The next morning, Paimon and Lumine woke up early, then the two went to meet Alhaitham first.
“Alhaitham: You’re here. How was your rest?”
“Paimon: Hmm, I didn't rest very well. I got nervous thinking about what we had to do today, and I only fell asleep when it was almost dawn… How about you, Alhaitham?”
“Alhaitham: Of course, I rested well.”
“Paimon: Alright, it seems I’m the only one who didn’t sleep well.”
“Alhaitham: Alright, regarding what we’re about to do, do I need to repeat it again?”
“Lumine: No.”
“Alhaitham: Hmm, then let’s go.”
On the other side, Qixuan brought Nahida to the Akademiya, in an invisible state.
“Nahida: Are we meeting here?”
“Qixuan: Yes, Alhaitham is taking Lumine and Paimon to seize control of the sage’s Akasha. We just need to wait for them here. Nominally, you’ve always resided in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, so we need to revoke that command.”
“Nahida: So that’s how it is.”
………………
No one suspected the identity of Scribe Alhaitham, and he passed through the hall unimpeded, going straight to the library.
“Paimon: Is it really okay for us to just waltz in like this?”
“Alhaitham: The Akademiya’s daily pace is already fast, and today is also 【Knowledge Day】. They are all busy with their own affairs. Just act natural and let’s go.”
Everyone acted naturally, then walked in.
“Paimon: It feels so dangerous. What if we suddenly run into the Grand Sage?”
“Alhaitham: Who knows? But if we know his current location beforehand, the safety of our operation will greatly increase.”
Just then, a voice that everyone least wanted to hear came from behind them.
“Azar: Then let me give you a hint. If you want to know my location, why don’t you look behind you?”
“Lumine: What?!”
“Paimon: Ah! You are, Grand Sage Azar, how are you here!?”
The surrounding guards gradually surrounded Paimon and her.
“Azar: You didn’t think that after disappearing for so long, the Akademiya would still completely trust you, did you, Scribe? Your whereabouts have long been reported to me by witnesses, so I specifically came to welcome you.”
“Alhaitham: Tsk… Grand Sage, I didn't expect you to be so concerned about me. I am truly flattered.”
“Azar: Hehe, but compared to you, I’m more concerned about these two beside you, Traveler and Paimon, right? Two distinguished guests of Sumeru. It's a pity we only had the chance to formally meet today. I apologize for the poor hospitality.”
“Lumine: It’s still not too late if you stop now.”
“Azar: You are well aware of your current situation. Isn’t it a bit thoughtless to say that to me?”
“Lumine: Is that so? What do you think? Oh, you still don’t know, do you? Lesser Lord Kusanali has already been rescued, so you might as well give up resisting.”
“Azar: Oh? Hahaha, I don’t think a nascent God can do anything. Keeping her locked in the Sanctuary of Surasthana was just to conveniently use her insignificant clearance, and, aren’t you being disrespectful to me by fabricating such a lie?”
“Paimon: Wh-what do we do? He’s not listening.”
“Alhaitham: If necessary, I will cover your escape (whispering).”
“Azar: Outside are all my people. Don’t even think about escaping. Since you are still so unappreciative and want to resist, then I can only invite you to be guests in prison. No, it’s better to separate you. Banish this Scribe to Aru Village, and as for this Traveler, lock her in solitary confinement.”
Just like that, all plans were proceeding in an orderly fashion.
On the other side, the two Gods who were still waiting for Lumine were getting a bit bored.
“Qixuan: Why aren’t they out yet? Oh, right, I forgot to tell her that the solitary confinement part isn't needed anymore, hehe.”
“Nahida: Let me communicate with her.”
After Nahida and Lumine successfully connected their consciousness, they finally regained control of the Akasha from the sages, and immediately modified some instructions.
Meanwhile, Nilou was already prepared on the stage set up by the Akademiya. As Nilou’s dance performance began, the surrounding scholars exclaimed in amazement, saying they had never seen such a performance and found it incredible. The guards, after receiving the (modified) instructions from the Grand Sage, began to apprehend the wanted criminals and search for Lesser Lord Kusanali.
…………
“Rahman: We’ve been ambushed here for so long, just waiting for this moment. The brothers have already taken action.”
“Dehya: Hehe, we can’t do anything to them in the Akademiya, but once they’re out of the Akademiya, it’s our hunting ground.”
“Rahman: That’s natural.”
“Dehya: We must deal with them in the city as quickly as possible, otherwise, if the sages react, the plan will be ruined.”
“Rahman: They’re just guys who live a life of ease on their salaries. Compared to us who train every day in the Desert, their only advantage is numbers, right?”
“Dehya: Blindly obedient to the sages, without any mercenary principles. They truly disgrace the Thirty Member Group. As fellow professionals, today we must teach them a good lesson.”
“Rahman: The trap is ready. We just need to lure them over.”
“Dehya: Hmm, you and I will take separate paths to regroup those scattered guards. However, to attract the attention of those guards, we still need Isaac.”
At this moment, Isaac was wearing a simple Nahida costume, and that sight…
“Isaac (Bootleg Nahida): Uh… this outfit.”
“Tanina: Do you remember what you need to do, Isaac? You’ll pretend to be Lesser Lord Kusanali and escape from them.”
“Isaac (Bootleg Nahida): I remember, I’m just a little nervous.”
“Tanina: Relax, don’t think about whether you’ll get caught. Even if you are caught, we definitely won’t abandon you. You just need to think about how to attract the attention of those guards and lead them to the Grand Bazaar. Leave the rest to us.”
“Isaac (Bootleg Nahida): Yes, I understand. I came to repay Lesser Lord Kusanali for my grandfather, so I won’t back down!”
“Maklin: Hey, they’re coming! I see the guards!”
“Tanina: Go for it!”
Isaac successfully evaded the guards’ pursuit with his agility, only exposing himself at the last moment to attract their attention. Now they were all drawn to Isaac, who then led them to the Grand Bazaar. As soon as they entered the Grand Bazaar, they lost track of him. Just as the guards wondered where Lesser Lord Kusanali had gone, Rahman came out with his people.
“Rahman: Indeed, where did your Lesser Lord Kusanali go?”
“Akademiya Guard Captain: Who is it?! Are you doing this on purpose? What do you want?”
“Dehya: Whether it’s personal grudges or commercial competition, in short, once you step into our trap, don’t think of yourselves as 【hunters】 anymore. You should obediently be 【prey】.”
“Rahman: Everyone, come out!”
The Eremites around them all emerged, gradually surrounding the Akademiya Guard team.
“Akademiya Guard Captain: It’s an ambush! How is this possible? This is within Sumeru City. We’ve actually been ambushed by mercenaries from the Desert?!”
“Dehya: Who told you to keep hiding in the Akademiya and not come out? This has long been our home turf. Accept your fate!”
With Dehya’s command, the Akademiya guards were swept away like little chicks.
Azar, upon hearing the command, began to panic. He had never given such an order. Although he didn’t care what ability a nascent God could have to stop him, and he didn’t believe what Lumine said was true, he proactively went to the Sanctuary of Surasthana to check, only to be ambushed by Cyno.
Meanwhile, Qixuan rescued Paimon and Lumine.
“Nahida: Thank you… Thank you for saving so much for Sumeru and for me.”
“Paimon: Don’t say that, Nahida. You deserve to be saved. How can such a good God be bullied by someone like the Grand Sage?”
“Nahida: Hehe… Thank you for saying that. I understand now. Before being a good 【God】, I must first be a good 【myself】. Everything they did in Sumeru, I will retaliate thoroughly in the name of the 【God of wisdom】.”
“Paimon: Oh! Nahida has finally awakened.”
“Qixuan: Now it’s time to meet the main target.”
“Nahida: Let’s go.”
Under Nahida’s lead, everyone arrived at Balladeer’s location. The colossal God’s container appeared before them.
“Qixuan: It looks the part.”
Just then, Balladeer woke up.
“Balladeer: Hehe, I remember you, God of wisdom 【Buer】, and you all have come too.”
“Paimon: Ah, has he already become 【omniscient and omnipotent】 like Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?”
“Nahida: No, I don’t sense that kind of divine nature similar to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata from him. The sages seem to have not had time to inject Divine Canned Knowledge, but there’s no doubt that he is now a genuine 【God】, at least he now possesses God-level strength.”
“Paimon: Are we too late? Balladeer has already completely become a God.”
“Balladeer: Heh, to me, that’s an ancient codename. When my spirit ascended to become a God, it was as if I lived through ages akin to heaven and earth. Looking back now, the existence named Kunikuzushi is so tiny, so ugly.”
Immediately, Balladeer entered the 【container】 body and activated it. The colossal God machine emitted endless pressure.
At this moment, 【shouki no kami, the prodigal, Lord of Silvan Light and Dream】 appeared!