However, everyone currently doesn't know about the Great Sages' treasonous actions; they only know that they imprisoned the god.
To be reasonable, the Great Sages, as figures with extreme authority, managing the country into this state without external pressure—how can one word "incompetent" suffice?
Originally, there was no internal pressure; they created it themselves, and in the end, they were ended by internal resistance. Genius!
In any case, the intelligence Collei mentioned isn't really intelligence to the people of Sumeru, but it's just right for people outside Sumeru.
Building a wall at the desert's edge? Doesn't that mean there's still a god in the desert?
This is everyone's guess; after all, no one would use a wall to divide their own territory, right? It was probably two countries at the time.
There aren't many people reading in the desert; mostly mercenaries. Seeing this intelligence, they're all somewhat angry.
They were originally two countries, so whether the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata built the sand-proof wall or not wasn't their business, but the rainforest's god took advantage of the disaster to seize their territory.
Now, it's clearly one country, yet there's still a wall blocking it. Why can the rainforest people live good lives?
Recently, the wall's entrance no longer stops desert people from entering; even a group of scholars came saying they want to do outreach teaching.
But they still aren't satisfied, because the rainforests never treated them as their own people.
Lord Scarlet King, please come back soon; your people need you.
Fortunately, the Scarlet King didn't come back; if he really did, he'd first have to scold the desert people, then turn the Akademiya's Sages into mummies.
With the Scarlet King's combat power, he doesn't need schemes or tactics; he could swagger into the Akademiya and no one could stop him.
Even if Snezhnaya helped, it wouldn't matter; the Scarlet King, he is the true Chicken Dinner King of the Sumeru region.
Back to the story, besides mentioning the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Collei also mentioned the Little Auspicious Grass—this is what the Traveler currently wants to know.
["I heard from Master that later, the Sages found the newborn Dendro God and brought her back to Sumeru."]
["To celebrate the god's recovery from loss, the Sages called her the 'Little Auspicious Beast' and let her reside in the Palace of Purity."]
"Celebrate," "reside"
Those who have seen that animation short at this moment clench their fists—hard, their fists are hard!
Even the real-life Collei at this moment angrily clenches her fists.
Her temper is actually very good, but seeing this part, she can't help but feel anger rising from her heart.
Fortunately, Tighnari is always by her side, hurriedly using some incense to ease Collei's emotions.
Collei's situation is special; it's best not to have such angry emotions, so during this time, Tighnari pays special attention to Collei's condition every day.
Collei smells the incense, and her emotions gradually stabilize. The Collei in the story falls silent.
Paimon still wants to ask about the Dendro God's follow-up, but Collei can't answer.
["Is it because we're strangers, so some things aren't convenient to say? If that's really the case, it's okay; you don't need to mind," Paimon says.]
The readers seeing this sentence also laugh; Paimon, do you want to see what you're saying?
Knowing Paimon doesn't have that many ulterior motives, this sentence might really be intended to comfort Collei.
But in reality? This really puts pressure on Collei!
With this said, how much pressure does Collei feel? If she doesn't say, it seems like she doesn't treat the other as a friend.
Kamisato Ayato sighs: "I didn't expect Paimon to have conversation skills."
He naturally sees that Paimon doesn't have this intention; he's just teasing a bit.
Kamisato Ayaka: "Lucian told me about it; this is called... 'airheaded'?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi sighs; those who cram strategies all night still can't compare to 'talent-type players' after all.
["No no, you misunderstood; I'm not hiding anything. Besides, to me, you all aren't really strangers," Collei waves her hands.]
As expected, the Collei in the story panics immediately and hurriedly explains.
She doesn't have many friends to begin with, and she doesn't want to lose them.
And her saying the Traveler isn't a stranger isn't because of these few days of interaction, but because she knows Amber; Amber wrote letters to her telling her about the Traveler's matters.
The readers also can't help but sigh; the Traveler truly deserves the title of Teyvat's networking king.
["Amber is really amazing! She loves life, has a sense of justice; not only full of action, but also very empathetic, always able to light up others like a flame," Collei says with sparkling eyes, full of admiration.]
Collei looks a bit shy; how could she say these words face-to-face to Amber? But now, they've all been seen by Amber.
Not just Amber; Eula saw it too, nodding repeatedly—said too right!
This woman with deep sins truly has too much charm; that guy Lucian is the same, tsk.
["In my opinion, she's the most suitable person to be a Reconnaissance Knight."]
["Because almost everyone who steps into Mondstadt will first meet her, then be infected by her enthusiasm, and fall in love with that land..."]
'Because almost everyone who steps into Mondstadt will first meet her'—the Traveler is a special case; she first met Venti.
Venti stirs things up: "Oh oh, truly charming, little Amber."
"The wind... Lord Venti is clearly more charming." Amber smiles brightly.
Ah... her sincerity is a bit blinding...
Venti awkwardly retracts his smile; better to use the wind to see others' reactions.
The readers also very much agree with Collei; said too right!
Earlier, when seeing Haypasia ignore the Traveler, everyone was still sighing over Amber's enthusiasm.
One really can fall in love with a land because of one person!
Of course, for the readers, falling in love with Mondstadt isn't entirely Amber's credit; a certain 'eh heh' weirdo also has an undeniable contribution.
In the previous island story, Mona and Fischl even displayed their charm greatly once, truly delightful.
In comparison, the current Sumeru hasn't shown any of its charming aspects yet.
However, everyone has a bit of a changed view of Collei; didn't expect her to talk so much!
As expected, people shine when discussing things they love.
Even usually quiet and introverted people will become talkative.
So, the reason she doesn't reply to your messages is found, right? You say so, Arnold.
Look at Amber and Collei; even separated by such a distance, they keep letter contact at all times. Even during the busiest time after the Dragon Disaster was resolved, Amber would write letters to Collei.
The content of the letters is telling Collei that a 'blonde auntie and white Feifei' stopped the Dragon Disaster.
Of course, this title isn't the content in Amber's letters.
In any case, because of Amber's lubrication, the Traveler and Collei suddenly become much closer.
The three girls chat, and incidentally eat the 'Pocket Pancake' that Collei made together.
In the exchange process, the readers also discover that Collei seems a bit 'inferior'; she doesn't seem very confident in herself.
How can a beautiful girl be so unconfident? If I looked like that, I'd go out showing off every day.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Shenhe: About Collei
"The reason she talks more, I seem to be able to understand. Is this called empathy?"