In the scene.
Luxembarbo was indeed fooled by Paimon's excellent performance and laughed, "Pleasure to meet you, Lumine. Your golden hair shines as brilliantly as the sunlight! And this wondrous... hmm... cutting-edge Akademiya technology..."
Lumine smiled in response, "You flatter me."
Cyno then asked, "About what I mentioned earlier—what's your conclusion?"
Luxembarbo said, "Given the gravity of the situation, we'll certainly cooperate with your operation. I should say I've always longed to carry out a mission alongside someone as distinguished as you..."
Cyno said, "Enough pleasantries."
"Bring your finest squad and accompany me to the eastern sands for a covert operation."
Luxembarbo nodded. "Understood."
Cyno then requested a map and marked the operation site on it.
After giving instructions on the timing, Luxembarbo left with the guards.
Paimon was delighted. "I've realized that having a high rank has its perks—everyone speaks to us with such respect."
Lumine said, "Not a bad experience."
[Yae Miko: Little one, you're really enjoying this.]
[Ningguang: This still feels like a rather tense mission.]
[Paimon: Hehe, I'm not nervous at all.]
[Lumine: Unlike Miko, who used to be an official.]
[Yae Miko: Being an official... it was alright at first. People's respect was amusing in the beginning, but now that I'm used to it, it doesn't feel like anything special.]
[Ningguang: As one of the Liyue Qixing, I share a similar view.]
Cyno explained, "All of this is built upon the Akademiya's absolute authority. And now, we're about to strike back at that immense power structure."
"...Be prepared. We move in two days."
Lumine nodded and left with Paimon.
Two days later.
Lumine and Paimon arrived at the agreed meeting point.
After regrouping with the others, they proceeded to the planned location to surround Rahman and his men.
After a fierce struggle, they successfully captured them all without any injuries.
[Paimon: A flawless battle.]
[Yae Miko: These desert dwellers are quite skilled fighters.]
[Cyno: They are an elite mercenary company, after all. Naturally, they're different.]
Gaete reported, "Complete suppression! Operation concluded. All Eremite mercenaries and related personnel within the encirclement have been captured!"
Rahman, lying on the ground, spat fiercely, "Ugh! Followers of the Dendro Archon... you'll die a miserable death!"
Cyno snorted coldly. "It's you who'll die."
Rahman continued to struggle, cursing, "King Deshret will curse you—mark my words, he'll—"
Before he could finish, Cyno cut him off coldly, "Shut up!"
Luxembarbo said, "Tie them all up and take them back to Caravan Ribat! After a headcount, if there are no issues, send them to the Akademiya as per the General Mahamatra's orders!"
Gaete said, "Yes, sir!"
The guards escorted the visibly defiant Rahman and his men away...
[Furina: Their acting was so convincing—it looked completely real. Especially that slap from Cyno.]
[Lumine: After all, to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your own allies.]
[Nilou: But no one was injured. That's a perfect outcome.]
[Alhaitham: Yes. A perfectly executed mission.]
[Yae Miko: Rescuing Nahida.]
In the scene.
After the guards had left.
Lumine and Paimon returned to Caravan Ribat to meet up with Dehya.
After some brief pleasantries.