With that, Dehya changed the subject. "Alright, we're done here. Traveler, give me a hand—let's tie these guys up and take them back to the village."
Back in the village, Dehya handed the prisoners over to Candace.
Candace accepted them with a smile, and soon the room echoed with screams.
[Paimon: Those screams sound awful!]
[Dehya: It's nothing. To get them to tell the truth, you sometimes have to use certain methods.]
[Lumine: That sounds painful.]
[Dehya: Candace is an expert at this. No one can withstand her interrogations.]
[Furina: I never expected such a beautiful girl to be skilled in this...]
[Candace: As a child of the desert, girls must also be strong and self-reliant. The deity gave me a Vision because she wants me to protect Aaru Village from harm.]
[Paimon: Is that your wish?]
Early the next morning, Lumine and Paimon arrived at the place where the radicals were being held.
Dehya was already there.
Dehya said, "You're just in time. The interrogation is almost done."
Paimon said, "There's something I've been meaning to ask. Dehya, you seem to know Candace very well. Have you two been friends for a long time?"
Dehya nodded. "Yes, we've known each other for a while. She's a very interesting person—skilled in combat, yet with all that power, she never schemes against others."
Paimon understood immediately. "I know, I know! In Liyue, they'd say she has great martial virtue."
Dehya nodded. "Yes, that's a good way to put it. I think only someone with a strong conviction can be as focused and dedicated as she is."
[Dehya: After seeing what happened in Inazuma, I understand now—it was that strong conviction that earned her a Vision.]
[Paimon: Dehya, what's your conviction?]
[Dehya: My conviction? Maybe it's also about protection. I want to see the desert land come alive again. I want to see the children of the desert go to school happily. If I say more than that, I might need some time to think.]
[Paimon: No wonder you two became such good friends.]
"Unlike us mercenaries—our lives are much more chaotic."
Paimon pouted and said, "I think you're great too, Dehya."
Dehya said, "Really? Well, thank you."
The interrogation was over.
As soon as Paimon entered the room, she noticed something was off. "Candace, you look really angry!"
Candace covered her face. "Hmm? We couldn't hide it after all?"
"It seems my composure still needs work."
"But it's only natural for me to be angry. I'm sure everyone here understands."
Hearing this, Engur was so scared his legs gave way, and he repeatedly begged for mercy. "Please don't hit us anymore! We'll die!"
Candace chuckled. "You're afraid to die yourselves, yet you're willing to put others in danger. How absurd."
[Cyno: I'm getting angry now.]
[Paimon: I'm getting angry too.]
[Furina: I'm also getting angry!]
[Ei: What... what happened here? I was handling some affairs in Inazuma, and it seems something interesting happened in the livestream.]
[Yae Miko: You can keep watching—it won't affect your understanding of the plot.]
"The people you call 'mad scholars'—we call them Village Guardians here. They are part of us. Some even see them as family."
"And yet you used these important villagers as tools. Tell me—how should I treat you?"
Zaki and the others knelt and begged for mercy. "Please, spare us!"
Candace said, "As a child of the desert, I understand a truth better than any of you: even if King Deshret were to return, he would only bring war. No one wants war."