Nahida seemed to have finally noticed the expectant gazes of everyone below and at last landed alongside Ei. Seeing this, Yucheng went up to greet her and, under everyone's envious gazes, clasped Nahida's little hand.
Seeing this, Alhaitham glanced at the Raiden Shogun beside him, wondering whether he should shake hands with her as well.
But looking at the Raiden Shogun's unapproachable expression, Alhaitham felt he lacked the standing to make a god regard him differently. He could only abandon the handshake and bow in greeting instead.
Yucheng said, "Nahida, thank you for coming to my wedding."
Nahida smiled. "You're the great hero who saved Sumeru. With your happy occasion approaching, of course I had to come show my support in person."
Watching Yucheng and Nahida chatting and laughing, seemingly sharing an unusually close relationship, Alhaitham recalled Yucheng's earlier actions and pointed remarks. A sense of unease welled up within him.
If he really stepped down as Great Sage, would the new Great Sage obey Lesser Lord Kusanali unquestioningly, or analyze things rationally? Could Sumeru end up becoming part of Inazuma through gradual, unnoticed infiltration? At that thought, Alhaitham felt a chill down his back.
The welcoming ceremony soon came to an end. Having just made a long journey, the Sumeru Delegation naturally had accommodations arranged nearby by their Inazuman hosts so they could rest.
When Nahida finally announced that they were free to do as they pleased, Cyno and Collei dashed out like the wind, off to do who knew what. The sight left Alhaitham, who had accompanied them, utterly bewildered.
Afterward, the sharp-tongued scholar Scaramouche also left on his own, though his expression as he departed carried the tragic resolve of a warrior cutting off his own arm.
Nahida herself was also preparing to follow Yucheng to meet