Chapter 372

The first item of the Flower God's Birthday Festival, naturally, is the flower cart of the Flower Knight Faris.

Nadixa, who had not appeared in public for a long time, personally sat on the flower cart; wherever she passed, flowers bloomed in profusion, and as the flower cart went by, floral fragrance came blowing towards her.

Vigil, dressed up, had never thought.

Having played the Flower Knight for so many years, he now actually has the chance to become a true Flower Knight.

This is an honor personally bestowed by the Dendro Archon, in front of the entire grand bazaar.

The more he thought about this,

Vigil could not help but feel an urge to sing loudly.

It's a pity.

The occasion is not quite right.

The Dendro Archon said.

Today many visitors have come to the city, everyone wants to see what the true Flower God's Birthday Festival is like, so no matter how excited, they must calm down.

As the most loyal follower of the Dendro Archon.

Vigil diligently played the Flower Knight at the grand bazaar for many years; each Flower God's Birthday Festival, he would personally make many Yalda sweets to give to the children who came to celebrate.

Thus he is still quite familiar with the procedure.

Although the Flower God's Birthday Festival has hardly ever been formally held.

But handing out sweets is something you can do just with your hands.

What's more,

Today the one handing out sweets is none other than the great Dendro Archon.

Vigil, whose heart grew ever more excited, glanced and gently urged the horses pulling the cart.

This is a gift from the people of Mondstadt to the Dendro Archon.

It is said to also bear the blessing personally bestowed by the Anemo Archon.

Vigil dared not use the whip too hard, fearing to harm such a precious exotic beast; he could only lightly flick the horse's body a few times to make it understand his intention, so that it could smoothly set out and complete this super-long parade.

Fortunately,

This exotic beast blessed by the Anemo Archon has extraordinary intelligence; without needing to recall, Vigil had already begun acclimating with it early on, so everything went very smoothly.

"Whoosh—"

Gazing at the newly widened, orderly road and the people cheering and leaping on both sides, Vigil's hand involuntarily trembled.

It was excitement, as well as nervousness, with a hint of fear.

According to the custom of the Flower God's Birthday, there is only one flower cart, in which the Dendro Archon personally sits to distribute blessings to the people of Xu Mi Cheng.

In other words,

Thus there is only one Flower Knight.

"Gloop—"

Vigil whispered a prayer: "May the Dendro Archon bless me today with smooth sailing, no wind, no waves."

"You need not be so nervous."

A gentle voice came from behind.

Vigil's spirits lifted instantly.

This is the Dendro Archon's voice; he would certainly not mistake it.

"My Flower Knight, set forth, go greet the joy of the Xu Mi Cheng people, let the radiance of the God of Wisdom shine once more upon the land of Xu Mi Cheng."

This somewhat chuunibyou remark was said by Luo De teaching Nadixa.

To be honest,

Just saying it out loud is still rather embarrassing.

After all, Nadixa is a rather solemn deity, and besides, she is either busy handling state affairs or researching new technologies developed at the Academy.

Thus, when she spoke these words, her tender white face inevitably flushed, and she unconsciously began to knead the prepared Yalda sweets.

However, hearing these words, Vigil felt as if injected with chicken blood, his whole body brimming with inexhaustible vigor; he even shouted regardless of the occasion: "Dendro Archon, everyone is looking forward to meeting you; let us set off quickly!"

The words fell.

Whether the populace watching the void terminal livestream or the crowds gathered near the flower cart in Xu Mi Cheng, all let out thunderous cheers.

When the flower cart took its first step, a jade-green light shield descended from the heavens, enveloping the entire Xu Mi Cheng.

Fresh flowers accompanied Nadixa's tossed Yalda sweets, drifting like gentle raindrops.

This seems not like a dream.

But is real.

Everyone who received the sweets could taste from these heavenly Yalda candies a sweetness that seeps into heart and spleen.

Fresh flowers fell.

The elderly could rise from their wheelchairs, the blind could see the world of blooming flowers, the disabled who had lost limbs also grew legs, feet, hands, and arms; everyone involuntarily rushed onto the streets, excitedly enjoying this moment of renewed health and happiness.

At such a celebratory moment.

A group of exquisitely dressed children, led by a green-haired maiden in a verdant green dress, leapt and jumped to block the flower cart, holding high their flower crowns, and shouted eagerly: "Dendro Archon, may you be healthy forever and always protect Xu Mi Cheng."

Ke Lai was not a pre-arranged shill.

She sincerely came to offer a flower crown to the Dendro Archon.

This flower crown was also made by her rallying the little companions she knew, who scoured the entire Xu Mi Cheng for flowers, each person participating and hand-weaving it.

Having experienced so much.

Ke Lai is no longer that wounded child who harbored resentment toward the gods.

"Thank you."

Nadixa walked out of the flower cart, her face beaming with a happy smile, but a tear hovered at the corner of her eye, about to fall.

Children are a nation's hope.

This is the belief that both the Great Merciful Tree King and Nadixa have consistently upheld.

And the children's heartfelt blessings.

It is also the most wonderful blessing in the world that they both acknowledge.

The people who had just been joyfully dancing fell silent, watching intently as Nadixa personally took the flower crown Ke Lai handed over and placed it on her own head.

"May Xu Mi from now on be free of disaster and misfortune, prosperous and peaceful."

"May the people of Xu Mi from now on be free of illness and pain, healthy and happy."

"May the children of Xu Mi from now on be learned and knowledgeable, free of hardship."

At the same moment she put on the flower crown, Nadixa clasped her hands and formally bestowed her blessing upon the people gathered in Xu Mi Cheng at this moment.

After a brief silence.

Louder than before, the cheers rang out throughout Xu Mi Cheng.

Whether followers of the Dendro Archon, those opposed to her, or atheists, upon personally feeling the Dendro Archon's blessing, in the setting where everyone was rejoicing for the Flower God's birthday festival, all broke into heartfelt smiles.

"Not bad."

Inside the Pure Benevolence Palace.

The deities, high above in mortal eyes, all leaned on the railing—some languid, some interested, some drunk on seven parts meat and eight parts vegetarian, displaying all sorts of expressions.

The so-called banquet and ceremony.

Those formal and solemn segments had long ended.

As for the officials of various countries and their attitudes toward this Flower God's birthday festival, the deities couldn't be bothered to manage it.

Anyway, as far as the deities are concerned.

Their reasons for attending Nadixa's birthday celebration were mostly casual. For example, Venti came to mooch drinks; he would be drinking to the point of stumbling, his eyes barely able to stay open.

Again, for example, Furina came to blend in; the whole time she pretended to be a nobody, first hiding in a corner eating some sweets, then gulping down a strong drink, then acting as if she couldn't handle alcohol, and directly flopped onto a comfortable plush sofa to pretend to sleep.

The rest need not be mentioned.

The Ice Empress was unwelcome; she found a quiet place to pour and drink by herself. This time she came just to remind Luo De not to forget their promise, after which she had nothing else to do.

Raiden Ei and Xiao were both silent types; if no one livened up the atmosphere, they were like a pair of big ice blocks, not uttering a sound.

The Great Merciful Tree King and Apepu were not here either.

One of them always had something to do, the other had a sensitive identity making it inconvenient to appear here.

So after looking around, the only one who could talk to Luo De was the fiery, straightforward elder-sister type Fire God Maweika.

Indeed, that was indeed the case.

When everyone was either absent-minded or overdoing the fun.

Only Maweika leisurely came to Luo De's side, holding a cup of strong liquor and leaning on the railing; while gazing at the grand scene of the Flower God's birthday festival below, she remarked, "I never expected Barbatos to be so generous, even lending his dragon to you."

The dragon she spoke of.

In fact, it was the fine horse pulling the flower cart that had received the "Wind God's Blessing".

Luo De also didn't know.

Venti somehow convinced the proud Special Horse to lower himself into the form of a horse and run over to pull Nadixa's cart.

Thinking of this.

Luo De glanced sideways at the equally aloof Naweilate.

According to the Seven Archons' banquet rules, although Naweilate possessed divine-level strength, he was not a deity; he could only be considered Furina's guard, unable to sit on equal footing with the Seven Archons, and thus had to sit at the back of the seats, just like Raiden Ei used to.

However, the Seven Archons now are a reunion after surviving calamity, so there are no longer so many rigid rules.

Seeing Furina agree to let Naweilate sit on equal footing with her, no one raised any objections.

Simply not raising objections does not mean there are no objections.

Naweilate's hostility toward the deities is plainly visible.

Nobody present is a fool; those with keen perception, through the identity of the Naveilite Water Dragon King, naturally deduced where his hostility came from.

Still the same saying.

Fortunately, these gods have already become laid-back; otherwise, someone would surely come out to contend with him, and even a righteous mob attack would not be impossible.

Don't think of these gods as some lofty souls.

They, who have lost much.

Given the chance to gang up, they would absolutely not risk the danger of a one‑on‑one fight, including Venti the lazy ghost and the most stubborn Leidian.

Fortunately, the isolated Naveilite's expression was actually very calm.

Judging the gods is indeed his wish.

But his reason tells him he cannot engage in meaningless conflict.

So, aside from when he saw Tevarin, under Venti's command, turn into a carriage‑pulling horse and his expression changed a bit, at other times he could still keep a calm mind.

He withdrew his gaze.

Luo De laughed and said, "Indeed quite unexpected; I thought Tevarin would give him a beating."

"Heh—"

"That dragon knows its limits; to beat him, it would have to be when we return to Mondstadt, not beat him in front of all of us."

Mawika seemed to recall something from the past, and a nostalgic look appeared on her face.

Shaoqing

She came to her senses, her eyes blazing as she stared at Luo De and asked, "Are you interested in coming to Natara to work for me?"

"Huh?"

Luo De didn't expect her poaching to be so direct, and he asked doubtfully, 'Why?'

Because you're not afraid of the Abyss.

Mavuika's reason is simple and straightforward: 'We in Natlan have always been fighting the Abyss, and we most need someone like you. If you're willing to come help us, the day the Abyss is permanently eradicated from Natlan, I will grant you the power of the Fire God as a reward.'

This reason was enough to convince people, but it also made Luo De more doubtful: 'What makes you so sure I can definitely help you drive out all the darkness?'

Because you're strong enough.

Mavuika's reason remained just as simple: 'The Abyss is hard to deal with; even I cannot completely avoid its harm, let alone completely drive it away, and not just me, they can't either.'

But

Mavuika changed the subject: 'You can.'

Luo De was at a loss for words again.

To tell the truth.

He himself lacked confidence in this matter, and he didn't know why Mavuika, someone he was interacting with for the first time, would be so confident.

Furthermore.

Luo De had never been to Natlan; who knows how far the Abyss has spread there? Before seeing it with his own eyes, who would dare guarantee he could definitely resolve that Abyss corruption?

Sorry.

Although your offer is tempting, I'm afraid I can't handle this job.

Indeed, the power of the Death Sovereign from the Fire God's throne is very attractive, but Luo De didn't want to undertake something uncertain, and he then looked toward Nawelait and said: 'I promised the Water Dragon King that after the Sumeru affairs are settled, I will go to Fontaine for a trip.'

Having said that.

He then glanced toward his Ice Empress, whose gaze happened to meet his, and shrugged: 'Once I finish business in Fontaine, I'll head to Snezhnaya—let alone going to your Natlan; I don't even know if I can return to Sumeru.'

Oh, is that so?

Mavuika turned her head, her crimson pupils like rubies directly locking eyes with the Ice Empress.

The signs of a clash between flames and frost quickly spread across the viewing platform of the Pure Good Palace, and the gazes of the other gods instantly shifted here.

Wait for me a moment.

Having said that, Mavuika walked overbearingly straight to the Ice Empress's desk, after which she couldn't hear anything.

Worried they might fight, Luo De couldn't bother watching the festivities below, staring at them unblinking and muttering: 'What the heck, seriously.'

Fortunately, the tense atmosphere ended in less than a quarter of an hour.

Having concluded the talk, Mavuika rose, a satisfied smile on her face, walked back, and announced before the attentive crowd: 'We've reached an agreement; after you finish your business in Fontaine, she agrees to lend you to Natlan until I've used you up.'

???

A bunch of big question marks suddenly appeared above Luo De's head.

What agreement did these two people reach?

How did they just end up selling me out like that?

No!

The person involved hasn't even agreed yet, yet these two made the decision privately.

Just as Luo De was about to speak up and refuse in his own name, Mavuika suddenly struck a pitiful pose, sighing: 'I used my Gnosis to get you to go; if you don't go, I'll have no choice but to drag you there.'

!

Luo De stared dumbfounded at the Fire God before him, who looked pitiful and wronged yet spoke with unreasonable domineering.

No!

Big sis!

Is this your posture for begging for help!? (End of chapter)