New World (Genshin Impact x OC)

Chapter 115: Darshan Showdown Round 3

Opening 12

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After the conclusion of the second round, Lucius and Paimon arrive at the south entrance of Sumeru City, with the former looking rather serious despite the light-hearted mood around the city.

Paimon: It feels like something's been on your mind this entire time.

Lucius: ("That white-haired man I saw earlier... since I saw that man, nothing has happened, and no clues have been found related to him.")

Candace: Lucius! I've finally found you.

Lucius: Huh? Finally?

Candace and Dehya rush over to them, looking a bit alerted.

Dehya: Don't you feel like there's something off about this year's Akademiya Extravaganza? When Candace and I were at a café earlier, we might've caught sight of some mercs on business. Thing is, they were disguised as tourists here to shop. But no disguise can mask the stench of blood. Just from their suspicious looks, I bet they do dirty work like kidnapping or assassinations.

Candace: We eavesdropped on them for a while. Their target seems to be someone called Sachin.

Paimon: Sachin? Isn't that the person who Kareena mentioned during the opening ceremony? He's apparently the sponsor behind the competition prizes and the Diadem of Knowledge. But he hasn't shown himself at all...

Dehya: Sounds like a rich person, all right... It makes sense now. The Eremites have been struggling to make ends meet recently, so a lot of groups have been doing "private" work that involves the rich. In their words, one gig sets you up for half a year. Just one job like this nets them enough Mora to take it easy for a while.

Candace: The Extravaganza has brought many tourists to Sumeru City all at once, so it's likely that they took advantage of the bustle to sneak in. Dehya and I wanted to directly capture them, but they were on guard and made some excuse to slip away.

Dehya: I would've tied them up if it wouldn't have caused a scene. Who's legally supposed to take care of this kind of thing? The matra? Or the Corps of Thirty?

Paimon: Hmm... If Cyno were here, he'd definitely get involved. Why don't we head over to the Akademiya and tell a matra?

Lucius: Alright, thanks for the info.

Candace: Not at all. It was coincidence on our part as well.

Dehya: Yeah, don't sweat it. The Eremites' reputation is gonna get even worse if these scumbags succeed. But this is Sumeru City. Candace and I don't have as much freedom to act here, so we're leaving this in your hands.

Candace: Should you require our aid, come find us at the café.

Candace and Dehya head off as Paimon still sees Lucius looking rather tense.

Paimon: Paimon's noticed that something's bugging you. Is it the Extravaganza? 'Cause Paimon's starting to think that there's more than meets the eye here, too...

Lucius: Let's just go find a matra. We still have a job to do later.

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The two find Aarav in the Akademiya entrance and inform him of the situation that Dehya and Candace have discovered.

Aarav: Someone's planning to kidnap Sachin? Goodness... Though I suppose it's not all that surprising. The growing popularity of the Extravaganza has given him quite the reputation boost as its sponsor. He's seen as one of these "super-rich" types.