Paimon bobbed at Lumine's side and nodded hard.
"Yeah! I'm excited too. We heard from Sumeru adventurers that this place has all kinds of ecosystems—and gorgeous rainforests."
"Which means…" She leaned in, eyes sparkling. "Way more wild treasure chests, right?"
At the word chest, Lumine's eyes lit up as well. "True. But let's explore and map as we go—mark the teleport waypoints, take in the local culture, and—most importantly—light the Statues of The Seven so I can attune to Dendro."
"Mm-hmm! And along the way, let's gather what we can about Sumeru's Archon and the current Grand Sage," she added. "We'll head for Sumeru City first. Chests can wait."
"Got it!"
After three nations, these two were veteran travelers. First step in a new land—collect intel. Fortune favored them: as they emerged from the narrow passage, a young Akademiya scholar hurried past, looking furtive and pressed for time.
Paimon zipped forward to block her. "Hey—who are you?"
Caught short, the young woman froze, panic flitting across her face like someone about to be caught doing something she shouldn't.
Lumine sensed something off, but as a newcomer she kept her tone mild and let Paimon speak first.
"Wait—miss, hold on. We just arrived. We're travelers and adventurers from outside Sumeru. It's our first day here, so we wanted to ask about the nearby terrain and, uh, Sumeru stories." Paimon gestured at their outfits. "See? Outsiders, right?"
"…I see."
Relief washed over the scholar. Outsiders—good. If they were Sumeru adventurers, she'd be in trouble.
Her visible exhale only deepened Lumine's suspicion, but the traveler merely smiled. "Could you share what you know about Sumeru? Anything helps. The more we learn, the smoother our journey."
"And if you need help," Paimon chimed in, "you can count on the Traveler. She hits hard!"
The young woman nodded again. "In that case, would you come to a cave I'm headed to? I've set out some fruit and lit a bit of incense. We can eat, enjoy the scent, and talk."
"Sounds great!"
Paimon floated after her at once. Lumine hesitated, then followed—confident enough in her own strength that a bookish scholar didn't feel like a threat.
Inside the cave, Haypasia set fresh fruit on a stone tray and kindled the incense. After a token question, Paimon dug in happily. The aroma curled through the air—pleasant, yes, but with a sweetness that tugged at one's thoughts. Lumine kept her head.
"Alright," Haypasia said, smiling faintly. "It's been a while since I had guests. What would you like to know? I may be near Caravan Ribat now, but I used to be an Akademiya scholar. I know quite a lot."
Paimon opened her mouth—to ask about local food, naturally—but Lumine clapped a hand over her.
"I want to ask about Sumeru's leader," Lumine said. "The Grand Sage. What kind of person is he?"
Paimon wriggled free, puzzled. "Huh? Why ask? Didn't we hear bits and pieces ten days ago? Why bring it up again?"
"Clarifying isn't a bad habit," Lumine replied. She was more cautious than Paimon. A country's ruler couldn't be a villain generation after generation. Besides, a woman they'd met in The Chasm had said Sumeru changed Grand Sages a month ago. As for what the new one was like—Lumine hadn't confirmed.
On that cue, Haypasia brightened, answering without hesitation. "The new Grand Sage took office a month ago—Grand Sage Idris."
"He's a bona fide tyrant."
"A… tyrant?"
Lumine's head throbbed faintly. Another tyrant? In Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun had worn that rumor; now Sumeru's Grand Sage too?
"How is he a tyrant?" Paimon asked. "Does he like killing innocents or something?"
"He does!" Haypasia nodded, agitated. "Just ten-odd days ago, he cut down a whole host of Eremite mercenaries—and even slew many elders from other Akademiya factions."
"Ehh? But why?" Paimon squawked. "Aren't the elders his own people?"
"Because he's a tyrant," Haypasia said as if it were obvious. "Those elders had their own networks—no small power in this country. To cement his position and make his seat unshakable, he ruthlessly purged them. For appearances, he claimed they'd betrayed him."
"And another thing that blackens his name—he's so young, yet he continues a command followed by Grand Sages of the past."
"To imprison Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
"I'll admit the economy has done very well under him—average incomes are up across the board—but what's the point of more money? The Akademiya was never short on funds."
The incense coiled thicker. Under its push, Haypasia's words grew more heated. She piled slander upon slander, while Lumine and Paimon nodded along, their impression of the new Grand Sage tilting darker by degrees.
Bad timing, truly. At present, more than ninety-nine percent of Sumeru approved of Idris's results. Haypasia did not. Worse, dabbling in forbidden knowledge had left her mind frayed; in the future she would even become the first believer in Shouki no Kami. As a scholar—healthy and untouched by Eleazar—her high-and-dry values were, frankly, a perfect "let them eat cake."
In the original course of events, the Traveler wasn't meant to talk this long with her. But due to Sumeru's blanket lockdown on forbidden knowledge, Haypasia's movements had turned secretive. She knew the method she'd stolen to inhale such knowledge was illicit; only because these two clearly weren't locals—and were ignorant of Sumeru—did she dare say so much.
The talk dragged on… until Lumine drew in too much of the incense-laden air. A haze crept behind her eyes. The world tilted—and she crumpled to the cave floor.
In sleep, the Traveler would hear the God of Wisdom's distant call, and glimpse the shadow of Irminsul. But that part—was her story to walk.
—
Meanwhile, in Idris's private quarters—half lounge, half pill-forging room—Nahida drifted out like a little spirit, the "old master in a ring," and leaned close to his ear.
"Grand Sage Idris, a… peculiar guest has entered Sumeru."
"A peculiar guest," Idris echoed. "You mean the blonde Traveler and her white floating companion, Paimon?"
"Yes, yes! You've heard of them too?"
Her eyes sparkled—finally, a topic to share with Idris. He, still skimming memorials, said, "Only because their names are rather loud. I've heard they're searching for a missing blood relative—and that a god was involved. Eight or nine times out of ten, their path will lead to you, Little Grass God. Be ready."
"Oh." Nahida nodded, then frowned. "Grand Sage Idris, I understand your reasons for keeping me confined in the Sanctuary, but the Traveler might not. From other nations I've learned she has a very kind, helpful heart—Paimon even more so. Good traits… but easy to exploit. If they hear I'm imprisoned, they may misunderstand you. Should I think up a reason to smooth it over?"
"No need." Idris shrugged. "If people misunderstand a 'tyrant,' whether it's one thing or many, it amounts to the same. A little more won't matter."
"Besides, I have other matters. By the time they reach Sumeru City, I probably won't have time to entertain them."
After all, the Traveler might stop to save a girl named Rana—not that the girl truly needed saving—and then get tied up for days with the Aranyaka "Forest Book." Exactly when she'd set foot in Sumeru City was anyone's guess. Idris, therefore, turned to the tasks at hand.
He picked up a letter that had been delivered that morning—delivered by a spear hurled with brute force, the shaft pinning it to a bough of the sacred tree before couriers brought it to the Grand Sage.
Even from the writing alone, one could taste the arrogance.
I hear Sumeru has a new Grand Sage. Young, too. Whatever.
Whether it's Azar or some Idris makes no difference—just make sure this reaches your Grand Sage.
I'll come alone tonight. If that makes you nervous, bring more guards.
I've gathered the core conditions to become a god. Don't disappoint me.
There was no signature, but Idris needed none.
"So—the Balladeer at last. From the sound of it, he hasn't met Il Dottore yet?"
If he had, he'd know what sort of man Idris was—and he would never have the gall to propose a solo visit to the Akademiya.
Nervous? Last time they'd matched presence, Idris's aura as "Human King" outstripped Dottore's by a full measure. And the Balladeer? Not worth mentioning.
If the Balladeer truly came blind—so much the better.
It would make the plan go all the smoother.
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