Paimon said, "Oh, right! When we were in the city, we happened to witness a Sage inviting Tighnari to join the project. It must be related to the same thing."
"But Tighnari refused outright back then. He might know something."
"Then let's not waste any time. Let's hurry."
On the way, Lumine ran into a group of mercenaries. "The blonde Traveler and the floating little one... looks like we've got the right ones. Take a look around—you've walked right into our trap."
[Furina: Hahaha, I can't help but laugh every time I see this.]
[Paimon: Why?]
[Furina: They don't even have elemental power, yet they dare to surround a Traveler whose combat strength is second only to gods.]
[Paimon: Exactly. The Traveler alone should have them surrounded instead.]
[Dottore: Do you really think I'd be that foolish? These mercenary groups are just to test where you're actually heading.]
[Paimon: So you don't actually know where we're going—you're just sending out lots of mercenaries to find out.]
[Dottore: Sumeru's mercenaries are really convenient to use. For a trivial amount of Mora, they'll do anything.]
[Furina: Dottore, I suggest you leave Sumeru immediately. Otherwise, when we arrive, we'll teach you a proper lesson.]
[Dottore: Can a god without divine power really teach me a lesson?]
[Ei: I don't mind drawing my blade.]
[Dottore: Oh no. I really should leave Sumeru. The Musou no Hitotachi is worth stepping back for.]
[Paimon: If you've got the guts, stay and let Ei fight you.]
[Tartaglia: They say the top three Fatui Harbingers possess power no less than gods. Dottore, don't back down in front of a deity.]
[Dottore: Tartaglia, do you think I'm a battle maniac like you? To achieve victory, one must rely on wisdom.]
Paimon asked, "Are you... from the Thirty?"
The mercenary leader said, "We're not those thankless dogs working for the authorities. We're the highest-paid elite mercenary group in all of Sumeru. This time, we've taken a commission from a certain gentleman known as 'the Exile.'"
Lumine assumed a defensive stance. "It seems that's Dottore."
Paimon asked, "But why didn't he just send the Fatui after us directly?"
Lumine said, "Maybe local mercenaries have more advantages here."
The mercenaries charged in all at once, only to be easily dispatched by Lumine.
Paimon spread her hands. "Well, that was a little tricky. Are these really the elite of the mercenaries?"
Lumine said, "I doubt they're the only wave. We'll need to stay on guard from now on."
[Navia: A little tricky, sure. But only a little.]
[Paimon: Yes, not even two little.]
"Still, Dottore is terrifying. He's already predicted where we're headed."
Lumine rushed to Tighnari's home, but he was gone—having left Avidya Forest unusually.
From Tighnari's disciple Collei, they learned that Tighnari had gone to Pardis Dhyai, a former research base of the Amurta school where various rare plants were cultivated for study.
Paimon thought for a moment. "A research base? What kind of research did Tighnari suddenly decide to do?"
Lumine then ran all the way to Pardis Dhyai and saw a Katheryne standing at the garden's entrance. Normally, Katheryne wouldn't leave her post at the Adventurers' Guild, so Lumine and Paimon immediately recognized her as Nahida.
Paimon flew over at once. "I was so worried about you. I'm so glad you're okay."
Lumine asked, "Are you Nahida's consciousness? Did Dottore do anything to you?"
Nahida replied, "It's wise to be cautious of me right now. After all, Dottore has demonstrated the ability to manipulate people's consciousness, and you have no way of knowing what happened between me and Dottore after we parted."