Genshin Impact: I am a scholar in Xumi

"Mmm, this is so delicious! I'm so full!" Paimon patted his belly contentedly.

“These are all signature dishes from the residents of Sumeru City who are skilled cooks. They heard that you resolved the crisis in Sumeru, so they specially sent you these gifts,” Nilu said with a smile.

"Is this what it feels like to be treated like a hero? Not bad at all," Dixia said cheerfully.

"I still can't quite believe it's happening here with everyone who participated in this great project," Dina Zede said, placing a hand on her chest and smiling gently.

"Not long ago, I was thinking about how to make my last days more meaningful... I think there are many people like me inside and outside Sumeru City, and their relatives and friends are all grateful for this."

"Hmm... thinking about it now, it's a bit unbelievable," Paimon scratched the back of his head, "We actually resolved the great crisis in Sumeru so quickly..."

Al-Hysen: "Because we all did our part, it's like a grand performance. When all the roles and props are ready, it will naturally proceed smoothly and efficiently along the predetermined path."

"You won't blame us for stealing your spotlight, will you, Traveler, Paimon?" Harold said, holding his teacup, half-jokingly.

“No, no, we’re overjoyed that you’re so reliable, aren’t we, Traveler?” Paimon quickly replied.

Kong nodded, and at the same time, he suddenly felt his consciousness being invaded, and a gentle female voice appeared in his mind:

"Are you satisfied with this banquet, traveler?"

Kong hesitated for a moment, then thought to himself: 【Nasita?】

“Yes, it’s me. I slipped away after finishing up the pile of business at the Order of the Church.” Nasita said somewhat embarrassedly, “...Traveler, although you have helped me a lot, I have another favor to ask.”

Empty: [What is it?]

Nasita: "I hope you can convey my gratitude to everyone."

Kong: [I see. But as today's host, Naxida, you'd better explain it yourself.]

Nasita: "Hmm...is that what you think? I'm a little worried...won't my presence ruin the atmosphere here?"

Sora: [No, everyone will be happy to see you, and it seems Dina Zede and the others have something they want to tell you.]

Nasita: "...Yes, I believe in your wisdom, traveler."

"Then go now, good luck!" Kong encouraged.

“Alright, in that case, I’ve decided to borrow your body for a short time,” Nasita said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Kong was so shocked that his pupils trembled violently.

“Please don’t blame me, after all, it was you who suggested that I thank everyone in person,” Nasita said.

"Okay... but please promise me you won't say anything weird with my body." Sora said helplessly, rubbing his forehead.

"Well, I'll just say a few words to everyone, like the fiery flower spitting out a fireball, 'whoosh,' very quickly." After Nasita finished speaking, she took over Sora's consciousness and then manipulated Sora to stand up from her seat.

“Hey, what’s wrong, Traveler?” Paimon asked curiously.

"Everyone, it's me!" "Kong" gave a gentle smile.

"A woman's voice?!" Dina Zede's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hands in surprise.

"...Traveler, what's wrong with your voice...did you drink too much juice and hurt your throat? No...why does this voice sound familiar?" Kavi pretended to think.

Paimon thought for a moment, then said, "It sounds like... Nasita's voice."

"What? It's Lord Little Lucky Grass King?" Dixia, Setare, and the others were all taken aback.

"It's my first time communicating with the consciousness of the Little Lucky Grass King in this way. It's a very novel experience. Was this a special program that you, as the host, specially arranged?" Elhesen said.

“You could think of it this way. Originally, I didn’t intend to disturb everyone’s enjoyment, but a wise friend suggested that I come and thank you in person. Ah, I think he’s right. Face-to-face communication is often more sincere.” “Kong” put one hand on his chest, and in the blink of an eye, his image in everyone’s eyes transformed into Nasita herself.

All eyes were on her, especially on Dina Zede, who was so excited to see her idol that she kept rubbing her skirt with both hands.

Narcida: "Traveler, Paimon, Mr. Harold, Mr. Elhesen, Mr. Kavi, Miss Nel, Miss Setare... Thank you so much for risking your own safety to save me."

Without you all, I would have faced far greater difficulties than I am now, and the World Tree's disease would never have been cured...

Especially you, Mr. Harold, Mr. Elhesen, Mr. Kavi, Mr. Seno, and Miss Setare, over the past few years, you have used your wisdom to contend with the Great Sage and the Doctor. I have witnessed your efforts, and it is your courage and faith that have given me confidence. Truly, I am very, very grateful... You will always be Sumeru, and also my personal best friends.”

“You don’t need to do that; protecting you is our duty,” Sino said.

“Your safety is closely related to the safety of the World Tree and Mount Sumeru. We merely stopped the Council of the Church and its sages from doing something foolish,” Harold said.

Al-Hysen agreed, saying, "Correcting the mistakes of the Church and the Sages is the best way to get our lives back on track."

Kavi was a little embarrassed: "...Ahem, you've gone too far."

Dixia's goodwill towards the Little Lucky Grass King increased again: "As a god, you are so humble. You are too kind."

Setare murmured to herself, "...I am truly honored to be able to join this project. It was Lord Harold's topic that awakened me and made me think about where my true home lies...I am so glad to be able to meet you here and talk to you like this. I have chosen the right path this time."

After listening to everyone's heartfelt words, Nasida was somewhat moved: "...Thank you, thank you everyone."

"Look, everyone is so happy to see you," Kong said to Nasita in his mind.

"Mmm!" Nasita gave a bright smile.

[Also, Dina Zede has something to tell you, but she seems very nervous right now.] Sora said.

“That child… she’s like a newly blossoming little flower, sensitive and fragile, yet full of infinite possibilities… seeing her is like seeing my former self—” Nasita said with emotion. “Thank you for reminding me, traveler, I know what to do now.”

Having severed her conscious connection with the void, Nasita approached Dinazede and said with a smile, "Miss Dinazede, the traveler told me that you have something to say to me, is that right?"

“...I—” Dina Zede didn’t expect Nasita to call her out, and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Yes, Miss, didn't you revise that plan several times before you came? Tell everyone about it quickly," Dixia urged.

"Lord Little Lucky Grass King... I didn't expect that you would actually know me..." Dina Zede felt her mind go blank and was already speaking incoherently.

“I remember it very clearly, those calls you made, even though you probably didn’t realize it yourself, every single word you uttered was saying ‘I want to live,’ ‘If only someone could lend me a hand, I could live’…”

"I'm sorry, I lost my memory and strength, and I'm powerless to help you with your prayers. I can do nothing but offer you some encouragement..." Nasita felt ashamed about this.

"Please don't say that! You are my great benefactor. If it weren't for you, I would have given up hope long ago!" Dina Zede said hurriedly.

"Yes, you lost your memories and power while saving Sumeru... Hmph, it's all the fault of the Faculty. If it weren't for those sages, you might have regained your power long ago," Dixia said with dissatisfaction.

Paimon nodded vigorously in agreement.

“Hmm…so, don’t be nervous, Dina Zede. You haven’t done anything wrong. Let’s raise our heads and sway our leaves to welcome the adventurers, just like the Phantom Flower,” Nasita said with a smile.

Dina Zede couldn't help but chuckle softly. Although still a little nervous, her thoughts were gradually becoming clearer: "Yes, it's about business. I heard that the Little Lucky Grass King wants to change the mercenaries' situation, so I want to do my part as well—"

She glanced at Harold, then quickly looked away: "...but...this will probably require Mr. Dolly's cooperation."

This wasn't originally in the game, but Harold immediately became interested: "Tell me about it. If it's suitable, I'd be willing to be the messenger."

Dina Zede: "Hmm, I heard that Lord Dolly sends a caravan to the desert every year to do business with the locals. In addition to selling goods from Sumeru City to the desert people, he also buys local specialties."

However, some of these local specialties are easily damaged during transport, such as bone carvings, shell carvings, and certain woven items...

I know that to avoid losses, Lord Dolly would have instructed the caravan not to purchase these items beforehand, but there must be other solutions... We could simply transport the raw materials to the rainforest and process them there.”

“Wow, that’s a great idea!” Paimon exclaimed.

“That’s a good suggestion, but it’s not that simple to implement in practice. There are many details to pay attention to,” Harold said, stroking his chin.

Upon receiving confirmation, Dina Zede breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued, "Most of the mercenaries in the rainforest now possess the craftsmanship skills of their tribes, and they are willing to accept lower wages than the residents of the rainforest. Therefore, our rainforest merchants will be happy to provide them with this job."

“Don’t do that,” Harold blurted out.

“Huh? Why? Is it a salary issue? But there’s nothing we can do about it... If it weren’t for this, most merchants wouldn’t be willing to hire a large number of mercenaries…” Dina Zede said.

Well, what you said makes some sense, but if put into practice, it would be a disaster. After all, it already happened in the 21st century, and there's even a specific term for it: scab. Harold thought.