NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: One Month Later
Shimmer's POV.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me with the plants." I told Nahida who was making trees and flower sprout in some grassy spots between the buildings.
"It's not a problem, but why aren't you doing it with your Delusion? It is a Dendro one right?" Nahida asked me, to which I looked at the Delusion clipped to the collar of my top.
I sigh as I see the green Elemental Focus, "I could, but it takes way too much out of me." I explain as I then eye my Vision, "Hell, I'm not even used to my actual Vision yet, I never told Gloom, but during our sparring matches it feels as if I'm dying..." I admit.
Nahida looked surprised at that, obviously, "I see..." She said in response, "...Say, how has that deal with Focalors going? I heard Klee also asked you if you could send some guns to Mondstadt too." She brought up.
That question made me laugh a bit, "I have to say, it has been going great!" I exclaim happily, "Pantalone said I'm easily on the way to become the fifth richest person in Teyvat!" I inform proudly.
"That's... Actually amazing!" Nahida commented stupefied, but I could tell she figured something out, "There's something you're not telling me, clearly." She accused.
To that I looked at her with a frown, "What gave it away?" I questioned, "Actually, don't answer that." I quickly say to stop her from saying anything, "Let's just say I'm not sure it's gonna be enough to cover the expenses necessary to lead a nation." I explain simply.
"There are three things I know make a functional Nation." I state as I start listing "Influence, which I'm literally fmaking this place myself so that won't be a problem, the trust of the people, and if someone moves here that means they trust me so that's a non-problem too, the only issue is the money required for projects and similar." I finish listing with that last as the issue.
"It is a big issue, founding projects can be problematic." Nahida said, clearly knowing the pain it can be herself, "But for you it shouldn't be that big of an issue for you with that Wand you have." She noted.
I pull out said Wand and twirl it in my hands, "I know it's powerful, but it doesn't automatically give me ownership of the areas I use it on." I point out.
The explanation made Nahida take a step back in surprise, "Ohhh! Yo-You're thinking... Very big..." She comments before Cyno came running all the way from Sumeru.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali! It's an emergency, you need to come back now!" He exclaimed in a hurry, prompting Nahida to go running, "You too Shimmer! We need all the help we can get!" He told me, and against my better judgment I decided to go too.
In Snezhnaya, Snowflake Meadery.
Gloom's POV.
"So you and that white colored girl are actually dating now?" Venti asked me out of the blue.
I looked at him in silence for a moment, "What brought that up?" I asked back, wondering why that was even important to know after a month of it being a thing.
Venti laughed a bit at the question, "I've been away from Teyvat for a hile you know? Thought I'd catch up a bit with the other six and when I meet Focalors, she tells me you're dating." He explained.
"I would ask where you've been, but I honestly don't care." I respond coldly, causing Venti to gasp in clearly fake offense, "Also put that bottle down, I'm not like Diluc, I will kick your ass." I warn, cracking my knuckles to make a point.
At that, Venti wasted no time in putting the bottle down on the counter, "Are you sure you're not Arlecchino's and Diluc's secret love child?" He jokingly asked, and I was really not amused.
"You got a five second headstart." I tell him, causing him to go running out of the door in fear, only to come back in a second later looking even more afraid.
"Whatever you'll do to me, can't be worse than that thing currently outside." He says seriously, peaking my interest, so I went to check, opening the door, only to be greeted by the sight of a Gaismagorm staring down at me.
In the complete surprise of the moment, I quickly let out my tentacles and stabbed them into the monster's skull and used my Vision to fry it's brain, at least rendering it unable to move.
"That thing shouldn't have been here." I tell Venti, still looking at the supposedly dead Gaismagorm.
After a bit, I saw that Rosalyne was running towards us, "Gloom-! Oh good you killed it." She noted in relief, "Listen, Inazuma is under attack we need your help!" She stated hurriedly, prompting me to rush in the direction of the archipelago.