Hu Tao x Reader: Side Story: Shadow of Sumeru

Chapter 10: The Birth Of A False God

Collei: "Mhm... t–Together! You, me, Amber, and also Director Hu Tao too!"

* SUMERU CITY *

After a long walk with Collei, our hands holding one another's, we eventually reached the border of the main city. And even from out here, it was very clear to see... there was a weird feeling of restlessness and disarray within. A feeling that hung over the city and what few citizens were still outside.

I realised that this wasn't really a very pleasant thing to have to experience, especially not for someone who currently lives in the nation who's capital city is currently in such pandemonium, and thus I saw no reason to subject Collei to such an upsetting scene any longer, and after getting her agreement, our hands parted —without either party mentioning the occurrence before — and I then directed Collei into our Serenitea Pot, for reasons of both ensuring her safety and maintaining her health.

And now, reassured by Collei's immunity for the time being, I made my way into the city border. Making my way towards the Akademiya, for that is where I am sure I will find the Traveller and his party that are involved in this mission that Candace informed me of...

* * *

I didn't even manage to get all that close to the Akademiya before a very interesting sight came to light, it seemed a tall grey–haired man was being taken away by what I could only assume to be a couple of Akademiya Guards, they looked to be wearing a garb rather different to the guards I found amongst the city folk at the very least.

Even more interesting still was the subtle look and smile he offered to somebody nearby to the incident that I quickly recognised to be the red–headed dancer I had met just a couple days before!

Y/N: "Nilou...? What was that about?"

Nilou: "AAH!! w–Who...? Oh! It's you! Hi again!"

Y/N: "Hey, it's good to see a friendly face. It's looking pretty scary around here right now!"

Nilou: "I guess it is, yeah. Geez! You really gave me a fright there! I thought for a second that you might have been a guard coming to arrest me too!"

Y/N: "That guy being taken away, you know him?"

Nilou: "Only from yesterday. He's a friend of a friend, you could say... Hey, you wouldn't happen to know the Traveller too, would you?"

Y/N: "Traveller? By that, I suppose you mean Aether and Paimon? Yeah, I know them well enough. They fought in the battle against Osial, the same as me, amongst other meetings."

Nilou: "Hehe! They sure live up to their title of Traveller, don't they!"

Y/N: "They sure do! But... that guy back there is a friend, then? Do you want me to... free him?"

Nilou: "Oh, no, no! Don't mind him! He's done his part, now it's— Oh! It's my turn, I almost forgot! Sorry, I've really got to go! I have to head to the Akademiya real soon!"

Y/N: "Oh? You too? I was just heading there myself. It would seem I'm joining the party late, as it were. But I presume, with you waiting until you got that signal, that the Akademiya is locked down...?"

Nilou: "It is, yeah. It's Jnagarbha Day after all! Oh, but don't worry. I can get you inside, just follow me and I'll explain on the way!"