Shani said, "Your answer is very close to Miss Candace's. I know you're friends, which is why, even though I've held back, I'm still willing to talk to you."
"In the past, I wouldn't even dare to ask these questions. Traveler, do you think our lives here will get better?"
Lumine was silent for a moment, then said, "I can't guarantee it. But I'm working toward that goal."
Paimon chimed in, "Right. We've come all the way from other nations. It's normal if you don't trust us, but we're not even citizens of this country."
"Even so, we've seen people from many places and fought for many things we believe in."
"We also have friends in Sumeru. There are things we need to do and people we need to find. That's why we're still here."
[Furina: The Traveler put me on the trial stand and completed the prophecy's cycle. Quite an achievement.]
[Lumine: That's a painful memory.]
[Furina: It's not really painful. I don't feel sad about it. Everyone was trying to save Fontaine.]
[Yae Miko: In Inazuma, you could say you helped quite a bit too.]
[Lumine: Always running errands for Kamisato Ayaka, running errands for Miko...]
[Yae Miko: But those were things only you could do. Others couldn't have done them.]
[Paimon: So we really are that important?]
[Yae Miko: Yes. You really are that important.]
Shani opened the door and stepped out. "I... I want to believe what you said."
"I'm really sorry for questioning you like that. To be honest, I never expected you to come to me for information before. It caught me completely off guard."
Paimon said, "Alhaitham said you have your reasons. We understand. No need to apologize."
Shani continued, "To be honest with you, I... I'm actually of mixed blood—desert and non-desert. I'm probably the most unwelcome person here."
"Some people here believe in the Dendro Archon, some believe in King Deshret. And I don't belong to either side. So to both groups, I'm completely redundant."
[Furina: Can't get help from either side, but easily draws hostility from both. No wonder, no wonder...]
[Alhaitham: If you're asking why humans are so complicated, I think it's because the environments they live in are inherently complicated. The more complicated the environment, the more factors they consider.]
[Nahida: So my environment was too simple?]
[Paimon: In the future, you'll be handling all of Sumeru's affairs...]
[Ei: That sounds terrifying.]
[Paimon: ??? Did I say something wrong?]
[Ei: Inazuma's affairs give me a headache. And Miko won't help me.]
[Yae Miko: ? Haven't I been helping all along?]
[Lumine: Why do I feel like I'm hearing a whining tone?]
[Yae Miko: Clearly, your senses are correct.]
Paimon rested her chin on her hand. "So the radicals also mentioned they hate traitors the most. Maybe mixed blood counts as being a traitor too."
Shani nodded. "Yes. Bloodline and faith can be very narrow-minded at times. No matter what I say or how I act, it's always assumed I have ulterior motives."
"Slowly, I learned to say nothing, pretend not to hear or see—as long as I could live peacefully."
Shani lowered her head. "Then something unfortunate happened. The Village Guardian who had helped me disappeared mysteriously, and I didn't dare tell anyone. Until today."
Alhaitham said, "You can tell them now. I believe the Traveler will keep your secret."
Shani nodded. "Mm. Then I'll tell you what I told Mr. Alhaitham."