"So, Nahida, once we've dealt with the Akademiya and Sumeru's current situation, we absolutely have to make Alhaitham the Grand Sage and hand all the work over to him!" Lora said with utmost seriousness.
"All the work? But wouldn't that be too exhausting?" Nahida looked at him in surprise. "Once everything is resolved, the Akademiya will definitely have an overwhelming backlog. If Alhaitham has to handle it all alone, that would be too much, wouldn't it?"
In that regard, Nahida truly was the most responsible deity so far. Not like that drunken poet or that useless layabout who never bothered with anything, and not like her or those two from Inazuma who dumped everything onto their subordinates.
Lora ruffled Nahida's hair and said earnestly, "Of course it's fine! This is how humans grow stronger! The future belongs to humanity. People need to step out from under the protection of the gods and learn to govern their nation with their own strength..."
Lora continued persuading her, and after listening, Nahida lowered her head in thought.
Hmph! Smart people?
In the end, they'll still obediently become corporate drones!
Lora led Nahida along as they followed behind Alhaitham, chuckling to himself.
The three of them circled Aaru Village but found nothing useful. As they walked, they spotted Cyno and his group ahead, secretly listening in on a conversation. Alhaitham reacted instantly and found a spot to eavesdrop as well.
"Huh?" Lora was a little surprised.
As expected of someone from the Akademiya. Even their choices are the same.
"Shh, stay quiet!" Alhaitham warned Lora and Nahida, telling them not to alert the others.
The people talking were two villagers from Aaru Village, named Sharkan and Makan.
Sharkan said, "Have you heard? Our god, the great King Deshret, is about to be resurrected!"
Makan put his hands on his hips and nodded. "Of course! King Deshret is the true ruler of this land. I've never trusted any other god! But... you say he's about to be revived, yet life still feels the same as always. What proof do you have?"
"Didn't you notice? There've been more madmen brought into the village lately than usual!" Sharkan whispered. "I heard from Delavar that before King Deshret's civilization fell, people all across the land started going mad. For some reason, madness always seems tied to King Deshret."
"Those missing mad scholars. Isn't that a sign of King Deshret's call? If you ask me, they've definitely been chosen as sacrifices for his resurrection!"
Makan dropped his hands and laughed. "Now that you put it that way, it really does sound like something's going on. Haha, does that mean we're finally about to live better lives?"
"Exactly! To hell with those city folks! Hahaha!" Sharkan crossed his arms and laughed, the two of them imagining a bright future together.
At that moment, Cyno and Alhaitham stepped out from the shadows at the same time, instantly shattering their fantasy.
Watching them, Lora sighed in admiration. "They really are perfectly in sync. Once this is over, Cyno and Alhaitham should be able to steady the Akademiya and ensure a smooth transition."
"Mm, indeed," Nahida nodded.
Cyno glanced at Alhaitham but ignored him, fixing his gaze on Sharkan and Makan. "Tell me. What's this about King Deshret's resurrection?"
Lora and the others walked up from behind.
"Don't lie," Lora added casually. "Otherwise, we'll throw you to the fish."
"There aren't any fish in the desert, right?" Paimon said.
"We'll feed you to sand fish," Lora replied.
Paimon blinked, then looked at Nahida. "Are there really fish like that in the desert?"
Nahida shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure, but the desert is vast. Maybe there really are."
Sharkan sneaked a glance at Cyno. Seeing his cold expression, he hurriedly said, "I. I just heard it from someone else! I went drinking the other day and overheard a rumor. Something like 'the mad will disappear, King Deshret is about to return and rule this land again.' I didn't make it up!"
Sharkan desperately tried to prove he was telling the truth. Cyno and Alhaitham remained silent, making no immediate judgment.
Only when Sharkan was on the verge of tears, swearing repeatedly that everything he said was true and begging for mercy, did Alhaitham finally speak.
"This is Cyno, the General Mahamatra of the Akademiya. If he finds out you've lied, the consequences will be severe."
Hearing Cyno's identity, both Sharkan and Makan collapsed to the ground in shock.
"It's true! We really didn't lie, sir!"
"I'll investigate those radicals you mentioned," Cyno said calmly. "But if I find out you've been secretly passing information to them, I have plenty of ways to make sure you'll never speak again."
His tone wasn't particularly harsh, but the meaning behind his words sent chills down their spines.
The two nodded frantically and fled as fast as they could.
"So that's what Cyno is like when he's working. That's actually pretty scary..." Paimon whispered to Lumine.
Cyno paid no attention and fell into thought.
"It seems these missing scholars are closely tied to those so-called radicals."
Lora continued, "Maybe those radicals are trying to create the illusion that King Deshret is about to return. They deliberately took those mad scholars and spread rumors that they've become sacrifices for his resurrection."
"That's very possible," Alhaitham nodded.
"Oh right! While we were investigating earlier, we met a boy named Isak. His grandfather was one of those mad scholars, and he's gone missing too! We could check the places his grandfather used to go!" Paimon suddenly said.
"Then we'll leave this to you two. Alhaitham, Cyno!" Lora called out. "I hope you'll keep up the good work, live up to the organization's trust, and carry out this investigation with excellence, style, and spirit!"
"Is that something you used to promote when ruling other nations?" Alhaitham said flatly.
Lora: "…"
"Anyway! Nahida and I will wait here for your good news. Don't disappoint Nahida!"
Lora pulled Nahida over, placed both hands on her shoulders, and looked straight at Alhaitham.