to control herself and offer a barely passable explanation.
"Although gifts and such should be given to you at the Sabzeruz Festival, I can't exactly attend it openly, and you look so expectant... In that case, I'll give you my gift in advance."
She smiled—finding a perfectly reasonable excuse for the power continuously leaking from her.
Nahida was delighted to hear this and immediately hugged Rukkhadevata.
However, because Rukkhadevata had now regained her adult form, the two of them currently looked very much like a child hugging her mother.
It appeared exceptionally harmonious—if one were to ignore Rukkhadevata's rather messy state, with sweet dew trickling down her fair thighs in nearly imperceptible streams.
Of course...
Little Miss Nahida also seemed to have her own little ideas.
She hugged Rukkhadevata, happy about the gift, but another part of her was drawn by the fact that the closer she got, the more intensely she could smell that 'sweet' and 'fragrant' scent that was so tempting to her.
As she buried herself in the embrace, Nahida felt as if that 'sweet' aroma transported her back to her mother's womb—that feeling like Irminsul... So, Irminsul was actually this alluring to her?
Unlike the two Dendro Archons, one large and one small, who had reunited and were now close together, Jiang Qiao, aside from enjoying the prelude to the Sabzeruz Festival, was also observing the changes in Sumeru.
As for Kiana Kaslana and the others, their curiosity about this different world led them to join Lumine on an adventure, conveniently resolving some minor incidents that had popped up during the Sabzeruz Festival.
"The problems in the Sumeru desert have already been resolved, huh."
Seeing the lush greenery in the direction of the desert, Jiang Qiao leaned against a tree, somewhat surprised.
"Oh, I just noticed... all of Sumeru has become so green."
"Speaking of which, Neuvillette seemed to have mentioned this."
"Apparently, Rukkhadevata helped, using some kind of machine..."
Furina, who hadn't joined Lumine and the others in the excitement, scratched her head, sounding a bit vague.
Then, Nahida's voice chimed in: "It's the Varuna Contraption."
"That's a device Rukkhadevata once created that can alter the ecological environment on a large scale." The little cabbage could be seen walking towards them.
"Weren't you with Rukkhadevata?"
"Mm, we were together just now, but she said she wanted to see more of Sumeru, so we parted ways."
"I knew you all had arrived, so I came to see you," Nahida said with a smile.
However, the next moment, she paused, glancing at Jiang Qiao.
"Is something wrong?"
"...It's nothing." The little cabbage shook her head. Is it my imagination? I feel like... he smells so 'good' now.
However, perhaps she wasn't as perceptive or experienced as Rukkhadevata in this regard. Plus, unlike Rukkhadevata who had squeezed onto the 'Furina Express' with Jiang Qiao and taken the chance to 'sip' from him, it wasn't as obvious to her. She shook her little head.
"We really have you to thank for helping us deal with that nail left by the Heavenly Principles," Nahida said, expressing her gratitude.
Because of the Celestial Nail, even an Archon's authority was difficult to exert—and the Varuna Contraption was also broken.
The latter was manageable; it just needed fixing. But the former was completely beyond their ability to handle.
Sumeru's Celestial Nail was arguably the largest in all of Teyvat.
Even the Fatui, aware of its existence, could do nothing about it.
And there was even less the fledgling Dendro Archon, our little cabbage who had just taken office, could do.
Fortunately, Jiang Qiao removed the nail. Later, a certain renowned 'jack-of-all-trades' Traveler happened to repair the Varuna Contraption during their journeys.
Of course—There was another, even more important matter.
That was Apep, the Dendro Dragon sovereign.
Jiang Qiao not only solved the nail problem but also managed to lead away that stubborn dragon, Apep.
This did cause a temporary loss of Sumeru's top-tier combat power—but ultimately, Apep had always been a thorn in Sumeru's side.
Occupying the land as her own... Ahem, she was the original master, after all. In short, because Apep considered the desert her territory, if Apep hadn't left, even Nahida would have found it impossible to implement her plans.
Dragons, after all, are very particular about their territory.
With both the Celestial Nail and Apep gone, the difficulties Nahida faced in governing were swept away. "After Apep left, with the Traveler's assistance, I used the Varuna Contraption to restore the desert's landscape. The Akademiya also brought that difficult-to-manage area under its jurisdiction."
"Now, that area is no longer impoverished as before and has become a central hub for exchange between Fontaine and Sumeru," Nahida said, exceptionally happy.
For an Archon who loved her people, the disparity between those in the desert and those in Sumeru City was deeply unsettling—especially since she was the God of Plants and Trees.
Being able to bring vibrant life to the people of the desert gave the little cabbage a profound sense of satisfaction.
"I can see that... But, did something happen over there?"
"Eh?"
While Nahida was stunned, Jiang Qiao could immediately perceive the unrest in that region.
"Looks like some trouble has broken out over there."
"...Mmm, this is..."
As he spoke, before anything more could be said, a wave of dizziness washed over them.