"It seems the Matra were the ones who carried out the exile orders, weren't they? Feeling guilty, so after setting down your responsibilities, you're trying to make up for it somehow? That's quite an interesting mindset."
Alhaitham crossed his arms and spoke deliberately.
"…Mockery won't work on me. If you have a problem, no matter who you are, I will deal with you," Cyno said, his gaze fixed on Alhaitham.
The tension between them, which had only just faded, quickly returned.
Lora clapped her hands and spoke in the tone of a teacher scolding unruly children.
"Behave yourselves. Otherwise, I won't let either of you off."
"…"
Seeing Lora smiling like that, both Alhaitham and Cyno fell silent.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Paimon quickly spoke up.
"But now that I think about it, why are those mad scholars called [Village Keepers]? Did something happen?"
"That name comes from an accident…" Uncle Anpu said slowly. "One night, Aaru Village was struck by an earthquake far worse than ever before. The houses were about to collapse, and the former village chief was preparing to evacuate everyone. But one of the mad scholars crouched in a corner, placing both hands on the ground.
A faint green glow emanated from his body, especially noticeable in the darkness of night. After that, throughout the entire night, every house remained firmly anchored to the ground. Not a single one collapsed, and there were no casualties."
He paused and sighed before continuing.
"From that day on, the people of Aaru Village treated the mad scholars kindly and began calling them [Village Keepers]."
After hearing the origin of the name, Lora instinctively glanced at Nahida. While everyone else was focused on Uncle Anpu's story, she quietly asked,
"Was that you?"
Nahida nodded gently and whispered,
"Unfortunately, my power isn't very strong. I couldn't stop the disasters of the desert. I could only protect Aaru Village."
"That's already more than enough. You did really well, Nahida," Lora said, praising her.
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon told everyone that it was very likely Lesser Lord Kusanali who had saved Aaru Village back then, which immediately shocked the group. Only Dehya wasn't particularly surprised, thanks to Dunyarzad.
"The Lesser Lord Kusanali is still active in Sumeru?" Cyno said in surprise. He continued slowly, "Sorry… the Akademiya reveres the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata so much that I was influenced as well. In my understanding, the Lesser Lord Kusanali was like a 'nonexistent god.'"
"Nahi… Lesser Lord Kusanali is not some 'nonexistent god'!" Paimon said angrily. "She cares about Sumeru more than anyone, and about every single person in it! We even saved Sumeru City together with her before!"
Hearing this, Cyno fell silent. He carefully observed Lumine and Paimon, confirming they weren't lying.
"So you really have been in contact with the Lesser Lord Kusanali… This is astonishing. So the Archon has been by our side all along?"
Lora gently patted Nahida's head without saying a word.
"Anyway, let's investigate within Aaru Village first," Alhaitham said, breaking the silence.
Lumine and Paimon chose to follow Cyno, while Alhaitham didn't go alone. Instead, he went with Lora and Nahida, splitting into two groups to investigate the [Village Keepers].
Alhaitham walked ahead, with Lora and Nahida following behind. When they reached a more deserted area, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at them with a serious expression.
Seeing his face, Lora muttered,
"Here it comes again…"
This was exactly why she didn't like working with people who were too smart.
Alhaitham shifted his gaze from Lora to Nahida and said slowly,
"Although it sounds rather absurd, if I'm not mistaken… this person should be our Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali, correct?"
Nahida tensed up immediately. She glanced at Lora, unsure what to do.
Lora gently reassured her, then looked at Alhaitham.
"How did you figure it out?"
"I apologize. Even though you never mentioned her identity, you left too many clues. Perhaps because of your status, the calmness and confidence you naturally display, as if everything is under control, made me suspect that you aren't an ordinary person. Of course, what truly confirmed it was your age."
Alhaitham explained calmly.
"From Paimon, I learned that you're several thousand years old. Although you claim you've just turned eighteen, your real age is likely just as she said. And just now, you and her created a patch of greenery in the desert. Even someone with a Dendro Vision and a Hydro Vision couldn't achieve something like that in such an environment."
Hearing this, Lora sighed helplessly.
"You really are sharp, Alhaitham."
"So, saving Aaru Village, and what Paimon mentioned earlier about saving Sumeru City not long ago… those are all true?" Alhaitham continued.
Lora nodded.
"Of course they're true. What would I gain from lying to you? And Nahida is right here."
Alhaitham fell silent for a moment. Then he said,
"I will verify the truth myself. But for now, I choose to believe you both. Please forgive my earlier presumption, Lesser Lord Kusanali."
"It's alright. Maintaining doubt in the face of truth is also a form of seeking knowledge," Nahida said softly, shaking her head.
Alhaitham then looked at Lora.
"With a lifespan of several thousand years, and such a close relationship with Lesser Lord Kusanali… could you be a deity from another nation?"
Lora blinked, looking a little confused. So in Teyvat, she could only fool Furina and Paimon?
Alhaitham didn't press further. From her reaction, he already had his answer.
"Today has been quite eye-opening," he said. "It seems those who were following you truly pose no threat at all. Let's continue investigating the [Village Keepers]."
With that, he turned and walked ahead.
Nahida watched his back and said to Lora,
"With his intellect, he would be far better suited to lead the Akademiya than to remain just a scribe."