When Great Sage Azar received the news that the Corps of Thirty had collectively mutinied and that the Matra, acting on his supposed orders, were slaughtering Sumeru's citizens, he was utterly stunned.
While he looked down on ordinary people without talent, he knew he would never issue such an irrational command.
Azar had only ordered his subordinates to arrest the most vocal troublemakers and throw them in prison. He had never said anything about on-the-spot executions. Even if such a thing were to be done, it would have to be handled discreetly, behind closed doors—just like the deaths in the Restricted Zone. He had blamed those deaths on a "COVID" outbreak.
As long as he kept Dr. Edward's mouth shut, no one could prove the disease wasn't fatal.
Once all the bodies were disposed of, it wouldn't matter even if Dr. Edward was released. After all, with no evidence, his word alone left too much room for manipulation.
No matter what, he, Azar, the esteemed Great Sage of the Akademiya, still had a reputation to maintain. He would never issue such an insane order—not unless he already held all the trump cards.
Only when he had complete control over the god he was creating would he truly be indifferent to all rumors and slander. Then, killing a group of troublemakers would be nothing; they were just worthless mediocrities anyway.
"Damn it, what the hell is going on?!"
Great Sage Azar couldn't understand why his orders had been so twisted by his subordinates. He was so furious he felt his lungs might burst.
"A bunch of useless fools who only know how to screw things up!"
"And Rukh Shah dared to betray me! I'll settle the score with you later!"
Just then, Azar received a flood of incoming calls—all from the other Sages, bombarding him with accusations and curses. Although they hadn't known about the massacre, their collaboration meant they were all implicated. Their reputations would likely be ruined. The Sages, who cherished their prestige above all else, realized their lifelong honor was about to be utterly destroyed.
They were so enraged they felt like fighting Great Sage Azar to the death.
Great Sage Azar was seething from their "greetings," but due to his inner reservations, he patiently explained to the other Sages that he had never issued such an order.
After placating the other Sages and sending them away, Great Sage Azar turned his attention to the Divine Knowledge Capsule, which was currently undergoing various inspections.
After all, this was something he intended to use himself; he couldn't afford to be anything less than cautious.
It was also strange that the Abyss Order had taken an interest in the Divine Knowledge Capsule. He had no idea when they had become so invested in it.
However, Azar had just received news that Traveler Lumine, Scribe Alhaitham, General Mahamatra Cyno, and Nahida (possessing Katheryne's body) had broken into the Akademiya. They seemed determined to settle things today. He no longer had time for a more thorough examination of the Divine Knowledge Capsule.
Whatever, he thought. The Abyss Order is just a horde of Abyss Monsters. What intelligence could they possibly possess? They probably couldn't even uncover the capsule's secrets, let alone tamper with it.
Besides, a cursory inspection of the Divine Knowledge Capsule had already been conducted, and no issues were found. It should be fine.
At this thought, Great Sage Azar quickly operated the various instruments to shut them down, then removed the Divine Knowledge Capsule and held it in his hand. Only then did he feel a sense of security.
As their collaboration entered its final stage, the relationship between the Akademiya and Dottore had become strained. Dottore might not intervene to help the Akademiya through this crisis.
From Azar's perspective, if something were to happen to the Akademiya, Dottore could seize complete control of the research results.
This was precisely what Azar himself would do if Dottore encountered some "accident." Putting himself in Dottore's shoes, he believed Dottore likely harbored similar thoughts.
The most telling proof was the recent, continuous withdrawal of Fatui soldiers from the Akademiya. Although Dottore's official explanation was that the collaboration was nearing its end and they needed to prepare for their departure...
...But Great Sage Azar didn't believe Dottore's explanation for a second. He refused to believe that Dottore, faced with such a monumental undertaking, wouldn't harbor thoughts of claiming it all for himself. The man had to be plotting something in secret. Thus, Azar had been extremely wary of Dottore lately.
In the end, he could only rely on his own strength.
Great Sage Azar tightened his grip on the Divine Knowledge Capsule, then turned and hurried away.
He sent a message to Dottore while taking an elevator from the Sanctuary of Surasthana down to the secret God-Making Workshop, built by countless people beneath Sumeru City.
The research results must not suffer even the slightest setback!
-
"C-Cyno-sama?!"
"This doesn't concern you. Retreat immediately, unless you wish to suffer a beating."
"Yes, yes, right away!"
After the group of four broke into the Akademiya, Matra would periodically appear to block their path. Nearly half of them, upon seeing Cyno, immediately chose the path of least resistance and cleared the way.
After all, even if they resisted, they were no match for Cyno.
Cyno's reputation had been earned through battle. As his former subordinates, they had received plenty of "education" from his staff.
This was probably the easiest time Lumine had ever had breaking into the Akademiya. She couldn't help but marvel, Having connections is awesome!
"Paimon and the others are locked up over here. Follow me."
Nahida, familiar with the Akademiya's layout, led the way as everyone rushed urgently toward the Detention Room.
"If Dottore shows up," Nahida said to the others after a moment of thought, "I'll do my best to hold him off. You all take that chance to rescue everyone else."
Dealing with Dottore was a task far beyond the capabilities of a five-hundred-year-old child like herself. Yet, among everyone present, she was the only one who could pose even a slight threat to him.
In the end, I have to shoulder it all!
Nahida sighed silently. This is so hard!
To her surprise, however, Lumine volunteered to take on the task instead.
Everyone turned to look at Lumine, quickly understanding her intention.
Lumine was likely planning to trade her life for Dottore's. The area where she had previously fallen remained a Forbidden Zone, cordoned off by the Akademiya and off-limits to everyone.
Truth be told, Lumine wasn't sure herself if it would work, but it was definitely worth a try.
Since it's a power that even Nahida felt helpless against, it might just give Dottore a nasty surprise.
Even if it failed, she had nothing to lose. After all, the power didn't affect her. Her previous collapse had been partly due to the drugs and partly because the mental strain of resealing the power had left her exhausted.
"The Traveler's proposal is worth a try," Alhaitham spoke up. "I've felt that power up close. Before I even entered the area, I sensed a suffocating crisis." He had asked Lumine about this power before, but after learning she couldn't control it, he had dropped the matter. He hadn't expected her to come up with a plan to trade her life for Dottore's.
"But if it fails, how do we rescue the Traveler?" Cyno voiced his concern, and his words cast a silence over the group.
Nahida, in particular, fell quiet. The last time she had pulled Lumine from that Forbidden Zone, her own consciousness had nearly been eroded.
To unleash power strong enough to harm Dottore, Lumine would have to lose control to such a degree that Nahida had no confidence she could ever bring her back.
"The Traveler will have to awaken on her own and retreat," Alhaitham concluded.
"We shouldn't need to worry too much about her safety.
"The place she'll be in will likely be the safest in the world.
"For her, at least."
Hearing Alhaitham's words, the others nodded in agreement.
"It's here!"
Soon after, under Nahida's guidance, the four of them arrived outside the Detention Room.
Seeing the tightly sealed door, Lumine's heart pounded with tension. She felt a knot of dread, terrified of finding Paimon and Dr. Edward covered in wounds, tortured beyond recognition.
I'm here to save you!
The Dull Blade materialized in Lumine's hand, crackling with Electro energy.
BOOM!
The door shattered instantly, and the four of them stormed inside.
"Pai...mon?"
As they burst into the room, they froze. On the floor sat three figures, surrounded by a lavish feast, laughing, chatting, and even sipping on wine and juice. The rescuers were utterly dumbfounded.
Hearing the commotion at the door, the feasting trio turned their attention toward them. They, too, were stunned for a moment before their faces lit up with immense joy.
"Tra-Traveler!"
Paimon spotted Lumine and immediately zipped over.
"This is great, Traveler! You're finally here to save me!"
Lumine's eye twitched. Could you at least stop stuffing your face before saying that?!
Seeing Paimon's greasy, shining face and how she'd clearly gained a whole size, Lumine suddenly felt all her worries over the past few days had been completely unnecessary. Here Paimon was, living the good life, while she'd been worrying like an idiot that her companion was being tortured.
Sensing Lumine's strange gaze, Paimon froze, then mumbled guiltily, "Um, Traveler... have you eaten yet? If not, why don't you join us?"
At those words, Lumine's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Does this look like the right atmosphere for a meal?!
The rich aroma wafting through the air made Lumine's stomach, which had skipped breakfast, protest loudly. She didn't know how she managed to keep from drooling, but just looking at Paimon made her blood boil!
Unable to resist, Lumine reached out and pinched Paimon's cheek, eliciting a series of wails. Only then did her mood finally improve.
"This delicious food has nothing to do with me! Enjou told the guards outside to bring it to us!"
What the hell?!
Hearing Paimon betray him without a second thought, Enjou's mind descended into chaos.
You were the one eating with the most gusto just now, and now you're trying to pin the blame on me?!
Shameless! Utterly shameless!
Truly worthy of being Her Highness the Princess's number one lackey. She must be worried her standing in the Princess's eyes would fall because of this, so she's dragging me down with her!
What a cunning, insidious scheme! She looks so clueless, yet she's this manipulative.
But I'm no slouch either. The position of Her Highness's top lackey can only belong to me, Enjou!
With that thought, Enjou immediately adjusted his expression and spoke in a pitiful tone.
"Paimon is right. This is all my fault!"
"I failed to consider everything properly and disrupted Her Highness's plans. If punishment is due, please punish me."
"Don't blame Paimon. After all, she is Her Highness's best companion, always by her side no matter how dangerous the situation."
"Unlike me... just a pitiful, abandoned soul."
Enjou tilted his head up at a 45-degree angle, exuding an air of melancholy.
Where is this green tea bitch act coming from?
Paimon listened to Enjou's speech, her face a mask of confusion. His words seemed fine on the surface, yet something felt wrong about them.
Meanwhile, hearing Enjou's words, Lumine couldn't help but recall the past.
Whenever there's danger, Paimon is always the first one to run and hide!
So much for "companionship"! It's all fake!
At this thought, Lumine's expression darkened further, and she instinctively tightened her grip.
Immediately, Paimon let out a series of miserable shrieks.
"Where is Dr. Edward?" Cyno asked Dr. Zachariah, keeping an eye on Lumine and Paimon's interaction.
"Dr. Edward was taken away by the Akademiya a few days ago and hasn't returned since," Dr. Zachariah replied hastily, his face etched with deep worry.
The news cast a pall over the group. Even Lumine lost the mood to continue teasing Paimon.
Dr. Edward had been missing for days. The worst-case scenario was that something had already happened to him.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, can you find Dr. Edward's current location?"
"I'll try," Nahida said.
Though she harbored some wariness toward Dr. Edward, Nahida didn't want him to meet with misfortune within the Akademiya. She immediately began searching for his location through the Akasha.
Soon, Nahida had a result.
"Found him."
"Dr. Edward seems to be... with Dottore!!"
Hearing Nahida's words, the group grew even more tense. They hadn't expected Dr. Edward to be in Dottore's hands.
Given Dottore's cruelty and indifference, Dr. Edward had likely already met a grim fate!
"Traveler, we have to hurry and save Dr. Edward!" Paimon urged anxiously. Dr. Zachariah also looked at the group with pleading eyes.
"Don't be rash," Alhaitham said calmly. "We need a plan to rescue Dr. Edward."
"After all, Dottore is not an enemy we can easily defeat. If we aren't careful, we'll all end up in his grasp."
Alhaitham's words sobered the group. They realized he was right—if they charged in recklessly, they'd just be throwing their lives away.
"Besides, have you noticed? The resistance we've encountered along the way has been much weaker than before, and we haven't seen any Fatui soldiers."
This observation didn't ease their minds; instead, it made their hearts sink even further.
Those people couldn't have just vanished into thin air. Since they weren't here to stop us, they must be busy with something else.
This meant the Akademiya's research was likely nearing its final stages!