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The Traveler found Alhaitham waiting for them in the exact spot, looking over at the horizon. He turned his gaze towards them, and gave a nod. It was strange not having Paimon by their side, giving a friendly chat or just being there, but that feeling will end sooner or later.
Today, they were going to bring down the Sages. And this was the first part of the plan. They themselves were ready, they spent a while perfecting their acting skills, as Paimon would not be available to do all of that for them.
Being multi-talented had its perks.
"Ah, you're here." Alhaitham said, crossing his arms. "I suspect you're fully prepared for this?"
"That is correct." The Traveler nodded, placing a hand on where their heart is.
"Very well." Alhaitham nodded back, then asked one more question. "Where is Paimon at? She's always with you, isn't she?"
This was to keep up the act. If Alhaitham's suspicions are correct, then an eyewitness should be around somewhere to report to Azar on their behaviour.
"She couldn't wake up in the morning, so I left her in the care of a trusted friend." The Traveler stated. They knew where she should be at this time.
They can only hope that her and Collei would be alright in their mission.
"We are on a time crunch here, so I believe you made the right call. We can report everything back to her once we're finished." Alhaitham said, walking off towards the Akademiya with the Traveler following behind.
-
"Alright, Traveler. What is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Azar asked, not bothering to look at them in the eyes as he faced his desk. "There are still many preparations that require me to oversee. I do not have the time for meaningless chit-chat."
"The Fatui cannot be trusted." The Traveler said. "There's evidence to suggest that they attacked Gandharva Ville and kidnapped a Forest Ranger."
"So you know a thing or two about our endeavors." Azar turned around. "Can you really back up your claims though? Barging in here and demanding to talk with me is a rather uncharacteristic trait of yours."
"The rangers can testify to that." The Traveler responded, their eyes remaining on Azar, trying to not let any emotion show on their face. They were mad, mad at him for disregarding the life of a citizen of Sumeru for this insane plan. But they could not, would not let their rage appear.
They can only hope that Cyno would allow them to let them take a swing at him and the Sages after all of this is over.
"Surely the Akademiya can't ignore this issue, can they?"
"Why waste time with the rangers when we're about to bring forth the birth of Sumeru's new god?" Azar asked, his eyes becoming pinpricks. "You should be praising our great work instead of trying to debase our work. A god's guidance will finally be with us again once again, and this aspiration is too great to think of any casualties or consequences. The Eleazar girl's student was a necessary sacrifice."
The Traveler can hear Alhaitham scoff.
"Necessary sacrifice?" Their hands clenched themselves into fists. "You allowed the Fatui to put an innocent person's life at risk for a plan that may backfire on you once it's completed?"
"Believe me, Traveler. I would've preferred to avoid causalities. But the Fatui wanted that boy in the first place. I could've made a deal with them to not kill him if the Eleazar girl had decided to accept our offer to take part in this project."
In other words, you would've threaten Collei with Tighnari's life to keep her in the Akademiya. The Traveler bitterly thought.
"The black serpent benefits all of us. Don't you see?Your view on our aspirations is quite disappointing, just like the Lesser Lord."
"Kusanali has always been Sumeru's Archon even now." The Traveler couldn't help but let anger slip into their tone. "What would bringing about a false god do for Sumeru other than destruction?"
"I have to agree, Grand Sage." Alhaitham spoke up, playing his assigned role in 'betraying' them. "Their ideology has the potential to lead scholars astray, and they are actively looking to dismantle a grand plan that will help all of Sumeru."
"Alhaitham...?" The Traveler put on their best acting voice as he walked up to Azar.
"Oh, and here's a detailed report on the Traveler themselves. Down to the last detail with nothing that has been left out."
Everything played out as expected. Despite their best acting skills, Azar saw through their false betrayal. Fortunately, he failed to realize the bigger picture.
Soon enough, Alhaitham was exiled, and the Traveler was taken to confinement.
Though they couldn't see them, the Traveler can feel the presence of their companion, with Collei following after her.
-
Cyno has been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He watches as Azar scurry into the Sanctuary of Surasthana like a criminal who was about to be caught by the Corps of Thirty.
Pathetic really. His reliance on the Akasha and his arrogance has been his downfall. And he doesn't even realize that.
He made his way over to the doors, and opened it slightly to keep an eye on Azar. Confused, distressed about everything.
Once he sees Lesser Lord Kusanali is really there, he made his move.
"What a comical sight, Azar." Cyno made no move to conceal the venom in his voice as he entered, closing the door behind him.
Azar's eyes widened.
"Even the Grand Sage allowed himself to become a puppet of the Akasha. And because of that, you disregarded Lesser Lord Kusanali's existence, treated her as nothing but a damaged toy. She has been a wise and worthy Archon, and you chose to ignore her efforts."
"How did all of this come to pass? The Akasha predicted you would come back to the Akademiya to confront me, not come to the Sanctuary of Surasthana. And you must've worked with the Traveler and Alhaitham to orchestrate this. How can such a proud person like you do that?"
"People change. The Akasha can no longer predict my actions, nor can it save you from punishment." Cyno stepped forward. "No one, not even authorized staff are allowed to enter this sanctuary. It's just me and you."
"Then, state my crimes. I don't believe-"
"I find you guilty of insurgency of the Archon, disregarding the destruction of property on Sumeru and the safety of a person in Sumeru, and if you're truly despicable as my investigation has proven thus far, planned to experiment on that very same person you led into danger for this plan."
"So did you do all of this so I can plead guilty in front of you?"
"No, I want you to plead guilty in front of the Dendro Archon herself."