"Oh, right, here's something for you."
As they walked, Nahida suddenly remembered something, stopped, and handed four glowing green orbs to the group.
"What's this?" March 7th poked at the orb, her voice filled with curiosity.
The orb felt soft and squishy. No wonder Lumina, the "Great Terror," loved poking it so much. If there weren't so many people around, March 7th would have happily played with it for several Hours.
"These are your escape routes," Nahida explained as she sensed the orbs binding to each of them. Glancing at the darkening sky, she resumed walking.
"This is Sumeru's affair. I'm already deeply grateful for your willingness to help."
"But I, nor Lady Lumina, would want you to risk your lives for this."
"So, if danger arises, simply activate the orb to teleport away. It will take you directly out of Irminsul Space."
"Once you're out, please leave the Sumeru Star System immediately. We'll handle the rest ourselves."
Nahida calmly explained the purpose of the glowing orbs to the group.
But in the next moment, March 7th rushed over, flicked Nahida's forehead with her finger, then transformed her hand into a gentle palm that rested on Nahida's head, softly stroking it.
As she stroked, she murmured, "Nahida, what are you saying? We won't encounter any danger, and we'll never run away!"
Her face radiated an infectious, confident smile, and her entire being seemed to glow with a radiant light that sparkled in everyone's eyes.
Watching March 7th's confident, smiling radiance and feeling the touch on her head, Nahida stopped walking, gritting her teeth as she snarled:
"Get your groping hands off me!"
With a sharp slap, Nahida shoved March 7th's hand away from her head. Perhaps her force was a little too strong, leaving a faint red mark on March 7th's pale hand.
"Seriously, Nahida, why are you being so stingy?" March 7th whined. "If you want to touch my head, you can do it anytime you like!"
"If I don't mind, why should you~?" March 7th rubbed her slightly sore hand and leaned in close to Nahida, chattering incessantly.
"You're trying to have your cake and eat it too, aren't you?" Nahida replied coldly.
You get to pet my head and enjoy it, then I pet yours and you enjoy it too? Taking everything and enduring no hardships? Aren't you just getting too much pleasure?
Nahida could easily see through March 7th's ulterior motives. She shot her a cold glare and quickened her pace.
"Aha ha ha..."
Caught red-handed, March 7th awkwardly rubbed her nose.
For some reason—perhaps because Nahida's appearance closely resembled Sister Lumina's—March 7th couldn't shake the mental image of snuggling into Nahida's arms and being gently comforted.
Ugh, ugh, ugh...
March 7th shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel these strange thoughts.
Given Nahida's petite frame, it was far more likely that she would be the one nestled in March 7th's arms, receiving gentle comfort from her.
The hierarchy must be respected!
"... ... ... "
Just as March 7th was thinking this, Nahida, who was walking ahead, suddenly shivered.
The exceptionally clever Nahida didn't need to guess who was thinking about her. Without breaking stride, she glanced at March 7th beside her, frowned, and said, "Are you thinking something impolite?"
"My small stature doesn't mean I'm young, and your large size doesn't mean you're old."
"If we were counting by age, I could be your great-grandmother!"
Combining this with previous events, Nahida instantly understood the impolite thought in March 7th's mind and shot her a cold glare.
Though it was meant to be a cold glare, coming from Nahida's petite frame and exquisite features, it came across more like a playful tease.
There was no hint of menace; instead, it only accentuated her adorable charm.
"Who knows how many days I was sealed in ice for? What if I'm actually older than you?"
Nahida's sharp retort and piercing glare made March 7th realize she shouldn't touch the tentacle. Still, she muttered under her breath, "Heh."
Nahida, too lazy to argue further, let March 7th think and say whatever she wanted. When I take on Lumina's form, I'll touch it all back, she thought.
March 7th wouldn't dare touch Sister Lumina's head, would she?
That would be downright treasonous, disrespectful, presumptuous... Lumina would never allow such a thing, not even the slightest hint of it.
After all, a seasoned navigator who has sailed the vast seas for eons could never tolerate a single leak in their ship that might capsize it.
Especially not Lumina, the grand navigator who has sailed through several Amber Eras without ever capsizing once. For her, such an event would remain confined to the realm of nightmares.
In simpler terms:
Except for dreams where things might go sideways, she's rock-solid!
"This... is where Sister Lumina's staff was rooted?"
The group quickly arrived at their destination. Recognizing the familiar surroundings, March 7th realized they were at the site of Nahida and Phandrea's earlier battle.
But something seemed to be missing.
"Where's Sister Lumina's staff? It couldn't have just vanished into the void, could it?"
March 7th looked left and right, but the staff was nowhere to be seen.
"I don't know," Nahida replied, a hint of confusion in her eyes. She shook her head and continued, "The staff disappeared after the barrier shattered during the battle."
"Lady Lumina's staff is far more complex than it appears. No one but she herself can wield it."
"Um... that staff, even from a glance, didn't exactly strike me as 'simple' from any angle..."
Upon hearing this, March 7th mentally recalled the Staff that Sister Lumina had wielded in battle. It was magnificent, opulent, and intricately crafted—nothing about it could be described as "simple."
Hearing her muttered thought, Nahida shot her a cold glare. Only after seeing March 7th's sheepish grin and slightly embarrassed expression did she continue, "Furthermore, the Staff is made from special materials that are impervious to decay and cannot be consumed by the Abyss."
"Therefore, the only explanation for its disappearance is that she took it herself."
As Nahida spoke, her displeasure gradually filled her usually adorable face, revealing her strong disapproval of Lumina's reckless actions.
Given Lumina's erratic behavior, a more reasonable partner would likely have erupted into a furious tirade, like a shrew about to unleash a torrent of abuse.
"Sigh... never mind," Nahida sighed, growing increasingly agitated as she pondered the situation. In the end, she decided to drop the matter.
Her expression suddenly turned serious as she looked at March 7th and the others. "Remember what I said earlier," she instructed. "If you sense anything amiss, immediately activate the power within the light spheres to escape."
Nahida gazed at the glowing orbs floating beside them, her expression and tone grave.
"Um..."
The group exchanged glances, their eyes communicating unspoken words. Then, with perfect synchronicity, they all nodded solemnly at Nahida.
Though they desperately wanted to declare, Even in the face of the greatest peril, we would never abandon you!, seeing Nahida's earnest and solemn expression, they exchanged meaningful glances and decided to humor her by outwardly agreeing.
Nahida: ?
Having received their assurances, Nahida cast them a puzzled look.
Wait, you're communicating through eye contact? How can you convey an entire sentence with just your eyes?!
Nahida was baffled, perplexed, and tried desperately to understand... but failed.
In the end, she gave up trying to comprehend.