"Enjou has been captured."
Because Enjou had caused such a huge commotion, the Akademiya couldn't completely suppress the news. Nahida quickly learned of the latest developments through the Akasha.
"Did he succeed?" Cyno asked Nahida, and the others turned to look as well.
"He did. Great Sage Azar has obtained the Divine Knowledge Capsule."
Hearing this, everyone felt a slight sense of relief.
"Since he completed the task we gave him, we should include him in our rescue plans," Alhaitham said slowly. "We don't need to worry about his safety for now. The Akademiya doesn't have the nerve to provoke the Abyss Order, so they'll most likely use Enjou as a bargaining chip."
Lumine nodded. She knew Alhaitham had said that specifically for her benefit.
Among everyone present, she was the only one even slightly concerned for Enjou's well-being. Though he was an Abyss Monster, he had a certain personality, and she considered him something of a friend.
Besides, since he was working for her brother, she might be able to get some information about him from Enjou.
Just then, Lumine noticed something was wrong with Nahida's expression and quickly looked at her with concern.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, are you alright?"
Shortly after Lumine noticed Nahida's strange behavior, Cyno and Alhaitham, who had been discussing their next move, also caught on and quickly asked about it.
"I..."
Nahida began to speak, but after uttering a single word, she couldn't bring herself to say more. A bitter look filled her face.
After a long moment, Nahida finally explained.
"I think I've figured out the research the Akademiya is conducting with Dottore."
"Enjou caused a huge commotion in the Akademiya, setting fires everywhere. About twenty percent of the buildings were damaged, including a room where research data was stored."
"Great Sage Azar had sealed off those areas, but Enjou broke the seals, allowing me to access the information inside..."
Hearing that Enjou had burned down parts of the Akademiya, Lumine felt an immense sense of satisfaction. A wave of relief washed over her from head to toe, releasing all the frustration she had bottled up before.
But Lumine quickly shifted her focus back to the Akademiya's secret research.
"Although it's only partial data," Nahida said, "I can already roughly deduce the Akademiya's goal."
"They want to create a new God!"
As she spoke, Nahida's body trembled, her heart flooded with confusion and sorrow.
She knew she couldn't compare to the former Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and had disappointed all of Sumeru. She was keenly aware of this.
But for all these years, she had been constantly learning from the Akasha, striving to improve herself so that one day she could truly meet the expectations of the Sumerian people and earn their acceptance.
Even when the Akademiya confined her, forbade her from contacting others, and even tried to erase her existence, she never held a single grudge.
But now, discovering that the Akademiya intended to create a new Archon to replace her, she felt lost and utterly heartbroken.
Have my centuries of effort been meaningless? Am I truly not needed?
Hearing Nahida's words, the trio was utterly shocked.
Creating an God!
What an insane plan!
No wonder the Akademiya's Sages had been willing to sacrifice the lives of tens of thousands in the Restricted Zone. The very idea held an irresistible allure, enough to drive countless people to madness!
Soon, the three managed to calm themselves slightly and noticed Nahida's unusually desolate expression. She looked like a small, abandoned animal.
Cyno immediately erupted with intense Electro energy, lightning crackling around his body.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali," he declared, his voice seething with rage, "the Akademiya's actions are treasonous! They have betrayed their duty as your people and earned the contempt of all!"
"I will personally weigh their sins and use this body to right all wrongs!"
Alhaitham spoke up next. "Sumeru already has Lesser Lord Kusanali. We do not need a second Archon."
Lumine also gave Nahida an encouraging look.
"Thank you, everyone."
Touched by their words, Nahida quickly expressed her gratitude.
"I still don't know how to be a proper god, but I'll do my best."
Nahida bit her lip, her voice laced with uncertainty. Hearing her words, Alhaitham shook his head helplessly.
A god is supposed to be the one who sets the rules, not one who panders to their followers, he thought. Clearly, Nahida isn't ready to be a god yet. She lacks too much confidence.
However, the main reason for her misguided perspective was the Akademiya's influence. The group couldn't demand too much from her, and a god who deeply cared for her people wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"For now, we'll wait," Alhaitham announced. "Great Sage Azar will undoubtedly use the Divine Knowledge Capsule soon after obtaining it. I'll keep a close watch on the Akademiya. When the time comes, we can use the chaos to rescue everyone else."
The group nodded in agreement.
Then, Nahida turned her gaze to Lumine and spoke with earnest resolve.
"Traveler, while we wait, I will focus all my efforts on stabilizing your Mental World to prevent another loss of control like last time."
Nahida's words sent a thrill through Lumine. The dreaming symptoms that had tormented her for so long finally had a glimmer of hope for a cure. She nodded eagerly.
Surely my condition can't be incurable if an Archon herself is intervening, right? Lumine thought.
-
Meanwhile, in the Akademiya's confinement chamber...
"Get in there and stay put!"
Enjou, his powers sealed by shackles, was shoved roughly into the cell by a Matra, who then locked the door.
The commotion startled Paimon and Dr. Zachariah. Upon seeing Enjou's Abyss Monster form, Dr. Zachariah shrank back into a corner in terror.
Paimon fared little better, clinging to the doctor and trembling.
But why does that figure look so familiar? she wondered.
"How dare you treat me so roughly! Just you wait—soon, my Prince and Princess will lead the Abyss Order's army to teach you a lesson in humility!" Enjou bellowed.
"Let me tell you, those two hold me in the highest regard!"
"The Prince himself declared that because I'm so outstanding, he granted me the authority to act on my own!"
"And let me tell you, the Prince has never granted this privilege to anyone else!"
"The Princess, meanwhile, unconditionally approves all my proposals! She never objects to anything I suggest, allowing me to unleash my full abilities without restraint. That's how much she values me!"
Hearing this, the two Matra who were about to leave froze. They exchanged glances, each seeing the veiled fear in the other's eyes.
Enjou's supreme confidence left them with little room for doubt. After a moment's hesitation, one of them spoke.
"W-What do you want? We haven't done anything to offend you, have we?"
"Bring me something good to eat, and make it quick!"
"If you satisfy me, I won't report your insolence to the Prince and Princess."
Hearing Enjou's request, the two Matra breathed a sigh of relief. The demand wasn't unreasonable and fell completely within their authority.
"Alright, we'll bring you the food shortly. But you'd better behave—don't cause any trouble!"
After issuing one last warning to Enjou, the two Matra beat a hasty retreat.
Watching them flee in disarray, Enjou couldn't help but smirk triumphantly. Heh, everyone from the Akademiya seems a bit dim-witted. So easy to manipulate!
Enjou turned, intending to find a more comfortable spot to await his feast, only to spot Paimon and Dr. Zachariah hiding in a corner. He spoke, surprised.
"Paimon?"
"You're... Could you be Enjou?!"
Hearing Enjou say her name, Paimon's long-buried memories finally resurfaced.
"That's right."
Hearing Enjou's confirmation, Paimon immediately relaxed.
"It really is you! Thank goodness! It's so good to finally see a familiar face!"
Paimon grew excited and immediately flew over, getting right in Enjou's face. She couldn't wait to speak.
"You must have seen the Traveler, right? When is she coming to save me?!"
"You have no idea! Ever since they took Dr. Edward, all they've been feeding us is Chili-Mince Cornbread Buns! I can't take it anymore!"
"If the Traveler doesn't come soon, I'm going to choke to death on one of these things!"
"It doesn't matter if I die, but I'm worried the Traveler will be lonely and cold traveling all by herself without me!"
Seeing Paimon's masterful bootlicking, Enjou instantly realized he'd met his match.
As expected of Her Highness's No. 1 lackey! Her skills are not to be underestimated!
It seems I'll have to redouble my efforts to become Her Highness's most favored subordinate!
At that moment, Enjou had already identified Paimon as his greatest rival on the path to a glorious future.
Overhearing their conversation, Zachariah wondered why Paimon knew an Abyss Monster. Still, it seemed his life wasn't in immediate danger, and he couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his brow.
"By the way, Enjou, why are you here?"
Suddenly remembering something, Paimon turned to Enjou and asked, "So, why are you here?"
Enjou paused for a moment.
"Actually, I'm here to rescue you all!"
To usurp Paimon's place in Lumine's heart, I first need to lower her guard!
As expected, Paimon's mood instantly soared.
"That's great! I knew the Traveler wouldn't abandon me!"
"When are we leaving? I can't stand another second in this place!"
Just as Enjou was about to reply, a noise came from the doorway.
"Eat up."
Two Matra placed trays of exquisite, delicious food in the room and then left without another word.
"Good food!"
Paimon's eyes lit up at the sight of the meal. She eagerly flew over the trays, taking a deep breath of the fragrant aroma.
"Enjou, can we eat this?"
"Go ahead."
"Yay!"
As if afraid Enjou would change his mind, Paimon immediately started stuffing food into her mouth. While chewing, she mumbled indistinctly, "Enjou, you're a great guy! Next time, I'll ask the Traveler to go easy on you when she beats you up!"
Enjou: "?"
"Oh, and about leaving... maybe we don't need to be in such a hurry after all."
Enjou: "..."
At that moment, Enjou began to wonder if considering Paimon a formidable rival was perhaps a bit foolish...
-
That night, shortly after Lumine fell asleep, Nahida began to infiltrate her dreamscape.
However, Nahida had severely underestimated the extent of the corruption in Lumine's mind. After peeling back layer after layer of barriers woven from Dendro Elemental Power, the twisted, pitch-black darkness she encountered sent a deep chill through her very being.
Nahida couldn't fathom how Dr. Edward had managed to implant so much corruption into Lumine's mental world, nor how he had used Dendro Elemental Power to seal this terrifying force away without letting even a trace of its aura escape.
Moreover, the fact that Lumine was merely having nightmares despite such extreme corruption was also beyond Nahida's comprehension.
While Nahida knew Lumine's identity, Dr. Edward's remained completely inscrutable.
Who exactly is Dr. Edward?
The deeper she delved, the more Nahida realized she knew nothing about him, and a sliver of fear crept into her heart.
Dr. Edward hadn't collected nearly enough energy from Withering Zones to account for this, yet within Lumine's mental world, she saw a pitch-blackness as vast as an ocean
It seemed this darkness hadn't been implanted into Lumine's mental world by Dr. Edward, but rather... cultivated.
When this thought surfaced, Nahida jolted, her heart filling with horror.
Although she found it hard to believe anyone could accomplish such a feat, once the idea took root, she couldn't shake it.
Dr. Edward is definitely a problem—a massive one!
Reaffirming this conclusion in her mind, Nahida took one last look at the state of Lumine's mental world before reluctantly withdrawing.
The situation had far surpassed her ability to handle. Even as she retreated, her consciousness was nearly tainted by the encroaching darkness.
After exiting Lumine's mental world, Nahida stared blankly at Lumine's pained expression, clearly trapped in a nightmare, and sighed softly.
Even as an Archon, I can't do anything... I truly am an incompetent god.
If only I had more faith... she thought. Then I could at least try to reinforce the seal on the corruption in Lumine's mind. Eradicating it was completely out of the question; perhaps only Greater Lord Rukkhadevata could have managed that.
But at her current, half-baked level as an Archon, she was too embarrassed to even try to attract followers.
It seemed she was trapped in a vicious cycle: she was too embarrassed to attract followers, so she couldn't gather much faith. Without faith, there were many things she couldn't accomplish.
This was especially true for what lay ahead. The thought of facing the artificial god created by the Akademiya filled Nahida's heart with dread.
Will everyone truly accept me...?