Kokomi said calmly, "The people in Sumeru City most likely to know about Lesser Lord Kusanali should be the Six Sages of the Akademiya. If a sage came forward to introduce you to Lesser Lord Kusanali and announce your request, meeting her would follow naturally."
Paimon said, "Oh, right! But we don't know any of the Akademiya's sages. We're just foreigners who only just arrived. Getting a sage's recommendation would be way too difficult."
After hearing Kokomi's second method, Lumine immediately thought of something and turned her gaze toward Yucheng beside her.
Seeing the expectant look in Lumine's eyes, Yucheng smiled. "What? Have you set your sights on me?"
Lumine said, "Yucheng, you're Inazuma's Regent now. You came to Sumeru to establish diplomatic relations, right? Then you're bound to have a chance to speak with the sages."
Paimon belatedly caught on. "Oh! That's true. I keep forgetting you're already Inazuma's Regent, Yucheng. In terms of diplomatic protocol, Sumeru would have to send a sage or the Great Sage to meet you as an equal.
"Yucheng, please help Lumine."
Paimon wheedled at Yucheng in her childish voice, acting cute and catching him somewhat off guard.
Yucheng sighed and said, "Lumine, Paimon, sometimes I wish our friendship could be a little purer, without other feelings mixed into it.
"You're right. I came to Sumeru to establish diplomatic relations. In diplomatic negotiations between nations, every additional demand we make comes at an additional cost.
"Of course, I can recommend you to the Great Sage so you can meet Lesser Lord Kusanali. But getting the Great Sage to agree might mean Inazuma has to pay a greater price. As Inazuma's Regent, I can't use Inazuma's interests to do you a personal favor."
After Lumine and Paimon heard Yucheng's words, the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.