Early the next morning in Sumeru City, Lumine and Paimon had just finished their breakfast when they saw Dunyarzad rushing out again.
"Dunyarzad!" Paimon called out, waving her hand.
"Oh! Lumine and Paimon! You're up so early!" Dunyarzad greeted them cheerfully as she ran over.
"My lady, please slow down!" Dehya said helplessly, walking behind her.
"I don't care if you want to be seen or not, you still need to be careful," Dehya added.
"Alright, alright, I know," Dunyarzad replied dismissively.
"..." Dehya massaged her forehead in exasperation; there was simply no reasoning with her young mistress.
"Dunyarzad, Dehya, let's grab a bite together. It's still early, you haven't eaten yet, have you?" Lumine asked with a smile.
"Sure, okay." Dunyarzad nodded and sat down with Dehya.
"By the way, Dunyarzad, why are you up so early?" Paimon asked curiously. "Don't you need more rest?"
"No," Dunyarzad shook her head. "I came out to help prepare for the Goddess of Flowers' birthday celebration."
"The Goddess of Flowers' birthday? What's that?" Paimon and Lumine looked at her with interest.
"Well, the birthday of the Goddess of Flowers is actually on the same day as the Lesser Lord Kusanali's birthday. It's also the day the Akademiya sages first discovered her," Dunyarzad explained.
"It's actually a very old festival. A long, long time ago, while Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was still alive, the Goddess of Flowers' birthday was celebrated to honor her," Dunyarzad continued. "Later, after Greater Lord Rukkhadevata passed away, the date was changed to celebrate the Lesser Lord Kusanali."
Dunyarzad said with a hint of sadness, "I heard that when Lesser Lord Kusanali first came to Sumeru, the people were very happy and celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm. But later, under the influence of the Akademiya, people gradually lost interest in it."
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other in surprise. Today was the Lesser Lord's birthday!
"There are many festivals in Sumeru related to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and the Council of Believers is actively preparing for those, but they haven't made any announcements for the Goddess of Flowers' birthday," Dunyarzad whispered.
"Why?! Isn't Nahida the archon of Sumeru too?" Paimon asked, stunned.
"Perhaps in their eyes, the birth of the Lesser Lord Kusanali represents the true death of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and that might be something they aren't willing to accept..." Dunyarzad said quietly.
"Oh my god! How could they do that?" Paimon cried out in anger.
Lumine nodded in agreement.
"Yes, they've gone too far!" Dunyarzad sighed. "Even though it was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata who created Sumeru, the Lesser Lord Kusanali has been silently protecting us for hundreds of years, hasn't she?"
The voices from their table began to draw attention from others nearby.
"Ahem... Look, there are still a lot of people around, please don't get too excited..." Dehya said, looking a bit awkward.
"However... I heard that the tradition of celebrating the Goddess of Flowers' birthday is still alive in the Grand Bazaar. I'm not very familiar with that area, so there isn't much I can do personally," Dunyarzad lamented.
"But, I met a friend in the Grand Bazaar who is one of the most loyal followers of the Lesser Lord," Dunyarzad continued happily. "So, I took all my savings and let her use it to make beautiful preparations for the birthday."
"It's the only thing I can do for the Lesser Lord," Dunyarzad said with hope in her eyes. "I hope everything goes well."
"Wow! Dunyarzad, that's amazing!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Really... Hehehe... I just wanted to do something for the Lesser Lord..." Dunyarzad scratched her head and smiled shyly.
"Wait a minute..." Hearing her words, Dehya's eyes widened. She looked at Dunyarzad and asked, "My lady, is the friend you mentioned Nilou?"
"Yes, that's her." Dunyarzad nodded and smiled.
"I saw her rushing out of her house a few days ago, and it looked like she was carrying something in her arms..." Dehya said, sounding a bit suspicious.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't overthink it," Dunyarzad said, sensing Dehya was doubting Nilou.
"Actually, I gave her one of my dresses to sell," Dunyarzad explained. "I didn't have enough Mora at the time, so I thought I'd give her something she could use to help."
"I see. I figured that red-haired girl was too innocent to be up to anything suspicious anyway," Dehya nodded.
"Actually, I already planned to go to the Grand Bazaar with Nilou today to check things out and help with the preparations," Dunyarzad said, looking at Dehya. "Dehya, can you come with me?"
"Of course I can," Dehya nodded, then added, "In that case, my lady, I will carry you there."
"Really? There's no need, you're already working so hard!" Dunyarzad shook her head.
"Don't refuse, my lady. The Grand Bazaar is very far from here. If you walk, it will be too late, and I wouldn't be able to explain it to the Master," Dehya said firmly. "Besides, if you're too exhausted and your body can't handle it, you won't be able to keep your promise."
"Ah... well, alright then. Thank you for your hard work, Dehya." Dunyarzad considered it and realized Dehya made sense.
"Um... can we come along and take a look too?" Paimon and Lumine exchanged a glance before Paimon spoke up. Lumine nodded in agreement.
"Of course!" Dunyarzad smiled brightly. "If Nilou knew that more and more people are starting to love the Lesser Lord, she would be so happy."
"Hehe! Let's go!" Paimon clapped her hands and quickly finished her biscuit.
"Let's go!"
The group headed down the road to Sumeru. Dehya carried Dunyarzad on her back while Lumine and Paimon chatted with them. Before long, they arrived at the Grand Bazaar.
"We're here, this is the Grand Bazaar," Dunyarzad said. "Dehya, you can put me down now, thank you."
"Of course, my lady." Dehya was a mercenary who had traveled the desert for years and was a top-tier Vision wielder, so her physical strength was naturally immense. Dunyarzad was thin and delicate, so carrying her was effortless for Dehya.
"Ah! That's Nilou!" Dunyarzad led the three of them forward; nearby, a girl with red hair was chatting with someone.
"Nilou! Nilou!" Dunyarzad called out happily.
"Huh?" The red-haired girl turned around and saw Dunyarzad. She finished her conversation and ran over to them!
"Dunyarzad!" Nilou was clearly overjoyed to see her.
"I'm sorry, Nilou, I'm late," Dunyarzad said.
"It's okay, I actually thought you were locked up at home again and wouldn't be allowed out," Nilou said. Then, seeing Dehya, she looked a bit surprised. "Huh? Did Dehya catch you?"
"No, Dehya is one of us now, aren't you, Dehya?" Dunyarzad said with a grin.
"Cough, cough... Well... not exactly..." Dehya said, looking away, her face slightly flushed.
"Hm? Who are these two?" Nilou noticed Lumine and Paimon and asked curiously.
Dunyarzad smiled. "These two are travelers from abroad who are very interested in the Lesser Lord, so I brought them along to take a look."
"Hello, are you two also admirers of the Lesser Lord?" Nilou asked in surprise.
Lumine looked at the girl in front of her. She had long, beautiful, flame-like red hair, and her face was charming, elegant, and lively. Though her outfit was a bit revealing, there was nothing lewd about her.
She had to admit, this was another beautiful girl who was instantly noticeable—dazzling, vibrant, and kind.
"That's right, we are also fans of the Lesser Lord!" Lumine put her hands on her hips, giving the girl a playful look.
"Hmph~" Paimon, who knew Lumine's history, shot her a disdainful look but didn't expose her.
"Ah! That's wonderful! Even travelers from abroad admire the Lesser Lord! Just as I expected!" Nilou said happily.
Seeing the girl so happy, Lumine felt her own mood lift.
Truly, beautiful girls really are the best remedy for bad moods. Akira was right! Lumine thought to herself; no wonder my lover loves beautiful girls so much!
"Oh, right, Dunyarzad, thanks to your sponsorship, look! The Grand Bazaar is putting on a magnificent celebration for the Goddess of Flowers' birthday!" Nilou said, gesturing around.
"Hehe, that's great~ But this is all I can do, I wish I could help more." Dunyarzad shook her head. "By the way, do you have enough funds?"
"We're managing, but don't worry, we've already renovated the stage~ Come, let me take you to see it." Nilou took Dunyarzad's hand and led the way.
"Let's go, we want to see it too," Paimon said, and Lumine and Dehya nodded in agreement.
"Wow! What an amazing stage!" Paimon exclaimed as she looked at the beautifully renovated platform.
"Nilou! Just as expected of you! We love it! I'm sure the Lesser Lord would be very happy, too!" Dunyarzad said joyfully.
"Hehe, I'm glad you like it~" Nilou replied shyly.
Seeing beautiful Nilou and Dunyarzad holding hands, Lumine leaned in and said with a smile, "Nilou, Dunyarzad, Dehya, shall we take a photo together?"
"Okay!" Dunyarzad nodded with a smile.
"Sure, why not!" Dehya agreed.
"Alright... well, do you have a camera for a souvenir photo?" Nilou asked, a bit shyly.
"Who still uses those? That photo recorder is way too old!" Lumine shook her head. She tapped her bracelet lightly, and a light screen appeared, reflecting the group's figures.
"Wow! How fancy... wait, let me pose first!" Dunyarzad chirped, quickly making a victory sign.
"Click~" The group photo was taken.
"So beautiful, and the image quality is amazing!" Nilou exclaimed.
"Hehe, I can print it out for you if you like," Lumine said proudly. After all, her photography skills were definitely top-tier.
"By the way, you don't mind if I share a few photos, right? I have several sisters back home; I'd love to show them," Lumine asked the three women.
"Of course!" All three nodded. It wasn't an indecent act; showing off their beauty cost them nothing, so they were naturally happy to oblige.
"Great, great!" Lumine smiled faintly and sent the picture to Akira's harem group chat:
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "My loves, I'm at the Grand Bazaar in Sumeru! Look at the beauties of Sumeru~"
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "The birthday of the Lesser Lord Kusanali, the archon of Sumeru, is approaching. It's also the day of the traditional festival, the Goddess of Flowers' birthday."
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "These three beautiful girls are gorgeous, but you probably haven't met them yet, my love. What do you think? Don't you want to get to know them? (Wicked grin)"
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "..."
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "Are those three Dunyarzad, Dehya, and Nilou?"
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "??? My love, do you really know them?"
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "Well... I should know them, but they don't know me yet."
Inside Tenshukaku, lying in Raiden's soft lap and enjoying the fruit she was feeding him, Akira rubbed his chin.
To be honest, the Dunyarzad in the picture had a delicate, somewhat sickly beauty. Unlike the NPC face in the game, her appearance was equally good—if not absolutely captivating.
Even though she looked pale and frail due to Eleazar, her flaws didn't take away from her beauty, and her suffering didn't diminish her charm.
Dehya was a completely different beauty from the girls Akira knew; with her dark skin and cat-like ears, she radiated a wild, feral charm, much like a small wildcat.
Nilou was wearing an outfit in the same style as the one the Goddess of Flowers once wore, and her flame-like red hair was as striking as Himeko Murata's.
**Akira's favorite little fox (Yae Miko):** "Oh my, you know everything about astronomy and beauty, so naturally you recognize these little sisters. You seem quite pleased with them."
**Akira's favorite great fox (Saiguu):** "I think my husband has his eyes on them, too. Lumine, you must do your best to win them all over for my husband."
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "Ah... I will do my best. They don't know you yet, darling, so it's hard to ask."
**White Fairy (Paimon):** "Akira, I have an idea. Look, Dunyarzad has Eleazar and is suffering from it. If you ask me, just give Lumine another Source of Life and have her cure Dunyarzad, then tell her it was you who did it!"
**White Fairy (Paimon):** "That way, Dunyarzad will be so grateful to Akira that it will surely spark an interest in him. Then Lumine can show them some handsome photos of Akira, and we'll capture the hearts of these young girls directly!"
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "Paimon! How do you know so much about this?"
**Shirasagi Himegimi (Ayaka):** "Wow! I think Paimon is right. Girls always love the heroes who save them. And Akira is so handsome. Miss Dunyarzad will definitely fall in love with him."
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "..."
Akira's eyes widened in surprise as he watched his little beauties discuss how to woo other beauties in the group chat. Were they all... always this obedient?
This was unbelievable!
"Hehe~ It seems your sisters are all very interested in these matters." Raiden Makoto said with a light smile, "I think Paimon is right, too~"
"Really? Even you agree with them?" Akira said with a grin.
"You think I don't know what you're thinking?" Makoto looked at Akira, who was resting his head in her lap, and gently stroked his face. "My husband must be very happy, right?"
"Indeed." A smile appeared on Akira's lips; he couldn't help but smile.
"So, what are your plans?" Makoto asked, pinching Akira's cheek.
"As a husband, how could I not appreciate my wives' good intentions?" Akira chuckled, trying to find an excuse for his infidelity.
"You heartless womanizer..." Makoto scolded softly, then leaned down and kissed Akira's lips.
Akira sat up lazily. Honestly, the pillow was so comfortable he didn't want to leave at all. However, after sitting up, he pulled Makoto into his arms, enjoying her warm and soft body, while the life energy in his hand slowly turned into a small ball of light.
"Is this the Source of Life?" Makoto looked at the snow-white orb in Akira's hand with curiosity, reaching out to touch it and feeling a cool sensation.
"It's a weakened version of the Source of Life, not exactly the same as the original," Akira explained with a smile. "Even though it can easily cure the Eleazar disease, it's not the same as the Source of Life Lisa had before."
"Lisa's Source of Life can grant mortals eternal life; their bodies will never decay, and they can easily recover from any injury, no matter how severe."
"I see." Raiden Makoto nodded. She was a goddess and had reached a level of power that transcended Teyvat, having achieved immortality herself, so she naturally didn't need the Source of Life.
In the group chat, Akira's wives were still lively, discussing beauties from all over the nations. Akira noticed that Ningguang and Lisa had also joined the conversation.
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "Ningguang? Aren't you busy today?"
**Tianquan (Ningguang):** "Hmm, I'm not busy today. I saw the chat and was talking with the sisters. How have you been lately, my husband?"
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "Wonderful! Our wedding is coming up, and I'll be livestreaming it for all of you!"
**Harem Lord (Akira):** "Lumine, get ready to receive the Source of Life. My happiness is in your hands."
**Blonde Traveler (Lumine):** "Alright! How are you going to send it to me?"
With a single tap, Akira created a black wormhole in the void and tossed the Source of Life into it. In the Grand Bazaar, walking with Nilou and Dunyarzad, a massive black hole suddenly appeared around Lumine.
"What is that!" Seeing this, Dehya moved cautiously in front of Dunyarzad.
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Lumine stepped forward quickly, and a snow-white sphere of light slowly emerged from the black hole and landed in her hand.
"My husband sent this," Lumine explained.
"Your husband?" Nilou, Dunyarzad, and Dehya stared at Lumine in shock, never having guessed that the famous traveler already had a partner.
"Yes, that's right," Lumine said with a smile, "And this is going to be used to save Dunyarzad."