Chapter 257: Dance of the Lotus Goddess
"Speaking of which, this final is the perfect opportunity for the Jade Chamber to launch and promote this, isn't it?" the Wanderer remarked, casually tossing a sleek, watch-like device in his hand.
"Mm," Alhaitham affirmed with a nod. "using a large-scale event with national attention to promote one's products... a move befitting the Tianquan, Ningguang."
"Liyue is the department in charge of finances within Teyvat," the Wanderer continued, his tone laced with a grudging respect. "As the head of the Liyue Qixing, it's only natural for Ningguang to possess such foresight and methods." He then scoffed, a shadow crossing his features. "Unlike that old woman, who couldn't care less about Inazuma's affairs and only knows how to cause trouble..."
Not wishing to linger on unpleasant memories, the Wanderer deliberately changed the subject. "So, when exactly are you leaving? The help you were asked for has been provided, has it not?" As he spoke, he glanced around the bustling venue, his expression souring. The sheer number of people was grating, and he truly couldn't comprehend why anyone would enjoy such a clamorous activity.
"I am, of course, staying to watch Nilou's performance," Alhaitham stated plainly. "I need to see the results of my creation, after all."
With that, he ceased engaging with the Wanderer. A quick check of his phone confirmed there was still some time before Nilou's dance. He produced a book from within his coat and, completely ignoring the surrounding din, began to read as if he were in his own private study.
The Wanderer rolled his eyes at the scholar's back and turned away with a huff, no longer bothering with him. Resigned, he could only look up and idly watch the boring performances on stage.
"Something's a little strange," Conan murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
Seeing that the two men from the Black Organization had fallen silent, Conan and Subaru Okiya exchanged a subtle glance. They carefully averted their gazes and slowly, unobtrusively, made their way out of the immediate area.
Once they were a safe distance away, Conan's brow furrowed in deep thought. The conversation he had just overheard echoed in his mind, a puzzle with ill-fitting pieces. Every word had been clear, yet the implications felt just out of reach, leaving him with a nagging sense of dissonance he couldn't quite place.
"They are familiar with Teyvat," Subaru Okiya's calm voice sounded beside Conan's ear, instantly highlighting the crux of the matter. "That boy, at the very least, seems to know a great deal about Teyvat's internal affairs."
'That's it,'Conan thought,'Mr. Okiya is right.'
With Okiya's reminder, the pieces began to click into place. The boy from the Black Organization—the one with the wide-brimmed hat—must have a deep connection to the Teyvat Organization.
, their conversation made it clear: Ningguang belonged to a "Liyue department" within Teyvat. By extension, based on the distinct, geometric design of their Visions, Keqing, Xiangling, and their new acquaintance, Zhongli, must also belong to this Liyue faction.
That meant the boy was likely connected to Teyvat's "Inazuma Department," though Conan had yet to see what an Inazuman Vision looked like.
He also recalled what Klee had mentioned before—that her Vision was related to the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Could the Visions of Liyue and Inazuma also be tied to some kind of regional deity?
Conan and Subaru Okiya discussed their theories for a while, but with insufficient clues, they could deduce nothing further. Realizing they had been gone long enough to arouse suspicion, they turned and headed back toward their seats.
"Wow, was there a line for the restroom? You two were gone for a long time."
Seeing Conan and Okiya finally reappear, Ran Mouri let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She had been on the verge of going to look for them, worried something might have happened. "We were getting worried," she added, her relief evident.
"Exactly! Miss Nilou is about to take the stage," Sonoko Suzuki chimed in, leaning toward Conan with a dissatisfied pout before he could even think of an excuse. "If you were any later, you would have missed her performance entirely."
'This little brat,'Sonoko grumbled internally,'always has to run to the restroom at the most critical moments, and he takes forever every single time.''This time he even dragged poor Mr. Okiya along to keep him company. Mr. Okiya probably felt too awkward to just leave him there, which is why they took so long. How inconsiderate!'
Fortunately, Conan was oblivious to Sonoko's inner tirade, or he would have felt deeply wronged. Putting aside past incidents, this time, the blame didn't lie entirely with him.
Just then, the stage lights dimmed and a single spotlight shone on the host, silencing the crowd and rendering any further explanation from Conan and Okiya unnecessary. All attention immediately shifted to the center of the stage.
"And now, for contestant number thirty-eight—Nilou! She will be performing the 'Dance of the Lotus Goddess'!"
As the host's announcement concluded, Nilou glided onto the stage with ethereal lightness, striking an elegant pose under the bright light.
A moment later, a beautiful and gentle melody began to flow through the venue. Nilou moved with it, her body swaying gracefully to the rhythm.
Her dance was as captivating as a flower unfurling its petals at dawn, each movement fluid and poignant, capturing the undivided attention of every soul in the audience. With light, nimble steps, she seemed to skim across the floorboards like a butterfly flitting from bloom to bloom.
And beneath her feet, a miracle unfolded. The ordinary potted plants decorating the stage, as if imbued with a sudden surge of life, began to stir. Before the astonished eyes of the crowd, they started to sprout and blossom, unfurling into a dazzling array of brilliant, colorful flowers.
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