Paimon explained, "Nahida was controlling your body earlier. It seems that before Katheryne's puppet was destroyed, she urgently transferred her consciousness into you."
Tighnari had heard the commotion and rushed over to help defeat the mercenaries, after which they fled all the way here.
Lumine said, "So this time it wasn't just a transfer—it was a swap."
"My consciousness just entered Nahida's body."
Tighnari was equally surprised. "Consciousness can be transferred so freely? If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would hardly believe it. This should still be beyond human capability."
"Oh, by the way, Lumine, that consciousness inside you asked me to pass on a message while we were escaping. She said that Dottore has found a way to trap her consciousness, so she can no longer travel with you."
"She also said that even on a moonless night, a sky full of stars is enough to pierce through illusion and lies."
Paimon stomped her foot in frustration, a flash of lightning flickering in her eyes. "Damn it! Nahida has really been imprisoned in the Sanctuary of Surasthana..."
[Nahida: I really jinxed myself. I just said I still had the Akasha, and now it's gone.]
[Paimon: That's not it at all! We have to teach Dottore a lesson and drag him out.]
[Ningguang: My intelligence network spans all of Teyvat. Perhaps I can help.]
[Furina: Ah, since when?]
[Ningguang: Through merchants. Where there's business, there are my eyes.]
[Dottore: If you want to find me, you're welcome to try.]
[Lumine: Why would you do such a thing to such a kind deity?]
[Dottore: Oh, no particular reason. If you must ask, I can only say it's for the sake of truth.]
[Lumine: Is that your excuse for harming others?]
[Dottore: If they can contribute to truth, then they die a worthy death, don't they?]
[Ei: Interesting. I'd also like to run an experiment—to see if the top three Fatui Harbingers, who are said to rival the gods, can truly withstand the Musou no Hitotachi. I hope you can help me with that.]
[Paimon: Yes, Dottore, go find Ei quickly! This is exactly the kind of experiment and truth-seeking you love. I'm sure you'd be happy to sacrifice yourself for the truth.]
[Dottore: That's... not the question I want to explore.]
[Lumine: The people you've harmed have no interest in the truth you seek either. This experiment—you will participate.]
[Furina: That's right, you will participate. This will be a grand trial aimed at you.]
[Dottore: Ridiculous. A cursed ordinary person wants to put me on trial?]
[Furina: Neuvillette, help me.]
[Neuvillette: Don't be afraid. I'll act.]
"Was that all she said? It seems a bit unclear."
Lumine said, "That's a coded message only she and I would understand. We can't let Dottore know our next move."
Paimon said, "I see. Now Dottore can definitely monitor Nahida's consciousness. The moon, illusion, and lies—those were all from our Sabzeruz Festival divination. And the stars seem familiar too—they're related to Setaria."
Lumine immediately understood.
"The moon refers to herself."
"The stars are the children of the desert."
"Illusion and lies refer to the Akademiya's plans."
[Paimon: Why is the key to breaking through in the desert?]
[Dehya: Perhaps because the desert people are the ones most dissatisfied with the Akademiya.]
Paimon suddenly realized. "So that's it. Nahida wants us to go to the desert for help."
"But without Nahida, can we really handle this?"
Tighnari, who had been listening, asked his own question. "Paimon just mentioned the Sanctuary of Surasthana. The Nahida you're referring to—the consciousness inside Lumine—could she be the Dendro Archon?"
Paimon nodded. "Yes, your guess is correct. The situation is complicated right now. It's hard to explain everything to you."
Tighnari spread his hands. "That's fine. A scholar's curiosity has its limits, and I know when not to pry. As for how complicated things are—I've seen enough with my own eyes just now."