Chapter 101. Nahida's Plan
Nahida's sudden appearance made Alhaitham instinctively lower his head.
"Your Excellency, Lesser Lord Kusanali."
"..."
Nahida sighed softly, an expression of helplessness crossing her face. She had already asked him not to address her so formally.
Why did everyone insist on calling her "Your Excellency"?
"This is Lesser Lord Kusanali," Futsu Mitama explained. "She's here to lend you her power, so you won't have to infiltrate the Akademiya alone without any protection."
That was precisely why Nahida had come.
Moments earlier, Futsu Mitama had relayed Alhaitham's proposal to the Chat Group.
Even Kuki Shinobu had been surprised that Alhaitham was willing to shoulder such a dangerous mission. However, she also admitted his reasoning was sound.
Although she excelled at infiltration, the risk of exposing herself remained considerable.
By contrast, Alhaitham possessed an official position within the Akademiya. Even if he were discovered conducting an investigation, the worst outcome would most likely be arrest rather than immediate execution. Compared to anyone else, his identity provided a far greater margin of safety.
More importantly, Alhaitham himself had stated that he was seventy percent confident.
That level of confidence meant he already had a workable plan.
Still, sending him into the Akademiya completely alone—and without the protection afforded by the Chat Group—was simply too dangerous.
It was Nahida who proposed a solution.
She would leave a portion of her power within Alhaitham.
If he ever found himself in mortal danger, she would sense it immediately.
Futsu Mitama naturally had no objections. The proposal was both practical and reassuring.
Maha Rukkhadevata also agreed. Not only would it protect Alhaitham, but it would allow them to pinpoint his location instantly. If anything happened, they could rush to his aid without delay.
As for whether Dottore would notice—
Unless he immediately decided to gravely injure Alhaitham for no reason at all, Nahida's power would remain dormant within him, leaving virtually no chance of being discovered.
"You've escaped?"
Alhaitham stared at Nahida in astonishment.
"Or... is this some kind of clone?"
Even someone as composed as he couldn't hide his shock.
Throughout Sumeru, everyone knew that Lesser Lord Kusanali resided within the Sanctuary of Surasthana under the "protection" of the Sages.
Of course, most ordinary citizens paid little attention to such matters.
Who exactly was Lesser Lord Kusanali?
Most people simply knew Sumeru possessed an Archon.
The Akademiya had never promoted her.
Instead, every tale and every legend centered around Maha Rukkhadevata, leaving Lesser Lord Kusanali almost completely absent from public consciousness.
As a result, many people in Sumeru knew only that she existed.
Almost nothing more.
Ironically, foreigners often knew more about Lesser Lord Kusanali than Sumeru's own citizens.
Now, after hearing Futsu Mitama's explanation, Alhaitham finally understood the truth.
The Sages had never been protecting their Archon.
They had imprisoned her.
To imprison an Archon using the very technology created by an Archon—
It was an act so outrageous that it was almost beyond belief.
And yet—
There she was, standing before him.
Had she truly escaped the Sanctuary of Surasthana? Or was this merely a projection created through divine power?
The moment Nahida appeared, countless pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place.
Why Futsu Mitama had openly confronted Azar.
Why Maha Rukkhadevata had entrusted him with coming to Sumeru.
Everything finally made sense.
"It's not a clone."
Nahida smiled gently as she extended her hand toward him.
"It's my real body."
Looking directly at Alhaitham, she continued softly,
"I'm very grateful for everything you're willing to do. I may still be an immature Archon—but I can at least lend you my strength. It's the only thing I can offer."
"I hope you'll never have to use it. But if you do—"
"Futsu Mitama and I will come to rescue you."
As she spoke, a gentle emerald radiance blossomed from her palm.
A sphere of verdant light floated forward before quietly sinking into Alhaitham's body.
For an instant—
His strength surged dramatically.
Then, just as quickly, the sensation disappeared.
The divine power seemed to vanish entirely.
Even so, Alhaitham understood exactly what had happened.
Nahida's blessing had not disappeared.
It had merely gone dormant within him. A warm, gentle power now silently protected him. Should he ever face mortal danger—
That dormant strength would awaken immediately.
"..."
Alhaitham remained silent.
Lesser Lord Kusanali was far kinder than he had imagined.
She had been imprisoned for five hundred years. Under such circumstances, even if she harbored resentment toward humanity—
Even if she had become cold and distrustful—
He would have understood completely.
If he himself had been confined for five centuries without reason—he doubted he could have remained compassionate.
Yet Lesser Lord Kusanali displayed neither bitterness nor resentment.
Instead, she referred to herself as an immature Archon.
She even worried more about his safety than her own.
Such kindness left Alhaitham with emotions he found difficult to describe.
At that moment...
He quietly made up his mind.
This mission had to succeed. The Akademiya's crimes could not simply be overlooked. Those responsible would face the consequences of their actions.
And he... would personally help Lesser Lord Kusanali restore Sumeru to its proper path.
Only then could he truly find peace himself.
—
The conversation continued for some time.
After confirming once again that Alhaitham neither wanted nor needed additional assistance, Futsu Mitama and Nahida respected his decision.
They simply reminded him to remain cautious before seeing him off.
Once Alhaitham departed, Futsu Mitama turned toward Nahida with a smile.
"So? How was your day with Klee?"
At the question, Nahida nodded earnestly.
Then...
A brilliant smile blossomed across her face.
"Today had been wonderful. Klee had shown her countless things she had never experienced before."
Throughout the day, Nahida kept reminding herself—
She was the second God of Wisdom.
She should remain composed.
An Archon should behave like an Archon.
But... It had simply been too much fun.
For the first time since coming into existence five hundred years ago—
Nahida experienced something she had never truly felt before.
Happiness.
"Klee is incredibly enthusiastic."
Her voice was filled with unmistakable joy.
"I could tell she genuinely wanted to share everything she loved with me. Unfortunately— I can't afford to enjoy those things yet. There are still too many problems waiting for me in Sumeru. As the Dendro Archon—"
"I can't stop now."
She truly had enjoyed every moment with Klee.
Even so... She had never forgotten her responsibilities.
Sumeru was still in chaos.
Playing was wonderful.
But duties remained duties.
If she indulged herself while abandoning her responsibilities as an Archon—
Then she might as well return to the Sanctuary of Surasthana and remain nothing more than a ceremonial mascot.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Futsu Mitama asked with curiosity.
Earlier in the Chat Group, Nahida had mentioned having a bold idea that might accelerate their plans.
However, she had refused to explain until after meeting Alhaitham.
Now that the livestream was active and everyone could hear the conversation, Futsu Mitama finally posed the question.
"I've decided to make full use of the Teleportation Scepter."
Nahida looked down at the staff in her hand, her expression growing serious.
"Since I was fortunate enough to receive such an incredible artifact—then I should use it to its fullest potential. Bringing Albedo and Klee from Liyue gave me an idea."
"Whether it's Tighnari—"
"Faruzan—"
"or every Scholar they're trying to recruit—"
"I can shorten everyone's travel time."
Everything Tighnari and Faruzan were doing served Sumeru.
The same was true for Cyno.
He constantly uncovered valuable clues in the desert. Yet time and distance always allowed those clues to slip away before he arrived.
He had complained about it more than once in the Chat Group.
No one had been able to offer a solution.
After today's discussion—Nahida finally had one.
Normally, Faruzan would need three or four days to reach Gandharva Ville. With the Teleportation Scepter—
She could arrive in an instant.
Afterward, she and Tighnari would continue recruiting Scholars scattered across Sumeru.
The Akademiya itself was only headquarters.
Many of Sumeru's greatest Scholars rarely remained there.
Some worked deep in the desert.
Others constantly traveled throughout the nation.
Take Kaveh, the Light of Kshahrewar.
One day he might be surveying ruins in the desert. The next, walking through Sumeru City's streets. Then suddenly appearing somewhere deep in the wilderness.
Many respected Scholars lived similarly.
They spent little time inside the Akademiya itself.
Ironically, those who remained there every day were often either newcomers or Scholars approaching retirement.
The truly influential figures were almost always occupied elsewhere.
Tighnari and Faruzan themselves were perfect examples.
Under normal circumstances, both would have been fully immersed in their own research. Only the current crisis had brought them together.
Now... Nahida intended to eliminate the greatest obstacle they faced.
Travel time.
With both the Akasha's highest authority and the Teleportation Scepter under her control—
She could move anywhere within Sumeru almost at will.
As long as she knew a destination—
She could reach it immediately.
"This is excellent." Black Aila nodded without hesitation. "If everyone's movements accelerate, the Fatui and the Akademiya's timetable will inevitably be disrupted. And once their plans begin falling behind—"
A faint smile finally appeared on her normally expressionless face.
"they'll make mistakes."
She had waited a very long time for Dottore—or Signora—to expose an opening.
Should either of them slip—she had no intention of letting the opportunity pass.
Aila glanced sideways at Black Aila.
She had long noticed Black Aila's fixation on Dottore and Signora.
It was obvious.
She wanted them dead.
Truthfully—Aila felt much the same.
Especially Signora.
From Inazuma all the way to Sumeru, she had repeatedly escaped justice. Every time, she had protected herself too well.
But circumstances had changed.
If Nahida began using the Teleportation Scepter to accelerate everyone's movements—
The Fatui would be forced to respond.
Either they openly obstructed Tighnari and Faruzan—or they secretly resorted to violence.
Publicly interfering was impossible. The Akademiya couldn't reveal what it was truly doing.
That left only one option.
A covert strike.
And if that happened—
Signora would almost certainly be the one to act.
Perhaps—
Sumeru would finally become the stage where her story came to an end.
Even Aila found herself feeling a flicker of anticipation.
"I think so too."
Nahida smiled softly. After seeing just how overwhelming Futsu Mitama's group truly was, she naturally hoped to bring Sumeru's crisis to a swift conclusion.
Once everything was settled—
She was genuinely curious about this year's Rite of Descension. Both Guizhong and Zhongli seemed to value it immensely.
"When do you plan to begin?"
Futsu Mitama asked.
"Things aren't so urgent that they can't wait another day. Why not spend a little more time playing with Klee first?"
He knew Nahida wanted to resolve Sumeru's problems as quickly as possible.
Still... She was, in the end, a child who had spent five hundred years imprisoned.
If possible... He hoped she could enjoy at least a little more freedom before shouldering everything again.
There was no harm in resting for a day or two.
"Thank you."
Nahida's smile became even gentler. Then she slowly shook her head.
"There's no time. We can play together afterward. But first—the mistakes made by the Akademiya must be corrected."
Seeing her speak with such quiet determination—
Futsu Mitama found himself strangely moved.
The Archons of Teyvat... were truly remarkable.
Every Archon he had met so far—
Venti.
The sisters Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei.
Zhongli/Morax.
Maha Rukkhadevata.
Even the Tsaritsa, before she left the Chat Group.
And now Nahida.
Each, in their own way, devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their people.
Even after everything Sumeru had done to her—
Nahida still chose to protect it.
Perhaps... Every Archon across Teyvat was the same.
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