After a while, Aether comes back unscathed and rejoined with Noelle and Ayaka. They were set to go to Sumeru City to find the Dendro Archon, as Aether is seeking answers to his question if the Dendro Archon is the God of Wisdom, whoever they may be.

It took a day to reach the city on foot, and when they do arrive, they were stopped by an Akademiya member, who said that the Akademiya provides each and every traveler with a device worn on the left ear called an "Akasha Terminal". Ayaka nudges Noelle's shoulder, and the latter glanced at her shaking her head.

"Sorry, we both refuse to wear them, as we are merely his humble followers." Noelle explained to Panah, the Akademiya member.

Panah glanced at the duo for a moment, before looking back at Aether.

"Sorry, but I insist that you should wear it as well, fair ladies. All according to policy."

"And that is simply not my kind of policy, Panah-San." Ayaka said, opening her fan, concealing her lower face. Her eyes are icy cold, her voice increasing in tone, and an unseen icicle hits Panah in the chest.

"My, my! I guess I'll just let this one slide, then... But! Just to be safe, here's your pieces. Wear them anytime you want."

Noelle sighed in relief. Afterwards she took the two Akasha terminals which were meant for herself and Ayaka, and Noelle puts them inside her pouch.

"Oh, wait I know who you are! That one storyteller in Liyue once told me about someone who looks kind of very similar to you..." He said, concentrating his sights on Noelle to find out if he is mistaken or not, but then widened his eyes.

"I am afraid that is just coincidence, Master Panah. We shall now take our time within the city, I hope you have a nice day."

"O-oh, alright! I have to go. I hope that device helps a lot, Traveler!"

What they didn't know is that when Panah's Akasha terminal scanned Noelle and Ayaka, the only thing he sees are objects shaped like chess pieces within them, albeit translucently. And within the terminal's vision, it sees what they are hiding. Noelle's translucent geo cape is seen, as well as Ayaka's dormant wings of cryo.

The Dendro Archon is known only as 'Lesser Lord Kusanali'. Aether and Paimon then went around the city looking for information relating to Kusanali, because their terminals turned up nothing. Aether then ordered Noelle to go look for information alongside Ayaka, who still refused to wear the terminal herself. As they walk away from Aether, they struck a conversation.

"Noelle, you feel what I'm feeling when we first laid eyes on the people wearing these baubles?"

"I do. It's strange, but I can still feel it even though I could not explain it."

"Stay cautious, regardless."

"Understood, Lady Ayaka."

They begin to ask the Akademiya personnel within the marketplace, but find out nothing. They then later walked into a tavern owned by somebody named Lambad. They walked and spoke to him, but find out nothing.

"So, are you ladies going to order something?"

"My apologies, but we are also waiting for someone--"

"Wait, stand down! Dehya!"

At that instant, the both of them suddenly vanished and reappeared, with their weapons drawn. The blade of Whiteblind is held a few inches from a female Eremite's neck from her left, while Ayaka's tachi is on her right.

This is because the Eremite mercenary almost struck Aether with her clawed gauntlet. Ayaka's glance went on from the Eremite and the person whom she would call

"My lady, who are these two... And these other two who nearly turned me into fillet!?"

"Oh, we would love if you answered us first. You tried to strike MY Aether."

"Please, put your gauntlet down or there will be a major consequence..." Noelle said

"You're his girlfriend or something?" The Eremite girl asked Ayaka.

The lady then told Dehya that Aether and Paimon were travelers that she met on the streets, and are now trying to hide from the other Eremites.

"As for these two... I think they're his companions."

"Companions? I see. In that case, you four should scram, there's nothing here for you."

"Excuse me, but do you mind but to repeat what you just said, and who are you?"

"I'm Miss Dunyarzad's bodyguard, here to see that she returns home safe and sound... How was I supposed to know if this Inazuman is with that blonde traveler and his flying whatchamacallit?"

"I think we may have reached an understanding. You are not a threat to Aether, you are simply being cautious, just as we do."

"And you are...?" Dehya looked at Noelle, and widened her eyes.

"What is wrong?"

"It... It's nothing." Dehya then walked over to a nearby wall, and ripped off a poster hung there which the group failed to notice.

"Noelle, Ayaka, follow Dunyarzad to where we will sit down."

Ayaka clicked her tongue, and replied "Alright."

Aether and Paimon then talked with Dunyarzad after they all found a table that could place all of them together. Both Noelle and Ayaka, in unison said "Curry, please." While the others eat different meals.

Dehya quickly looked at the poster she just ripped.

"There's no mistaking it... She's got 50 million mora on her head..." Dehya whispered.

It was a bounty poster given by the Fatui, and Noelle is the target.

Meanwhile, the conversation then went into a part where the Sabzerus festival is mentioned, and Dunyarzad explains that it is a holiday that celebrates Kusanali's birthday. Ayaka paid no attention, until the name Nilou is mentioned. Her left hand grips the hilt of the tachi out of awareness. As for Noelle, she peacefully ate her meal, not realizing that Dehya is stealing glances at her, beads of sweat falling down her face.

Dehya kept on glancing at Noelle even after she and the others finished their meals, and walked with them to the Grand Bazaar. As they walk along the crowded secretive marketplace, they see a red haired girl in a rather skimpy dancer's outfit talking with someone. Dunyarzad then apologized to the girl that she is late, and she mentioned that name again. Nilou.

Nilou turned her gaze over to the party, and Ayaka quickly stood on guard while Noelle bowed her head down in front of her.

'drat, she's... She's on a whole other level...' Are Ayaka's thoughts as she hid her scowl behind her fan.

Nilou then introduced herself to the party, and Aether truthfully said that they are not followers from another land. Dunyarzad then asked Nilou about the preparations for the festival, before Nilou invites the party to attend as well, only inreasing Ayaka's awareness.

Noelle smiles as she then sees Aether interacting with the locals, especially the children. Her glance then falls over to a petite figure with elvish ears, urging Noelle to follow the figure.

"Hmm?"

As Noelle left, Ayaka then commenced her plans. She went over to the stage, and stood behind Aether, as he is done talking with the locals, and is now seeing both Nilou and Dunyarzad speaking with each other to keep an eye out on the red haired dancer.

Noelle left, and walked over to where the figure is secretively leading her, which is to the upper levels of the city outside the Grand Bazaar. Upon reaching a small building with a small bed underneath a tarp, the figure stops and turned around.

"We have finally met, Daughter of Shirogane, The Silver Knight."