Watching from below the stage, Dunyarzad felt indignant. "The Sabzeruz Festival was originally something the Akademiya should have organized. They are the ones who have neglected their duty for so many years. I am going to go argue with them."
Lumine stopped her. "Do not go. They control the interpretation of the rules. I am afraid they might become angry and strike back out of spite."
On stage, the Grand Sage's voice rang out. "Art, dance... in this nation of wisdom and reason, pursuing such frivolous and empty things—do you not feel ashamed?"
[Paimon: Hearing those words makes me want to hit someone.]
[Furina: Can Paimon's little hands even hurt anyone?]
[Paimon: I have the Traveler...]
[Yae Miko: A nation of wisdom and reason... frivolity and illusion... If you pursue wisdom and reason too extremely, do people not become tools?]
[Dehya: People become tools? That is the first time I have heard that, but it does seem rather fitting.]
[Raiden Shogun: Cut him down.]
[Paimon: That direct?]
[Raiden Shogun: Yes. This person... death sentence.]
"For all scholars who pursue truth, reality, and knowledge, the deity created this paradise called Sumeru for them. Yet you want to defile it."
Nilou shook her head firmly. "No, I believe the deity has never abandoned art either, just as the Lord of Flowers once danced for our deity."
The Grand Sage retorted arrogantly, "With your level of knowledge, I do not believe you are qualified to debate with me. What you should do now is find someone to take down these ridiculous decorations as soon as possible."
He then looked at his subordinate. "After we return, have the Scribe draft a decree prohibiting public artistic performances before the next Share Day. Then announce it to the people through the Akasha."
[Ningguang: Hmm? There is no relevant law?]
[Navia: Does Sumeru have no decree prohibiting public artistic performances?]
[Furina: No decree? Then what is he talking about? What is not in the law should not be prohibited. Even if it were to be prohibited, it should be after the law is established. Prohibiting without a law—where is the justice? Where is the fairness? Does the Grand Sage just do whatever he wants?]
[Navia: Yes. Before the law forbidding naming household pets 'Furina' appeared, naming a pet 'Furina' would not be punished. And even after the law appeared, those who named their pets before would not be punished either.]
[Paimon: Naming household pets 'Furina'? Do people in Fontaine actually do that?]
[Navia: Some do. The name of my little turtle is Furina.]
[Furina: I hope you will change its name immediately.]
"Sabzeruz Festival? Go ahead and celebrate the deity's birth."
Nilou was very dejected. "Did you all see that? The Grand Sage is demanding that we stop the performance."
Dunyarzad answered quietly, "Yes."
But Nilou did not give up. Her eyes widened. "Let us go perform somewhere else. Find a place where the Akademiya cannot find us. But how would we notify the people... and the stage decorations..."
"Or, we could simply find someone to guard the entrance so they cannot interrupt the performance. No, that is not right. They also threatened to investigate the organizers. If we are discovered..."
Dunyarzad said, "Stop, Nilou. It is alright."
Nilou looked at Dunyarzad. "But, Dunyarzad, you have been looking forward to this Dance of Sabzeruz for so long. I know this Sabzeruz Festival is very important to you. I do not want you to have any regrets."
Dunyarzad gently shook her head. "It is fine. The fact that you would consider my feelings like this already makes me very happy."
"Continuing the Sabzeruz Festival would indeed be too risky. I do not want to bring trouble to everyone."