"Is that so?" Alhaitham looked at Cyno and smiled. "I've heard the Matra have been discussing the recent disappearance of the General Mahamatra. So let me make a guess. As the General Mahamatra, you have your own thoughts about Canned Knowledge, so you concealed it from the others and came here alone to intercept me?"
"As expected of you. Your way with words is still as sharp as ever," Cyno scoffed.
Paimon looked between the two nervously. "Oh no, oh no! Why are you both talking in riddles? Lumine, Lora, Nahida. Who are we even supposed to believe?"
"You just need to believe me," Lora said.
"Uh..." Paimon's expression stiffened awkwardly.
"Ahem. Quite the tense atmosphere, you two." Just as things were about to escalate, Dehya stepped out from the side and walked up to them.
"Dehya? What are you doing here?" Lumine asked in surprise.
"If I hadn't come, how would I get to see two big shots from the Akademiya about to fight?" Dehya glanced at Alhaitham and Cyno. "I don't care about your dispute, but you shouldn't bring it into the peaceful land of Aaru Village."
"Uh... why does it feel like Dehya's about to fight them too?" Paimon muttered quietly.
Lora took out some drinks and handed them to Nahida, Lumine, and Paimon. "Come on, don't be shy. Drink while you watch."
"Lora..." Lumine said helplessly.
Nahida looked curiously at the drink Lora gave her, took a few sips, and found it quite good.
Unfortunately, the fight Lora had been expecting never happened. A sandstorm swept in, forcing everyone to find shelter.
Someone stood on the other side of Aaru Village's suspension bridge and called out to them, "Hey! You over there. Come take shelter here!"
"Hm? That sounds like Candace?" Dehya looked toward the bridge, but with the sandstorm raging, she couldn't clearly see who it was.
"Let's go. We'll take shelter first," Lora said, leading Nahida over. The others followed.
Once inside, everyone sat down. However, when the only remaining seat was next to Alhaitham, Cyno chose to stand aside instead of sitting beside him.
Meanwhile, Lora and Nahida were chatting about how to make drinks taste better.
Candace looked at the group. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Candace. I'm the guardian of Aaru Village."
"I'm Lumine, a traveler."
"I'm Paimon, Lumine's best companion!"
"Lora. Unemployed."
"Nahida, um..."
When it was Nahida's turn, she hesitated, unsure how to describe herself. Lora spoke up for her. "She's my niece. Just traveling with me."
"Mm, that's right," Nahida nodded.
"Your niece is very adorable," Candace said with a nod of praise. Then her gaze shifted to Alhaitham and Cyno. "I was already observing from the side when you were arguing earlier. The sandstorm brought you into Aaru Village, so now it's time to eliminate any potential risks."
"So, I ask that you all speak openly and resolve your misunderstandings. If you choose to fight here, then I'll have no choice but to let the beasts in the sandstorm deal with you."
"Wow! That's so harsh!" Paimon exclaimed.
Dehya smiled. "That's just how Candace is. You'll get used to it."
At Candace's insistence, Alhaitham and Cyno finally agreed to sit down and talk. Not because of her warning, but because of Lora and Nahida sitting nearby.
From beginning to end, neither of them had shown much change in expression, as if everything were under control. That alone put immense pressure on both Alhaitham and Cyno. Especially Alhaitham when facing Nahida.
As they talked, things gradually became clear. Both Cyno and Alhaitham had come here because they suspected the Akademiya's Sages.
"How ridiculous," Candace said with a hint of mockery after listening.
Nahida nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The Sages of today are nothing like those from when Greater Lord Rukkhadevata founded the Akademiya.
They no longer seek to enlighten the people, nor do they pursue true knowledge. Instead, they rely on the false prosperity created by the Akasha, growing complacent and stagnant, believing they can control all knowledge through it."
"You've got quite a deep understanding," Dehya said, looking at Nahida. "As for me, I've never liked those Sages. Under their leadership, the people of the desert are treated as if they don't even belong to Sumeru, constantly looked down on by those from the rainforest."
"Good. It seems the misunderstandings have been resolved." Candace nodded. "While you are in Aaru Village, I hope you will behave yourselves and not bring any trouble to the villagers."
Lora began clapping from the side, and Nahida followed along.
The sudden applause felt out of place, drawing everyone's attention.
Lora looked at them and said, "I think this is a good moment for applause."
Nahida didn't think much of it and simply followed along.
"Uh..." Paimon looked at Lora helplessly. "Honestly, it's not even surprising you'd do something like that. You've clearly picked up bad habits from that bard."
The sound of beasts howling came from outside.
Candace turned toward the door, frowning. "You all stay inside and rest. I'll go deal with the beasts caught in the sandstorm."
"I'll go too," Nahida said, standing up. "Let me do something for the desert as well."
"Then I'll go too," Lora said, raising her hand like a student asking for permission.
"If the two of you are willing to help, that would be most welcome." As the guardian of Aaru Village, Candace could naturally tell that Lora and Nahida were the strongest among them.
"I'll cheer for you from inside the room," Paimon said, peeking out from behind Lumine.