(Sorry guys, I am swamped with work for the week. In addition, Madrid is sweltering hot recently and I am working outdoor for the week. Damn it!!!)
Chapter 86. Senpai's Prestige
'Not good.'
At that moment, the Fatui Mirror Maiden inwardly cursed her luck, because the situation had already slipped beyond her expectations.
She had taken out the Great Sage's token and forcefully pressured the Matra, intending to settle everything as quickly as possible. Yet she had never expected Faruzan to appear at precisely this moment.
How was that even possible?
Had she simply happened to pass by?
The coincidence was so perfect that even the Fatui Mirror Maiden found herself caught off guard.
Faruzan's standing within Sumeru was extraordinary. Among the people of Sumeru City, her prestige was second only to that of the Sages themselves.
Yet while her prestige ranked second, her seniority was on an entirely different level. Even the Great Sage would have to show her a measure of respect.
Because of this, the Fatui Mirror Maiden had deliberately avoided targeting Faruzan directly. To provoke Faruzan was practically equivalent to provoking half of Sumeru's scholarly community.
Faruzan was different from ordinary Scholars.
She was a living legend.
Among contemporary Scholars, very few had not grown up hearing stories about her.
Simply put, Faruzan was an existence respected and admired by the overwhelming majority of Sumeru Scholars.
The Sages themselves might possess authority and influence, but legendary figures like Faruzan often enjoyed something even more valuable—the genuine admiration of ordinary Scholars.
And that was precisely why she was so difficult to deal with.
What made the situation even more troublesome was what happened after the Great Sage's token was revealed.
Ordinary people might not dare oppose the Great Sage.
Faruzan, however, was one of the very few Scholars in Sumeru who could openly ignore such pressure.
More importantly, she had not come alone.
Behind her stood a sizeable group of Scholars.
Although cooperation between the Akademiya and the Fatui was practically an open secret, there were simply too many organizations across Teyvat that maintained relations with the Fatui.
Even Inazuma, a nation that openly distrusted the Fatui, still cooperated with them in certain matters.
However, everyone understood one thing.
Cooperation was one matter.
Using the Great Sage's authority to command the Matra on behalf of the Fatui was another matter entirely.
Scholars valued reputation and dignity above almost everything else.
Today, the Fatui were using the Great Sage's token to command the Matra in broad daylight.
What about tomorrow?
Would they begin issuing orders to the Matra whenever they pleased?
Would the Matra eventually be forced to obey every command simply because someone waved the Great Sage's token in front of them?
The mere possibility of such a future was enough to make many Scholars uncomfortable.
As a result, the expressions of the surrounding Scholars grew increasingly unpleasant, and some were already glaring openly at the Fatui Mirror Maiden.
The Matra standing nearby did not fully understand the entire situation, but they wisely chose not to interfere.
Neither side attempted to arrest the Faruzan Troupe.
At this point, the matter had already ceased to concern the Matra.
It had become a dispute between the Akademiya and the Fatui.
"What's wrong?"
Faruzan asked, her expression carrying obvious displeasure as she looked at the Fatui Mirror Maiden. Her gaze shifted toward the Great Sage's token before she continued,
"Since when did Sumeru become a place where the Fatui make decisions?"
"You have quite the nerve, attempting to arrest my people. Who gave you that authority? You should know perfectly well that I have research to conduct. These guards are responsible for escorting me into the Desert. If something happens to them, are you prepared to take responsibility?"
Faced with Faruzan's sharp questioning, the Fatui Mirror Maiden found herself momentarily speechless.
However, her composure quickly returned.
"This matter was entrusted to me by the Great Sage," she replied calmly.
"I know they are your guards, but all we are doing is asking the Matra to conduct an investigation. Why are you reacting so strongly? If their temporary detention affects your research, or if you require escorts for your expedition into the Desert, the Fatui can provide that service as well."
As an elite operative who had long served under the Lady, she possessed considerable skill when it came to manipulating conversations.
First, she shifted responsibility onto the Great Sage. Then she downplayed the issue, framing it as nothing more than a routine investigation.
Finally, she subtly promoted the Fatui's services, implying that they could replace Faruzan's current guards.
Faruzan merely laughed.
"Hah."
As someone who had survived for over a century, she was far from naïve.
If she had once been innocent, then the experience of awakening in an era where she herself had become a legend had long since tempered that innocence. After all, discovering that an entire century had passed in the blink of an eye would force anyone to mature.
Thus, Faruzan saw through the Fatui Mirror Maiden's attempt to evade responsibility immediately.
Taking a step forward, she looked directly into the other woman's eyes.
"In that case," Faruzan said coldly, "let's go see Azar together."
"As for the Fatui's credibility, I don't believe I need to elaborate. Even the Eremites possess more credibility than your organization."
The Fatui Mirror Maiden's expression immediately darkened.
Her body trembled slightly with anger.
Faruzan's words were nothing short of an insult. Everyone knew what kind of reputation the Eremites possessed.
Some Eremites were reliable mercenaries. Others would not hesitate to abandon or even betray their employers if circumstances became unfavorable.
And yet Faruzan had compared the Fatui's reputation to theirs.
No. Worse than theirs.
In the Fatui Mirror Maiden's eyes, this was a direct humiliation. Before she could formulate a response, however, the Scholars standing behind Faruzan began speaking one after another.
"Exactly! What are the Fatui trying to accomplish?!"
"This is Sumeru City, not Snezhnaya!"
"This is outrageous!"
"Even the Great Sage cannot arbitrarily arrest people!"
"No, I don't believe this is the Great Sage's intention at all. More likely, this Fatui is abusing the Great Sage's authority!"
"We must report this matter! The Sages and the Great Sage need to know what the Fatui are doing!"
"We cannot allow them to act however they please!"
The Scholars were furious.
Because what the Fatui Mirror Maiden had done was tantamount to grounding every Scholar in Sumeru's dignity.
Today it was Faruzan's guards.
Tomorrow it might be theirs. And the implication that Fatui escorts could replace Eremite guards only made matters worse.
To most Scholars, foreign Fatui operatives were far less trustworthy than local mercenaries.
Even if some Eremites occasionally robbed people, they rarely murdered Akademiya Scholars.
The Fatui, on the other hand, answered to Snezhnaya. If something happened, pursuing justice afterward would be nearly impossible.
The Scholars had previously heard rumors about the Matra harassing Eremites, but because the issue had not affected them personally, few had cared.
Now it was different. In their eyes, the Fatui were clearly attempting to push out local Eremite escorts and replace them with their own people.
Facing the mounting accusations, the Fatui Mirror Maiden finally realized that the situation had become completely uncontrollable.
If she continued pressing the Matra to arrest Futsu Mitama's group, matters would only escalate further.
Therefore, she could only let out a cold snort.
With a sharp flick of her sleeve, she shot a final glance toward Futsu Mitama and the others before turning and leaving without another word.
The moment she departed, the Matra collectively released a breath of relief.
Because if she had continued using the Great Sage's token to pressure them, they would have been placed in an impossible position.
Unlike Faruzan or the Scholars, the Matra currently had no one to support them. Ever since the disappearance of the General Mahamatra, Cyno, the entire organization had effectively become leaderless.
Without Cyno standing at the front, they lacked the confidence to challenge either the Sages or the Great Sage.
If the Fatui Mirror Maiden had insisted on her demands, they would ultimately have been forced to obey.
And if the consequences turned disastrous, it would be the Matra who bore the blame—not the Fatui.
That was why they felt such relief when she chose to retreat.
At least for now, the situation had not crossed the point of no return.
After the Fatui Mirror Maiden departed, the Matra quietly withdrew as well.
This, too, was normal.
Their reputation among Scholars had never been particularly favorable. Most Scholars instinctively avoided them whenever they appeared.
The remaining Scholars watched both groups leave, many of them visibly excited, as though they had just accomplished something significant.
A few older and more experienced Scholars, however, remained solemn. They understood that this was only the beginning.
Faruzan had stopped the matter today. But what about tomorrow?
The next person to arrive might not be a Fatui operative.
It might be one of the Sages. Or perhaps the Great Sage himself.
"Are you all alright?"
After confirming that both the Fatui Mirror Maiden and the Matra had left, Faruzan approached Futsu Mitama and his group.
Her expression was somewhat complicated.
"By the way—how did you—"
Futsu Mitama immediately raised a hand, stopping her.
"This isn't the place to discuss that."
Faruzan hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Indeed.
With so many people watching, this was hardly the appropriate place for such a conversation.
Truthfully, she was extremely curious about how Futsu Mitama had managed to manipulate the situation so effectively.
But now was not the time.
"Why are there so many people here?" Kuki Shinobu asked with visible surprise.
She had expected Faruzan to come. She had not expected her to arrive with an entire group of Scholars. And judging from the results, their presence had proven remarkably effective. They had forced the Fatui operative to retreat entirely.
"We were discussing academic matters," Faruzan replied casually.
"When I suddenly left, they became curious and followed me."
When Lesser Lord Kusanali's message had arrived earlier, Faruzan had been participating in an academic discussion.
After abruptly announcing that she needed to leave because of an urgent matter, several Scholars had insisted on accompanying her.
That was how the current situation had come about.
"Thank you for your help,"
Futsu Mitama said with a smile. If Faruzan and the Scholars had not intervened, the situation would likely have escalated into open conflict.
Neither Aila nor Black Aila would ever allow themselves to be taken into custody.
Even within the Chat Group, Maha Rukkhadevata had made her position clear. If the Matra attempted an arrest, any resulting violence would be entirely their own responsibility.
The reason was simple.
Futsu Mitama's identity was far too sensitive. Not only did he possess Archon-level power, but he also carried the Anemo Gnosis.
Within Sumeru, even Nahida herself could not contend with him directly. To arrest and imprison someone of that status would not merely be a diplomatic incident.
It would be a catastrophe.
Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei had even joked that if Sumeru's Matra dared imprison Inazuma's future Electro Archon, then perhaps the Shogunate Army should invite the Dendro Archon to spend some time in an Inazuman prison as well.
Though spoken in jest, the implication was clear.
Faruzan and the Scholars had unknowingly prevented a disaster from unfolding.
"It's nothing."
Faruzan looked at Futsu Mitama, her expression growing slightly complicated. After a moment, she sighed and turned toward the Scholars.
"I'll speak with all of you later. I need to discuss something with them first."
Futsu Mitama and the others nodded.
Faruzan then walked over to thank the Scholars personally. After all, they had become involved because of her. Most of the Scholars waved the matter off as insignificant, insisting that Senior Faruzan was making too much of it.
To them, this truly had been a small matter.
In fact, some even believed they had helped preserve the Great Sage's reputation by preventing the Fatui from abusing his authority publicly.
"Senior, please be careful."
One older Scholar, however, offered a quiet warning.
"The Great Sage entrusted his token to the Fatui. There may be matters taking place behind the scenes that we do not understand. If possible, it would be best not to become too deeply involved with these Desert people for the time being."
As he spoke, his gaze settled upon Futsu Mitama and the others.
A thoughtful glimmer appeared in his eyes.
Yes. He had already realized that these people were not ordinary.
Precisely because they were not ordinary, they were dangerous to approach casually.
Faruzan claimed they were Eremites. Yet no matter how he looked at them, they did not possess the temperament of Desert folk.
Their clothing might resemble that of Eremites. But demeanor, bearing, and countless subtle details were things that could not be disguised so easily.
"Yes."
Another older Scholar pushed up his glasses and looked at Faruzan with a serious expression.
"Senior, you cannot allow yourself to be drawn into a vortex because of a group of 'outsiders.' The recent disappearance of General Mahamatra Cyno, the Sages' sudden cooperation with the Fatui, and the strange incidents occurring throughout Sumeru City—"
"I do not know the full truth, but I can already sense an invisible storm approaching. Until we understand the situation, it would be wiser not to involve ourselves."
The surrounding senior Scholars nodded in agreement, offering their own opinions one after another.
Most of them advised Faruzan to keep her distance from Futsu Mitama and his group.
Without understanding the full circumstances, these mysterious individuals represented an unknown variable. If something unexpected happened, Senior Faruzan might be dragged into a situation she could not control.
In their view, it was far better to devote their energy to research projects and academic discussions.
After all, they were Scholars of the Akademiya.
Their days were already occupied by lectures, experiments, research, and scholarly exchanges. Under such circumstances, few Scholars were willing to concern themselves with matters outside their own fields.
To put it simply, it was a philosophy of pursuing more knowledge, creating more wisdom, and involving oneself less in unnecessary affairs.
"Some things are not as simple as you imagine."
Faruzan shook her head, rejecting their suggestions without hesitation.
Part of the reason was Tighnari's request. The other reason was the mysterious voice that had informed her of Futsu Mitama and the others' predicament.
No matter which reason she considered, Faruzan knew she could not simply stand aside and pretend nothing was happening.
If she chose to ignore this matter, just as these younger Scholars suggested, then the future of Sumeru might no longer remain in the hands of the people of Sumeru.
Faruzan's gaze gradually sharpened.
As someone who had witnessed the rise and fall of an entire century, she had seen far more than most people present.
Perhaps the younger generation still believed that wisdom alone could solve everything. But she understood that there were times when remaining silent was itself a choice. And sometimes, silence carried consequences far greater than action.
The Scholars exchanged glances upon seeing the determination in Faruzan's eyes. Many of them wanted to continue persuading her, but ultimately remained silent.
Because they knew Faruzan's personality. Once she made a decision, changing her mind was exceedingly difficult.
"Very well."
The older Scholar who had spoken earlier let out a helpless sigh.
"Since Senior has already decided, there is little more we can say. However, please be careful. At the very least, until the situation becomes clear, do not trust anyone too easily."
His gaze briefly swept across Futsu Mitama and the others in the distance.
The warning was obvious.
Faruzan nodded slightly.
"I understand."
Only then did the Scholars finally feel somewhat reassured. After exchanging a few more words with Faruzan, they gradually dispersed and returned to their own affairs.
Before long, only Faruzan remained standing there.
She watched the departing figures for a moment before turning around and walking back toward Futsu Mitama's group.
As she approached, her expression became noticeably more serious. The departure of the Scholars meant that there were finally no unnecessary eyes or ears nearby.
Now, it was time to discuss the truly important matters.