ICISEI Episode 190: The Secret Weeping Faction Concealed & Lost Memories
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Me? I have memory blanks. Did I go out by myself?" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "And what does this voice message mean?" ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "There are countless spaces, and the Sabzeruz Festival in Sumeru City is just one of them?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "It's getting harder and harder to understand." ]
[ Tighnari (Genshin Impact): "Countless spaces, or just one of them, is the area outside the city, the edge of a dream?" ]
[ Tighnari (Genshin Impact): "And outside are other people's dreams, so the Traveler is actually just a segment of consciousness within someone else's dream?" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Your guess, that's possible." ]
[ .....]
『 In the screen, time rewinds to two days ago. After Paimon sorted out her memory fragments, she suggested to Lumine that they carry out the plan made the day before. Lumine readily agreed.
The two then set off for the city gate of Sumeru City.
Upon arriving at the city gate, an unexpected scene came into view:
A soldier stood at attention, performing his duty as a guard, and opposite him was a merchant with an irritated expression.
"Why is this happening! Why aren't we allowed out of the city again today? What tricks is the Akademiya playing?!" The merchant fumed.
The gate guard showed a helpless expression, shaking his head and sighing: "Don't ask, asking more is useless. This is an order personally given by the Azar. Any matters will be resolved tomorrow." 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Sushang (Honkai: Star Rail): "As the saying goes, 'tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, tomorrow is endless.' If there's never a tomorrow, won't we be able to leave?" ]
[ Guinaifen (Honkai: Star Rail): "As expected of Sushang, so cultured." ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "Um, I believe it should be 'how many tomorrows are there,' right?" ]
[ Sushang (Honkai: Star Rail): "It's roughly the same meaning." ]
[ .....]
『 "I'm really anxious! The goods from Port Ormos have arrived. If I can't get there in time, won't those goods be given to thieves for free?!" The merchant's tone revealed a hint of pleading.
But even so, the soldier's attitude remained firm: "This is your private matter. If there are similar situations in the future, please apply and report in advance."
"Well, business opportunities don't come when you expect them. Sigh!" In the end, the merchant, looking utterly helpless, still embarked on the road back to Sumeru City.
After all, forcing his way through wouldn't work, and he still wanted to make a living in Sumeru, didn't he? 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Tighnari (Genshin Impact): "The Akademiya has locked down Sumeru City on the day of the Sabzeruz Festival?" ]
[ Dehya (Genshin Impact): "Is this part of the Sages' plan or something?" ]
[ Alhaitham (Genshin Impact): "Oh? And it was personally ordered by the Azar." ]
[ Alhaitham (Genshin Impact): "It seems this has been a long-planned scheme." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "But if that's the case, how did those two get out? Didn't they say they couldn't leave?" ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Hehe, if the normal way doesn't work, then we'll just have to take the abnormal way." ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "You mean?" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Climbing over the wall…" ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "That's not very heroic." ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "I'm a girl, I don't need to be heroic." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "Hahaha, that's how it should be. As long as the task is done." ]
[ Shizuka Hiratsuka (Oregairu): "Long live pragmatism…" ]
[ .....]
『Paimon whispered to Lumine, and after completely hearing the rumors from over there, "It looks like Sumeru City is completely locked down by the Akademiya today, which is expected."
They basically confirmed in their hearts that this was the Akademiya's doing, and they weren't surprised at all by the Akademiya possibly taking strong measures.
"Let's go ask around."
The two then walked up to the guard.
Little Paimon, with a sincere expression, expressed her confusion to the guard:
"Big brother guard, why aren't we allowed to enter or leave the city gate today?"
Having just sent away one merchant, two more appeared in the blink of an eye, and the guard was both amused and exasperated:
"Just sent one away, why are two more here?"
"You ask me, who should I ask? I know nothing."
"The order I received is to strictly control entry and exit from Sumeru City today. I really don't know anything else."
"Looking at this, those people from the Akademiya don't take you seriously at all. How could they reveal their intentions to mere soldiers like you?" Lumine tried to use a provocation tactic to extract information.
Unfortunately, this trick was too easily defused.
"Provocation doesn't work on me. If I really knew the inside story, I wouldn't be standing guard here, exposed to the wind and sun." The guard also looked helpless.
Seeing that persuasion was fruitless, the two had no choice but to give up.
Soon, they found a hidden corner by a wall, and began to conspire…
The scene changes.
By the corner of the wall, two figures were stealthily observing the sentry not far away, muttering something.
"Looking at him, that sentry probably doesn't have any information."
"Since we can't get anything out of him, why don't we just find an inconspicuous corner and quietly slip out?"
The speaker seemed worried that Lumine wouldn't agree, so she added a reason: "Besides, those sentries don't have a thousand hands and a thousand eyes."
After speaking, she looked around, pondering the best escape route. Before long, her gaze locked onto a low section of the city wall nearby.
"This spot is perfect. That sentry isn't looking our way at all. Let's act early!"
After some consideration, Paimon also turned her attention to the nearby wall. Since the main gate was impassable, this obviously not-too-high wall next to it was practically tailor-made for a quick escape.
But just as Paimon, full of anticipation, was about to pull Lumine to sneak away, lumine, standing beside her, suddenly blurted out:
"Paimon, I think it's better if you stay…"
At these words, Paimon's excitement instantly froze.
"Huh?! Why, traveler, are you abandoning me?" Paimon's eyes widened, looking at her companion with an expression of disbelief.
Through thick and thin, no matter what dangers they encountered, they always fought side by side, facing everything together…
But at this critical juncture, lumine suddenly suggested going out alone?
These words made little Paimon utterly unable to comprehend.
"After all, I'm also worried that leaving the city might trigger some memory changes, so we need someone to stay here to ensure the continuity of memories." Lumine slowly explained the reason for her decision.
The previous events had given her some vague suspicions, but the true situation would only become clear after she investigated.
After hearing the explanation, Paimon was still a little unwilling: "But what if the situation outside is completely different from what we guessed? If you encounter something out there, won't I be unable to help?"
Her voice was tinged with urgency, "I know I might not usually help much, but haven't we always been together?"
Seeing Paimon's aggrieved expression, lumine unconsciously reached out and gently ruffled her little head: "Don't worry, Paimon, I'll be extra careful this time."
"If both of us go, won't the result be the same as last time? We won't find any clues." Lumine comforted her while speaking slowly.
As time passed, Paimon, though unwilling, reluctantly nodded under Lumine's reassurance: "Okay, then I'll wait for you here."
She agreed verbally, but her hand tightly clutched Lumine's clothes, repeatedly admonishing her:
"Remember to come back quickly! Just go out and take a look, just for a moment."
Facing such an adorable Paimon, lumine could only feign resolve, turn around, and take her first steps. She responded from a distance with "I know," and then resolutely stepped out of the city gate. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "This is the bond between companions, just like the Traveler and me." ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "Although we're not together now, I'll still be thinking of you." ]
[ Eula (Genshin Impact): "???" ]
[ Collei (Genshin Impact): "??" ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "I was the first person the Traveler met in this world!" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Amber, thank you for thinking of me." ]
[ Amber (Genshin Impact): "Collei and Eula are the same, you are all my good friends." ]
[ .....]
『 In an instant, the scene jumped to yesterday.
It was at that moment that Paimon, just waking from the fog of memory and still in a state of confusion, suddenly saw Lumine's figure appear before her.
To everyone's surprise, as soon as Paimon saw Lumine, she burst into tears, rushing forward in a single bound to tightly embrace her.
"TRAVELER!! Waaah… waaah… WAAAAH!!!" Little Paimon clung to Lumine, sobbing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong, Paimon?" Lumine, having just sorted out her own memories, was startled by this sudden scene. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "It's the first time I've seen Paimon cry so sadly." ]
[ Lisa (Genshin Impact): "I want to hold her close and cherish her." ]
[ .....]
『However, soon, Paimon's sobbing voice, laced with complaint, echoed in her ears.
"Traveler! I thought I'd never see you again! How could you just disappear without a word?!"
"I, I waited for you by the city wall for so, so long, just because you casually said you'd be back in a flash."
"But you never returned! Didn't you say you'd just go take a look and come right back?! Waaah, waaah, waaah!"
Paimon cried as she poured out her grievances and worries to Lumine, afraid of being abandoned again.
"Paimon, calm down first. The Traveler is right here, and she seems a bit confused herself." Nahida gently comforted her, seeing that Lumine appeared to be at a loss.
But Paimon couldn't hear anything, still clinging tightly to Lumine, tears flowing endlessly.
"I don't care! Waaah, waaah, waaah! Yesterday, I wanted so badly to find you, but you told me not to go out. I was so conflicted and anxious there, fear accompanying me until nightfall."
Although she had no idea why Paimon looked so heartbroken now, and Lumine's own mind was a blank slate, with no memories remaining, seeing her heartbroken little face, lumine couldn't help but gently coax her.
"Um, Paimon, although I don't know what I did, I'm still sorry, Paimon." Lumine also hugged Paimon and comforted her:
"Don't worry, I won't abandon you. You eat so much, and I've raised you until now."
"Hmm… okay, then I'll forgive you this time. You didn't just disappear; that's the best news. I… I was really afraid you'd suddenly run off to another world and never come back." Paimon seemed to have been touched on a raw nerve and gradually stopped her tears.
When Paimon calmed down and gradually let go of Lumine, Nahida then stepped forward and said to the two, "Alright, that's enough for now. Next, Paimon, it's your turn to tell your side of the story—tell us exactly what you witnessed yesterday."
Since Lumine had lost all her memories due to going out, Paimon, who stayed in the city to wait, should remember all the details, right?
So, Paimon began to recount all the plans and details they had jointly orchestrated the day before, one by one.
…..Story flashback....
After listening to Little Paimon's explanation, Nahida nodded thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with understanding:
"Oh, so that's how it is. Using two people's perspectives to preserve this memory, a very clever approach indeed."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Paimon nodded vigorously, like she was drumming, trying to prove the truth of the matter.
But then her expression became a little confused again:
"But then, the Traveler slowly walked out of the city, and even though my gaze was always following her, her figure disappeared at a certain moment."
Lumine, hearing about this incredible event that happened to her, couldn't help but ask back in disbelief, "Are you sure you weren't mistaken? Perhaps you were distracted then?"
Considering Paimon's usual absentmindedness, lumine shouldn't have questioned her like this, but this matter was simply too bizarre.
Seeing Lumine's bewildered expression, Paimon quickly waved her hands in denial: "No, no, no! I was staring at your departing back without blinking, afraid you'd forget me."
Unable to get more information from Little Paimon, Nahida turned her gaze to the other protagonist of the event—Lumine.
"Traveler, what about you? Do you have absolutely no memory of this segment?"
And Lumine's answer was exceptionally firm: "I can confirm that I have absolutely no recollection of whether such a thing happened yesterday."
"In that case, everything makes sense." Nahida seemed to have caught some clues:
"If that's the case, then the previous events also make sense. Both times you tried to leave the city, you lost the memories of that day, and you couldn't be reawakened."
Because once they left the city, all their memories would be completely erased.
Only fragments of life within the city remained in their minds.
And memories from after leaving the city seemed to have fallen into a time rift, disappearing without a trace for some special reason.
No wonder the memories of the first two attempts to leave the city left both of them with no impression, as if those attempts had never happened. 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Next, I'll have to go out again, and it's a device Nahida made, and I left that message for myself." ]
[ The Herta (Honkai: Star Rail): "It seems that's how it is." ]
[ .....]
『 "So, does that mean our memories will be completely deleted as soon as we leave the city?" Paimon was momentarily stunned, not knowing what to do.
If going out meant a complete memory wipe, how could they ever discover the truth of the outside world?
Indeed, this matter was baffling and left them at a loss.
"Not only is no one allowed to enter or leave Sumeru City, but even those who go out have their memories erased…" Lumine pondered for a while, finally grasping the implications.
"So, there must be a lot of unspeakable secrets hidden outside the city, deliberately kept under wraps by the Akademiya, right?"
"But even so, won't we forever be unable to know the world beyond the city walls?"
The two went back and forth, expressing the same helplessness—the inability to return safely from outside the city with their memories intact.
"Assuming memories can't be preserved, is there any way to retain traces of our memories?"
"For example, leaving some information? But how would this information be transmitted back?"
The two exchanged ideas, discussing the possibility of transmitting memories.
As they talked, their gazes simultaneously fell upon the little god present. Nahida, being the focus of such attention for the first time, seemed a little shy.
"Hey, don't stare at me like that. I'm not used to being looked at so directly."
"Alright, you want a communication device, right? Give me some time to prepare, and in the meantime, can you help me look after Dunyarzad?"
After giving her instructions, Nahida took her small steps and left the two, beginning to prepare the necessary items.
Lumine and Paimon remained in place, sitting on either side of Dunyarzad's bed, beginning what seemed like an endless wait.
Time flew by, and the two waited by Dunyarzad's side, looking left and right, spending a great deal of time.
It wasn't until dusk that Nahida slowly returned from afar, entering their line of sight.
She walked closer to them, extended her small hand, and presented a small device.
"It's done. Take it and use it."
Looking at the sudden device in their hands, the two couldn't help but be astonished.
"Isn't this…?" 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Why did you bring this thing over again?" ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "It looks like it must have undergone some modification just now?" ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): "That should be the case. Transforming it into a device capable of recording the truth outside isn't difficult, actually." ]
[ Dunyarzad Homayani (Genshin Impact): "As expected of Lesser Lord Kusanali, to be able to do such a thing." ]
[ Nahida (Genshin Impact): "This is all because my power is too weak. Otherwise, I wouldn't have resorted to such a clever method." ]
[ .....]