Enjou breathed a sigh of relief after effortlessly opening a spatial rift and stepping into the Akademiya.
He had initially worried it might be difficult, but it seemed Lumine was simply too lazy to handle it herself and had pawned the task off on him.
To think he'd earned her trust so quickly... The thought sent a little thrill of excitement through him.
While Aether led the Abyss Order, he was surrounded by countless capable subordinates. With the Iniquitous Baptists ranked above him, Enjou was practically a nobody. But on Lumine's side? He was the only Abyss Herald this dashing.
Clearly, the level of importance was completely different. As long as he performed well, how could he possibly worry about not having a place in the future?!
Besides, Lumine was Aether's twin sister. Everyone in the Abyss Order knew they had to regularly send her "experience packs"—and do it so subtly that no one would notice anything amiss.
By defecting to Lumine, Enjou felt his future was blindingly bright!
When I see those guys again, they'll be green with envy!
I, Enjou, now serve directly under the Princess!
I need to deliver this capsule quickly and show the Princess what I'm capable of!
It's just acting, right? And I, Enjou, am a professional!
Avoiding suspicion from the Akademiya? That would be child's play!
Enjou transformed on the spot, unleashing the malevolent aura he had been suppressing. The suffocating pressure instantly made everyone in the Akademiya feel as if their throats were being squeezed.
Alarms blared across the Akademiya. Soon, grim-faced mercenaries from the Corps of Thirty and Matra swarmed toward Enjou's location.
Enjou didn't hold back. A massive amount of Pyro Elemental Power gathered around him, and the area erupted in roaring flames.
"An Abyss Monster?"
"Damn it, how could an Abyss Monster appear here?!"
When the crowd saw Enjou's form, they froze for a moment before a powerful sense of horror surged through them.
It wasn't just that he was an Abyss Monster; the malevolent aura radiating from him revealed that the being before them possessed terrifyingly immense power!
"Go get your Dendro Archon," Enjou said, looking at the growing crowd. A playful idea struck him, and he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "You're all so weak, I don't even feel like lifting a finger."
His words snapped the crowd out of their shock. They exchanged glances, their faces etched with deep fear.
For five hundred years, Sumeru had faced no truly powerful enemies. Even without hearing from their Dendro Archon, they had never felt uneasy.
Only now, with Enjou's taunt, did they realize just how vulnerable a nation was without the ultimate power of an Archon!
"We don't need the Dendro Archon! He's just one person! How can so many of us be afraid of him?!"
"That's right! He's surrounded! Everyone, charge! Let's wipe out this damn Abyss Monster for good!"
Vision wielders led the charge, closing in on Enjou from all directions, while the others raised their weapons.
The threat Enjou posed was so immense that ordinary people didn't dare engage him in close combat.
"Hahahaha!"
Watching the crowd attack him from all sides, Enjou felt no fear. Instead, he was thrilled, his face alight with eager anticipation.
It was as if he planned to reclaim the pride he'd lost to Lumine by taking it out on these people!
"Ashes, nurture new life!"
"Flames, bring salvation!"
"Searing Precept!"
"Scorching Admonition!"
With a single combo, Enjou sent the Akademiya forces flying.
No one could withstand even a fraction of his full-power assault.
So satisfying! This is amazing!
Crushing weaklings is the best!
High-difficulty bosses like Lumine are better left to those who enjoy suffering!
That Electro Abyss Herald who tricked me into coming here would be a good target. I'll whisper in Lumine's ear next time—make sure she doesn't let him get away!
Even better if I can capture him and make him my underling. As the first to join Lumine's side, wouldn't I instantly become a top lieutenant?!
"I haven't even started trying yet, and you're all already down?"
"Now tell me, who's surrounding whom?!"
"Monster!"
The Akademiya was thrown into chaos. Ordinary scholars huddled in corners, trembling at the sight of Enjou.
While Enjou reveled in his arrogant rampage through the Akademiya, he hadn't forgotten his mission.
But these people posed no threat to him at all. Even if he tried to go easy on them, it would be too obvious.
Enjou had already devised a plan: he would pretend he got carried away, exhausted his power, and gradually lost stamina, finally being narrowly defeated by someone slightly stronger.
Just as he was "defeated," he would "accidentally" drop the jar.
Then, he'd pretend not to notice, spout some threatening lines, and make a smooth retreat.
Perfect!
Lumine's first mission for me, completed with such ease. My efficiency is truly top-notch.
Aether really lost out by rejecting me. Unless he begs me to come back, I'm never going back!
Enjou daydreamed while effortlessly crushing the cannon fodder.
"Weak, weak, weak! You're all so pathetic!"
"Fight back! Scream! Give me something to get excited about!"
While bullying the Akademiya members, Enjou also set fires everywhere.
From Lumine's tone earlier, he could tell she was deeply displeased with the Akademiya. As a loyal subordinate aiming to become a top lieutenant, it was his duty to alleviate her worries!
When Lumine finds out what I've done today, she might be so pleased that my status will surpass even that of the little white spirit!
Hahaha! I'm far more useful than that annoying little spirit who just eats, drinks, and flies around. My promotion is just around the corner!
When Great Sage Azar rushed to the scene, the sight of raging flames made him grit his teeth in fury.
My buildings! My precious buildings!
Which bastard is destroying my property?!
"Quick! Go get Dottore!"
"Hurry!"
Just as Great Sage Azar sent someone to fetch Dottore, Enjou encountered a slight problem: elite Fatui soldiers had mixed in with the Akademiya forces.
Even though Enjou considered the elite Fatui soldiers weak, their numbers were starting to become a nuisance.
The interruption to his "cannon fodder crushing" forced Enjou to calm down. He found it strange that Fatui soldiers were mixed in with the Akademiya forces, and a faint sense of unease began to stir within him.
Whatever. I've made enough of a scene. No one will think I came here to deliver something; they'll just assume I'm part of an Abyss Order vanguard.
With this in mind, Enjou began to suppress his power, creating the illusion of weakness.
"The monster's almost done for! Everyone, just hold on a little longer!"
"Reinforcements! Have the reinforcements arrived yet?!"
"The reinforcements are already on the ground! What reinforcements are you talking about?!"
Even with Enjou deliberately feigning weakness, the demoralized crowd couldn't muster much will to fight. They just stood there, desperately hoping he would tire himself out and leave on his own.
Enjou was speechless. It seemed he had overdone it earlier; now, almost no one dared to approach him.
This is a problem. If no one gets close, how am I supposed to pretend I was caught off guard by an attack and then detonate the canister?
Just as Enjou was pondering his next move, a sudden, bone-deep chill washed over him—the unmistakable sensation of being targeted by an overwhelmingly powerful being.
Enjou immediately spun around and saw Dottore, a faint smile on his face, slowly approaching.
The sight of Dottore sent a shiver through Enjou's entire body. Without a second thought, he tore open an Abyss Channel, preparing to bolt.
But just as he ripped a rift in space, he saw Dottore's figure already waiting on the other side.
Enjou: "..."
At that moment, Dottore spoke, his voice calm and measured.
"Since you're already here..."
"Why the rush to leave?"
"Why not stay for tea?"
As he finished speaking, Dottore reached a hand through the spatial rift and delivered a massive slap to Enjou's face. Enjou's body spun a full 7200 degrees before collapsing, instantly forced into his second phase.
The sheer power of a single slap—truly terrifying!
Enjou lay on the ground, staring up at Dottore, who now stood just a short distance away. He wanted to cry but had no tears left.
The Divine Knowledge Capsule had been flung from his grasp during the spin and now lay nearby.
He had successfully delivered the capsule... but at the cost of his own life.
"Is this some kind of setup to get a Herald killed?!"
The Dendro Archon was indeed gone from the Akademiya, but why the hell was Dottore here?! And it was his Prime, no less!
Against a Dottore Segment, Enjou figured he might still have a chance to escape, even if he couldn't win.
But facing Dottore's Prime? Enjou could only start composing his last words.
No, Dottore probably wouldn't even give him the chance to leave any.
Someone like Dottore would surely squeeze every last drop of value out of him, never letting him die so easily.
Damn it! Enjou thought. I'd rather be killed outright, lose my memories, and be reborn as a good Herald eighteen years from now!
Who had he pissed off to deserve such rotten luck?!
Princess, please, come save your newest little brother!
At this moment, Enjou finally understood why a powerhouse lineup like Lumine and the Dendro Archon would send a mere Herald like him on this mission. It was because the danger was this severe.
"A Divine Knowledge Capsule?!"
Great Sage Azar, who had just arrived, saw the Divine Knowledge Capsule lying on the ground, and his eyes widened in shock. The Divine Knowledge Capsule was the key to controlling the fruits of his grand project.
Without it, he would have to rely on the Akasha for control.
How could he possibly be willing to hand over that power to countless others? He wanted to become the undisputed ruler of Sumeru!
Pushing aside his confusion about why Enjou had the Divine Knowledge Capsule, Great Sage Azar could no longer restrain himself. He immediately ordered his men to retrieve it.
Dottore glanced at Azar's actions before turning his attention back to Enjou, who had struggled back to his feet and entered his second phase.
"So the Abyss Order has already set its sights on the Akademiya," Dottore remarked, stepping forward. "It seems my research has piqued your interest."
Enjou immediately retreated two steps, his caution written all over his face.
"His Highness the Prince is still waiting for my report. If he finds out I've run into trouble at the Akademiya, he will definitely lead the Abyss Order's army to conquer Sumeru!"
Hearing Enjou's threat, everyone froze for a moment, then immense fear surged within them.
Although no one present had personally experienced the Dark Beast Tide from centuries ago, the fragmented accounts in historical records were enough to convey the utter despair of that era.
So, upon hearing Enjou's words, everyone grew terrified. Their weapons slowly lowered, no longer aimed at him.
"What does the Abyss Order destroying Sumeru have to do with me, Dottore?"
Enjou: "..."
The Akademiya members: "???"
Damn it, we forgot! Even though Dottore is Sumerian, he now works for Snezhnaya.
Enjou instantly panicked. Am I really going to die young after only a few centuries?!
"Dottore!"
While Dottore might not care, Great Sage Azar certainly would. Seeing that Dottore seemed poised to act, Azar couldn't help but issue a warning.
"Don't forget our shared great undertaking. There's no need to get bogged down with him over this trivial matter!"
When he said "this trivial matter," Great Sage Azar practically spat the words through gritted teeth. He thought of the burned houses, the precious ancient texts, and the academic reports that had been destroyed, and felt his heart bleeding!
But he was rational. He knew that if the Abyss Order attacked, Dottore would be the first to flee unless Sumeru paid an exorbitant price—a price that didn't align with Azar's own interests.
"I forbid you from having any ideas about him, Dottore."
Yes, yes, that's it!
This old man is a true saint!
Hearing Great Sage Azar's words, Enjou was so moved he nearly burst into tears.
"Do as you wish. My research on the Abyss is already sufficient anyway."
Dottore gave Enjou one last look. If Enjou had appeared a few years earlier, Dottore might not have let him go. But now, given the extent of his Abyss research, only the appearance of a Iniquitous Baptist would truly pique his interest.
With a wave of his hand, Dottore turned and led his Fatui soldiers away.
"My men suffered casualties. Since you refuse to hand him over to me for punishment, you'd better prepare appropriate compensation."
Hearing Dottore's words, Great Sage Azar gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
Your men suffered casualties? Do you think the Akademiya's losses were any smaller?
The Abyss Order caused this disaster, and now I have to bear the consequences? Shameless!
But to prevent Dottore from finding an excuse to incite conflict between Sumeru and the Abyss Order, Great Sage Azar had no choice but to swallow this loss, blood and all.
"Fine!"
Once our great undertaking succeeds, I'll make Dottore pay for every last thing he's done during this time!
My money isn't so easy to take!
After Dottore left, Great Sage Azar turned his gaze back to Enjou.
"Take him away and lock him up."
Watching Enjou being led away obediently, Great Sage Azar glanced down at the Divine Knowledge Capsule in his hand.
At least I didn't come out of this completely empty-handed.
The thought calmed him slightly.
But just then, Azar felt a wave of heat and his expression suddenly changed.
"Quick, put out the fire!" he roared. "What are you idiots standing around for? Any further losses from your dawdling will be deducted from your salaries!"