The following chapter contains elements that can be considered spoilers for a fanfic idea of mine called "While My World Shatters", be it yet to be released or already released. Mostly, from IF: Paradise Regained Chapter, but there are very vital plot points used from that fic in this reaction. You may red it if you are interested, otherwise, proceed ahead.

Yeah so, this is literally a rewriting of the entire Archon Quest that diverges from the Traveler's viewpoint. Why is this Act 1 you say? Well I'm planning on yoinking the Intermission, Nahida and any Sumeru related event that's important to further delve into both Issei and the future of Genshin, similar to how Limbus watched their future.

These few following chapters including the previous one are HELLA long except for one in the middle, so doing a chapter for more than a month for such a length seems justifiable lol. The issue is if this becomes a whole lot of nothing or anything interesting, which I do fear lol, but hey, the 4th of everything is always long and drawn out, no? (Cough cough, Canto IV, Sumeru cough cough)

Nonetheless, I suppose that those who wanted Sumeru Characters to react to Archon Quest, half met what they wanted.

Enjoy a 45k long chapter lmao

"And with this, we can give a round of applause for the opening of the Literature Club." Blake said with a book of Ninja's of Love on her lap.

She was part of a circle with other literary enthusiasts, all which had their own personal tastes or specialties when it came to literature.

"My, my, this is quite the heartwarming celebration for the group." Giggled Lisa.

Hod nodded in agreement, she was the Head Librarian for the the Literature section, as such, she thought she'd fit well to help people here, only to meet a fellow librarian such as Lisa.

"Now then, should we each specify what our favorite genres are?" Xingqiu asked. "In my case, they are mostly Martial Arts related books."

"Like Wuxia and Murim?" Asked Issei. He didn't really have much knowledge when it came to literature, the only reason why he was here was because Blake convinced him after the fact that... Well, he said his preferences for erotica.

"Oh, are those perhaps the terms used for these works? I've never heard such words before." Xingqiu said with stars in his eyes.

"Uhm... what about everyone else?" Hod said as she looked at the white haired boy with some blue tints.

Chongyu hummed. "Well... Xingqiu convinced me to join, but if I had to say... anything related to the supernatural... and I suppose Wuxia and Murim as well."

Blake nodded, she understood, usually friends would have similar tastes after all.

She then looked at the man sitting far from them. Alhaitham was merely in his own world as he read one of the books.

Blake did not call him out, for she knew what it was to finally have some alone time in silence.

"Ah ah! I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, like fantasy works of great caliber!" Fischl declared. "Such intrepid and epic stories relating to the overcoming of ordeals with no suffering nor challenge are befitting of such worthy tales!"

"What Prinzessin wishes to say is that she likes power fantasy novels." Oz explained.

Yae Miko giggled. "I see that one of the novels in the yae Publishing House has been quite your inspiration.

"Mmm, I suppose I should go next..." Albedo uttered. "I don't quite have a preference of sorts, I am willing to give anything a chance as they may hold intricate and immersive stories."

"I understand that." Kokomi agreed. "I would have not been able to discover 'A Legend of Sword' had I not given it a chance, the concepts and inventions in the novel are quite unique and original, I wish I could meet the authors in person..."

Little did she know, she was sitting right next to them.

Alhaitham suddenly shut his book as he stood up, he then walked up to Issei as he then said. "I suppose it is time for us to leave."

"Ah, is it time to go into one of the rooms now?" Issei said with surprise not realizing a lot of time had already passed. "Hopefully everyone's going to be there..."

"Wait! That explains why Cao Cao's not here!" He realized.

"You're missing someone, I recall? Someone called Kunikuzushi? If he is not there, then we will be wasting our time." Alhaitham pointed out.

"I know, but I can trust him to come, especially since I did ask a few of the other Harbingers to convince him..."

"That being Il Dottore only though..." He thought, remembering that the only one who he really could talk to was him.

Il Capitano seemed too scary, the same went for Arlecchino, Childe was too much of an Ikemen for him to really ask him, his pride would never let him live it down should he ever ask that guy.

And the rest either declined or were too focused on something else.

"Have a good time, both of you." Xingqiu waved goodbye, while the rest of them did the same.

_-_

"I see you've arrived at The Hotel now, Sona." Rias said with a smile.

"You will have to give me the rundown after this, Rias, there is much that I am curious about." Sona stated.

""As for you, Sirzechs, I suppose you wish me not to use any titles?" She asked.

Sirzechs laughed. "You'd be right, it is good to see you again, do you reckon Serafall will also appear?"

Sona sighed, remembering her sister. "Given her relevancy in the world of us devils, it is likely she will... though, while I love her... I do not want her to embarrass me in front of others."

"I see, I suppose it is part of us older siblings to make our younger ones feel embarrassed." He jested.

"My, I suppose it is not the same in my case." Ravel stated as she looked at the group talking. "I believe you've forgotten about my presence."

"... It's good to see you, Ravel." Rias said, not wanting to be reminded of Riser. "You'll soon see your brother teasing you, at least once he stops being so self centered."

"Insulting your engaged? I see you are still against this marriage, though, I understand it." Ravel sighed. "Be careful with what you say, you ought to keep it to yourself sometimes."

Rias sighed. "I apologize... I have still to come to terms with this arranged marriage."

"Well, let's talk about something else to ease your mind, shall we?" Ravel suggested. "Mostly, who are these other people?"

Azazel arrived as he then explained. "You'll get to know about them with the collective files, there's most of the information you're going to be looking for, as there is quite a lot."

"But long story short, they're from a different reality from ours, and in some cases, there are various similarities between our world and theirs, specifically that their gods are named the same as the demon clans."

"Fascinating, how many do we know?" Ravel asked, Sona was listening closely.

"Morax, Barbatos, Baal, Buer and Focalors to name a few." Named Azazel.

"In the case of Morax, he is present as a man known as Zhongli, you'll notice him usually drinking tea while listening to other people talk about tales of old."

"I will talk to him later if he is willing to interact, but now, these rooms that you've mentioned before... this boy... Issei Hyoudou was it? Why did you accept his offer?"

"Hyoudou? He's here?" Sona said, a bit surprised. "Why is a student of Kuoh, specifically one of the perverted trio's members, here?"

"Well... these viewings show him as the main protagonist, and it appears that he may be the Red Dragon Emperor."

Both of the newcomers widened their eyes upon hearing this.

"Is this proven information?" Sona asked, a bit skeptical.

"The bellboy said so himself." Answered Rias.

"... We'll have to protect him from any individual looking to snatch him." Sona sighed.

"The Angel and Fallen Angels factions will help." Reassured Azazel.

They then noticed Issei arriving with Alhaitham. "Sorry for being late!" He yelled.

Kaveh frowned seeing Alhaitham with the boy. "What were you two doing together? I never expected you to be in the company of this boy."

"Who I go or accompany isn't much of your business." Stated Alhaitham. "Perhaps you're merely saying that because you actually have no friends either."

"Why you-!" Kaveh yelled.

"Please, quiet down a bit." Tighnari asked as he covered his ears.

"Ah... sorry about that, Tighnari." Kaveh apologized.

"Seriously... you scholars can be louder than some Eremites I know." Teased Dehya.

"I must say, not even children in Aaru Village are this loud." Agreed Candace.

"Who woke me up? Are we going in now?" Layla muttered as she rubbed her eyelids.

"But wasn't she just talking to Faruzan just a second ago?" Frowned Xenovia.

"..." Kaveh looked at Alhaitham as he glared at him. "Not a single word."

"We should enter now, shouldn't we?" Il Dottore said as he looked at Scaramouche by his side, though the puppet had his arms crossed and a very reluctant look on his face.

Aether and Paimon looked at Lumine, who somehow was convinced to come, though for them, it was welcomed.

They all entered the room, many looking forward to what it may show, be it out of personal interest, academic purpose, for fun, or looking for action.

One in particular, wished to know of the future of Sumeru.

Indeed, Nahida was able to stay unnoticed for the most part by the rest of Sumeru's habitants, though not because she wished to, but rather, because she didn't know how to start a conversation while revealing herself or without making Il Dottore come after her.

The room started shifting many colors.

"So you want to go to Sumeru now?" Paimon asked as she floated besides Lumine.

"Wait, Lumine?" Aether whispered, wondering what Paimon was doing with her sister.

"..." Lumine frowned, not really understanding what was going on as she tried to solve the problem.

"What's Paimon doing with the Traveler's sister?" She asked, confused too.

"Wait not just that, weren't we going to Inazuma first?" Aether realized.

"Is this perhaps after we went to Inazuma?" Paimon suggested.

"That's right, we've already completed all of our commissions for the Adventurer's Guild in advance, so we won't need to work on them for the next few days until we get to Sumeru." She explained.

"In that case, let Paimon guide you towards Sumeru City!" She declared. "Although Paimon doesn't really know how to go through the dense forests of Sumeru..." She nervously chuckled.

Lumine stood in front of Angel's Share as she opened the door to enter.

"Angel's Share... What an interesting name for a bar." Azazel muttered with a bit of a smile.

"Mmm, I like the name." Michael commented. "Just like the wine Jesus created by turning water into wine."

Lumine then realized what this reality may be as she looked at her brother.

"I believe you were the one to wake up first before me." She concluded. "As such, you are likely the Abyss' prince."

"... Are we destined to become separate no matter the world?" Aether downcasted his gaze.

"Yet even then, we will finally reunite." Lumine smiled, reassuring her brother that they will meet again back in Teyvat.

Inside the bar were two individuals, one was Diluc who was cleaning one of the glasses.

As for the other person...

"Issei?" Irina asked, not expecting to see her crush with a priest's outfit.

Looking closer, she muttered. "Wow, I didn't know a priest's outfit could look so good on him..."

"Mmm, it's a unique design, I must say." Hummed Michael.

"I can see a few hints of Sumeru's design on it." Nilou noticed. "I like it though, it is quite eye-catching!"

"But... Why do I have that outfit?" Wondered Issei himself.

"Come on, just another shot." He pleaded to the bartender, surprisingly, he didn't actually seem drunk.

"Sir, you literally drank the entire stock of Osmanthus Wine." Informed Diluc.

"Pardon?" Cyno raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me he drank an entire stock of a bar?"

"Wow, that has to be some strong alcohol tolerance." Akeno said, impressed by the feat.

"..." Aether wondered if this version of the boy has anything to do with Zhongli. There was no way these two weren't at the very least drinking buddies.

Especially when each time he went up to him while he sat and drank with others he would repeat those same words again and again about Osmanthus Wine.

"Don't worry I got the price covered." Reassured issei as he let a bag of Mora drop onto the table.

"I still cannot pour you another glass, I really meant it when you drank the entire stock." Diluc spoke.

Issei sighed. "I guess I'll go to Liyue, perhaps Zhongli has some."

"Yup, that checks out." Aether sighed.

Diluc then noticed that Lumine had arrived. "Oh, Traveler, I was not expecting you to come."

"And don't forget about Paimon." Paimon reminded.

"It seems this is the first time we meet, it's a pleasure meeting you." Issei greeted.

"And you're..." Lumine asked.

He stood up, he then grabbed the guandao that laid near the chair he sat on.

"Let me be completely transparent with you." Issei started.

"I am Gianduja, the Twelfth Fatui Harbinger." He revealed

"Oh? You're a Fatui Harbinger in that world?" Il Dottore said with amusement.

"Wait, Twelfth? Paimon thought they were only Eleven!" She pointed out.

"A difference between our worlds, you fool." Scaramouche spat with annoyance.

Gianduja

The Drunkard

The Twelfth of the Twelve Fatui Harbingers

"Pft, The Drunkard?" Akeno giggled at the name.

"That's not a title I personally would like to be known for." Azazel laughed.

"Mmm, the naming schematic still seems to be there, fascinating." Il Dottore hummed.

Lumine then took a wary stance as she drew her sword.

"Woah! Woah! Hey now! No need to pull out your weapon!" Issei yelled as he raised his hands up.

"Well, maybe because all our interactions with the Fatui haven't been good? It's normal for us to raise our weapons with an organization that has always been hostile to us."

"Yet you do not realize that you're inside a public space." Mentioned Alhaitham. "Even if you have prejudices against a certain organization, it is still a place where they are allowed to be."

"Furthermore, it appears that the boy was there before you, as such, unless you believe him to have predicted your arrival, there would be no motive for him to be hostile against you." Faruzan added.

"Both of you spat out an explanation over something that doesn't actually help me." Lumine deadpanned. "I am not the Traveler, that is my brother."

Tighnari then calmed the situation. "It's normal behavior for Akademiya scholars, we usually do this sort of... unwanted feedback so to speak."

"That aside, am I not allowed to speak my mind out with no receptor in particular?" Alhaitham argued back as well.

"... Suit yourselves I guess." Lumine sighed, not wanting to argue over a pointless matter.

"Now, isn't that quite the faulty mindset to have?" Issei chuckled.

"Association fallacy, that's a no no." He said.

"Oh yeah? Well, you're also a Fatui! Of course you'd believe that you're not evil!" Paimon refuted.

"Bulverism now? Tsk tsk, I thought that the Traveler and her companion would be relying on something else than that." Issei said as he shook his head.

"Paimon doesn't even know what you're trying to say at this point!" Groaned Paimon.

"Neither does Paimon!" The Paimon outside the scene yelled as well.

"You appear to be intellectual in that world." Tighnari mentioned.

"... Is that like a hidden insult or something?" Issei asked.

"What?" Tighnari frowned, confused at the question.

He then realized his words. "Sorry about that, I am merely stating that you're showing adept capabilities as a scholar in that world, regardless of your actual skills."

"Well, there is some truth to what you have said, there are plenty of Fatui that do indeed act maliciously." Accepted Issei. "But saying that an entire organization that is meant to work under an Archon would certainly offend many Snezhnayans, don't you think?"

"That aside, don't you think that's insensible of you? Especially when you've helped those poor Fatui agents that were stuck in The Chasm." Pointed out Issei.

"Wait, we did? Or rather we will?" Aether repeated. "Hold on, what's The Chasm?"

"From my limited knowledge from outside Sumeru, I believe that The Chasm is a closed mine from Liyue." Yawned Layla. "I remember stumbling upon it while trying to pick up which languages I should study."

"... No, you're right." Lumine sighed as she lowered her sword.

Issei laughed. "Well, that aside, wouldn't Diluc have kicked me out at this point for being a Fatui Harbinger?"

"Please, you overestimate my fighting prowess." Diluc rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I wouldn't say so, back when you drank Fire-Water back in Snezhna-" Tried to recount Issei.

"I will kick you out if you end up revealing that." Diluc threatened.

"What did Diluc do..." Paimon and Aether wondered, curious about the Dark Knight's past.

"Ah, now I remember, he's that fellow who came to Snezhnaya and wreaked havoc in the name of vengeance." Il Dottore reminisced.

"An adept fighter, it was interesting seeing him fend off against many of our ranks."

"What a party pooper, you're so grumpy compared to when you got to Snezhnaya." Laughed Issei. "But, how've you been? Haven't seen you since the entirety of the Harbingers went on a manhunt for you."

Dehya whistled impressed. "Damn, that guy's got guts."

"How's Diluc even alive after that?" Paimon wondered.

"..." Rias looked at the man for a moment, the red hair was certainly eye-catching. She then looked at Nilou as well, truthfully, the hair color to her simply reminded her of her own, it was unusual for people to have such a vivid color of hair that stood out to the point you could recognize it.

"I've seen warriors such as il Capitano and Childe, I must say, if he was able to avoid them, then that must mean that he's also skilled in combat." Cao Cao commented.

"Perhaps I myself should ask him for a spar." Vali uttered. "Hopefully he'll be fun to fight."

"You were part of it, I recall, though you seem much more friendly as opposed to back then." Diluc pointed out.

"Oh, don't change the subject so quickly, that Snezhnayan friend of yours that helped you escape was able to escape the gaze of the Fatui, though I personally don't know if they were actually found or not."

"Hopefully not." Commented Diluc.

"Uhm... sorry to interrupt the conversation,but what exactly is a Fatui Harbinger doing here?" Asked Paimon.

"Just going to my favorite place to drink in Mondstadt." Issei shrugged.

"What he's actually here for is to drink more Osmanthus Wine." Diluc revealed. "He already went to The Cat's Tail, but got kicked out."

"I can't believe Issei's an alcoholic beyond help in that world..." Irina lamented.

"Surprisingly, he's the only one who dislikes Diona's alcohol."

"You don't taste the hatred she adds to it." Added Issei. "Mixing is an art, and I can feel that such a mix is loathed by her.

Diluc closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. "As I was saying before being interrupted, he's here to drink despite somehow not being drunk yet."

"He's drunk your entire stock and he's not drunk yet?" Lumine said with amusement.

"Yeah, he's actually the reason why Osmanthus Wine's price went up." Explained Diluc.

Issei softly laughed. "But jokes aside, I've been waiting to meet you, Traveler."

"I've heard you want to go to Sumeru next, and that caught my eye."

"This can't be good." Said Paimon.

"Seeing as it is the perverted beast, certainly not." Koneko glared.

Issei felt a bit annoyed by being called that in front of so many people, he didn't care back in Kuoh Academy, his reputation there was literally that.

But here? Sure, he did glance and take peeks at busts and rears every now and then, but he didn't peek at them during more intimate moments like he used to do.

He was far more concerned about what the owner of the Hotel had in store for him at the moment.

Lumine tensed up as she glared at him.

"See, you may or may not know this, but The Doctor and The Balladeer are currently there." He revealed.

"The Balladeer? But wasn't he in Inazuma?" Paimon asked.

"So we did go to Inazuma? That must really mean that we skipped the details of it and went straight to Sumeru..." Paimon spoke.

"But... we met The Balladeer again? In that case... this means that we will be meeting him for the third time now." Aether muttered.

"Not just that but the Second Fatui Harbinger? Ooooh.... we're screwed." Paimon worried.

"He's an ambitious fellow, I must say." Commented Issei. "But that's besides the point."

He then stood up.

"I'd like to be your guide throughout Sumeru." He revealed. "You could say I am the most fit to guide someone through the land that I call my home."

He then added. "Even though I am originally from Inazuma, I have lived throughout my entire life in Sumeru."

"That must explain the attire then." Commented Kaveh.

"Wait... but does that mean he's gotten past the Vision Decree?" Muttered Cyno.

"Actually... he doesn't have a Vision either... How curious." Tighnari noticed.

"Hey now! Who do you think you are to take Paimon's job!" She said.

"Yeah! Exactly! Let him know other me!" Paimon cheered on.

Aether couldn't help but sweatdrop at his companion's behavior.

"Ah ah, I'm not here to replace you, simply think of it this way, you're more knowledgeable about the entirety of Teyvat, while I specialize in Sumeru." Said Issei with a smile.

"Umph! Paimon will take your word!" She accepted.

"Now then... where to start..." Hummed Issei.

"Well, first of all, Sumeru City is where you want to go, I assume you found a shortcut to get there through The Chasm, no?" He asked.

Lumine simply nodded.

"Who you want to meet is Lesser Lord Kusanali, the current Archon that succeeded Greated Lord Rukkhadevata."

"The issue here is that Lesser Lord Kusanali has yet to be seen by the populace, this is because when the sages found her, they immediately took her in." Revealed Issei. "As such, a way to contact her is nigh impossible unless you're someone very influential in the Akademiya."

"... Even as a scribe, contacting her is still not possible." Alhaitham muttered. "Just what are the sages hiding..."

"Well... Paimon isn't confident in being able to talk to her, but if anyone is able to answer our questions about Traveler's brother, then it must be her!" Paimon exclaimed.

"That's the attitude, the lack of proof that she has been contacted by civilians does not mean that it is impossible to do so." CHeered Issei.

"Mmm... that aside, you should know that once you get to Sumeru City, you will be able to access the Akasha through an Akasha Terminal, which is a device that contains all information recorded."

"However, do keep in mind that there is a degree of clearance level needed to enter into more private information, as such, it is unlikely that you will be able to directly find information about the Archon."

"He seems decently knowledgeable, I suppose he's not just any Sumeru civilian, but rather, a scholar." Tighnari stated.

"The way I would suggest you do it, would be to talk to the local populace, specifically those who still celebrate Lesser Lord Kusanali's discovery, the Saberuz Festival, which you'll be able to participate in soon actually, as it is only a weeks shy from occurring."

"Actually, how about I continue explaining to you all of this while we try to get there?" Issei suggested.

"That would be a much better way of doing this." Lumine nodded as she accepted the guide.

"Very well then, to the Chasm we go." Declared Issei.

"Even though he is a scholar... it still appears that he has an interest in the arts." Nilou analyzed.

"Mmm? Why do you say that?" Sethos inquired.

"I recall him talking about someone's mixing abilities, Diona was her name I believe, and also that he gave a recommendation of going to the festival."

"No scholar would do that, at the very least there is yet for me to hear any scholar of the Akademiya to say words similar to his." She concluded.

"There is certainly more about him that he lets on to say the least." Cyno summarized, to which Nilou nodded.

"Well, I suppose I will take my leave." Issei sighed as he looked at Diluc. "Take care, Phoenix."

"Phoenix, uh?" Ravel said with a bit of curiosity.

"That's actually a fitting name." Paimon admitted. "He does summon a giant fire bird with a swing of his sword after all."

"How intriguing, I should also talk to him later, I wonder what other interesting bits of information he could be keeping." Ravel smiled.

The scene changed.

"As you can see, the Sumeru forest brims with vegetation." Said Issei as he extended his hand to present the place.

"While a luscious field of green, in the past century or so, Withering Zones as they are called have extended further throughout the forest."

"Zones that are infested by monsters that also weaken and damage humans themselves, only Vision users, and I assume you as well can resist the symptoms."

"Of course, there is a group of interest that deals with them, the Forest Rangers."

"You may remember how I talked about Eleazar, right? Both originate from the same source actually." He revealed.

"Wait, they do?" Collei said with surprise as she wrote it down in her notebook.

"Mmm, this is some information that I have yet to hear about, though there isn't much proof to really debate about it." Alhaitham mentioned.

"Perhaps, if this room doesn't reveal it by any chance, we could discuss this newly crafted theory." Suggested Faruzan.

"In that case, allow me to also join, given how this concerns the forest itself, I believe it is also my duty as a Forest Ranger." Requested Tighnari.

They then saw a woman pass by them.

"Haypasia? I wasn't expecting her to appear." Tighnari said, a bit taken aback.

"Hey! Isn't that a local from Sumeru? What's she doing all the way here deep in the forest?" Asked Paimon.

"She's here to meditate in solitude." Explained Issei. "The purpose being to both connect with Irminsul and further her research."

"This should confirm that he at the very least was a scholar at some point in time." Reminded Cyno.

"This further makes his attitude towards the arts a bit more puzzling..." Nilou hummed.

"Irminsul..." Azazel muttered, his surprise when he heard a Norse mythology related monument made him wonder...

What was Yggdrasil in that world? If Irminsul was the tree of this world, rooting and circulating the Ley Lines, then Yggdrasil, if it did exist there, would be a much more important monument of that world.

The coinciding names of mythologies, as well as religion were at this point on purpose. And as someone who researched Sacred Gears, this by itself was also something he wanted to study too.

"Oh! We should get you to try it as well! Perhaps connecting to Irminsul might help you find your brother." Issei suggested. "It's not an immediate way of doing it, but continuous training may bear its fruits."

"There isn't much I lose from doing it, and we've been walking for a long time now, I suppose a small break would be enough." Accepted Lumine.

Issei reached out from inside his robe as he took out a censor. "Here, I will light this up, all you will have to do from there is concentrate."

"How convenient that you always bring a censor with you, uh?" Irina giggled.

Before he used it, he did warn however. "Just so you know, you might get dizzy or very affected by the censor due to it being your first time using it, don't want you to think I drugged you or something." He laughed.

"You've had many chances to either attack me or call for backup, yet you didn't, I believe you truly don't mean any ill will." Expressed Lumine.

"And I thank you for it, now, focus now, the censor will take effect."

Lumine closed her eyes for a moment as she then breathed in the aroma of it. She flinched as she felt dizzy.

"Something... doesn't seem right..." She muttered before fainting.

Issei seemed surprised as he lowered the censor. "I wasn't expecting her to completely faint.

"... I knew it." Koneko sighed.

"What do you mean 'I knew it'?" Issei asked.

"You're looking to take advantage of her."

"I- WHAT?!" Issei yelled loudly. "Like hell I'd do anything like that!"

"Devil, don't you dare slander Issei like that." Irina warned.

"I do believe that was uncalled for, Koneko, please, apologize to Hyoudou." Rias agreed.

"... Sorry." She sighed.

Aether looked at Lumine for a moment.

"I'd kick his ass if he tried anything." She stated.

Yeah, there's no need to worry about that.

"Traveler! Don't sleep!" Paimon said, alarmed. "D-don't try anything with the Traveler!"

Issei hummed looking at Lumine's sleeping form. "How interesting, I never expected her to immediately have her lights knocked."

He then looked at Paimon. "I suppose asking the Forest Rangers for help would be the best current course of action."

Rustling from behind them could be heard, Issei smiled. "Speaking of which, I believe their routine watch should be here by now."

"Ah..." Issei noised realizing who the ones coming were. "Of everyone, it just had to be her, uh?"

"Is he perhaps acquaintanced with us?" Collei wondered.

"From the way he reacted, it seems like he's not very fond of us... or rather, whoever this woman may be." Tighnari suggested.

He then looked at Paimon again." Paimon, I will go immediately to Sumeru City." He declared.

"Wait, but were you our guide?!"

"Listen, I have my own reasons as to why I would rather not interact with Forest Rangers." He excused. "Here is a map of the route you must take, I will be meeting you at the gates of the city so we can continue our tour."

"A strong reaction indeed, it must be something very concerning." Tighnari continued.

"Remind Paimon to never let other people become a guide, it looks like only Paimon is the only competent guide for you, Traveler." She said.

"I'll... make sure." Softly laughed Aether.

Before Paimon could object, Issei had already sprinted and jumped away from the zone.

"Master Tighnari! There's an unconscious person here!"

"Wait, me?" Collei said as she pointed at herself. "Why was he so altered when he realized that it was me?"

"Some past connection between the two of you, I do not know what it may be however." Tighnari answered.

"... Maybe..." She was reminded of her time as a test subject.

"Maybe he had something to do with my past..." She glared.

Cyno looked a bit concerned at Collei, delving into the past was something he knew Collei didn't want to do.

"Either way, just remember that the one in this room isn't the same one in the scene." Reminded Tighnari.

"Of course I know that."

The scene changed.

Lumine opened her eyes to find herself somewhere else.

In front of her was a giant tree with ethereal colors and plenty of vegetation.

"No way." Faruzan spoke as no other words left her mouth.

"Are you serious?" Kaveh said. "How the hell did she immediately connect to Irminsul?!"

"This has to be the fastest recorded time for someone to connect with the divine." Alhaitham hummed.

"How amusing, to think the Traveler would be a genius amongst the scholars despite not being one." Il Dottore laughed.

"This is the world tree then?" Rias asked.

"From the information given to us, it seems so." Sirzechs nodded.

"It reminds me of Yggdrasil." Michael pointed out.

"I would say a connection, but given the amount of mythologies using a tree as a very vital part of the world... I would say it is likely a coincidence more than anything." Azazel stated.

"Where..." She tried to ask.

Pausing for a moment, she finally opted to move after analyzing her surroundings.

She walked over the white tree's roots as she attempted to get closer.

A sudden tremble forced rocks to fall as she dodged and used them to boost herself closer to the tree.

Closer, she could see the damaged tree as its core seemed open.

Getting closer, she saw blue flowers with yellow dots in the middle surrounding the tree while its petals scattered around.

The wind became more intense as she tried to get closer.

Lumine covered her face with her arm as she tried pushing formard.

Just then, she heard a voice.

"... goodbye... forget me..."

Everything went back to black for her.

"Was that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?" Tighnari said with his eyes widened.

"Is it perhaps not Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Asked Kaveh.

"Why would our current Dendro Archon wish for the world to forget her?" Alhaitham asked back.

Nahida analyzed those words for a moment, it was odd to hear her predecessor speak such sad words, especially ones about parting away.

"I believe they are more than likely Greater Lord's last words before perishing." Layla, specifically her alter ego, suggested.

"It does make sense, though, those are sort of depressing words to say in your dying moments." Sympathized Nilou.

"Yeah but that aside, how in the world did the Traveler quickly connect with Irminsul and then also hear her?!" Faruzan said. "Kids these days are way too fast with this sort of stuff!"

"... Should we tell her?" Aether asked.

"No, it's funny when people don't know our actual age."

The scene changed.

Lumine finally reached Sumeru City as she and Paimon watched the gates in front.

They were met by individuals that gave them Akasha Terminal.

The two then saw Issei beside a wall.

"I see both of you have finally made it." He laughed.

"Why you-! How could you leave the Traveler like that back then?!" Paimon said with anger.

Lumine simply glared at him.

Aether recoiled seeing that glare. He's used to her sister using that glare against someone she really does not trust.

"Well, that, I do have to apologize, I have personal reasons as to why I did not want to interact with the Forest Rangers, but that's besides the point."

"Right now, we should go to the Bazaar to ask around about the Dendro Archon." He ordered.

Lumine sighed reluctantly, he was the one who knew what to do after all.

Just then, she noticed that he wasn't wearing an Akasha Terminal.

Issei noticed the curious look on Lumine's face as he explained. "Ah, you must be wondering why I don't have an Akasha Terminal, no?"

She simply nodded.

"Well, the reason is quite simple, there isn't much fun in discovering new stuff if you always have it by your side, no?" He explained. "As a researcher, this beats the purpose of being one."

"An interesting way to put it, I believe I am more inclined to agree with him." Alhaitham nodded.

"Part of the magic of researching is being able to discover subjects that you would previously not have known about." Layla nodded. "Even if that means arduous work."

"Passion is a very powerful drive that helps through the time as a student." Tighnari recalled. "My love for the flora was part of the reason why I didn't have much issue when it came to knowing and recognizing different types of fungi."

"It's still a gift from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, right? Shouldn't we be using it like it was intended?" Asked Kaveh.

""Back in my day, the Akasha had the same information as nowadays, to me, that's a sign that the scholars of today have not really pushed through the limits of current knowledge." Berated Faruzan.

Then, he switched the topic. "Mmm... who to ask first however..."

"If you want to ask for stories regarding Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nilou, the dancer of the Zubayr Theatre would be someone we could ask, as she is very passionate about the Archon."

"I should be flattered to be thought of so highly." She smiled. "I suppose my knowledge about the tales does pay off."

"The Homayani Family would also be another group of interest we could ask, especially given that the festival is sponsored by their daughter."

This time, it was Dehya's time to frown. "That's supposed to be some more confidential information, I don't know how he could have possibly gotten that information."

"Perhaps it is because he is also part of the circle who still celebrates the Saberuz Festival." Suggested Candace. "It would explain why he's so knowledgeable."

Lumine hummed as she thought who to go ask questions first.

"The Homayani Family would be better, given their high prestige, I believe they would have more access to information that would be more critical to what we want compared to the tales and folklore the Zubayr Theatre could tell us." Lumine decided.

"Very well then, who we have to look for is Dunyarzad, the daughter of the Homayani Family, the local merchants do tend to see her strolling, however, this is solely a recent development, as she escapes from her household to go outside."

"And what about that?" Dehya asked as she looked at Candace. "I don't say this just because, I say this due to the fact that he couldn't have recently just been to Sumeru City, he's working as a Fatui Harbinger after all."

"Mmm, in that case, I will have to say that Sumeru City could have been compromised by Fatui spies." Candace concluded. "If so, I can understand why you're wary."

"Uh... those are some protective parents..." Commented Paimon.

"A father would do anything to keep their children safe, even if it is something they either hate or don't want their children to go through." Explained Issei.

"..." Lumine raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

"Why the sudden raised eyebrow?" Aether asked his sister. "That is, if you know."

"Nothing, I don't know why she'd raise her eyebrow... but I do believe what he said would apply to me with you, Aether."

"I still need you to continue your journey separated from me, even if you just want to reunite with me as soon as possible." Lumine said as she looked down with sadness.

Aether's mood dampened as he sighed. "Though you're still my first and most important priority... I have to admit that this journey isn't as bad as I anticipated."

"I got to meet so many new people, and I created bonds unlike in the past where we would just be together all the time..."

"And... I suppose I got attached to Paimon." he sheepishly chuckled. "And also everyone that I've met in Teyvat that hasn't tried to kill me has been a good friend so far."

Lumine smiled. "Glad you're having fun..."

She then whispered. "Unfortunately, sooner or later you will be forced into a rude awakening..."

"...Well, no matter, the best way to lure her to us is to talk about Lesser Lord Kusanali." He explained. "After all, those who bear the light of knowledge wish to bestow the torch to the unenlightened."

"So basically, keep mentioning Lesser Lord Kusanali when you can, that way once she hears us talk about the Dendro Archon, she's likely to join the conversation given how interested we are about Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"Oh? I've heard you have an interest in Lesser Lord Kusanali." Dunyarzad said as she turned around in interest at the mention of the current Dendro Archon.

"See what I mean?" Issei chuckled.

Once again, Dehya frowned. "Dunyarzad isn't that simple."

Candace giggled. "No one said anything about her being simple, Dehya, but I do find this situation a bit silly."

"It's like when I had a problem and Dori came to suggest a solution..." Issei muttered, remembering when he needed to convince her to come to the room like everyone else.

"I believe I do know someone similar." Sirzechs chuckled as he looked at Azazel.

Azazel raised his hands. "Guilty at charge, but you have to admit that Sacred Gear is a very interesting topic."

"I am not denying it, and I do find it quite a praise worthy research." Complimented Sirzechs.

"My sister would do the same whenever some of the fandoms she would cosplay for got mentioned..." Cringed Sona.

He then directed his gaze at the Homayani daughter. "Greetings, we are indeed interested to know about the current Dendro Archon."

"We would much appreciate the information you have to tell us if that is fine." He smiled. "The outlander here wishes to meet her for a personal matter."

Dunyarzad hummed. "There was indeed a tale which had the same motive, perhaps it could give us a clue about it."

"In that case, please do tell us about it!" Paimon requested.

"While we're at it, why don't we move to somewhere less busy, it would make hearing the tale much more comprehensible." Issei suggested.

"But here is..." Dunyarzad tried to point out before noticing that Issei was looking at an eremite, one that she recognized to be hired by her father. "... Very well, I suppose the tavern would do at this hour."

"Splendid, while going there, how about you start with the story?"

"Very well." She nodded.

"Long, long ago, there was a man who heard a prophecy..."

Issei's smile disappeared upon realizing which tale it was.

"Oh! I recognize this one!" Nilou said with a wide smile on her face.

"Who doesn't? It's quite famous." Cyno pointed out.

"Though... Hyoudou's face looks like he doesn't like it." Asia pointed out with a bit of confusion.

"That's a bit strange, most of the people in the Bazaar do love it when our company plays this tale." Nilou tilted her head to one side.

"He's a living contradiction." Bluntly stated Alhaitham.

"One where calamity would befall him."

"He sought the Dendro Archon's blessing in hopes of helping him escape his predicament."

"He journeyed through the land of Sumeru, experiencing trial after trial. Yet the Dendro Archon never came to heed him."

"In despair, he lamented. 'Alas, the Archon has forsaken me!' With no choice he went back in defeat, accepting his fate."

"Then, what happened?" Paimon asked, entranced by the tale.

"The calamity truly came, yet the man found himself embolden to face them. He relied on his own knowledge that he attained through his travels, being able to overcome them."

"A bird then perched on his shoulder, it was in fact, an avatar of the Dendro Archon, with that vessel, she spoke, 'Archon-seeker, have you realized now? She and her wisdom had already found their way to you. Through the patches of flowers, the cascades of water, the harsh winds and the light of thunder. So long as you question, wisdom will always be by your side.'"

Lumine and Paimon were smiling at such a heartwarming story, however, Issei on the other hand was frowning.

"I love it." Asia smiled after hearing the story.

"Same here, the moral of the story is also quite good, I believe there was one similar in the Bible..." Added Irina.

"Shouldn't you know it?" Xenovia asked.

"I'm not sure, tell me which one it's supposed to be."

"..."

Irina smiled cheekily. "Knew it, you don't know yourself."

Xenovia huffed.

"I believe you are mistaken, the Bible has stories about not relying on a man or a friend, specifically ones that cannot bring salvation when they preach of it." Michael explained. "We must trust in God, and in him we rely."

"The tale you spoke of is a version which is fit as a fairytale, as it contains a teaching for the next generation."

"However, that is a version, there are plenty of other takes on the story, and I believe there is one that would suit the current predicament more."

"Ah, are you talking about the one Nilou usually uses?" She asked.

Issei nodded. "The man was the First Sage, a man who at that point in time, was not of that status."

"In his journey, rather than obtaining wisdom through trials, the Dendro Archon bestowed upon him all wisdom after seeing his kind nature."

"He mastered his craft and was able to know all that was comprehensible."

"Unfortunately, he was cursed by such wisdom, as he achieved everything, yet he missed his own family."

"The Dendro Archon upon seeing such a state, smiled as she came to understand what she needed to do next."

"The First Sage woke up on his bed, the day in which he was going out on said journey to seek the Dendro Archon."

"He ended up solving the issues in Sumeru with said knowledge, and yet he never went to seek the Dendro Archon that time." Issei finished.

He gazed down. "Truthfully, I don't believe in this tale, wouldn't he have believed that something was awry? What if it was an illusion, or perhaps a trial?"

"That's... odd." Muttered Sethos.

"..." Alhaitham was starting to suspect Issei. Why was he so knowledgeable, yet at the same time proposing claims that could be considered ridiculous by the average peer?

He concluded that this boy was hiding something, but what exactly?

If he recalled correctly, he had to be related to the Dendro Archon, after all, that is what Kleine was hinting at.

"But that's not the point, what is important is finding a way to contact Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"We're at the tavern now." Dunyarzad pointed out.

Once they entered, Dunyarzad sighed, relieved by the fact that they wouldn't be looked for a bit.

Issei smiled as he looked back. "Now then, care to explain why the renowned Flame Mane Dehya is about to pounce on me?"

"A keen sense as well, just who is this fellow?" Dehya muttered. She looked at their version of issei, to her, he lacked any of the features shown in the scene.

What could have happened for him to become or be depicted as the one on the scene?

The Sumeru gang had their own questions, many questions about why someone like this boy was so relevant.

But they sort of knew why, or at the very least, the suggestion given by the Bible Factions.

He was someone possibly known as the Red Dragon Emperor.

Dragons... a term very known to them, especially given their relevance in early Teyvat history, with the Seven Sovereigns and Natlan itself being the most relevant of which.

"Who are you, and what are you doing with my lady?" She threatened.

"Travelers that are interested in Lesser Lord Kusanali, they've helped me avoid those who were searching for me." She explained.

"Mmm, that complicates things, I usually would have told you to scram, but given that you wish to discuss in regards the Dendro Archon, I believe it would be unwise to further upset my lady." Hummed Dehya. "But then again, her parents are really concerned for her..."

"No need to worry about her safety, she's with a well renowned traveler and a Fatui Harbinger, that should be enough safety already." Issei chuckled.

"That further makes you threats actually." Dehya glared with hostility.

"Ah, we don't seem to be welcomed it seems." Jested Il Dottore.

"... I believe it should be known, given the news that we heard from Mondstadt." Alhaitham said as he carefully looked at The Doctor.

Collei grasped her notebook tightly as she cowered behind Tighnari.

Each time she heard the voice of the monster that tortured her, her instinct of fight or flight activated immediately.

"We'd be very wary of the Fatui, especially when they are housing you, The Outcast of the Akademiya." Cyno snarled.

"Oh, what a welcoming greeting from my homeland." Sarcastically said Il Dottore.

"I'm willing to defend her, I believe that she's determined to do what she truly wants to do." Objected Issei. "I am not saying that what you're doing is wrong, far from it, it is admirable that you stay close to your principles..."

"But let her do what she truly wants to do, she's not only an adult, but has little time due to Eleazar, no?"

"How did you..."

"To be fair, a bandaged extremity in Sumeru is usually a sign of Eleazar, specifically when it comes to people who aren't mercenaries." Argued Kaveh.

"So after you accidentally broke that bottle at the bar and had to bandage it because you were completely drunk, I have to assume you have Eleazar?" Alhaitham argued back.

"... I despise how you always try to say the opposite."

"It's easy to spot when you've been dealing with it quite a lot before." He chuckled. "I believe allowing her to fulfil her bucket list first would be much better than staying put inside one's home."

"... How did she know she had a bucket list?" Dehya said, now she was very alarmed by each word that came out of the mouth of the Fatui Harbinger.

Candace grabbed her arm as she tried to calm her down. "Now, now Dehya, you know how scholars are, they are very keen eyed when it comes to this sort of stuff."

"Yeah, he feels more like one of those detectives from those Fontainian novels."

"Given that he's a Fatui Harbinger, I believe he's more than competent enough to be able to deduce such information, after all, if the Outcast is with them, what's to say there isn't someone else just as intelligent?"

"I suppose you're right." Dehya sighed.

"It might be much simpler than you think." Interjected Michael.

"Most terminally ill individuals wish to do certain activities before they pass away, and your friend may not be any different."

"Eleazar may not be deadly, but it may leave her bedridden... I guess that's why she has a bucket list..." Dehya debated until she accepted it.

"... Fine, but I will be following her as well. I don't agree with the sentiment, but it is still my duty and a way to respect her." Dehya accepted.

Dunyarzad sighed in relief. "Thank you, Dehya, and thank you... uhm..."

"Gianduja." Issei said. "You don't need to thank me, I am sure you would have been able to deal with her too, you know her more than me."

"Come to think of it, Gianduja is another stock character from Commedia dell'arte." Realized Michael.

"In this case, what does his stock character do?" Il Dottore said, curious as to what other outlandish theories this so-called angel would have.

Michael continued to smile, though he slightly opened his eyes to see this very sinister man. "Mmm... I believe you're not going to hear me for what I would like you to listen to."

"Ah, shame, your theories are quite entertaining."

Dehya cleared her throat. "That aside, please, my lady, if you are to escape, make sure not to leave any evidence of your departure."

"I'll renew your contract as well, rather than working for your father, I will now work as your bodyguard during your escapade, half the price of what he paid me is more than enough."

"That's a deal." She smiled.

"... About Eleazar..." Lumine spoke up.

Dunyarzad sighed. "I suppose I can't hide it, indeed, I was born with Eleazar, and it is terminal."

"But, let's not dampen the mood for now, shall we? Let's get something to eat while we continue our talk!"

"Ooooh, I've been looking forward to seeing what sort of food Sumeru has!" Paimon said excitedly.

"You're always thinking about food..." Aether sighed.

As they sat down and ordered while talking a bit, Issei took his turn to order what he wanted to eat.

"Do you still have Charcoal-Baked Ajilenakh Cakes? I'm not sure if you still do them this way, but do you have traditionally-made ones?"

Faruzan became curious. "Oh? Someone else who also knows the delicacy of traditionally made Ajilenakh Cakes?"

"Ali what now?" Issei said, not really catchin what he or Faruzan said.

"Ajilenakh Cakes." Repeated Faruzan with a deadpan.

"... I do not know how to say that, nor do I know what they are."

Lambad, the owner, raised his eyebrows. "Now that's an order I haven't heard for awhile."

"But no, that art has unfortunately been lost in this establishment, Madame Faruzan asked the same order before."

"Wait... Faruzan?" Issei muttered in surprise. "She's still alive?"

"Wait, you know me in that world? Actually, that's a stupid question, I'm pretty well known..." Faruzan shook her head. "Rather, what do you mean by still alive?"

"From the looks of it, it might be yet another senior just like Madame Faruzan." Alhaitham analyzed. "If that's the case, then that might explain why he's so knowledgeable, though that still does not explain why he's so learned when it comes to the Festival."

"...Mmm, a shame that you don't have them, I suppose food changes as well." He sighed. "Well, I will have to do with the ones you have."

"Right up!" He said as he scribbled on a notebook.

While Paimon ordered, Issei then looked at Dunyarzad and asked. "So, could you tell us more about Lesser Lord Kusanali?"

"Well, though I may not have met her before, I did get the chance to see her when I was younger... or at least I believe so."

"Back when my illness flared up, I was unable to really do anything as my parents sought better treatment, I was alone and close to succumbing to the Eleazar..."

"..." Collei frowned, that story sounded eerily similar to her own.

"A voice however, came to my dreams as it told me things that only I would know, it soothed me and helped me through this tough time..."

"I asked her to be my friend and she would be by my side until I recovered, and yet, after that, I never heard her voice again." She finished.

"Had it not been for her, I would have never discovered the outside world or how to do things that nowadays I am passionate about."

"She gave me reason to seek information, it had to be the Dendro Archon." She concluded. "This is the reason why I wished to help prepare the Sabzeruz Festival."

"The only report of a human interacting with Lesser Lord Kusanali..." Tighnari muttered. "Obviously, it was impossible to report it even if she wanted to, she'd be marked as crazy."

"Do you reckon the same could have happened with other people? Ones that stayed quiet because they knew it would have been an outrageous claim?" Cyno inquired.

"It wouldn't be that far off as a possibility, perhaps asking around would be a possible way to check it out?" Spoke Tighnari.

"I'll see what I can do... Dendro I will report that." Cyno joked.

Tighnari let out the loudest groan. "Between you, Yang and Yi Sang telling jokes that I am forced to hear because of my ears, this place can be a pain sometimes."

"That's all? That doesn't seem so odd, but rather ideal for me, because I can share my pretty Yang great jokes."

"Please, for the love of-" Tighnari pleaded exasperated.

"Alright Cyno, I think you're pushing a bit too much with the jokes." Deadpanned Collei, not really enjoying the bad jokes either.

"...Actually, how do the jokes with Yi Sang even work?" Tighnari asked as he realized. "We're speaking different languages, yet I could understand that all those three words were literally just Yi Sang."

"Mmm, just like how odd and he sang work as jokes... given that we can understand each other's languages, I suppose it also comes with the many idioms and such from each one of them." Concluded Cyno.

"So basically, you get more possibilities for puns."

"Exactly."

"This is the worst..."

"Unfortunately, the Akademiya seems to not wish to celebrate it, perhaps due it being a reminder of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's death."

"It is still illogical to not celebrate such an important festivity." Issei pointed out.

Dunyarzad nodded. "Indeed, though it is a shame Greater Lord Rukkhadevata has died, hasn't Lesser Lord Kusanali been helping us through these past few hundred years?"

Scaramouche snorted. "How so? Because she's as absent as another Archon I know."

A few of the Sumeru citizens held back and didn't try to fight those accusations, there was no point in arguing over someone else's attempts to taunt them.

Some however, did not.

"Absent? We don't know, but at least she'd be more compassionate compared to you." Kaveh shot back.

"I agree, I assume that's why the Bazaar still holds the festival even to this day right? We were going there in case we hadn't found you to ask for information." Explained Issei.

"In that case, should we go there?" She suggested.

"Right after our food arrives, that is." Reminded Issei as he saw the Charcoal-Baked Ajilenakh Cakes being served.

"Paimon doesn't like how they look..." She said as she frowned at the Sumeru delicacy

"This is the first time I hear you being picky with your food." Aether said with surprise.

"Paimon has her own food preferences." She said as she puffed her cheeks.

The scene changed

The group walked into the Bazaar as they saw Nilou talking to someone before they left.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Nilou." Dunyarzad apologized.

"Oh! Good to see you were able to arrive, I thought that you got caught because of how long it was taking you." Replied Nilou.

"Wait... But... Dehya is here, that means you got caught, right?"

"No need to worry, we handled this, and she's on our side now." She reassured.

Nilou sighed in relief as she then looked at the three faces she didn't recognize. "And who may these three be?"

"Let me present them to you, they are our newest friends." She exclaimed. "The Traveler, Paimon and Gianduja are three visitors who arrived recently to Sumeru City in search of information regarding Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"So followers from another land?" Asked Nilou.

Lumine nodded in response, making Nilou smile even more.

"Oh dear, wouldn't that be a lie?" Akeno giggled.

"I suppose so, I do not follow any Archon whatsoever." Lumine stated.

Azazel hummed. He wished for her to explain much about Khaenri'ah.

Dainsleif, who by the way, was quite an intriguing name to him, gave small bits of information, of which a large part was either redacted or he was unable to truly explain.

Someone who did not believe in gods... In his world, that would be known as an atheist. But to him, it was different if one was a god himself.

Who were these two twins? He knew there was more to them than they shared, and he knew they were secretive, especially given that the boy had been hiding his name to people one would consider close to.

"How wonderful! You mustn't miss the festival if that's the case."

"Well, we weren't going to, our guide here has been advising us as to what we should do to possibly find information about the Dendro Archon." Paimon pointed out.

"A guide? Are you perhaps actually from Sumeru?" Dehya asked.

"While I am originally from Inazuma, I've lived my whole life in Sumeru." He explained. "Speaking of which, has the Akademiya helped with the theatre? I know the current relationship between the Akademiya and arts is strained."

Yet again, his concern regarding the affairs between the Akademiya and arts stumped those very same Akademiya scholars viewing this interaction.

Sure, they themselves disagreed with the Akademiya in this regard, yet they weren't going to meddle or mention this issue, unlike Issei.

Nilou shook her head. "Unfortunately, they have not. They look down on performers such as us, and would rather close the theater if possible."

"A shame, I can't believe that the Akademiya looks down on creative knowledge, they believe that to continue onward they must simply rely on academic knowledge." Issei explained.

"That is a faulty thought process, by abandoning our culture and arts, we lose our identity as Sumeru."

"Not to say that arts should be outlawed, but rather, doesn't architecture preserve culture as well?" Kaveh asked.

"It is important to note that, while yes it does, architecture is much more prone to changes as well as the eye of the architect themselves, as such, it is still not enough to contain the knowledge that arts has." Alhaitham explained.

"The way I see it, the Akademiya is prone to value objectively answerable problems more than open ended ones. There are only very few if only just one answer for linguistics and biology, but arts such as dance and painting do not truly have a clear answer." Tighnari added.

"In other words, all they can do is give some sort of static answer?" Inquired Dehya.

"Unfortunately, yes for most scholars." Tighnari answered. "Like Kaveh previously mentioned, architecture is an exception to the general rule, but usually, the Akademiya wants a straight answer without what or ifs."

"The world does not work like that." Sirzechs interjected. "I apologize for suddenly speaking up, but the outside world does not have black and white answers. To me, the Akademiya has a very concerning methodology that could lead to many problems in the long run."

"The excessive amount of work is one such issue." Recounted Layla. "Poor Layla spent too much time researching to the point she developed a split personality."

"Not the path I was taking, but I suppose that is a point after all." Sirzechs chuckled.

"That's a good way of putting it." Dunyarzad hummed. "I wish more academics could view things like you, Gianduja."

"As a former member of the Akademiya, it pains me to see that they have not really progressed in the arts compared to academics." He lamented.

"Well, there is no need to see things so gloomy, how about we talk about something much more upbeat? We're close to the day of the festival after all." Nilou suggested.

"Speaking of which, have you explained to them what the festival is about and where it originates?"

Paimon then spoke up. "Our guide here has explained to us everything we need to know!"

"How great, then you must know how their stories have been embedded into our traditional dance."

"You've always been so passionate about this, I see that you've also scattered flowers all over the place as well." Dunyarzad mentioned.

"They are the symbol of the Goddess of Flowers after all. It is a shame real Padisarahs have gone extinct after she died." Explained Nilou.

Dunyarzad nodded. "A real shame indeed, Greater Lord attempted to replicate them in honor of her friend, yet she was never able to recreate that beautiful purple."

"Not many gods that I know of are as bonding as the ones in your world." Azazel said with interest.

"Quite so, I have met a few that either see humans as lower beings, arrogant or ambitious, not knowing they themselves fall into the same category." Cao Cao added.

"To be fair, we do share a few gods, see Decarabian for example." Argued Tighnari.

"Decarabian wasn't a god, but rather one of the devil clans." Corrected Sirzechs.

Scaramouche on the other hand could recall a certain someone who would fall into this category as well.

"If only I could have been able to see her dance..." Nilou wished.

Issei, on the other hand, looked at the stage with a sense of nostalgia as he let out a deep sigh.

"..." Alhaitham raised an eyebrow seeing Issei's attitude.

He wasn't the only one though, others like Nahida and Cyno saw this.

Each one of them had their own personal theory of who he truly was.

"We're going to be here the day the festival happens." Reassured Issei.

"But for now, I should show them Port Ormos." He said.

"Rumors say that there is a knowledge capsule containing information that the Akademiya really wishes to reclaim as it has been lost."

"Perhaps there is something from it that could help you know more about how to meet Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"The Akademiya isn't really known for such leaks." Frowned Faruzan.

"Something is not right." Nodded Cyno.

"There's so much that doesn't seem right..." Layla hummed.

"Contradicting practices from a former Akademiya scholar... the Akademiya itself leaking such a valuable item... and surprisingly no individual came to try and close the theatre." Realized Nilou.

Alhaitham glanced at The Doctor and The Balladeer. There might be a reason why these two Fatui Harbingers were there.

The possibility of them being related to the happenings of this odd reality were plausible, all he needed right now was to understand a reason for the Akademiya to partner with them, and there would be a possibility for this to truly happen.

"Then we'll see each other once the Sabzeruz Festival happens." Dehya said. "Have a safe trip."

"We'll keep an eye on those extremists who believe King Deshret will come back." Assured Issei.

Dehya groaned. "Seriously, Ayn Al-Ahmar decided to go to Port Ormos?"

"What's Ayn Al-Ahmar?" Nilou asked.

"Well, like the boy said, it's an extremist Eremites group that believes in King Deshret. I've heard of them while working in the desert, but I never expected them to start expanding to the forest." Explained Dehya.

"Right, that too, Emerites there aren't as friendly as the ones in Sumeru City, they're an unaffiliated group to the ones protecting the city, so you have to watch out with whichever person you may meet." Warned Dehya

"I don't blame them for following a god of their own." Clarified Issei. "But the fact that they slander Greater Lord Rukkhadevata by saying she betrayed him does make it hard for me to feel any sympathy over the death of their god."

Collei frowned. "Slandering Greater Lord Rukkhadevata? They are crazy for such a thing! Everyone else will be opposing them!"

"Trust me, they do know that, supposedly, they believe that the title of Archon was originally his." Dehya said. "Can you believe their audacity? What if the Dendro Archon was hearing them?"

"..." Paimon looked at Aether to which he did the same.

"Yup, this sounds like that follower of Havria all over again." Aether deadpanned.

"What's done is done, they're dead, and we must recall their kindness, now is time for us to cherish the current Dendro Archon." Shrugged Dehya.

She then warned. "Just make sure to come back in time, I wouldn't like for you to leave Dunyarzad standing while waiting."

"You won't have to worry." Issei assured as he waved goodbye while walking away with Lumine and Paimon.

"Given that he left Traveler's sister unconscious... Paimon wouldn't trust that promise." Laughed Paimon nervously.

Issei grumbled, but didn't object, as it was true.

The scene changed.

"During this time period, the Akademiya students that are in their last year celebrate by coming here." Issei explained.

"Most usually come to get rid of their nervousness or to have one last party with their companions."

Paimon then spoke up as she then asked. "So... what's this about a knowledge capsule?"

"Straight to the point, I like you." Snickered Dori.

Issei laughed. "Yeah, there have been rumors of this capsule being lost during its transport. It has been running around, to the point students and factions of Eremites wish to obtain it."

"As in a faction, I suppose he just means the extremists?" Dehya inquired.

"Why do you believe it to only be extremists?" Kaveh asked.

"Eremites only look for one thing, at least, those who travel outside the desert, and that is money." Informed Dehya. "But a Divine Capsule does not give monetary advantage, unless you were to use it as a bargaining chip with the Akademiya, which I personally believe to be foolish."

Alhaitham hummed. "I suppose you do have a point, if not monetary, then perhaps the motive is different to the usual one of money, as such, it is believable that Eremites such as Ayn Al-Ahmar would want to obtain it."

"Personally, I wouldn't go after it, the Akademiya would more than likely try to confiscate it as quickly as possible, and if you so dare to use it, things might turn gruesome as you'll be wanted by all of Sumeru."

"I-in that case, Paimon doesn't want to know anything about it!" She yelled.

"On the other hand..." Continued Issei. "If we are able to find it and give it to the Akademiya, we might be able to be rewarded with information."

"Does it?" Dori asked as she rubbed her hands together. Perhaps a possible market could open if she partnered with the Akademiya.

"..." Cyno glanced at the Knowledge Capsule dealer, wary of whatever she may do, after all, she was sanctioned many times already.

"That actually sounds better." Agreed Lumine. "Given the fact that it is the most knowledgeable institution, they might know one thing or two about my brother."

"Furthermore, if not, then perhaps they could allow us to meet the Dendro Archon."

A few scholars clicked their tongues.

Yeah, no chance, not when even people like the General Mahamatra or the Scribe haven't seen her either.

Issei nodded. "Indeed, that would be the most useful outcome."

Lumine then glared at him. "You're using us to try and make contact with the Dendro Archon, aren't you?"

"Wait! So you're going to try diplomacy with her?!" Paimon said with shock.

"More like forceful diplomacy." Added Aether.

"Diplomacy with the Archon, uh? Is that what these two are here for as well?" Dehya said as she pointed at the two Fatui Harbingers.

"That would be foolish." Il Dottore smirked. "A trade would do."

"I have nothing to do with her whatsoever, I'm probably just there for personal reasons." Shrugged Scaramouche.

His deification was long awaited, but with the help of those arrogant sages, perhaps it would be time for him to finally ascend.

"While the Gnosis is indeed the main focus of the Fatui." Admitted Issei. "The Gnosis is part of the reason why I am doing this, however, I believe there are other two individuals already wishing to obtain it."

"So there I ask myself, what's the point in going for the Gnosis if there are already others trying to take it?" Questioned Issei.

"I am merely following you in hopes of meeting the new Dendro Archon, as I wish to ask her a few questions." He confessed as he looked at the sky.

"At least he doesn't seem to want to take out our Archon." Sighed Collei with relief.

"It still would be foolish to go against an Archon, I mean." Dehya pointed out.

"Given how she's only been alive for 500 years, I suppose that the prospect of challenging her wouldn't be as an impossible feat as one would think." Alhaitham argued.

"Yet people such as Mavuika, the current Archon of Natlan are counterarguments." Tighnari mentioned. "Perhaps even Focalors could prove that thought idea wrong."

Alhaitham nodded. "I was merely pointing out the thought process that one would have, but your claims are also sound."

Il Dottore giggled. "There is a reason why some say that the higher ranking Fatui Harbingers could challenge Archons."

Dehya sighed. "I gotta agree with him, just seeing Il Capitano was enough for me to be convinced that someone incredibly strong could exist."

"He is a man worthy of being called a hero. I respect his ideology and virtues, only because he is able to uphold them with his strength." Commented Cao Cao.

"I never got the chance to fight him, each time I challenged him, he refused..." Vali said, irritated as he scratched his head.

"...Hey, Albion." He called.

"What may it be, Vali?" The dragon accompanying him within his gear called.

"You've been quiet for a while now, I suppose you've sensed someone strong as well?" He smiled.

"You could say that, however, it is more about sensing a dragon while we strolled, however, I was unable to differentiate who it was."

"Oh? Another dragon? I look forward to seeing who that may be."

"... With that out of the way, we should be careful of an Eremites group known as the Ayn Al-Ahmar, furthermore, it is said around these streets that they are the ones in possession of it."

"Oh, you've gotta be-" Spoke Dehya.

"According to the intel I requested, they usually meet around the Djafar Tavern." He explained. "Usually it would cost us half a million Mora, but I suppose I could try some 'diplomacy' to convince them to give it to us for free."

Dori whistled. "Not bad, that's quite the hefty amount of Mora."

"Uh... remind Paimon to never get on his bad side." Paimon asked Lumine.

Issei then clapped his hands together one time. "Now, how about we meet them right now?"

"...Hey." Tighnari whispered to Cyno.

"Mmm?" He noised.

"I recognize the symptoms on his arm." Tighnari pointed out. "That looks like Eleazar."

"Then does that mean that he was able to tell not because of the bandage but rather..." Assumed Cyno.

To which Tighnari nodded.

"But... isn't he from Inazuma?" Wondered Cyno.

"I believe he is lying." Tighnari stated. "He must be using a fabricated backstory."

Cyno frowned. "To be this wary and secretive... This man could genuinely be dangerous."

"What are you two whispering about?" Sethos said, noticing them as he had been glancing at Cyno from time to time.

"Just a small theory, in short, we believe him to be lying about his past." Explained Tighnari.

"I expected as much, being from Inazuma despite the fact that a decree has been active for years yet working for the Fatui as a Harbinger and knowing Madame Faruzan gave many hints of him doing as such." Alhaitham nodded.

"And that leaves the ever present question of, who is he?" Layla hummed.

They arrived at the Djafar Tavern, the outside seats filled with customers as well as Eremites, specifically the ones they were looking for.

The first one to greet them was Issei. "Hello! I heard you hold the knowledge capsule that many have been looking for!"

"And who may you be?" The Eremite asked.

"We are members of the Fatui who have been working with the Akademiya in a project." He admitted.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Paimon said while panicking.

"I am unsure whether he is too brazen or a fool." Scaramouche spat. "No wonder he's got the lowest rank."

"Perhaps this is some sort of reverse psychology?" Kaveh asked.

"Using the name of the Fatui puts into view that he is not anybody, his boldness may represent his status as he does not care about their relationship with the Akademiya." Alhaitham analyzed. "In short, he's psychologically intimidating the enemy by showing that he doesn't fear them."

"Uh? What does the Fatui have anything to do with the followers of that traitor?!" He said with hostility.

"Traitor? That's a very harsh label on Greater Lord Rukkhadevata..." Nilou said as it left a bitter taste on her mouth.

"It is natural to find people who have no fear of gods." Azazel sighed. "Not because they themselves are strong or do not believe them, but because their arrogance makes them believe they are superior."

"In this case, believing that a god is superior to another."

"In our world, this claim can be true however." Alhaitham explained. "I am unsure as to how your world works, but in ours, the strength of a god is mostly based on their believers."

Azazel hummed with interest on the topic. "Most gods respect one another due to the fact that each has their own territory, they would rather defend what is theirs rather than put their land in danger, as such, while some gods are stronger than others, they are unwilling to enter conflict just to prove their superiority."

"That's why we, the biblical factions, have been trying to not only ally with one another, but make other factions containing gods to also enter this peace treaty." He finished explaining.

"Now, now, there is no need for conflict." Tried to calm down Issei. "While the Fatui are working at the Akademiya, they do not believe in Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

"This is merely a collaborative work that merely benefits the Fatui, and by extension the Tsaritsa."

After explaining the intentions of the Fatui, he then continued. "Now then, we would not only like to know about the knowledge capsule, but also about King Deshret, my companions here are currently learning quite a bit of Sumeru, and King Deshret would be best described by a follower, don't you think?"

The Eremite who had been on guard let out a deep sigh as he then stretched his hand. "I am Tariq, I can at the very least see that you know how to respect King Deshret."

"That won't be enough, however, you need to pay for the information."

Issei hummed. "How about we haggle? The Fatui is willing to help you with the Akademiya."

Tariq smiled. "Ah, quite the trade offer there, unfortunately for you, our boss will become strong enough to deal with anyone once he's able to prepare everything for King Deshret's revival."

"Such arrogance." Muttered Sona. "While I understand believing in a deity, clinging to a mere belief that he may one day return may seem a bit..."

Michael cleared his throat.

Sona looked at the Angel Faction, noticing that Xenovia was about to pull out her sword while Irina glared.

She sighed, this wasn't her intention, nonetheless, she remained quiet.

Sirzechs let out a deep sigh. He did feel a bit bad given that they were clueless to the truth that they've been keeping quiet for so long now.

"Ah shame then, I was looking forward to embezzling money for more alcohol." Issei sighed as he took out a bag of Mora. "Half a million is inside there, so I would like for you to give us everything you know, and if you're that good, we'll also give you a tip."

"Is alcohol that good?" Collei wondered.

Cyno and Tighnari rapidly shook their heads.

"Fu fu fu, I never took Hyoudou to be such a heavy drinker." Akeno giggled.

"I've never drinked though..." He pointed out.

"Ah ah! You're a smart one!" Tariq laughed. "All right, I've got the merchant's address, it's going to be there if you look there."

"As for King Deshret... oh this is a tale that makes my blood boil."

"First and foremost, you know that we are the Ayn Al-Ahmar, firm believers of King Deshret."

"King Deshret created an ancient civilization that was far more advanced than any even for today's standards, it was our homeland."

"Than any? The dragons of ancient Natlan would like to disagree." Faruzan spoke.

"King Deshret's civilization was still quite advanced compared to most still." Commented Layla.

"Yet... he was betrayed! The title of God of Wisdom was supposed to be his!"

"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata destroyed his civilization and took the title for herself!"

"And now, the truth has been lost because the Akademiya continued to cover it up! They created propaganda so that she seemed like a saint!"

"However, King Deshret isn't truly dead! The voice of the Oracle has been heard throughout the desert, which prophesied his return!"

"The return of a dead god? I personally would like to see that happened." Alhaitman smirked.

"As you can see, they are as delusional as I remember them." Sighed Dehya.

"It's impossible to even refute their claims, because they will just make up the excuse that it was fabricated or that we are followers of Greater Lord." Tighnari murmured. "There is no way to reason with them."

"They are not beating the claims that stereotype us, which is the worst part." Dehya groaned.

"He'll return! And he will punish the followers of that so-called Greater Lord!"

He took a deep sigh as he finally calmed down. "So, what do you think? It's not too late to become a believer of King Deshret."

Issei hummed hearing this tale. "That she betrayed would technically be the truth..."

"Uh? Surely he's not believing those delusions?" Dehya said with disbelief.

"Alright, maybe that's the reason why he's a former scholar." Faruzan reasoned.

"Ah, so are you truly seeing the truth now? Are you willing to come to our side?" Tariq asked.

Issei chuckled as he shook his head. "No, not at all."

"Oh thank the Archons." Sighed Nilou.

He then looked at Lumine. "Traveler, you may have heard these very same words from someone you know..."

"Truth shall be the punishment."

"Wait, isn't that..." Aether muttered.

Lumine's eyes widened once Issei said that.

"Indeed, King Deshret's end could be considered the opposite of Havria's." Issei compared.

"Havria? I don't recall that name." Sethos muttered.

"I can answer that." Alhaitham said as he raised his hand. "I chose Liyue once to do some investigation back then."

"While the truth of what happened to Havria is still unknown, followers of said deity believe that Rex Lapis took Liyue away from her." He explained.

"... Wow, that's actually close to what the Ayn Al-Ahmar believe." Candace said, impressed by the coincidence.

"And from the looks of it, the Traveler knows of its true story." Sethos said as he looked at Aether.

Aether took a deep breath. "Well, rather than explain the full story, I suppose I should talk about the end."

"Havria was killed by her followers." He revealed.

Many widened their eyes.

"Yet... Havria was a goddess, was she not?" Alhaitham said with a stoic face, not surprised by the revelation, or at the very least, not expressing it.

"A weak one at that point." Nodded Aether. "If it's supposed to be the opposite... then..."

"King Deshret killed his followers." Collei's eyes widened even further as she connected the puzzle.

"But why would he do such a thing?!" Said Dehya, confused by this accusation.

"Gods may kill their own civilizations, even if unaware." Explained Azazel. "Perhaps King Deshret is one such example."

"It would be plausible." Michael agreed. "A civilization that is truly advanced wouldn't be able to fall so easily, would it?"

"This new possibility needs further debate." Faruzan stated. "But perhaps we could find the truth in this viewing."

"Yet how much of what he claims is true?" Kaveh inquired. "As far as we could tell, perhaps this could just be specific to that world."

Rias looked at the man as she then recalled. "After talking with the Limbus Company, it is worth mentioning that events that happen in one world are consistent with another despite the changes, for example, we first joined them in a viewing where they were going through a K Corp. checkpoint, you don't need to know what that is, but after that viewing, they entered with another group, and said K Corp. checkpoint was mentioned, or rather, had to have happened."

"Then should we take anything that isn't related to the boy as fact?" Layla questioned.

"Not entirely, but it is worth noting as there is a high possibility of it actually being true." Rias answered.

"Unfortunately, I believe the followers will deny such a truth, as not only is it a painful reminder of the downfall, but also the punishment they were forced to suffer."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Tariq said as he was about to pull his sword.

"A very interesting story, I will say." Another voice spoke as it got closer to the group.

"Wait..." Kaveh said, he groaned realizing who it was.

"Don't let them go away with the money, they are phonies trying to rob you." Alhaitham warned.

"Oh, I know alright." Revealed Issei. "I was never thinking of allowing them to escape, not when that story they spoke slandered King Deshret's sacrifice."

Alhaitham raised an eyebrow at that statement.

Outside the scene, Alhaitham did the same. "An odd reply."

"King Deshret's sacrifice..." Faruzan murmured. "Does the Akademiya have any new information about King Deshret?"

"As you said, discoveries sort of stagnated because of the Akasha." Kaveh reminded. "I don't really recall this being known though..."

"This information is new to me as well." Dehya added. "All that we knew was that King Deshret somehow died and so did his civilization."

"Nonetheless, if you don't want me to report you to the authorities, lead us to your leader." Issei requested.

"Mmm, I believe it would be better if we gave them time to prepare themselves." Suggested Alhaitham. "As I know, the Eremites are proud of their abilities, and I wouldn't want you to try and find an excuse."

"Furthermore, I am also quite curious as to what your leader will be able to do with that capsule of knowledge he, oh so has."

"Indeed, someone who looks for knowledge wouldn't let go of such an opportunity." Agreed Issei.

Kaveh frowned. "I don't like how both of you are talking in the same manner..."

"What's that?" Alhaitham asked.

"All logical, and that's it, is what I mean." Kaveh explained.

"I'd rather it stay that way then."

"Urk... Then fine! We'll meet in a week! I'll be seeing you groveling and pleading for mercy in front of the pier from Pharos Lighthouse!" Tariq yelled as he tried to leave.

Issei pointed his guandao in front of Tariq. "Our Mora."

"R-right..."

Once they left, Alhaitham looked at Issei for a moment.

Issei however, smiled as he then spoke. "I assume you're interested in what I know about King Deshret, no?"

"Quite so, I've been looking from afar when you interacted with the Eremites, I assumed you were a clueless bystander trying to seek information, however, it turned out that you were simply putting the bait in front of them to see what the current populace thinks about King Deshret."

Issei nodded. "As expected from the Scribe of the Akademiya."

Dehya opened her mouth as she slightly widened her eyes. "Oh, you're the scribe?"

"That is my position, though I wished for less people to know about it, it is a hassle having a title like that." Explained Alhaitham.

"Least it isn't the title of a sage." Chuckled Cyno.

"I wasn't expecting to have the scribe present here..." Nilou murmured. "I wonder who else is here who hasn't given their role?"

Nahida's ears perked hearing Nilou's question, yet she said nothing.

"Oh? I suppose it was to be expected." Alhaitham admitted. "Given your knowledge, it is fair to assume that you previously had tied wit the Akademiya, an alumni of sorts due to your fondness of such terminology in regarding positions within."

"Correct again." Confirmed Issei. "It has been awhile since I cut ties with the Akademiya a long time ago."

"As to why? Now, that would be far more personal, as such, I would ask for you to not look deeper into it unless I decide to reveal so."

Alhaitham closed his eyes. "I accept your terms, however, I am still looking to see what you know about King Deshret."

"This feels like a trade rather than a conversation." Rias nervously laughed.

"Their interactions don't feel natural whatsoever." Sirzechs agreed.

A few of the scholars took out notebooks they had.

Collei, who had her notebook out all this time, prepared herself to write whatever they would be talking about.

"As you may know, the Akademiya currently holds various reports, theories and logs about King Deshret's reign over a civilization, however, the specifics of which are still unknown to most, which includes the fall."

"The connection between Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and King Deshret has long been argued, were they lovers? Friends? Foes? Or merely strangers?"

"The truth is that they were friends, and the Flower Goddess, Nabu Malikata was theorized to have been far closer to King Deshret than the Dendro Archon."

"Mmm, I thought the Flower Goddess was closer withy the Dendro Archon..." Nilou commented. "The thought of trying to recreate her flowers was a tale that has been passed down for many years now."

"Indeed, there is also the connection of their domains, they both centered around biological organisms." Agreed Tighnari.

"This does give rise to the question, why is Nabu Malikata closer to King Deshret than the Dendro Archon?" Sethos inquired.

"While this claim sounds interesting, I have yet to see any proof of such, given how limited the current clues the Akademiya has, this would be considered a hypothesis rather than a theory." Interjected Alhaitham.

"That is until you take into account the chronology of the events, we know that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata created the Sumeru forests, however, the timeline conflicts with the civilization of King Deshret, which at that point was still active."

"The Wall of Samiel is a great example, why else would it exist had King Deshret been dead at that point? And by extension, this would mean that his civilization was also still active. Furthermore, this is also proof that Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had no intentions of invading King Deshret's land."

"Because we know that the Wall of Samiel was intended to keep the desert away from the forest, and the reason why it was expanding was primarily because Deshret's power was still present."

"Unless you argued that the wall was created to slowly drain the Emerites of their resources, then I would say that is an ineffective way of doing it, especially given the fact that they had their own ways of surviving."

"In short, the Wall of Samiel is proof that Deshret and Rukkhadevata were both alive at the same time, and by their own reasons, had no intention of invading one another, instead, they respected each other's territories." He summarized.

"While the information itself is new, we did know that King Deshret and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had no hostilities against one another." Layla remarked.

"This does give a point to the argument that there was no ill blood between each other though."

"They were known as the Three Eternal-Companion Gods after all." Added Kaveh.

"I suppose this gives basis to what he believes to be King Deshret's relation with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata." Sighed Dehya.

"..." Kiba looked at Rias as he then called her out. "President."

"What is it, Kiba?" She gently asked.

"I expected the Sumeru scholars to be this analytical... but I never expected them to be this..."

"I understand, they either swiftly take away all the words out of our mouths or talk about topics out of our qualifications." She understood as she nodded to her knight.

"That being said, we still have our own expertises, we merely have yet to truly show them." She smiled.

"As for why I believe Nabu Malikata was closer to Al-Hamar than to Rukkhavata, the Dendro Archon fell during the Cataclysm, and she had been living relatively healthy enough to not die, as there were no threats whatsoever."

"With the idea of no conflict between King Deshret and Rukkhadevata, what could have killed the Flower Goddess other than the events that led to the fall of King Deshret's civilization?"

"And by extension, why would Nabu Malikata have died during that period if not because she aligned herself to work with King Deshret instead of Rukkhadevata?" Issei finished.

"That is true, we know that the Flower Goddess died before Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, as such, I do wonder what could have killed her..." Tighnari said as he rubbed his chin.

"This could explain her time and place of death though, I do like this theory." Approved Faruzan.

Alhaitham put his hand under his chin as he closed his eyes while thinking. "Fascinating, this take does explain a few of the discrepancies that many other theories have."

"I will verify your claims once I get back to the Akademiya, however, right now we have a more relevant issue to our current situation right now." He reminded.

"Quite so, we shall meet their leader and see if he's just as good as he claims him to be." Nodded Issei.

"I'm intrigued to know just how much knowledge this boy has." Faruzan admitted.

"Quite so, there are so many mysteries that could be discovered with such a mind in our world." Agreed Cyno.

"Unfortunately, our version isn't as sharp..." Koneko jabbed.

"I mean... it is true that I'm not that smart... but you didn't have to rub it in..." issei grumbled.

The scene changed.

"Alhaitham... I knew you were crazy, but I didn't expect you to be crazy enough to truly arrive." Tariq stated.

"I was the one to request this after all, it would be illogical for me to make promises I cannot keep, I am however, impressed that you decided to actually show up." Responded Alhaitham.

"This has turned into an intriguing encounter, I have even brought reinforcements with me."

"Backup? You mean those customers we were about to scam the other day? You lunatics really came to his help after he gave you a little bit of information?" He laughed.

"Hey! Traveler and Paimon are more than adept in combat! We would have kicked his butt!" She objected.

"You? Adept in combat?" Aether deadpanned.

"Paimon's there for morale support!" She huffed.

Issei laughed. "Oh, but you see, you've wronged the Fatui, and you know what that means."

"Especially if you decided to try and steal the money of a Fatui Harbinger..." He then pulled out his guandao.

Tariq's eyes widened. "Shit! What terrible luck this is!"

"Seems like he's the one that's crazy." Chuckled Dehya.

He turned around and yelled at his subordinate. "You! Go get the boss quickly! This has turned much more complicated than we anticipated..."

Issei smiled as he took a step forward. "Well? Is anyone willing to fight against me? It would be wiser if your boss were to be here, so I am personally willing to wait until he comes."

Tariq gritted his teeth as he then yelled. "Fine! You'll regret acting so smug!"

After a while, the boss of the Ayn Al-Ahmar finally arrived while stumbling and grunting.

Tariq noticed such behaviour as his smile turned into a look of concern.

"Oh, that doesn't look good..." Asia said with concern as well.

The other Eremites got out of the way as he then looked at Lumine and the others only to then lunge at them.

Issei sprinted before anyone else could act as he grabbed the Eremite boss by the face and slammed him into the wooden bridge, breaking a few planks during the process.

Many flinched at the swift take down of the leader by the hands of the harbinger.

Dehya in particular whistled. "Yeah, suits him right!"

"He's not dead... is he?" Sethos nervously asked.

"That shouldn't be enough to take down an Eremite." Giggled Candace.

"Someone's gotta pay for that though." Cyno deadpanned as he saw the damages.

"I am disappointed, I expected much more from someone as you." Issei expressed sadness.

A few members of the Akademiya followed by Eremites from the Corps of Thirty rushed to the scene as one of them ordered to detain every Eremite part of this situation.

Alhaitham had rushed as well to the side of the Eremite boss to see his state, he realized that he hadn't sustained any surface damage.

"See?" Candace repeated.

Issei looked at Alhaitham for a moment before letting his eyes wander towards the boss.

As Alhaitham frowned while trying to understand what he was trying to tell him, he looked at where Issei was putting his gaze on, only to see a capsule of knowledge with an odd color.

"Ooh... knowledge capsules aren't supposed to look like that." Dori commented.

Cyno then added. "That seems to be a dangerous capsule, perhaps that is part of the reason why the Akademiya wanted it swiftly contained."

"That is, if they didn't leak it by accident." Spoke Alhaitham.

A bit suspicious as to why he was letting him take the capsule, he decided to still grab it and then ask him about it later.

The Eremites of the Corps of Thirty grabbed the boss of the Ayn Al-Ahmar as they took him away.

As he was taken away, they passed by Lumine and Paimon.

She heard the Eremite whisper something very odd that she recognized.

"...goodbye... forget me..."

"Those words again?" Faruzan frowned.

"The last words of Greater Lord... just what do they mean?" Kaveh muttered.

"Given that the Eremite went crazy after using said capsule, it may be possible to draw a connection between the capsule and the events of the Dendro Archon's demise." Alhaitham declared.

"The issue now however, is finding out just what is inside that capsule without going crazy."

"Is the chance of this not being like with most other scholars meditating after attaining knowledge possible?" Inquired Candade.

Tighnari nodded. "The symptoms are similar, but they seem to have been artificially implanted. Still, it is a possibility worth revising."

"That big guy seems to have gone nuts!" Paimon yelled as she saw the Eremites go in the distance.

"I presume he has used the Divine Capsule of Knowledge." Stated Alhaitham.

"So that's what happens when you use it..." Paimon muttered.

"Aside from that, doesn't that remind you about what Haypasia mentioned?" Reminded Lumine.

"Oh right, some researchers go insane after obtaining knowledge from Irminsul!" Paimon remembered.

"There have been many reports of researchers going insane in Satyavada Life, so it is more than likely that this man had been affected by such knowledge." Conclude Alhaitham.

He then added. "From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to be an item that grants immense power, but at the very least it does appear to be linked to the gods."

"And then there is what he said... 'goodbye... forget Me...' I have no knowledge as to what it may relate to."

"..." Issei tensed up hearing those words as he grasped his weapon even more.

"Of course he recognized those words." Deadpanned Dehya.

He then took a deep breath. "I believe the contents within it may relate to what has happened to King Deshret's civilization."

"The fact that they say that it is rumored that it holds the clues to the return of King Deshret must mean that at the very least, there is a connection between both." Issei suggested. "Else, why would they've been looking for it?"

"Well, now that the matra and the Corps of Thirty got it, we may never know... A shame really." Paimon pointed out.

"Wait, you guys are going to be hiding it from us?!" Paimon said with a look of betrayal.

"The contents are not relevant to your journey to meeting the Dendro Archon, I believe there would be no reason to compromise the location of the capsule to you." Explained Alhaitham.

Alhaitham looked at Issei. "I believe that our collaboration has ended here, however, would it be too much to ask you to come with me? This is a request from someone who wishes to learn more and perhaps debate regarding the events that led to the fall of King Deshret's civilization."

"Wait! Before you go, could you tell us if you know anything about Lesser Lord Kusanali? Paimon means, given the fact that you're the scribe of the Akademiya... you'd know at the very least something, right?" Paimon asked.

"I do not, Lesser Lord Kusanali is outside the entirety of Sumeru's administration, not only is it because she has higher clearance level than anyone within the Akademiya, but also because there is no reason to talk to her, as the Akasha already has everything they need to know about."

"Aaaw... there goes our biggest hope to find your sister, Traveler." Sighed Paimon.

"No reason to be sad, Paimon, I guess our experience of laying low backfired." Chuckled Aether.

"Of course, I don't really want to leave a mark in this world... unlike you from the looks of it." Lumine glared.

"Hey, you're the one being hard to find, sis." Aether defended himself.

"Well, now with that out of the way, I behest you to consider my proposal." Repeated Alhaitham.

"... I'm assuming you're going back to the Akademiya, right?" Inquired Issei, to which Alhaitham nodded. "Then I believe I do, as I have certain matters to attend in the Akademiya due to my colleagues."

"As for the Sabzerus Festival... I apologize for abandoning you once again, this would make me a disgrace as a guide, however, I believe Dunyarzad would be willing to tour you around and explain all culture during the festival." Apologized Issei.

"I can't believe that Hyoudou stood someone up twice." Teased Akeno.

"And to a very beautiful girl..." Murmured Issei, how could his other self fumble the bag this hard?

"I will show you the desert once you celebrate the festival, as such, please, put up with me just a little longer."

"Argh! You're so annoying! If it weren't for the fact that you're a Fatui Harbinger, then I would have given you an ugly nickname already!" Paimon shouted in frustration.

"Well, you can just call me the Aimlessly Drifting Tour Guide, just like how you do with Venti with Tone Deaf Bard." Joked Issei.

"Oh! That one's a good one! Uhmp! Then we'll see eachother after the festival, Aimlessly Drifting Tour Guide!" Declared Paimon.

"... Yeah no, it's way too long and it removes the fun of the names if someone else does them!"

"Just a pervert would be fine." Paimon huffed triumphantly.

"Well, that would work, but he already has some, like Perverted Beast." Explained Sona.

Well, his reputation will definitely take a hit this time.

A few of those present looked at him with judging eyes. He could only squirm into one of the nonexistent corners of this room.

Lumine and Paimon left, leaving Issei and Alhaitham alone.

Alhaitham took out the Divine Capsule of Knowledge as he looked at Issei.

"Now, given how you already know about this capsule, what do you suggest? Should I deal with it first? Or should I write the report for the higher ups?" Alhaitham asked.

"There is no use for that capsule, especially given the fact that it merely contains the very knowledge that led King Deshret's civilization to crumble..."

"Which by extension, led to an infection." He added.

"... Eleazar..." Whispered Alhaitham.

"That's a lot of information out of nowhere." Tighnari said as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"So you're telling me that King Deshret's demise gave origin to Eleazar?" Muttered Cyno.

"... Then, what about the Withering Zones?" Collei suggested.

"It might be possible, after all, everything is connected one way or another." Nodded Layla.

"Correct, as expected, you truly are fit for a scribe." Laughed Issei.

His smile turned into a nostalgic look as he rolled up the sleeves of his robe, revealing that one of his arms was entirely covered by Eleazar.

"We saw this coming." Alhaitham stated.

"Which means that he definitely is from Sumeru, but also older than Faruzan." Kaveh added.

"Now that this information is confirmed, what do you say could be his true identity?" Wondered Faruzan.

"..." Alhaitham already had his suspicions.

Yet despite that, he moves his fingers and hand around.

Many of the Sumeru citizens widened their eyes.

"I take it that's not supposed to happen?" Ravel inquired, seeing the surprised looks of those from Sumeru.

"No, not at all, Eleazar is supposed to restrict movement if anything." Kaveh explained.

"Interesting." Il Dottore commented.

"Do you reckon he found a cure?" Inquired Scaramouche.

"Mmm, that's a possibility, to think someone else would be able to suppress it."

Alhaitham looked with extreme detail as he analyzed it. "Interesting, the symptoms of Eleazar don't seem to be affecting you whatsoever, you can move it around with ease."

"And that begs the question, who truly are you?" Alhaitham said as he looked with caution. "At first, I believed you to be the researcher known as the Outcast."

"However, unlike the restricted information about him, your personalities do not align."

"Well, as an outcast, you'd expect me to have a vermin hand or something, don't you think?" Joked Issei.

"Nice one." Chuckled Cyno.

"... Hey, doesn't the latter part of what he said remind you of someone?" Collei asked.

"I... don't think so?" Answered Nilou.

Rias smiled, realizing who it reminded her. "I do not know if this is a coincidence or not, but that sounds like Gregor."

"Oh, bug guy!" Paimon realized.

"Yes... bug guy..." Giggled Rias.

"..." Aether looked at Paimon. "I thought you only gave nicknames to people you didn't like."

Paimon shrugged. "His was just too easy to not make."

Issei then sighed. "That junior of mine somehow left his mark in the Akademiya unlike me."

"..." Il Dottore looked with interest at this line.

"So... it appears that my senior turned out to be you in that world?" Il Dottore said as he looked at Issei.

"Uhm... I guess so?" He shrugged.

"Damn, he's old!" Sethos commented.

"Far older than me, I suppose..." Faruzan sighed.

"Well, the truth of who I am will come soon, I want you to foment your abilities rather than giving it to you right now."

He looked at the sky as he said. "The sages say that trying to keep knowledge for yourself is ignorance, and that the punishment for ignorance is ignorance itself."

"That is a quote from 'The Lay of Al-Ahmar'. Which I do not agree with." He declared.

"If I grant the information to others on a golden platter, how will humanity grow?"

"Mmm, that is an interesting way of seeing it." Azazel hummed with interest. "This is why teachers exist after all."

"But don't you think they may be talking about undiscovered knowledge?" Michael inquired.

"That seems much more possible, but I would place my bets on the boy if it came to him knowing what the meaning behind those words were."

Alhaitham then interfered. "Personally, I believe he is seeing it with the same view as current scholars and sages see those words."

"That too could be a possibility, I guess I could be losing the bet if I had actually put something on the line." Azazel laughed.

He turned around and looked at Alhaitham. "The time will come when I either reveal it to you, or give you enough clues to discover who I truly am."

"But right now, I want you to let the gears inside your head turn." He laughed.

He then stopped laughing suddenly. "... Right now, I need your help to get me inside the Akademiya."

"Not only do I wish to talk to my junior, who is currently there alongside his experiment, but also because I wish to talk to the Dendro Archon herself." He revealed.

Alhaitham's eyes widened a bit. "Truly, you are filled with mysteries."

"Very well then, in exchange, I expect you to tell me everything one day." He warned.

"But right now, I am truly curious as to how you are going to contact Lesser Lord Kusanali."

Issei closed his eyes for a moment. "I wish to know why Greater Lord Rukkhadevata would betray the promise she made..."

"But... it would be unjust for Lesser Lord Kusanali to be at the front of my questions, right now, I would like to help her get to the bottom of Rukkhadevata's plan."

"This betrayal... I believe this would be specific to that world?" Layla inquired.

"Given that it is only related to Hyoudou, that is a huge possibility." Sona answered.

"In the off chance that it is also true in our world, who would she have betrayed then?" Sethos wondered.

"It couldn't have been King Deshret or the Flower Goddess... So who?" Dehya muttered.

Alhaitham seemed puzzled by this claim as he tried to know what he meant by that. "I will look forward to what you are withholding from us, until then, you may see me as an ally, not to the Fatui, but to you."

"Despite how serious and antisocial you may be, I can see that you wish for the best while staying modest."

"You would make a great Grand Sage."

"Never." Alhaitham quickly responded.

"I would refuse that position no matter what." Immediately Alhaitham responded.

"A lot of responsibility, I know." Laughed Issei.

He then sighed. "I wish you luck, Traveler, for you will need it during the festival."

"Ah, so he does know." Il Dottore smirked.

"Will that be any issue for us?" The Ballader asked.

"We'll see right now, no?" He responded.

The scene changed.

Alhaitham and Issei arrived at Sumeru City once again, however, instead of going straight to the Akademiya, they made a quick stop to Alhaitham's home.

Kaveh's face turned pale as he realized what could be shown.

"There you are!" Kaveh yelled as he stood up from the entrance of the door.

"Given the fact that you have been waiting for me outside of the house instead of inside, as well as the fact that I have another pair of keys, I believe these are yours." Alhaitham theorized as he took out a keychain.

"Oh, oh, so both of you are roommates?" Dori said with a sly smile.

"You're one to speak, I am pretty sure you're the reason why was forced to live with me." Alhaitham remarked.

"Oh no..." Kaveh said as he saw what he feared, now more people would know that he was living under the same roof as the scribe. "Please, don't tell this to anyone..."

He did know that people like Cyno or Nilou would do so... but when it came to Sethos... he didn't know what this traveling individual would say.

"What's so wrong about you living as a roommate with Alhaitham?" Dehya said.

"Hurt pride more than anything, having to pay me monthly so that he can have a roof under his house." Chuckled Alhaitham.

"Right, and you decided not to tell me about it after you found out about it, right?" Kaveh glared.

"Given the fact that I was doing a bit of work, I believe it was the time for me to say so." He answered.

"You're insufferable sometimes, wait no, just insufferable, period." Graoned Kaveh.

He then noticed Issei by Alhaitham's side. "Who is he? And why did you bring him to your house."

Issei then uttered. "Are you sure you guys are just... roommates?"

"What... are you insinuating?" Alhaitham frowned.

Kaveh then yelled. "Him?! Of all people?! Never!" He knew exactly what Issei was hinting at, and he did not like it whatsoever.

"Hey! I mean, the way you're talking is like some overzealous boyfriend or girlfriend." He argued with his hands in front of him.

"Well, a guest, obviously." Deadpanned Alhaitham

"There, there, no need to be so hostile, don't want people thinking you're jealous to see him with another man." Issei laughed.

"See? Even my other self sees it like that!" Issei pointed out frantically.

"...Truth be told, both of you bicker like an old married couple." Collei added, to which Issei mentally thanked.

"It's not my fault that he's so insufferable!" Kaveh argued.

"Perhaps have patience, after all, that is a virtue." Joked Azazel, finding the current situation funny.

"You stay out of it for one second." Retorted Kaveh as he looked at Alhaitham. "Don't you know how dangerous it is for you to bring people? What if someone ends up figuring out I live here?!"

"As if sitting in front of my house wasn't proof enough." Alhaitham pointed out.

"Well, that is different! I'm able to just excuse myself and say that I'm just looking to talk about something important!" Answered Kaveh.

"And don't you dare think I didn't notice what you're trying to pull! You're trying to change the topic! Explain yourself! What's he doing here!"

Those of the DxD group found this situation silly, and Kaveh could tell they were having a blast, much to his chagrin.

"Why does it have to show that..." He muttered as he covered his face in shame.

Issei looked at Kaveh from head to toe as he asked. "Hey... are you perhaps Lara's grandson?"

"Uh?" Kaveh looked up in confusion.

Kaveh was taken aback as he then said. "Wait, you know her?"

"Wait, who's Lara?" He asked.

"How strange, you seem to recognize that name in that world." Alhaitham hummed.

"To me, that must mean that it is a difference between our worlds." Faruzan assumed.

"Apparently that's my grandmother's name, but from what I remember, that's not right." Kaveh explained.

"... That being said... What's his connection with my family?"

"Ah, what a coincidence, I wasn't expecting to meet Faranak's son like this..." He chuckled.

"So supposedly, Hyoudou knows Kaveh's grandmother in that world..." Rias muttered.

"Could this be like with the case of Avance?" She wondered.

There were now two names that none of them recognized, and who supposedly, Issei would meet, just like that other boy, Jaune.

"Just who are they..." She wondered.

"Alright, alright." Kaveh said as he raised his hands in front of himself. "Just... stop talking for a moment please, there is just too much going right now."

"First and foremost, this is the first time Alhaitham has decided to bring someone home, and that person just so happens to know who my mother and grandmother are."

"Actually, yeah that does sound weird." Commented Ravel.

"Though, given his supposed backstory, he might have known her as a fellow scholar of the Akademiya." Suggested Sona.

"I was never intending to have him come inside my house, as a matter of fact, I was only going to give you back your keys, but it appears you decided to be foolish enough as always to expose yourself by talking too much." Alhaitham snorted.

"So he basically self-reported?" Chuckled Cyno. "I do see some scholars do that."

"You! Argh! Alright, you know what?! How about we deal with it inside instead of outside?" Kaveh suggested.

"I believe it would be better, I can wait before going to the Akademiya, perhaps I could go to the Akademiya at a better time, after all, it is quite late." Issei pointed out.

Once they entered while making sure no one else noticed, they sat down on the couch as Kaveh took a deep breath.

"So... how do you know my mother?" He asked.

Issei looked like a wave of nostalgia took him over. "Well, that's quite the tale."

"It was during my time working in the Akademiya..."

"Wait, how old are you?" Kaveh asked.

"Yeah, that's one of the biggest questions I've got." Sethos said as he scratched the back of his head.

"I heard that Madame Faruzan is still alive doing her research in the Akademiya." Recalled Issei. "Let's just say that she'll be happy to meet an old face."

"We already know that he's older than Faruzan, but... he could be far older than her." Tighnari theorized.

"Given that the Outcast is his junior, it could be possible that he is older than 500 years." Agreed Layla.

"Talking like I'm not here now, are we?" Il Dottore laughed.

"Uh... wow, that's... surprising." Kaveh said. "So, back to the topic."

"Yes, I do know your mother, that's because I was an acquaintance of your grandmother, Lara, she alongside a few others were people that I got to meet and work with." Issei recalled.

"At that time, your mother was still a baby, it was a surprise, given the fact that our other friends and I had yet to really settle down, and there she was, Lara being the first one to have a baby." He laughed.

"Then again, she was the oldest in the group aside from me."

"Something... doesn't really add up. You said you're as old as Faruzan, and I know that my grandmother was still a student of the Akademiya... doesn't that mean that you were old and got with one of the students?"

"Wait, that does go against the rules of the Akademiya if he were a teacher, but romance between scholars only has to abide by the rules imposed in Sumeru." Cyno remarked.

"Never make Hyoudou a teacher." Warned Koneko.

"Please... I'm not that bad." He muttered.

"If anything, I'd be the student." He corrected.

Xenovia facepalmed at this.

Issei sheepishly chuckled. "Don't misunderstand me, the one who I got with wasn't a student of the Akademiya, she was a girl I met because the friends I made introduced her to me."

"I settled down for awhile with my wife before she died, after that, I left Sumeru and ended up in the employment of the Cryo Archon." He explained. "There's more to it, but that's going too into detail."

"Mmm... I'm not sure if this is also a made up story or part of the truth." Alhaitham murmured.

"It doesn't contradict his previously made backstory, but it also explains how he got into contact with the Cryo Archon." Debated Tighnari.

"Did you have a child? Given the fact that you had married, it would make us understand that you at the very least have an offspring unless the timely death of your wife was too soon." Alhaitham asked.

Kaveh looked at Alhaitham weirdly, wondering what kind of question that was.

"That's a weird way to phrase it and... quite frankly a bit bold." Michael mentioned.

"I would rather be upfront with what I want to say rather than go around the issue." Explained Alhaitham.

"I do, she's still alive, and quite frankly, living quite a good life." He answered, though smiling, Kaveh and Alhaitham could detect a tint of sadness on his face.

Issei had a sad look on his face, he wondered who his daughter and wife were in that world.

Usually, he'd be over the moon after discovering that he was able to find someone who loved him, but with the way he was smiling... it didn't look that great.

"However, I stopped being her father the moment I made a deal with the Fatui." He revealed. "Who would wish to have a father that made them go through so much suffering?"

"..." Cyno and Collei frowned, knowing full well what this meant.

The poor daughter was experimented on by the Fatui, possibly by The Doctor.

"I- I what?" Issei said, shocked hearing what his other self had done. "But why though?!"

"Your other self has many unknown motives." Rias reminded. "I know you're not like that, Hyoudou, but your other self may not be as innocent as you are."

"I've seen myself being various different people, all of which are not like anything I am at the moment..." He said.

"But... this version of me... I don't like him at all." He clarified.

"... Everyone that I knew before is dead, the only people that I know are still alive are people I didn't expect to be alive, or people who I wish to mend things with." He explained.

"Right now, I must meet the Dendro Archon, there are many things I wish to ask her." He declared. "And I want to uncover why she did that..."

"I see now." Tighnari hummed. "So he also knew Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?"

"The way he talked means that he was a close confidant, or at the very least interacted with her, and from the looks of it, he feels wronged by her." Summarized Alhaitham.

"Then, that would mean that the betrayal he was talking about... was not to King Deshret." Whispered Candace.

"Instead, it was to him, uh?" Dehya finished, connecting the dots. "Then, no wonder he's part of the Fatui, he's got unfinished business to deal with."

"What is it with the Fatui having unpaid accounts with archons?" Paimon wondered.

"..." Scaramouche listened to those words, this time with quite a bit of interest.

"Then, it would be best for you to wait for a bit until sunrise, the current probability of being able to enter the Akademiya are slim to none." Explained Alhaitham. "I suppose you don't want to discuss like I requested before."

"You would be right." Nodded Issei.

"... Well uh... grand uncle if I can call you that?" Kaveh said in confusion, not knowing what to make with the situation. "I believe you can stay here until sunrise, Alhaitham and I are probably going to be busy with our work."

"Grand uncle... man that is weird." Shivered Issei, not liking the name.

"Yeah, that's hella weird, especially since I'm the one saying it." Cringed Kaveh.

"Don't worry, I will be gone by sunrise, I believe I should ask the Traveler about how her experience at the festival was like." Said Issei as he waved his hand.

"But... that will have to wait I suppose..."

As they both left Issei alone in the living room, he looked at the window that was near.

Walking towards it, he looked at the night sky as he whispered. "Just a bit more, I'll find out why she did that to me..."

"Rukkhadevata... Why did you betray me?"

"I noticed now, but he's been mentioning Greater Lord, King Deshret and the Flower Goddess without their titles." Cyno realized.

"Wait, so if he's dropping the titles and saying that he was betrayed by the Dendro Archon..." Collei's eyes widened.

"He's someone who lived with all of them at some point." Answered Alhaitham.

"In that case, would it mean that it is Four Eternal-Companion Gods instead of three then?" Wondered Faruzan.

"That is assuming he is a god, it could just be someone who followed the three of them and just so happened to also be a fond friend of them." Layla suggested.

"Friends with a god? Fascinating." Laughed Azazel.

"Or rather, used to be." Corrected Xenovia.

The scene changed

Alhaitham and Issei walked towards the Akademiya's entrance.

"How queer, I see that my junior has yet to show himself even in front of his senior." Hummed Issei.

"So the Outcast has truly returned? Even after being banished by the sages?" Alhaitham asked.

"What does a Fatui Harbinger want from us?" Alhaitham wondered? "No... the correct question would be... what is he doing with the Akademiya."

Il Dottore put a finger over his mouth. "A secret you see, but it will more than likely be shown here."

"Yes, I believe you also think it's weird, no?"

"... The Grand Sage has been hiding information from me... and to be frank, I have my own doubts about whether you're truly helping me or not."

"That's fair, just a small warning, the Grand Sage is still competent, so it would be better to not take any action yet, else he will cut you out in exchange for his research." Issei warned.

"Has the Grand Sage gone mad?" Said Cyno with disappointment. "No wonder he's been refusing the matra from doing certain investigations..."

"All things considered, just what are they looking to do with this partnership?" Wondered Tighnari.

"A very fascinating experiment, you'll see soon enough." Chuckled The Doctor.

"... What sort of research is it?" Alhaitham asked.

"... They wish to create a god to replace Lesser Lord Kusalani." He revealed.

"My, way to spoil the surprise." Sighed Il Dottore.

"Create a god?" Sirzech frowned.

"So it has begun." The Balladeer smiled.

Cyno clenched his fists. "This is beyond unethical, this has to be stopped before it even happens."

"But what can we do? We can't inflict damage to them, and right now we are inside the Hotel." Collei pointed out.

"Still, we can gain information and use it to our advantage later." Said Tighnari.

"Create a god uh?" Azazel said as he rubbed his chin.

"But that-" Asia tried to say.

"A bunch of bullshit." Xenovia cut in.

"No, if I must say, I wouldn't go as far as creating a god, but rather, I was thinking that maybe, artificial Sacred Gears could be a thing." Azazel responded.

Michael tilted his head. "Well, I suppose that's better than attempting to challenge godhood."

"I'm not crazy enough for that." Azazel laughed. "... But still... this is a concerning matter in that world."

"That it is." Alhaitham nodded. "This is no longer a matter about someone breaking one of the taboos, but rather, an infraction to what we know of the world."

"After all, humans CAN become gods, Natlan is a great example, but that is because it is based around a method approved by Celestia."

"This however, is likely to not be." He finished. "It could spell trouble for Sumeru."

"And given that the principles have been dormant for so long..." Thought Nahida.

"...!" Alhaitham widened his eyes, not out of surprise, but out of sheer bewilderment "Have they gone mad?"

"They have, they've truly gone crazy." Issei sighed. "I expected better from the Akademiya after I left, but it appears that they've forsaken Greater Lord Rukkahdevata's wishes."

Issei momentarily closes his eyes. "... I believe now is not the time to enter."

"How so?"

"Look who finally decided to show up." Issei joked as he saw who was leaving through the doors of the Akademiya.

"Senior, this is quite the eventful evening." Il Dottore expressed. "I was not expecting to meet you so soon."

"Ah, my grand entrance." Chuckled Il Dottore.

Collei had a look of fear on her face, she clenched to Tighnari's sleeve.

Il Dottore

The Doctor

The Second of the Twelve Fatui Harbingers

"... You're not just a segment now, are you?" Asked Issei.

"Wait, a segment?" Wondered Faruzan.

"I suppose I'll just say it now." Sighed il Dottore. "Let's say that the one standing here might be The Doctor that is shown on the screen, but we are indeed based on the same person."

"..." Michael remembered a similar idea that the Vatican put into action.

Sigurd Institution was it? Weren't they going to try and see just how many other humans they could create based on Siegfried?

Nonetheless, he found it fascinating that this man was able to make various copies of himself using science.

"Are you though?" Issei asked.

"Curiously, the Hotel decided to take me, the most selfish of the segments, whether that was on purpose or not, I do not know yet." Explained Il Dottore. "Right now, from the looks of it, I would say that I am indeed the one on the screen."

"No need to worry, Issei, I am the original vessel, the patient zero if you would." Reassure Il Dottore.

"And by that, it seems like this proves to the other segments that yes, I am the real one." He laughed.

"I was expecting the Traveler and the Archon to come first, especially given how they tried so hard to put a stop to my experiment."

"Wait, the Archon? As in the Dendro Archon?" Sethos asked.

"Hold on, but didn't a day just pass? Just what happened?!" Yelled Faruzan in confusion.

"Traveler, if I may be bold enough to say this." Tighnari said as he cleared his throat. "How the hell?"

Aether sighed. "I'm used to these weird situations." He shrugged.

"Wait, doesn't this mean that he's met Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Nilou realized.

"An outsider is the first one to make contact with our Archon." Kaveh said with disbelief.

"That aside, what is this experiment he is talking about?" Cyno pointed out.

"Would you mind explaining?" He said as he looked at Il Dottore.

"No, I don't think I will." He responded. Because he knew exactly what this experiment was. "You will have to see if my other self says it."

"Nonetheless, I was trying to make my entrance more... dramatic if you would." He added.

Various Sumeru citizens started walking towards the platform that housed the Akademiya, their Akasha Terminals glowing as they continued clapping.

"What did you do to them?!" Cyno yelled, demanding answers.

"What does it look like?" Il Dottore laughed.

"Their Akasha Terminals... is that why Hyoudou decided against getting an Akasha Terminal?" Alhaitham wondered.

"So he knew this was happening... Well, it was obvious in hindsight now that I think about it." Hummed Ravel.

"So it seems that he's going to take over Sumeru? Is this his strategy to try and get the Gnosis?" Layla said.

"Don't be ridiculous, while taking over Sumeru does sound like a fascinating project, that is not what I came here for, after all, what reason would I have to come to the land that shunned me just to prove myself?" Denied Il Dottore.

"I came there to show just how much better I am as a scholar." He stated.

"The arrogance in this guy." Xenovia sighed.

"Is it truly arrogance if I have the skills to back up the claims however?" Refuted Il Dottore.

Alhaitham noticed this, he took a wary stance as he reached out for his sword.

"No need to act so rashly now, scribe, I am not here to fight." Reassured Il Dottore. "Unless... you try to stop me right here and now."

Issei looked at Alhaitham. "I advise you to stand down, especially when he's got hostages."

"Kid's got a point." Pointed out Azazel. "You can't make contact when there can be many unwanted casualties."

"I suppose I became too agitated in that situation." Sighed Alhaitham.

"Well, that's a first for you." Kaveh chuckled.

"But a normal reaction nonetheless." Affirmed Tighnari.

Alhaitham sighed as he saw there was no way out of this.

"Now then, dear junior, I see you've decided to make progress in your experiment."

"Quite so, obtaining and utilizing the dreams was very effective if I do say so myself, unfortunately, that Traveler that you've been guiding has proven to be quite the roadblock." Il Dottore explained.

"Utilizing dreams?" Repeated Faruzan.

"Wait... so the reason why we haven't been having dreams for so long was because..." Cyno then looked at Il Dottore.

"Surprise!" He taunted.

"You... you've been in contact with the Grand Sage from the beginning?!" Dehya said with aggression.

"Took you a while, did you believe that the Grand Sage would just suddenly accept the Fatui's help? No, I've been pulling the strings from behind the scenes!" Revealed Il Dottore.

"So the Grand Sage not reporting certain information wasn't because of just corruption... but also conspiring!" Cyno yelled, as he finally connected the dots.

"Doing this to the Dendro Archon no less? You've picked the wrong house fool!" Sethos added.

"Your Archon is weak, so weak that you haven't sensed her presence yet." He giggled as he glanced at Nahida behind his mask.

"We have! We just didn't realize that she had been helping us behind the scene!" Collei yelled, she finally gained the courage to yell back at The Doctor.

He laughed, seeing that they did not understand what he truly meant with those words.

"I expected as much, she's quite adept, don't you think?" Issei agreed.

"Speaking of which..." Il Dottore mumbled as he looked behind Issei. "I see our dear guests have finally arrived."

Lumine looked in confusion as she saw Alhaitham and Issei in front of Il Dottore.

"Why are there so many people here?" Paimon asked in surprise.

"The Outcast... so you have returned." Katherine? asked, which confused Alhaitham in particular.

"Woah... that voice isn't Katherines." Aether said, taken aback by it.

"Wait... that's..." Nahida widened her eyes,

"... I was waiting for this moment." Issei sighed with relief.

"Alhaitham, I suppose you should go help the Traveler leave at this exact moment." Issei suggested. "Leave Katherine here for a moment, we have to talk about something important."

"Why Katheryne specifically?" Wondered Collei.

"Well, did you hear her voice?" Scaramouche pointed out.

"What does that have to do?" Ravel asked, unsure as to what this was all about.

"As expected from someone outside this world." Scaramouche groaned. "That's not her voice."

Alhaitham then added. "Katheryne always had the same voice, and is not exactly a human so to speak, as such, the fact that her voice is higher pitch is an anomaly by itself."

"I see, I could have never realized that." Nodded Ravel in understanding.

"... I will, in exchange of information that is." He negotiated.

"Why'd you say that?! You're up against two Fatui Harbingers!" Kaveh yelled, be it from worry or annoyance.

"It is a once in a lifetime, don't you think?" Alhaitham responded.

"Honestly, I would have done the same there." Chuckled Azazel. "This kind of information is juicy by itself!"

"Ah ah! Quite the ambitious one you've picked up, senior!" Il Dottore laughed.

"As much as you want, you're commendable, Alhaitham." Chuckled Issei, impressed at the guts that the scribe had to ask such a thing at this moment.

"Very well, Traveler, this way." Alhaitham accepted as he grabbed Lumine's arm.

As he passed besides Katherine?, he could hear her say. "Thank you."

Paimon shivered. "Man I can't get used to hearing Katheryne saying anything aside from Ad astra."

Even with Lumine's and Paimon's objection, they didn't stop Alhaitham from taking them away, as they knew that they couldn't do anything against the two Fatui Harbingers.

Lumine in particular shot a glare at Issei, possibly because she was expecting him to have been someone like Childe.

"You're really not getting on sis' good side." Aether said as he spoke to Issei.

"My other self is fumbling the bag." Complained Issei.

Aether glared. "What was that?"

"... Nothing..."

"That look hurts my soul." Nervously chuckled Issei. "Now then..."

He walked up to Katherine?, who had used her powers to neutralize the affected Sumeru City people from trying to go after the Traveler.

"Katheryne doesn't have powers... Does she?" Paimon asked.

"Those powers..." Candace whispered, recognizing them from the Village Keepers.

"No, she does not." Responded Layla.

"Lesser Lord Kusanali, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." He stated.

"What?"

That was the common reaction from everyone in the room.

"Wait, so is the Adventurer's Guild's receptionist our Archon?" Collei said, not believing it.

"Wow, you're dumber than you look." Insulted Scaramouche.

"No, I am pretty sure that the current Dendro Archon is using Katheryne's puppet body as a temporary body." Clarified Alhaitham.

"Like a poltergeist possessing someone?" Asia asked.

"You could say that." Alhaitham nodded.

"..." Vali narrowed his eyes. "For a supposed Archon... she doesn't seem powerful."

Cao Cao nodded. "You are right, however, once she grows up, that's when we could challenge her."

"Well, not sure if we'll be alive by then." Chuckled Vali.

"... Doesn't all that sound a bit creepy?" Irina remarked.

"How so?"

"Well... they said that the Dendro Archon was young right? What if they meant it literally..."

Xenovia hit the back of her head. "Do not allow such imaginations without proof to blur your judgement."

"Honestly? I expected such behavior from the Church." Kiba whispered.

"What was that, demon?" Glared Xenovia.

Michael raised his hand to stop this conflict. "Unfortunately, we do have bad apples among our ranks, it is unfortunate, but we wish to fix that."

"I hope so." Kiba said.

Rias frowned. Ever since the other factions arrived, her knight had become much more hostile, the past he had must still have held such a strong grip on him.

She didn't know how she could fix the situation, but at the very least, she needed to avoid Kiba from saying anything too rash.

"I wished for our meeting to be better than the current situation, but I will have to make due with what I have right now."

"I have to come to ask for cooperation." He declared.

Nahida glared at Issei with waryness as she then said. "How will this benefit me and the people of Sumeru?"

"It will benefit you in particular." Issei answered. "I wish to find out about Greater lord Rukkhadevata."

"Is that the only purpose however?" Inquired Faruzan.

"More in particular, why she betrayed her most loyal retainer."

"Most loyal retainer, that is quite the impressive title." Hummed Kaveh.

"... I see now, I understand it." Alhaitham nodded.

"Wait, you know who he is?" Kaveh said surprised.

"Yes, but I suppose allowing him to reveal it would be better." Alhaitham mentioned.

"Seriously?" Deadpanned Kaveh.

"Why should I say it when he's about to say it? It's a bit of a waste to just reveal it right now."

"Man you're a pain." Groaned Kaveh.

Nahida's eyes widened upon the revelation. "... Just who are you really?"

"... You may know me as the First Sage of Rukkhadevata." He smiled. "And the one in which she betrayed, not King Deshret."

"I was right." Alhaitham declared.

"First Sage of Rukkhadevata? That... does explain a lot..." Tighnari said, a bit speechless about it.

"There's just been too many surprises, I don't think I have enough energy to keep going." Sethos remarked.

"That said, how long have we been here?" Issei wondered.

"Quite a bit now." Responded Sona. "Perhaps a few hours if I had to guess."

Issei started sweating bullets.

Dori on the other hand was smiling from side to side.

Issei's pockets were about to be emptied.

"First Sage... my, that's impressive, this boy has been put into many relevant positions in the various realities." Azazel smiled.

"From Color Fixer, to Ayin's vessel, a Corporation manager to now a Grand Sage." Recounted Akeno.

"A lot of noteworthy titles if I do say so myself!" Irina said with excitement.

Issei on the other hand wondered about him.

What was he going to be in the future?

All these other versions of him achieved or were going to achieve such incredible and he on the other hand was just a pervert.

He clenched his fists.

Now that he thought about it, these viewings were more than anything deteriorating his self esteem.

He wondered, if he was just an outlier, the one that just so happened to be useless.

Perhaps what Kleine wanted was to show him that he needed to change.

That maybe he needed t-

"Partner." A deep voice called out for him out of nowhere..

Everyone else heard it, and many of them sensed the power behind it.

"What? Where did..."

"Over here." It called again.

Issei looked at his hand, only to notice that a red gauntlet covered it.

"I finally get to talk to you, my current holder." It spoke.

"The Boosted Gear." Azazel smiled.

Vali did the same, only for it to slowly disappear once he realized that his rival was so weak.

"Oh... so you were truly the Red Emperor?" Cao Cao smiled with interest.

"Kleine was right then..." Rias whispered. The current holder of the Boosted Gear was truly Issei Hyoudou.

Irina felt a rush of excitement go over her, after all, her childhood cru- friend just so happened to have one of the Longinus.

"So that's how one of the Sacred Gears looks like?" Alhaitham said with interest.

"Honestly, it looks like something that I'd find in Fontaine." Kaveh commented.

"...Ddraig." Albion acknowledged.

"Albion..." Ddraig said back.

"I see that you have finally awakened."

"Hmp, it took my holder to start to feel his emotions go rampant for me to finally manifest."

"Like an E.G.O.?" Albion joked.

"Sure, let's go with that..."

"Actually, this does make me wonder..." Rias realized.

"Have you seen all the other viewings?"

"I have, princess." Assured Ddraig. "Hearing that one of his adopted sons was my user was a surprise, but a welcome one."

"Though, making the angel race extinct is a very impressive feat."

Michael nervously laughed, be it from actual fear or not, no one really knew. "Now, you're not thinking of doing that, right?"

"No need to fear, angel, my fight is only with the White One, the only way you're getting annihilated is if you side with him." Warned Ddraig.

Azazel whistled. "I guess I'm in danger."

"Don't be so foolish, Azazel." Vali spoke. "You've aided me, but not to the point you fight by my side."

Ddraig agreed. "Truthfully, I could care less if you were your user's babysitter."

"That aside..." Ddraig changed the subject. "I find you fascinating, partner." He admitted.

"You've acted in a way I have never seen any of my previous holders." He revealed.

"A strong will power as well, you sell yourself short, all you need now is to train more than anything."

Issei was speechless, confused even. He wasn't expecting to have the so-called Red Dragon Emperor inside his arm.

He heard the others explain his situation, and that he may actually be the Red Emperor, but to see it come true?

Well, aside from the possibility of getting a harem being real, he couldn't help but feel determined to try and get better.

After all, no pain no gain he supposed.

"We'll talk about this later, I am still curious as to what this version of you has to offer, just like the ones from before."

Nahida widened her eyes in surprise. "It is unusual for the information about the First Sage to not be public knowledge, but it appears you may have had a hand on it."

"Quite so, I erased all my information from the Akademiya, and the Akasha's information." He explained. "After all, that is what Rukkhadevata did."

"500 years ago, during the Cataclysm, she erased my memories of her... or rather... she made me believe that our adventures were a dream."

"A dream..." Nilou muttered. "Then... that tale about the Sage..."

"So that was why he was frowning when hearing it." Alhaitham understood.

"The question now would be, why did she do it?" Tighnari asked.

"Not only that, but we also need to know what truly happened." Faruzan reminded.

"Then that tale..." Nahida murmured.

"Correct, that was a twisted version of my tragedy." Issei nodded. "It took me many years to remember the betrayal, and when that happened, I was already in a relationship with someone, though we hadn't pushed too far into it."

"... I never wanted that, even when that girl loved me, my loyalty would always be to my Archon." He clarified.

Issei was unsure what to think. His other self had someone love her, and he didn't accept it.

Meanwhile, here he was, single about to finish his teenage years.

It seemed that only the rich got to eat.

"As such, to get kicked out of the Akademiya and banished from the lives of the many people I bonded with... I committed a taboo..."

"I created life by myself..." He revealed. "My daughter who currently holds my curse of Eleazar and... Rukkhadevata's remnants."

"Wait..." Collei whispered.

Il Dottore also noticed. "Now... this, I didn't expect." He smiled.

"..." Cyno also connected the dots, he glanced at Issei for a moment.

How could this boy do something so cruel? He didn't look dangerous, didn't seem to have any bad intentions or anything either.

So... what changed for him to be this way?

No, perhaps it was Greater Lord's betrayal that changed him to be this way.

For the first time, he had to admit that maybe the Dendro Archon, the Archon of Wisdom, had made a mistake.

Il Dottore laughed. "In the end, you were banished like me, senior, just like when you kicked me out."

"... That is another tale... but now then, Lesser Lord Kusanali, would you be willing to cooperate with me? Not with The Doctor though." He requested.

Il Dottore sighed. "Oh, this might be trouble, I was thinking of capturing and keeping her away so that she wouldn't meddle with my experiments."

"Those are some strong words there, outcast." Dehya glared.

He jested. "As if she hasn't been taken prisoner already."

"Her lack of appearance must be caused by the sages keeping her hostage, chances are you were also within this plan." Analyzed Alhaitham.

"Keeping a god hostage uh?" Azazel murmured.

If he recalled, Cocytus was a place where they had many dangerous individuals imprisoned, Samael being one of them.

Was Cocytus able to also imprison gods? He was sure it had the capabilities, but they never really had a reason to do that.

Perhaps doing some fail safes just in case they needed to do that would be fine.

"But I see you have other ideas, senior."

"... Zandik." Issei said sternly.

"... Yes?" Il Dottore said with seriousness.

"Ooooooh, using his actual name?" Scaramouche said interested.

"Well, suppose this is like a scolding mother angry at her child... not like something you'd know about." Il Dottore shot back.

"Zandik... if I recall, that means heretic in Zoroastrian sources." Michael hummed.

"Fitting, given who he is." Sirzechs commented.

"I know I've asked a lot from you ever since I joined the Fatui." Admitted Issei. "But you know that everything I've asked from you has further progressed your investigations."

"... That is true."

"Would it be so hard to allow me to cooperate with Kusanali? I promise you that it will help you in the long run." Promised Issei.

"You've already seen what happened when I gave you my daughter to experiment on, right? What was it... that project that I can't remember the name of..."

Nahida's eyes widened once again in disgust.

"Oh boy..." Sighed Sethos, not liking the sound of it..

Irina looked at Issei with a bit of confusion and sadness. She didn't expect him to go this far.

Issei noticed this as he said. "I'm... not him, I don't understand why he would do that..."

Kiba on the other hand clenched his fist as he saw similarities with him and that poor girl.

"Again?" Kiba growled. It felt like this hotel was taunting him for his past traumas.

Rias did notice this, she also noticed the amount of times this theme appeared.

Koneko was about to say something to Issei, but she decided to hold back, surely the pervert wasn't this bad right?

"I do, I remember the experiments quite well actually, given that your daughter played a very vital role in a breakthrough of the research." Il Dottore recalled.

"Yes, everything you've requested from me, from curing your daughter, to recommending you to the Fatui, they've all helped me in the long run indeed."

"It... it really is me?" Collei whispered as she looked at Issei.

Was... was this boy her father in that world?

Her memories of her actual parents were blurry, the most she remembered was that she was given to a man who she didn't really want to remember right now.

And said individual sent her to The Doctor.

In this scenario, Issei had directly given her to The Doctor.

And... she felt a bit angry that her own father would do such a thing.

But at the same time... she knew that he felt guilty, this explained why he didn't want to interact with Forest Rangers, he knew she was there.

He still cared about her, but didn't feel like he was worthy of being part of her life.

She was conflicted, while on one hand, he saw that she still had a father that cared about her... that didn't justify the suffering she had to go through, all because of him.

No, if she was the one in that world, she was sure she wouldn't forgive him for what he did.

"Though, what will I get this time, however?"

"... Two Gnoses." Declared Issei.

"A bold but appealing offer, I must say." Commented Il Dottore.

"Why, that's a very promising trade, though, which ones in particular?"

"The Electro and Dendro Gnosis."

"... Yet the Electro Gnosis is already in our possession, what are you insinuating?"

"Oh no, so they actually got the Electro Gnosis?" Paimon said with worry.

"Whatever happened in Inazuma... we at least know that the Fatui's mission was accomplished there." Aether added.

"The Balladeer will fail." Issei revealed. "He is not fit to become a god, even after all the enhancements you made for him."

"Once he learns about the truth, he will defect immediately."

"That is a bold statement." Scaramouche said as he looked at Issei with hostile intention.

"Do you not realize? I have been waiting for this moment from the beginning, I am more than prepared." He claimed.

Xenovia glared at him. "Never have I seen anyone so arrogant as you."

"Say what you will, but this is the truth." He reassured.

"So you're saying that we should cut him loose?" Wondered Il Dottore.

"No, I mean we should let him choose his own path after he is defeated." Issei shook his head.

"I should know how he feels, to be betrayed by your own creator..." Issei downcasted his gaze as he looked at his arm covered in Eleazar.

"Don't give me your pathetic empathy." Growled Scaramouche in annoyance.

Why was this man so keen on trying to reform him?

He expected the viewings to be nothing more than mere entertainment, what that man said back then peaked his interest. After all, he said the same things as him.

But now, he realized that this viewing would show more than that boy's story, it showed the story of many others, and his was included.

"... Fine, I will cooperate, but I will ask for many conditions in exchange." Nahida accepted.

"Thanks for your cooperation, now then..." Issei smiled as he then looked back at Il Dottore. "We'll unfortunately have to cut your experiment short."

The Doctor sighed. "Now, why would you do that?"

"Well, first of all, these ARE the people of Sumeru, which Lesser Lord Kusanali protects." Explained Issei.

"A shame, I suppose I'll heed your request, senior."

"That easily?" Dehya said, a bit skeptical.

"What can I say? My senior's talking after all, and I am one to always keep my deals." Stated Il Dottore. "Are you still untrusting of my morality?"

"More than anything, you are still a threat to Sumeru." Alhaitham commented. "Given your reputation it would be foolish to blindly trust you."

"I suppose so."

"What are we to do now? First Sage?" Nahida asked, still wary of Issei.

"Why, to follow the Traveler of course, I did promise them that I would show them the dessert."

"Then, if I may, I believe we could go somewhere first to regroup, I believe I am able to predict where they will go."

"Oh, I'm sure you'd know, you can read minds after all, can't you?"

"... I can, yet I am unable to do the same with you."

"Think of it as a trick I learnt when I served Rukkhadevata." He jested.

"The Dendro Archon can read minds?" Layla wondered.

Issei started sweating bullets.

Surely, no one would read his mind, right?

Unfortunately for him, Nahida had already entered his thoughts a while ago, just the same as everyone else.

Let's just say that Nahida was a bit confused about some of his thoughts.

The scene changed.

"Phew... Hopefully we can meet Tighnari as quickly as possible..." Paimon said as she gasped for air.

"... I am quite curious as to how you are exhausted from floating." Alhaitham muttered. "Does floating deplete energy? Is there more than just floating?"

"Uh... Paimon thinks there are more important things than how Paimon flies." She pointed out.

"Don't just switch the topic." Aether sighed.

"That aside, hopefully Nahida's doing well for herself, leaving her with two Fatui Harbingers seems dangerous..." Lumine commented.

"I wouldn't worry much." Mentioned Alhaitham. "While I understand that there is animosity between you and the Fatui, I believe Gianduja to be someone of his word."

"Didn't expect you to trust him that much." Said Lumine.

"There is no denying that he has certain traits that could be considered suspicious, but his ties to the Akademiya and also to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata prove that his intentions do not align with the Outcast or any of the other Fatui present."

"Wait, what?" Paimon asked.

"I still do not know what his connection to Sumeru is, but it is unlikely for him to refuse to tell me everything given how he knows how I act."

Paimon then noticed up ahead at the entrance of Pardis Dhyai that there was two individuals waiting there.

"Hey... isn't that?" She muttered.

"Nahida?" Lumine called as she went up to the possessed Katheryne, only to stop once she noticed that Issei was talking to her.

"Nahida? What's that name?" Wondered Faruzan.

"If I had to guess, it's the same case as Rex Lapis." Guessed Alhaitham. "In his form, he goes by Zhongli, if that's the case, perhaps Lesser Lord Kusanali goes by Nahida."

"Traveler, I see that you've finally arrived, Nahida here told me that I would be able to reunite with you if I were to come here." He greeted.

"... Gianduja..." She glared once again.

"A sharp glare there, no need for hostilities, I was able to come to an agreement with Il Dottore and Nahida." He explained.

"How can we trust that it truly is Nahida?" Lumine interrogated as she put her hand over the hilt of her sword.

"A valid suspicion." Commented Kiba.

"But... there isn't another Katheryne in Sumeru, right? It shouldn't be possible for the Fatui to immediately replace her?" Argued Paimon.

"Yet the Traveler has the right idea." Nahida agreed. "It is important to be wary given the current situation."

"Given that you could have not known what both Fatui Harbingers could have done to me, it is natural to be cautious of who you talk to."

"A puddle may look shallow until one steps on it after all."

"I don't understand..." Asia muttered.

"Uh... I think that actually checks out..." Paimon deadpanned.

"Yeah, I believe this is actually Nahida." Lumine sighed with relief.

"Uh? But I wasn't trying to convince you that I was Nahida?" The Dendro Archon asked in confusion.

"Doesn't she seem a bit... innocent?" Kaveh pointed out.

"Truthfully, it is understandable, being imprisoned and being so young... she's bound to have less experience than most." Nilou rationalized.

Issei softly laughed. "I suppose there are still things you still need to learn." Just as he said that, he pat Katheryne's head.

"Uh?" Sona said, dumbfounded by this.

"Did... he just headpat the Dendro Archon?" Candace said, impressed by his guts.

"A bit too friendly there." Dori admitted.

"From the looks of it however, she doesn't seem to care." Analyzed Faruzan.

"To think a god would allow themselves to be belittled." Huffed Scaramouche.

Realizing what he was doing, he quickly took away his hand and used it to pretend to cough. "A-anyways, I believe you should get going with our tour, but first, I believe you came here for something else, right?"

He then looked at Alhaitham, who had been silently waiting. "I'll explain it to you once we are out of Sumeru Forest, the dessert should be safer and quieter for me to explain everything more calmly."

"Sooner or later, you will explain everything, I am patient, there are more important things in the moment." Alhaitham commented.

"I thank you for your hospitality." Issei smiled.

"We're here looking for Tighnari." Lumine revealed. "We should get moving now."

While looking for him, they entered the greenhouse that contained plenty of exotic plants. Yet amidst the flora stood a woman that Paimon and Lumine recognized.

Hearing the steps, she turned around as she widened her eyes. "Traveler? Is that you?"

"Hey! Haypasia!" Paimon greeted.

"It's a surprise to see you here." Greeted Lumine as well.

"Oh, so you've actually become acquaintanced with Haypasia?" Smiled Tighnari.

Paimon then said. "We are always up to meeting new people!"

"I'm glad to see you two again..." Just then she noticed the people around them. "T-the scribe? It's a pleasure meeting you! It's a surprise seeing you here!"

"I see that you're quite familiar with the infrastructure of the Akademiya." Alhaitham didn't show much emotion as he greeted back. "Don't mind me, I am merely investigating a topic, I coincidentally followed the Traveler as we were going to the same area later."

Not wishing to intrude any further into the conversation, Haypasia went back to talking to the Traveler, but before that, she simply nodded.

"Traveler, would you mind introducing her?" Nahida asked with curiosity.

"She's a scholar we met in the Avidya Forest... the same forest Gianduja left me unconscious." She glared again.

"She's not letting that down, is she?" Deadpanned Issei.

"Well, it was rude of you to just leave a girl there." Akeno teased.

"If my sister holds a grudge, it's hard for her to give it up." Added Aether.

Issei nervously laughed. "Well, I had my reasons as I said... but I assume you were still there training in the Satyavada Life, am I correct to assume that?"

"You would be right! Ah! That being said, I do believe you came in the right time." She added. "Not many people have talked to me ever since I've arrived here..."

"You seem quite excited!" Paimon smiled. "Actually, since you're here, does that mean that you're no longer in training?"

"Wait no! You'd be still training if you only reached Satyavada Life! Does that mean that you got to Paripurna Life?!"

Haypasia puffed her chess with pride. "Why yes!"

"Again, why is everyone so fast?!" Faruzan said, frustrated as she knew people who spent their entire lives trying to reach it to no avail.

"This generation is very promising." Cyno commented.

"My consciousness has been able to make contact with the divine." She revealed.

Nahida frowned as she put her hand over her chin. This act was noticed by Alhaitham as he also had a bad feeling about this.

Noticing their looks, Scaramouche smiled. "So it has begun."

Meanwhile, Paimon did notice as she then congratulated her.

Lumine on the other hand was able to notice the silence from the group of three that was also present, yet the decided to ignore them while still being wary. "I am very happy for you."

"It's so nice to finally share this moment with others." She said as she laughed a bit. "The feeling of when I was able to make contact with those from above, such an exhilarating feeling..."

Lumine and Paimon looked at one another with concern noticing her sporadic movements.

"Are... most scholars are enthusiastic when they reach Paripurna Life?" Ravel said, a bit uncomfortable.

"No, they are not, at least the way she is expressing it." Tighnari said with a serious tone.

"... That's incredible!" Paimon complimented.

"Haypasia, do you know where Tighnari is? We've been looking for him for a bit now." Lumine asked.

"Ah! I believe I do! But please, wait for a moment, I haven't forget our promise." She responded. "I promised I would help your understanding of Irminsul once I gained deeper insight, didn't I?"

"As a matter of fact, not only do I have true insight, but I am also able to help you connect to the divine!"

"You're able to do that?" Paimon inquired.

"... What do you think, Nahida?" Asked Lumine.

"I never heard about anything of the sorts, but I'll protect you in the case that anything goes wrong." She promised.

"... I do believe I know what is going on... though, it would be better for you to look into it, it will be helpful in the long run." Stated Issei.

"You're seriously going to throw her under the bus?" Koneko deadpanned.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to follow his plan." Issei shrugged. "Nothing has really gone badly with his decisions."

"I cannot deny that." Sighed Koneko.

"I've brought some Spirit Borneol with me that I had spare from training, it is still an important part of the ceremony, you see." Haypasia explained.

"Here now, I'll help establish a connection from your consciousness." She said as she grabbed Lumine's hand.

"Are you ready?"

Lumine nodded.

The scene changed.

"It took three betrayals for me to finally understand..."

"Ah..." Scaramouche smiled.

"Wait, isn't that..." Paimon said as she looked at The Balladeer.

"Yes, my memories, it appears it is time for you to see why being a god is by destiny." He declared.

"This world is filled with a tapestry of lies."

"My ire cannot be extinguished."

"My first betrayal was a god."

"My creator... my mother."

"That's..." Kaveh recognized that figure.

"The Shogun." Alhaitham finished.

"So you were created by the Electro Archon?" Faruzan said in awe.

"That would also explain why we met him in Inazuma..." Aether realized.

"Oh, so you are like a demi god then?" Azazel chuckled.

"No, a god if you will." Refuted Scaramouche.

"Suit yourself." Shrugged Azazel.

"Seeking strength, she saw me as a worthless puppet, and I was discarded."

Scaramouche gritted his teeth. These memories made him furious as he remembered his upbringing.

"The second was a human."

"My family... my friend."

"Overwhelmed by fear, he deemed me an abomination."

"The Mikage Furnace..." Layla whispered. She remembered a while ago there being a bit of discourse as people wanted to know what truly happened there.

But to see Scaramouche be so happy in that place before the disaster...

She wondered, did he have anything to do with it?

No, it was obvious, why else would it show such graphic depictions of him?

"The third one was the exact same as I."

"Hope for the next day... a fledgling ready to spread his wings."

"Powerless against death, he revealed his plastic promise."

"How sad..." Asia said, saddened to see such a young boy die before they could grow up.

"Humans... cannot be trusted. And the thought of the gods above abhors me."

"So I said good riddance! I condemn this world and laugh at its face."

"This chest won't ever be tainted by earthly filth again."

"I will wash it all away until human emotions are no more."

"All that will be left is an empty, blank, slate."

"Ready to attain its birthright, the divinity bestowed by a Gnosis."

"..."

"Be not afraid."

"Pain will be temporary."

"But your legacy... will fade away."

"Those last words... Are they a threat to the Dendro Lord?" Alhaitham muttered.

"I believe so, given that the Akademiya's sages have become ambitious, it would not surprise me that their purpose was truly to create a god." Tighnari stated.

"Then... does that mean that they also want to replace Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Nilou asked with worry.

"Unfortunately, this seems to be it, they were, after all, keeping her prisoner." Sighed Cyno.

"So we now completely know their motivations... all that is left is Hyoudou's past and the truth." Dehya recounted.

"A lot has been revealed in just a few moments, I believe we are all quite exhausted, and this doesn't look like it's stopping any time soon." Added Layla.

"Look who's talking, the one who's actually asleep." Jested Sethos.

The scene changed

Lumine opened her eyes, alarmed by what she just saw.

"W-what was that?!" Paimon said as she also came back to reality from the connection.

"That... wasn't Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's or King Deshret's consciousness..." Lumine whispered.

"Yeah! That had to be The Balladeer's memories!" Paimon insisted. "Wait! How is he connected to the divine consciousness?!"

Nahida looked at Issei, to which Issei merely nodded, confirming her doubts.

Haypasia on the other hand felt intoxicated by the presence of Scaramouche. "You saw it? Didn't you? A splendid god, of strong will and great emotions!"

Irina cringed. "She reminds me of those overly zealous believers."

"Such faith is good... but this is just an obsession." Xenovia stated.

Tighnari did worry about his colleague. "Hopefully, this isn't permanent..."

"If only... if I wasn't a disgusting creature with a chest filled with a beating heart... Please, lead this helpless lamb to redemption and salvation!"

"Oh... wow..." Frowned Sethos.

"She's gone crazy!" Dori said, a bit fearful of such a person.

"... Haypasia." Alhaitham called out with a stern voice.

"Y-yes scribe?" She said in shock.

"It is an unfortunate event, however, you have strayed from the path." He expressed.

"W-what?"

"N-no... it can't be... Have I lost my mind?" She said as she grasped her head in disbelief.

"I..." Haypasia spoke no more as she slowly backed away in silence, accepting her own fate.

Just then, a loud march resounded outside the garden, the group looked outside to see Eremites rushing towards them.

Alhaitham and Issei drew their weapons as they blocked them off.

"Oh dear, The Doctor seems to have other plans for us." Chuckled Issei.

"Keeping your promises... uh?" Lumine glared.

"Well, I suppose I did get greedy there." Admitted Il Dottore playfully.

"Traveler, haven't you come here to meet someone? Now would be the best time to go meet them." Alhaitham advised.

"Oh! And make sure to leave with Nahida and not come back! I don't want to meet the Forest Rangers any time soon!" Requested Issei.

"What's your issue with Forest Rangers?!" Yelled Paimon.

"Man, he really doesn't like Forest Rangers." Kaveh said as he scratched the back of his head.

Collei continued silent as she realized she was the only one to connect the dots.

Just how much guilt did he have to straight up not associate himself with anything related to her?

The scene changed.

"Paimon... can't... anymore..." Paimon huffed as she finally crashed into the arid ground after running as much as she could.

"Uf... that was a run." Issei said as he finally calmed down. He checked to see if everyone was present, and thankfully, Nahida and Alhaitham were able to follow them.

He then looked at Lumine. "Welcome Traveler, to Caravan Ribat!"

"Over there you can see the Wall of Samiel! Created by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to deter the sandstorms of the desert from taking over Sumeru Forest." He explained.

Alhaitham started walking past Issei as he then said. "One of the main attractions in the desert is Aaru Village, Caravan Ribat has little to nothing aside from the Wall of Samiel, I suggest we hasten our retreat."

"Taking the role of guide now, are we?" Joked Sethos.

"There is no point in stalling when we are still in danger." Responded Alhaitham.

"My, are you perhaps still wary that we'll meet more Eremites? I suppose Aaru Village is indeed safer." Sighed Issei.

"I am sure more mercenaries will come after us, I believe the best course of action is to leave before they catch us, given our numbers, it is impossible to hide in the current situation." He analyzed.

"It's not just because you're looking for me to finally reveal who I am, right?" Issei teased.

"That is part of the reason, but again, as a scholar, having to wait to finally learn about an interesting topic is nothing, it is a price I am willing to pay." He stated.

"Patience is a virtue after all." Commented Michael.

"It is also very important in the Akademiya." Cyno explained.

Issei merely smiled as he then said. "It is a shame that the rest of the Akademiya does not follow the same principles as you."

"Though there have been many rules imposed within it, nowadays the scholars ignore them."

"But then again... the more rules that exist, the closer it is to scrumbling." He mentioned.

"That's... ominous." Uttered Faruzan.

"Restricting the matra from their work is one of the factors that may lead to its possible fall." Cyno assumed.

"Perhaps even its overreliance on the Akasha could be another reason why." Tighnari added.

"I would have to agree with that, the Akasha is helpful, but it doesn't really forment the experience and work schedule of researching." Agreed Layla, she was, after all, one of the few who actually wrote and researched her own essays with minimal usage of the Akasha.

"... I want to ask, how or why did you cut your ties with the Akademiya." Alhaitham inquired.

"... Breaking each single sin that was put in the Akademiya..." He revealed.

"Well, that's a tall order." Bluntly said Kaveh.

"How is it possible for someone to break all of them?" Frowned Faruzan.

"Honestly? That's actually impressive." Admitted Sethos.

Alhaitham frowned hearing that as he then continued interrogating. "Then that explains why your name is nowhere to be seen anywhere within the Akademiya."

"Though, it may be possible to find you in the Forbidden Repository..." He added.

"Unwise to do so, however." Added Issei.

"I know that, I am merely stating the possibility of sightings of your existence within the Akademiya."

Issei sighed. "Either way, I've committed all sins..."

"My daughter was an experiment." He downcasted his gaze in regret. "Created from my own blood and remnants of a god... who'd be Rukkhadevata."

"Two sins were committed in her creation, for I tampered with human evolution and life and death."

"I hold knowledge from outside this world, and also from within this world, a result of my life before the Akademiya."

"I know the origin of words and what cannot be understood."

"My fifth sin comes from following the Tsaritsa, who I revere without any attachment."

"And lastly, all of these sins were committed without hesitation, I knew what I was doing, and I never attempted to stop myself nor did I care about the consequences." He finished revealing.

"Do you see now, Alhaitham? The kind of person that I am?" He rhetorically asked.

"That's a lot to digest..." Muttered Kaveh.

Collei did wonder however... What were the actual remnants that resided in her?

On the other hand, she was surprised to hear that she had part of Rukkhadevata inside her, how he was able to do that was a mystery to her.

And lastly... She had no mother in that world? This was a bit of a surprise, she expected that the boy had at the very least had her with that girl he met when he lost his memories.

Alhaitham stopped walking for a moment, just as they were in front of Aaru Village.

"Yes, I do." He stated. "All I saw in front of me was someone who wished to cut ties with the Akademiya, someone who saw the ever growing corruption from within."

"I do not know what your motives for trying to be erased from the history of the Akademiya are, but I know that it was not out of malice, but rather, perhaps from a sense of duty."

"Given that you went as far as committing all of the sins it is doubtful that you were a mere Dastur."

"I could see you as a Herbad or even a Sage."

"But even with those positions, you would have been completely erased from all records..."

"Yet you did not deny the idea that your efforts and research were not in the Forbidden Repository, as such, it must mean that you know that they would keep them in there."

"And that leaves me with what your position in the Akademiya was..."

"You were a grand sage at once, and given your wish to talk to Lesser Lord Kusanali, but also get answers about Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, I come to the conclusion that you are in fact, the First Grand Sage of the Dendro Archon." He concluded.

"Oh wow, you actually hit it in the center." Kaveh said, surprised to see his roommate have such an accurate answer.

"Expected from the scribe." Nodded Cyno.

"My, that is one bright mind." Complimented Azazel.

"Though, I do think that the part about corruption is the only incorrect part." Sirzech pointed out.

"I suppose I still need to work on my skills." Alhaitham stated.

"... Congratulations, you are correct." Issei smiled. "I'm happy to see that the current era of scholars is nothing less than spectacular."

"I shall tell you the rest of my story, you deserve to know as much after all the work you've put into discovering my identity."

"... But first..." He pulled out his guandao and turned around, blocking the spear of an incoming enemy.

To the surprise of the Traveler and Paimon, they saw the dark skinned individual take a step back as he repositioned his spear.

A few jolted in surprise at the sudden attack.

"Ah, so you finally decide to appear?" Chuckled Tighnari.

"It was bound to happen, I suppose." Cyno admitted.

"General Mahamatra Cyno, what pleasure do I have to meet you at Aaru Village?" Issei asked.

"Furthermore, what reason do you have to come here? Unless my memory fails me, there is no reason for us to gain your wrath." Alhaitham added.

"Both of you, though you may have been able to dodge my attacks, judgement is still pending." Cyno reminded.

"You know, I do find it fascinating just how different you are between work and outside work." Tighnari pointed out.

"My work and my life are two different sides, there is no need to mesh them together." Explained Cyno.

Cyno and Alhaitham took a step forward as they glared at one another.

As the tension became suffocating, Nahida, Lumine and Paimon looked ready to act if things went south.

Issei on the other hand...

The soft sound of his weapon dropping onto the sand as he grasped his head was noticed by everyone present.

"Issei?!" Yelled Irina alarmed by his sudden pain.

"Urk! Why..." He looked up to see Alhaitham and Cyno once again, however, it quickly flashed back and forth with two other men that had a few similarities to them.

"How, intriguing." Sirzech uttered. "Looks like those two somehow unlocked a new memory for him."

"Issei what do you think we should do?" An elderly man whose face was covered with his white beard and hair asked.

"Kamui wrote on his will that Lara was to become the Sage of the Amurta Darshan." A man covered in armor reminded.

"Wouldn't this be nepotism?" Layla asked.

"While some Sages do tend to put their recommendations, it is also up to the other sages if they agree or not." Alhaitham explained.

"Soooooo, does that mean that my grandmother in that world could have been a sage?" Kaveh asked.

"From the looks of it, it seems so." Nodded Tighnari.

"Leave it up to her choice, whether she wishes to become the sage or not is up to her choice, though I do believe she is fit for the role." Responded Issei.

"... That aside, I've come to report something very... intriguing..." The white haired old man said.

"Alhaitham, that boy whose father is friends with Faranak's husband?" He recalled. "It has come to my attention that he is indeed a descendant of Georgius."

"Who's Georgius?" Wondered Nilou.

"I do not recall a name like that." Alhaitham responded. "But... what's the relevancy of his lineage?"

"Nor do we." Rias also answered. "This is quite interesting, I assume this is just like..."

"... Avance, are you completely sure about this?" Issei spoke.

"Avance? That's Avance?" Rias said with surprise.

"He's far older than I expected him to be." Akeno commented.

"Perhaps we are only seeing him in his later stages in life." Kiba suggested. "After all, wasn't Hyoudou immortal in that world?"

"No, you're right, this does explain a bit." Rias agreed.

"More sure than ever, that would mean that that man and I are related by blood in a way..." Avance sighed.

"So, am I related to this Avance?" Hummed Alhaitham. "Yet I've never heard of a man such as him."

"... As for your sons..." Issei asked.

"... You know my time will come soon, I will die of old age before I can see my second son grow..." He revealed.

"If... that time ever comes, take care of him, Cyno, I mean."

"What?!" Cyno yelled in surprise.

Cyno, was after all, supposed to be an orphan taken in by Cyrus after he took him.

But hearing that this supposed man was his father?

He did wonder who his biological family was.

"Wait... then wouldn't that mean that Alhaitham and Cyno are somewhat related?" Kaveh realized.

"At the very least in that world, I do not recall out families connecting in any way whatsoever." Alhaitham clarified.

"Man, that world feels like something straight out of a light novel." Issei muttered.

"There is so much drama, I might actually take ideas from it and then possibly have the Yae House publish it." Dori said as she rubbed her hands together.

Collei for the most part frowned, this meant that technically, her father in that world would have taken care of the one who later helped her seal the remnants.

Why was everything so connected together?

Issei stood up as he let out a nervous laugh.

"I never did that, did I?" He asked himself. "I did the same to him just like I did to my daughter..."

"I... I left them in the hands of other people with their own agendas..."

He looked up to see Cyno again, unable to really look him in the eyes due to his guilt, he clenched his fist as he grabbed sand and gritted his teeth.

"Truthfully, I do think he is somewhat of a tragic character." Ravel commented.

"Quite a few mistakes that would later haunt him, that's how life unfortunately goes." Azazel sighed.

"Maybe... maybe that's why Rukkhadevata betrayed me... maybe she saw I was a monster in the making..."

"... No, that was before I did any of those horrible things..."

"I... I still need to discover what drove her to leave me behind." He said with determination.

"Gianduja..." Nahida said with sympathy, she didn't know what Rukkhadevata did either, and she wished to also know too.

But... it felt like in Issei's case, it was far more important for him than his own life.

He grabbed his guandao once again and asked Cyno. "Tell me, are you still looking to fight?"

"The General Mahamatra against a Fatui Harbinger, I do wonder just how strong both of them are." Wondered Cao Cao.

"The fact that you're siding with Alhaitham deems you as an accomplice, if I were you, I wouldn't stand by his side." He said with hostility.

"Cease to assist him, and in exchange, there won't be any punishment, as you know nothing of what he has done... otherwise, you will see the consequences." He warned.

"... You would be very far from the truth." Issei revealed. "I assume you are looking to bring back the Divine Capsule, am I to be correct?"

"Yet... why are you, a General of the Mahamatra all alone in the desert?" Alhaitham added. "Furthermore, the matra have not seen your activity these past few days."

"Wait! You had the capsule this whole time?" Paimon yelled in disbelief.

"I told him to pick it up and hide it, so blame me instead of him." Mentioned Issei. "But anyways, I believe we should stop and talk this out like members of the Akademiya, don't you think? I still have much to reveal to Alhaitham, and my explanation is already overdue."

"So please, do not stand in our way." Threatened Issei.

"This is quite tense." Sethos whispered.

"Do you think they will actually start fighting?" Wondered Nilou.

"I doubt it, they are doing it in front of Aaru Village." Dehya responded.

"Wow, didn't expect the smiling one to act so pissed." A female voice could be heard behind them.

"Dehya!" Paimon called with a smile.

"And that's also the reason why." Dehya chuckled seeing herself appear again.

"Oh? Katheryne's here as well? The Adventurer's Guild post has been empty, I guess this explains we're you've been."

"Well, that aside, I wasn't expecting to see two important figures of the Akademiya have such bad blood between them, it would have been interesting to see them duke it out here right now." She commented.

"That being said, doing so in front of Aaru Village? Now that's something I can't let slide."

"I knew the Akademiya was disrespectful, but I didn't expect them to be this much... I suppose I'll have to beat it into you until you finally get it." She sighed in frustration.

"And... you're doing the same as them." Candace deadpanned.

"What can I say? I'm more than anything specialized in combat, not diplomacy." Dehya defended herself.

"I suppose you're right." Issei agreed. "Shall we talk this out inside Aaru Village? I am pretty sure a sandstorm is brewing soon."

Just as he said that, a sandstorm indeed started blowing.

"That was well timed." Sighed Dehya. "But honestly, quite appreciated."

"Hey! All of you! We have to take cover as soon as possible!" Someone from the village yelled at the group as she signaled to the building.

"So you finally appear as well, uh? Candace?" Chuckled Dehya.

"It's to be expected, I mean we're in the desert, dessert folk appear." Sethos pointed out.

"Although... some of us haven't even appeared or talked yet..." He realized.

"All I got was mentioned, but I suppose I am too busy doing research at the Akademiya." Faruzan reasoned.

Layla, or rather, her alter ego nodded. "Poor Layla's probably sleeping while I do all the work."

Alhaitham and Cyno both seemed to still be wary of one another.

Issei sighed as he grabbed Alhaitham by the ear. "Stop it right now, do you think Cyno's going to be able to take down a Fatui Harbinger and a Scribe?"

"Let go of my ear, I got the message." Alhaitham demanded with annoyance.

Kaveh started laughing loudly. "Oh! That's rich!"

Alhaitham sighed. "Never expected to have my ear yanked."

"At least we know Hyoudou can act like a parent sometimes." Giggled Akeno.

Collei felt like she dodged a bullet there.

Same as Cyno.

The scene changed.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Despite taking shelter from the sandstorm, the inside wasn't any better, an awkward silence reigned over as each one looked at one another with wariness.

"Awkwaaard...." Muttered Sethos.

"Everyone... I believe staying quiet until the sandstorm is gone is not productive." Nahida pointed out.

"Make yourselves at home, this is the Village Chief's home, but I believe it may be a bit small given the amount of people currently present, so I apologize for that." Candace spoke.

"I'm Candace, protector of Aaru Village." She introduced herself.

"Thanks for breaking the awkward silence." Thanked Paimon. "Nice to meet you! Paimon's Paimon! And here is the Traveler!"

"There is no need to thank me, it is only natural to help one another given the rough weather."

"That aside, I believe it is time to talk about the elephant in the room." She changed the subject.

"Given my job as protector of the village, I had a hawk eye's view of your small conflict before the sandstorm even appeared." She revealed. "That being said, now that you're inside Aaru Village, it is my duty to make sure you are no threat to this safe haven."

"So I ought you to be honest to one another and have it all sorted out by talking to each other."

"Otherwise... I will take it as a declaration that you do not wish to cooperate, as such, you will be treated as if you were outside inside the sandstorm." She threatened.

"... For a moment Paimon thought that Miss Candace was just the gentle big sis type..." She comically cried out of fear.

"That's just usual business for Candace." Laughed Dehya.

"... That goes to you too, Miss Dehya." Added Candace.

"Shit." Her laughter was cut short.

Issei raised his hand. "She had nothing to do with the conflict between us." He stated.

"No, I believe I do have reason to be put together with you all." She insisted. "After all, I did threaten to beat you all if you were to not adhere to the rules."

"Though, I do believe that you and those two should start talking." Dehya mentioned.

Cyno crossed his arms as he then declared. "I have nothing to hide, as such, I am willing to explain myself."

"The other matra indeed do not know my whereabouts, and the reason for that is because I decided to exile myself." He explained.

"Oh, that's a surprise." Tighnari hummed.

"I suppose I noticed the corruption in the Akademiya." Cyno sighed. "I believe this was the best course of action."

"Exiled yourself?" Asked Paimon.

"Recently, there was an inconsistency with the data about Akademiya's project planning and developing files."

"As General Mahamatra, I had the responsibility to request an audit. Yet the one who made this error was the Grand Sage Azar himself."

"Since we know that he's been having deals with the Fatui, it comes to no surprise what they truly were." Layla muttered.

"After trying to research the issue so I can formally request an audit, it came to my attention that all information was attempted to be concealed from me."

"As such... I came to the conclusion that they were cautious of me from the beginning."

"And unsurprisingly, the Grand Sage rejected my request, even going as far as telling me that my position as General Mahamatra was inferior to his."

"Quite the red flag there." Faruzan huffed.

"Truthfully, such behavior should have been obvious, I do not understand how we could have not realized sooner." Sighed Kaveh.

"We did realize, the issue was how to deal with it, going up front would have led to us being silenced." Explained Alhaitham. "In other words, we had no power to go against it."

Alhaitham looked at Issei. "So they're really been planning on that, uh?"

Cyno ignored him as he continued. "To them, the matra was a tool which was used to control knowledge."

"The vows and principles that built the Akademiya... meant nothing to them."

"And that's why you exiled yourself, then?" Lumine inquired.

"I believed that it would be wise to flee from the Akademiya before they could take any action against me." Explained Cyno.

"Yet they predicted that." Refuted Issei. "You underestimate just how prepared the Grand Sage was for any possible threat to this project."

"Then you're someone who is in the know of this project?" Cyno glared.

"I know of it, but I am not part of it." Issei explained. "The Fatui have been working in the background and have convinced the Akademiya to work together on this project. While the Sages would do the research and experimentation, the Fatui would take care of the expenses and budget."

"... Though you do not seem an enemy, I won't stop keeping an eye on you." Cyno mentioned.

"At this point, I feel like it is tradition for that to happen." Mumbled Issei.

"Look at it this way, partner, you're powerful enough for people to be wary of you." Ddraig mentioned.

"That is fine by me, as a matter of fact, I welcome it more than anything. I hope we can cooperate in this instance."

"Seems like that animosity is gone now." Candace smiled. "Now then, Dehya? Would you mind explaining your case now?"

Dehya sighed. "Well, long story short, my employer, Dunyarzad of the Homayani family, is friends with the Traveler, and also acquaintanced with Gianduja as fellow supporters of Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"I had no more work to do, so I decided to come back to Aaru Village, I was merely expecting to chill and have a break with everyone here..."

"That was until I saw this lot having a standstill in the middle of the village, and that sort of ticked me off."

"Is that all then? Well, I suppose that's like you, Dehya. Either way, welcome back."

Suddenly, a loud growl could be heard outside of the room.

"What is hidden within the sandstorm?" Wondered Irina.

"Monsters, many of them." Explained Candace. "Though... Now that I think about it, the frequency of these sandstorms has been increasing lately."

"You reckon it has anything to do with what is going on with the Akademiya?" Wondered Tighnari.

"It's possible, but we do not really have any solid proof of it." Said Faruzan.

"Oh dear, looks like the monsters from the sandstorm are more than expected." Issei commented as he stood up.

"Please, sit back down, it is my duty as protector of Aaru Village to take care of them." Insisted Candace.

"Don't be like that, the sandstorms are a result of Irminsul's withering, and let me tell you, I do believe I have reason to deal with the sandstorm." He declined.

"Oh, well, there's our answer." Faruzan said while blinking once, not expecting the answer to be mentioned instantly.

"Irminsul's withering? I knew that there were Withering Zones suddenly appearing more... but to think that Irminsul itself became contaminated..."

He then looked at Alhaitham. "I will explain everything to you after I deal with the sandstorm, I apologize for delaying even further."

Alhaitham simply nodded. "Waiting for the rewards is fine still, so long as you don't suddenly try to escape."

Issei chuckled. "While you're at it, would you mind explaining to the others who Nahida is?" He said as he looked at the possessed Katheryne.

"Oh dear, this is going to be a long story..." Paimon sighed.

"Yeah, good luck convincing people that Katheryne is actually Lesser Lord Kusanali." Laughed Sethos.

"Well, technically speaking, that the Dendro Archon is using a vessel." Clarified Xenovia.

The scene changed.

"Is everyone here now?" Issei said as he looked around.

He saw Alhaitham being the closest to him, perhaps because he was the most interested to find out about him.

"In that case..."

"Oh boy, the moment we've been waiting for." Chuckled Sirzechs.

"I do look forward to finally hearing his past." Alhaitham added.

Issei himself was curious as well.

Just who was he in that world?

"Will you listen to the story of this god of mine?"

"When I woke up, I was laying on a bed of flowers."

Nahida immediately recoiled.

Those were similar words she told herself to fill that loneliness.

"I was a small boy, one whose body was yet to truly form."

"I knew not where my mother was, all I knew was the vast land where the forest thrived."

"I suspected that his origins weren't going to be the same ones as in our world... but I didn't expect him to technically be a completely different person so to speak." Azazel muttered.

"That does leave the question, is this truly Hyoudou? If all of his traits are gone, is it truly him?" Michael wondered.

"He looks the same, but doesn't act the same, what connects him with his other selves is his connections to this so-called Avance." Sirzechs pointed out.

"That is true, but such an individual has yet to meet or might not even meet our own." Argued Vali. "In a way, our version, who holds the Boosted Gear is still different to the one on screen, it might not even be the same identity if you would."

"While that may be true, I do remember debating this when all the other worlds joined to discuss." Azazel remembered.

"Oh, you mean that time you mentioned how Inazuma and Japan had similar cultures, yet could be considered different people?" Alhaitham recounted.

Azazel nodded. "We could use that analogy for this situation too..."

"But we could also use the logic of the Limbus Company related to identities."

Alhaitham remembered the prospect of tapping into the power of different dimensions, where they became other people in a way. "I suppose this could be considered an identity, especially since it is the First Sage after all."

"Truthfully, we could technically see all his other versions as identities as well." Rias interjected. "First was the Black Swan, who replaced another fixer, next was a book hunter, which can also be considered an identity, and finally a manager, again, can still be considered an identity."

"The same can go with all other people that were watched." Kiba added. "For example, according to those of Remnant, Jaune Arc became the Black Silence, although with a different title possibly."

"I do have to disagree in one section however." Alhaitham admitted.

"Identities do not change the identity itself if you would, they merely change the person for another, from what the Limbus Company said, an identity would be if, say, someone else became Angela, a machine with emotions, but if we changed that to a painting with emotions, that wouldn't be an identity of Angela, but something else completely." He explained.

"What Hyoudou is doing right now, is exactly that, and the same can be said for everyone else who's been the subject of these rooms." Finished Alhaitham.

"Uhm... that aside, with all of you rambling about, we were able to confirm that the scenes themselves do pause." Tighnari pointed out.

"Oh, but why would it skip while we talked in previous viewings?" Akeno wondered.

"Perhaps the rooms themselves are able to recognize if something can be skipped or not, in other words, there are some scenes that are vital for us to watch, while others... not so much." Theorized Tighnari.

"That seems reasonable, we wouldn't want to miss out any important details." Sona said as she nodded in understanding.

"I believed myself to be akin to god, for I was formed from nothing."

"Ah, and here you were talking shit about me believing to be a god." Snorted Scaramouche.

"Yet I had no powers, I could not create, nor destroy at my own will."

"I was useless."

"I was... Belial."

"Belial..." Sirzechs muttered.

Yes, one of the pillars of the devil faction, and one that was still alive thankfully.

"A good name however." Rias admitted. "The Belial are known for being compassionate of those around them."

"And... fittingly, they were known for making bad decisions in the past..." Sona added.

"Mmm... that sounds... oddly similar to this version of Issei." Irina uttered.

"It is a shame that they have been struggling for a while now." Michael lamented. "Compared to many, they are quite kind."

"Ah! Now that I think about it, Diehauser did solve that problem right?" Rias remembered.

"Quite so, I've heard that he's called the Emperor due to his dominating influence in Rating Games." Chuckled Azazel. "I hope to see them once we finally finish the alliance."

"He's quite the bright mind, I remember he was Sairaorg's mentor before." Sirzechs reminisced. "But... I still believe that his cousin's death truly affected him."

"It has, and still does even to this day, even if he doesn't show it." Ravel claimed.

"Yet despite my worthlessness... A goddess came to my aid."

"Rukkhadevata, in all her splendor bestowed upon this child, knowledge."

"She was... my first friend... my first family... my other half..."

"We cared not of what may be of the outside world, we merely lived our lives in pure bliss in our self created paradise."

"His connection to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata runs deeper than I expected..." Layla murmured.

"I thought that he was just the First Sage, not... the first companion of the Dendro Lord." Dehya agreed.

"Soon, we found Nabu Malikata,who would later became the Goddess of Flowers."

"She enlightened us of the outside world, and what troubles the other gods suffered."

"We later met King Deshret, who invited us and cherished us, as we were all companions."

"The events also align with the most accepted timeline of the events too." Kaveh added.

"Sumeru... became our playground, we were in truth, the same as kids, curious of searching for knowledge, and sharing everything we had to one another."

Nilou softly smiled with a mental image, imagining them running around like innocent youth gave her a lot of joy.

She wasn't the only one, as Asia and Irina did the same. And especially the latter, as she remembered back when she would play with Issei.

"And just like kids, we thought differently and had our own fights... which lead to our falling out."

"King Deshret, truthfully was indeed someone who was called to become the Dendro Archon..."

"Oh, the Eremites are going to go crazy over this..." Dehya facepalmed.

"Yet he rejected it, for he despised Celestia."

"Uh?" Many noised.

"So wait, the reason why the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata became archon was because... king Deshret declined?" Repeated Faruzan.

"Why would he decline though?" Hummed Layla.

"Rebellion didn't come from injustice, but from dissatisfaction."

"Is he crazy? Did he seriously think he could take on Celestia?!" Dori said with surprise. "That's insanely ambitious!"

"His plans of rebellion divided us all, Nabu Malikata stayed by his side... yet... Rukkhadevata..."

"She left, and so, I followed her."

"Together, we revitalized the Sumeru forest."

"Together, we created life."

"Together... we sacrificed ourselves to try and save Deshret..."

"Try and save him... mmm... It seems to be adding up to his claims and those that we know of." Alhaitham verified.

"Yet in our last moments..."

"... She left me."

"This is his betrayal?" Paimon wondered.

"During the Cataclysm, I only remembered that she caressed my head..."

"And whispered to me..."

"...goodbye... forget me..."

"The betrayal was just that?" Scaramouche said, baffled. "I thought it was going to be something more than just that."

"No, you don't get it, the betrayal was the fact that they both were destined to die together, yet Greater Lord Rukkhadevata denied such a reality." Explained Sona.

"..."

"When I woke up, I was laying on my bed."

Nahida shivered hearing those words. He was truly like her.

But the difference here was that she was still trapped.

"And by my side was my wife."

"I'd dreamed... that I met the Dendro Archon."

"And I dreamed that I traveled across the world to meet her."

"That as the Great Sage, I needed to rescue everything from this calamity..."

"The calamity that happened many years ago..."

"And after that, he started remembering who he truly was." Finished Cyno.

"This is... quite a lot to take in." Collei commented.

"I realized something." Layla said.

"He calls himself Great Sage, not Grand Sage."

"Mmm, that is true, but what's the matter with that?" Kaveh asked.

"Great Sage, Greater Lord." Layla explained.

"Oh... so they had matching titles?" Nilou said. "Uhm... I can't help but think that's quite cute."

"It felt like they were a couple." Bluntly said Koneko.

"Greater Lord... in a relationship?" Muttered Kaveh. "Well, I think it's better than those theories I heard that King Deshret and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata were a couple."

"This one does hold some merit though, they've both known each other the longest, and the way Hyoudou talks does make it seem that way." Admitted Alhaitham.

"So you're telling me that Hyoudou got together with a goddess? My, that's quite the achievement." Giggled Akeno.

"Nevermind other me, you were just being loyal." Issei thought, respecting his other self a lot. He genuinely thought he was selling the bag with the Traveler's sister.

"..." Alhaitham closed his eyes. "Thank you, for telling me everything."

"I promised, didn't I?" Issei said with a melancholic look.

"So wait! You're the First Grand Sage?!" Paimon yelled in disbelief as they all sat around the table of the chief's house.

"Correct, my memories conflict with one another, from before I became the Great Sage and after I was the Grand Sage." Explained Issei.

"And here I thought having Lesser Lord Kusanali present was a shocker." Dehya muttered.

"Well other me, that shocker is exclusive to you." Chuckled Dehya.

Little did she know that the Archon was truly in the room, silently watching, like an outcast.

"But then... What happened to your memories?" Cyno questioned.

"That is what I wish to discover, I have many missing memories from what happened during the Cataclysm..."

"It's funny really, you'd expect me to remember the more recent events that happened, and yet, I remember those old memories like they were just yesterday..."

"No matter, I regained part of my memories a few years ago, and by doing so, the life that I had after the Cataclysm became a blur, to the point I could hardly remember many of the people I met during that period..."

"I wonder who else does Hyoudou know..." Muttered Sona. "You've said that someone called Avance already appeared before, right?"

Rias nodded. "And then appeared here again."

"And he just so happens to be my biological father." Sighed Cyno.

"Just... who is this individual?"

"And just recently... I remembered a bit of my past once again after seeing you Cyno." Issei sighed. "But... that's not important right now..."

"I'm starting to get impatient, you see." He clenched his fist.

"Dehya, if you by any chance know any Eremites, it would be nice if you went around asking them about a man cloaked who asks for Village Keepers, this will be the best way to get done with the issue of those who follow King Deshret."

"That's... oddly specific..." Muttered Irina.

"Ah... so that's why the Village Keepers have been missing lately?" Candice said with a dangerous smile.

"Oh... boy..." Dehya whispered.

"We'll be going further into the desert, I still remember one of the pyramids containing a record of what truly happened that day." He explained. "If they are able to exchange the Village Keepers they have hostage with the possibility of knowing more about King Deshret, it should be enough to convince them."

"Could we do the same?" Wondered Collei.

"More than likely, assuming this can also happen in our world." Cyno responded.

Issei then looked at Nahida for a moment. "Then, what shall we do? Lesser Lord Kusanali? Given how now you're present, you won't need the Village Keepers to protect Aaru Village."

"So you knew." Said Nahida. "What you have just revealed is valuable information, and I believe this cooperation will further our investigation of what happened with Rukkhadevata."

"Some of these minor bits of information being revealed should be surprising to us... but I feel like I am too exhausted at this point." Sighed Sethos.

"I understand you well, I do believe that hearing that our Dendro Archon has been protecting us through the Village Keepers is a further reason as to why we must help her." Candace declared.

"You're right, a kind god like her should not be kept hostage." Agreed Kaveh.

"Either way, however, would this mean you are also my senior? First Sage of Rukkhadevata, Belial." She inquired.

"... I..." He took a deep breath. "If you are comfortable, then yes..."

"His voice seems pained, perhaps there is still more that he was hiding." Thought Lumine.

"Even more? Jeez, I don't know if I can keep up..." Cried Kaveh.

"To me, this feels like an interesting challenge, one where they test our will and focus." Alhaitham assumed.

"I am still trying to keep up, I took a few notes here and there, it reminds me of back when I had to hear the professor talk for hours in class." Chuckled Tighnari.

"Oh, don't remind me of that." Groaned Faruzan.

The scene changed.

"Rhaman, I see you've kept your end of the bargain." Dehya nodded in approval.

Dehya clicked her tongue. "Rhaman? Uh, I wasn't actually expecting him to appear.

"Though I believe that agreeing to any deal with the Dendro Archon, we are forced to keep our words no matter what against so many of you." He said with annoyance.

They were, after all, going up against the Dendro Archon herself, a Fatui Harbinger, General Mahamatra Cyno, Flame-Mane Dehya, the Scribe of Sumeru Akademiya and a Traveler from another land.

Sirzechs laughed. "In that situation, anyone would have immediately surrendered."

"That aside, you saying that you have information about King Deshret makes this exchange even more worthwhile." He added.

Issei took a step forward as he then said. "Nahida, please protect everyone, I will show the passage to King Deshret's Temple."

Those originally from the desert couldn't help but be interested about what he would reveal.

Some of them leaned forward a bit.

He used his Eleazar infected arm and softly touched the ground.

He exerted a bit of force as his arm expanded a bit with scales.

"Ew..." Koneko muttered.

"I've never seen a hand expand like that..." Squirmed Collei.

"I have never seen Eleazar do that, guess he has control over the disease." Tighnari analyzed.

"Interesting..." Muttered Il Dottore.

He never thought about the possibility of weaponizing one using it to his advantage.

Perhaps its scaly form could be used as defense.

Nahida covered everyone present with a barrier as the floor slowly started to crumble.

A few of them screamed, scared that they would fall to their death, yet luckily, they were all left without any injuries.

In front of them now was the entrance of King Deshret's Temple.

"This is... a true miracle." Rahman said in awe.

He then looked back at the other Eremites. "Everyone! From now on you better follow the promise we've made! If I find out that you've hurt any of the Village Keepers, then King Deshret himself will be casting judgement on you once we are to meet him!"

All Eremites nodded in understanding, they were close to a breakthrough now that they were in front of one of King Deshret's Temples.

Dehya smiled, at the very least her fellow Eremite was still true to his words.

"It would be best if we entered in a small group." Nahida suggested.

"Then I'll stay back to help the Village Keepers get back home." Dehya declared.

Rahman glared a bit, still unsure whether this was a ruse or not. "All of you, I suggest you choose a few to follow Dehya, it would be dangerous for her to go alone after all."

Dehya frowned, yet did not object.

"... Did I talk too soon?" She whispered.

"I'm going in." Rahman said as he started walking in.

Lumine and the others then followed suit.

Upon entering, the first thing they saw was the overgrown plants that had taken over the temple.

"This defies all logic." Cyno stated. "From the outside, it seemed desolate, yet it appears to have been taken over by vegetation on the inside."

"No... perhaps what's truly inside is energy." He muttered.

"Mmm... while the structure and architecture indeed matches the many reports about King Deshret's civilization, it appears that the energy that overflows from within is that of the Dendro Archon..." Alhaitham analyzed.

"Belial, or Gianduja if you prefer that name, am I wrong to assume that you wish me to come to my own conclusion instead of awaiting for you to explain it?" He asked.

"You're right, though I wasn't expecting you to be so knowledgeable about architecture, did Kaveh perhaps rub a bit on you?" Issei teased.

"Oooooooooh." Voiced Sethos.

"What are we, children?" Groaned Kaveh. "Just stop teasing will you?"

"If I am truthful, the first time I saw the two of you, I thought you both... uhm... had that sort of relationship." Explained Kiba.

"As if I'd ever be with this stoic faced jerk!" Kaveh yelled. "He probably has less relationship experience than a damn slime!"

"Mmm..." Issei couldn't help but be reminded of a certain type of porn he watched.

"Partner, please." Ddraig sighed.

"Sorry, sorry, but you know that I'm a pervert." He excused.

"What did you even... you know what, maybe I shouldn't be asking." Dehya sighed.

"How funny, just moments ago you were quite serious, do you perhaps have mood swings?" He shot back.

"Ah, the tongue on this guy." Issei laughed.

"I believe now is not the time for idle talk, we should explore deeper to find an explanation of this phenomenon." Nahida suggested.

"Well, I guess I will have to agree with the so-called Dendro Archon." Rahman growled.

"The hatred is strong with this one." Alhaitham commented. "This sort of hatred within those extremist groups needs to be studied."

"Maybe that could be used for my next essay..." Murmured Layla.

"No need for that, I actually know the way through the temple." Revealed Issei. "This place brings back a lot of memories."

Rahman raised an eyebrow hearing that. "What do you mean by that?"

Yet Issei ignored him as he had a nostalgic look on his face. "Deshret... old pal... had you not tried to reach beyond this world... would you have lived happily with Nabu?"

"Wait... then the Flower Goddess and King Deshret..." Nilou widened her eyes at the insinuations.

"I didn't expect that, I thought it would be King Deshret and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, or maybe the Flower Goddess and Greater Lord." Expressed Tighnari.

"Those were likely theories, mostly because we only had the information that he had at that point." Cyno agreed. "But with this new information... it does make sense."

The scene changed.

A tree could be seen growing in the middle of a vast empty space.

Issei had brought them all through the temple to where they were supposed to be.

The beautiful tree that laid before them was far more beautiful than any vegetation they had seen up to this point.

"Beautiful, what is a tree like this doing here?" Lumine questioned.

Issei did not respond as he walked closer to it, the others did the same until they were beneath it.

And beneath was a monument, a tomb to be exact.

"..." Issei got closer as he looked at the runs inscribed on it. "They're still here, uh?"

"You know... I realized something." Rias mentioned.

"What may it be?" Sona asked.

"One thing that I've noticed throughout all of the viewings is that Hyoudou always has a look of melancholy or nostalgia."

"As if everything that's happening to him made him remember something from the past."

Kiba nodded. "In a way, it fits here most well. All that experience will make him wise, fit to be a follower of the Dendro Archon."

Alhaitham hummed.

He was interested, this had peaked his curiosity.

Did all viewings have a theme to them?

"Your subordinate was quite the poet, Deshret, I suppose you still have an edge over Rukkhadevata when it comes to arts." He chuckled sadly.

"Kasala... that's a name I haven't heard in a while." He said with an exasperated smile.

He read it. "Here lies our faithful priest, Kasala..."

"Whose wisdom is akin to a miracle, one deserving of high praise and admiration..."

"You can read King Deshret's ancient script?" Rahman said with surprise.

Alhaitham clarified. "Members of the Akademiya are to learn at least 20 languages before graduating... though I believe Gianduja knew of the language before being part of the academy."

"20? That can't be true... right?" Paimon said with concern.

"It was actually true..." Paimon said with disbelief.

"Wow, now I suppose that is something we devils have over normal people." Chuckled Kiba.

Rias nodded. "Not having to learn a language to talk to someone is very handy."

"..." Layla looked at them.

"Don't." Faruzan bluntly said.

"I was simply considering it." Layla shrugged.

"Aside from that, the energy concentration here is concerning..." Cyno pointed out. "It's... a scent of life, as if it was trying to tell us something..."

"That is a clue left by Kasala." Revealed Issei. "There is much more to this than the elegy."

Alhaitham closed his eyes as he ordered his Akasha Terminal to scan the tomb.

"A hidden message." He spoke. "One hidden among the remains."

"I'll transmit it through the old device of King Deshret's gravesite, this should be the one." Alhaitham said as he looked at the emblem embedded on the ground.

"Isn't sharing information against the terms of the Akademiya?" Rahman inquired.

"It is indeed, though the meaning has been twisted as the years went on." Informed Issei. "What it should actually be is 'it is forbidden to give the answer to a problem given to a scholar, they have to find a solution by themselves.' That is the rule."

"Furthermore, I believe it is vital for you to see it for yourself." Alhaitham added. "I can now understand what you meant back then, Gianduja."

"Is that possibly the same case as in our world?" Kaveh asked.

"It's possible, we may never know unless we delve into the history of the Akademiya." Alhaitham explained.

"You know, this did open my eyes to a few questions I never actually asked myself, and I am actually looking forward to answering them on my own once we get back." Faruzan admitted.

Alhaitham put it on the ground as the information he recollected came to life.

"Now then... let's see what truly happened to King Deshret's civilization..." Muttered Tighnari.

"If this is a true story, then this might be a breakthrough to uncovering the past." Layla said with excitement.

"Civilization is born and evolved from knowledge."

"Just as knowledge can be its demise."

"A disaster caught us unaware."

"Outside knowledge, of origins outside of this reality."

"King Deshret brough this knowledge into our world."

"And it quickly spread like a plague."

"That... that actually explains one of the taboos of the Akademiya..." Cyno murmured.

"Knowledge from outside this world... right, didn't he mention how Eleazar and the Withering Zones were connected?" Asked Kaveh.

"If so, then we now know how they started appearing, and what they truly are." Alhaitham declared.

"Created by King Deshret... it spread and then formed into both of those things..." Dehya summarized.

"And... this was all to try and rebel against Celestia?" Nilou added.

"Truthfully... I hate to say it, but King Deshret was foolish for having such an ambitious idea." Cyno frowned.

"History does repeat itself, doesn't it?" Giggled Il Dottore.

"The civilians' minds were filled by crazed whispers."

"Dark gray scales spread through their bodies."

"The land itself was stripped of its vitality as well."

"Only an agonizing, lethal silence was all that was left."

"Had it not been for Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Great Sage Belial from the forest."

"The damage would have been irreversible."

"Greater Lord summoned the priests to build temples."

"And within them she infused the divine power of life."

"The disaster was miraculously mitigated."

"And remnants of our civilization were preserved in Aaru Village."

"Aaru village is what is left of King Deshret's civilization?" Repeated Candace.

"Remnants of what it once was, it is now a humble abode for the descendants of the desert." Summarized Sethos.

"Yet this miracle did not last long."

"For so long as forbidden knowledge existed."

"They would would suffer eternally."

"Alas, the proud king of the desert... my eternal lord..."

"Chose to sacrifice himself, and left his legacy in the arms of Great Sage Belial."

"So that's how he died." Alhaitham muttered.

"But leave his legacy to Hyoudou?" Questioned Ravel.

"I would have expected King Deshret to leave his legacy to Greater Lord... why him specifically?" Asked Collei.

"For as long as he existed, his memories would be a reminder of this tragedy."

"In the meantime, I have spent the rest of my life guarding one of these many temples."

"In my death bed, my duty shall be put to rest."

"As I close my eyes one last time..."

"The sight of that noble deity came to my vision once more..."

"And instead, the sage who devoted his life to this noble deity, shall stay by my side in my passing."

"In helping King Deshret eradicate all forbidden knowledge."

"She exhausted her strength, and her form became that of a small child."

Nahida raised her head as she listened to this claim.

A few theories formed inside her thoughts.

That perhaps she was still Greater Lord.

That she was formed because the prior Dendro Archon sensed she was weak.

And... the last theory was that she lost memories of who she was.

All three of these theories were possible according to her.

And she yearned to finally get the right answer, because she didn't know why she came into existence.

"And for the Great Sage, he sacrificed his body to contain this infection."

"Which also explains why he is infected by Eleazar..." Tighnari pointed out.

"A lot of this is starting to make sense..." Muttered Kaveh.

"From the looks of it, everything truly will be revealed." Alhaitham stated. "My other self's patience is starting to pay off."

"Seeing their self-sacrifice, I came to no longer fear death."

"Sensing that... the spirit of life shall accompany even in my eternal sleep."

"Children of the desert."

"Let go of your past vendettas."

"But hold tight to the memory of this charitable act."

"This is a recording of the day we must never forget."

"To think that habitants of the desert were unable to uphold his last will." Candace said with a saddened look.

"It's normal, not everyone was going to get the memo, but now that we know it... we have to make sure everyone hears about it." Dehya accepted.

"That was... the truth of the past?" Nahida muttered, unsure on how to analyze what she saw.

"... I never knew standing by your side on your last days were so special to you... Kasala." Issei downcasted as he never did know what the priest had recorded as his last message.

"But... it appears that truth was truly enough punishment."

"This... this can't be! This is impossible." Rahman shook his head as he couldn't believe the truth.

"Yeah... He's starting to react the same way as that Havria follower..." Paimon pointed out.

"You knew of this this whole time, that Rahman would react this way?" Cyno questioned.

"How could this be? The Dendro Archon's followers are..." Rahman continued to cope with the situation.

"So... the former Dendro Archon became tiny? But she looked just exactly like..." Paimon then looked at Nahida.

"How... curious..." Alhaitham whispered as he frowned, feeling like he saw the same description as her.

That small scene that showed Greater Lord turning small felt a bit familiar.

"...!" Alhaitham widened his eyes upon remembering the late Dendro Archon's small form.

He saw that exact form before.

And she was hiding herself in the masses.

"..." Alhaitham sighed.

There was no point in pointing it out, it would only make everyone freak out.

They had to realize it themselves.

Just like how Hyoudou did with him.

Despite Nahida still using Katherine's body, she nodded, understanding what she was implying. "Whether that is mere coincidence or part of a plan she has devised, I fear I do not know... yet this merely makes my wish to know more about my predecessor even more."

Issei then walked up to Rahman. "Dear follower of King Deshret, please, lay down this grievance..."

Rahman gasped, realizing who the person in front of him truly was. "Great Sage Belial... so you were trying to stop us this whole time? You who now hold King Deshret's legacy..."

"Oh, this is funny." Akeno giggled.

"To think someone would end up revering Hyoudou." Rias agreed.

"Well, given that he is the holder of the Boosted Gear, it's going to happen sooner or later." Laughed Cao Cao.

"Indeed, everyone will know that the Red Emperor has arrived once more." Ddraig declared.

Issei gently smiled. "I wish not for you to revere me, nor do I wish for you to believe in the Dendro Archon, you were right about his achievements, his powers, and his success."

"Stand up as a follower of King Deshret, for you still have a duty to fulfil, to make everyone else stop disrespecting your god's requests."

"Your god is no human, neither was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, believing that they would act upon jealousy, ambition and resentment that would damage one another was foolish by itself."

"As such, your punishment for such slander will be to redeem yourselves, reform yourselves as proud followers of King Deshret." Issei declared.

"Benevolent and merciful..." Asia muttered.

Michael smiled. "This is how God is, if we, as followers the same way as Hyoudou, we would be ever closer to him."

Xenovia and Irina nodded, agreeing with his act.

Issei was flustered by the praise, even though it wasn't him in particular, he couldn't help but have second hand embarrassment from the fact that his other self was being praised.

Rahman closed his eyes for a moment as he let those words sink in.

He opened his eyes up with determination. "Yes, Great Sage."

"I will find a way to explain this revelation to the rest of Eremites blinded by our prejudice."

"Our enemy now, are those who wrong our deities."

Rahman left with haste, leaving the usual group alone as they all looked at Issei, wishing to ask him a few questions.

"I shall make the first question." Nahida declared. "I recall you did not know anything about after Greater Lord's actions during the Cataclysm, however, you probably know much about what she has planned before, right?"

"If so, I wish to know, is my appearance akin to her a coincidence, or does it have a meaning?"

"..." Issei sighed. "This is no coincidence."

"Nahida, you are part of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata." He revealed.

"...!" Many of those present widened their eyes over the revelation.

"So Lesser Lord Kusanali's birth was no coincidence..." Muttered Dehya.

"The next cycle..." Realized Tighnari. "She follows the same cycles of rebirth we suggested in the Akademiya."

"Wait! That actually makes a lot of sense." Faruzan said as he facepalmed, not realizing just how obvious it was.

Nahida smiled. Finally, there was a question responded.

To think that she was created as a part of the previous archon rather than an entirely different person...

It meant that she would grow to become just like her.

"But... I believe you already knew it, didn't you?" Issei inquired.

"So you knew..." Nahida confirmed. "I had my suspicions of King Deshret's fall and of Irminsul's withering..."

"I spoke not as it is better to find concrete proof than to give a theory." She clarified. "What I wished by cooperating with you was actually the possibility of learning what Greater Lord Rukkhadevata truly wanted with my creation..."

"And... what my purpose was..." She looked down as she said that.

She shook her head as she continued. "I never got to know about Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, given her role as the Archon of Wisdom, it would be fitting for her to at the very least give certain guidance for me to be a better Archon..."

"Yet the lack of her presence during my birth meant that she was missing in action by the time I was born, as such, her death must have happened at the same time I was born..."

"By then, I realized that there was a connection between her and me."

"The fact that forbidden knowledge is only known by you and those who you've explained it to, means that Greater Lord was successful in her repression of such knowledge."

"Memories of her fighting the pollution... are foggy, painful and saddening... yet nothing about you came up during our connection." She explained.

"But... I don't believe she betrayed you." She suggested.

"...What?" Issei said in confusion.

"Of course." Groaned Scaramouche.

Any possibility of finding someone akin to him were preposterous ideas.

"As I saw, the forbidden knowledge must have twisted the true message she wished to give to you."

"Tell me, what reason would she have to try and make you forget about her? You who has been loyal and by her side the moment you were born?" She asked.

Issei thought a bit. "I asked myself as such... yet the answer was simple, to get rid of any records about forbidden knowledge."

"My body... has changed substantially, to the point I am this knowledge itself."

"I would say it is fitting, for someone who was known as the God of Knowledge." Issei sighed with annoyance.

"God of Knowledge." Muttered Azazel. "To think Hyoudou is actually a god in another world..."

"While a God in another world, in this one, he may become something much more grander." Cao Cao said with interest.

"Indeed, the Divine Dragons are destined for greatness." Laughed Vali.

He then paused for a minute. "But Nahida..."

"I want you to know that... you're more than worthy of being an Archon."

Nahida looked at him, confused at what he meant.

"Nahida... when I hesitated to give you an answer back at Aaru Village..."

"It was because I couldn't help but feel proud of you."

"I felt proud seeing just what a kind, intelligent and passionate Archon you were."

"And I don't say this personally, no, I say this as someone who knows Rukkhadevata the most."

"She herself would be proud to see you right now."

"My joy of seeing just how much you've grown as an Archon without help... it was akin to a father's happiness."

"And that made me feel disgusted at myself. How could someone who left his own daughter to be experimented, be proud of someone as a father?"

"I realized at that point... that I never hated Rukkhadevata..."

"I felt hurt that she wouldn't tell me why she left during the Cataclysm."

"Because to me, you're my daughter, Nahida, the daughter that I never knew I had."

"The one that I am trying to have replace my actual daughter." Issei's eyes started to tear up a bit as the guilt swallowed him whole.

"W-well... I don't know what to say about that declaration..." Rias said, speechless over the words expressed.

"..." Collei felt incredibly awkward. The fact that she was probably Hyoudou's daughter, and having Lesser Lord Kusanali as a sister...

Yeah, that was incredibly weird for her, but not in a bad way... just conflicting.

"So in one world, his son is the Red Emperor, while in this one, his daughter is a goddess?" Frowned Cao Cao.

"My, at this point I don't think Hyoudou himself is what is promising, but rather his lineage." Vali laughed.

"T-that aside!" Cyno coughed, realizing that in that world, he and the Dendro Archon were akin to siblings. "Does this perhaps mean that Hyoudou and Greater Lord had that sort of relationship?"

"I can't believe it... a pervert and our archon in love..." Faruzan couldn't wrap her head around it.

Nahida silently cried.

She hid herself within the multitude so as to not have her audible cries be heard. After all, they were all too busy being shocked to notice her.

Those words that the boy said were exactly what she needed to hear.

She wanted someone to tell her that she had a purpose as an archon.

And the fact that it was someone so close to the previous Dendro Archon... it was the cherry on top.

In a way, it was also a weight lifted from her shoulders, those expectatives that the sages put on her disappeared, as all that was now left was her own goals.

She promised herself to be a great Archon, just as her predecessor.

"..."

Nahida didn't know what to say, but she herself felt moved by what Issei expressed.

She couldn't help but feel her eyes tear up subconsciously. Yet Katherine herself had no such function at the moment.

Alhaitham closed his eyes as he put his hand over Issei's shoulder.

"I cannot understand, nor can I attempt to sympathize with what you're going through." He bluntly stated.

"So I will be honest with you, mistakes that you've made in the past should not just be used as mere reminders of regrets."

"But also reminders to be avoided, actions that you must never do again so that you can never make the same mistake again."

"Are you going to let the same actions make you make the same mistakes?" Alhaitham asked.

"Do not feel saddened for what you've lost, be happy for what you have in front of you in the current moment, and cherish it."

"And that's another shocker, Alhaitham being compassionate? Who are you!?" Kaveh said with immense surprise.

"Just because I don't show you respect doesn't mean I show it to other people." Alhaitham bluntly said. "And just so you know, I don't show it to you because you're always yelling at me."

"Oh, why else would I be yelling at you aside from the fact that you're so damn annoying?!" Kaveh yelled.

"My point has been proven." Deadpanned Alhaitham.

"Way to ruin the mood." Sighed Dehya.

"S-still, I do believe that it helped us from not crying." Chuckled Nilou.

"You were about to cry?" Scaramouche frowned.

Issei looked at Alhaitham with teary eyes. "I suppose... you're right..."

"... So then... what is it that you truly wish to ask." He said, this time with a smile. "Using a motivational quote of the Akademiya to try and cheer me up so I can answer your questions, what a sly tactic."

Alhaitham looked away momentarily. "I suppose it is to be expected that you saw through it." He sighed.

"But what I wish to ask you is for what reason did you wish to aid the Eremites into understanding the truth?" He asked.

"There are many reasons as to why." Issei responded.

"For one, I do not wish to see King Deshret's legacy be tarnished."

"Secondly, I owe King Deshret one."

"And lastly, it would be beneficial for Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"I suppose it was far more basic than I expected." Alhaitham nodded in understanding.

"So... what should we do now?" Paimon asked.

"We still have the problem with the sages back at the Akademiya." Cyno informed.

"... I believe this is one time brute force would work better than intelligence." Issei declared.

"Brute force against the Sages?" Dehya raised an eyebrow.

"Honestly, anyone else would have certainly failed... but if we are talking about a god..." Rationalized Tighnari.

"Yeah, I think those sages are done for." Declared Dori.

"Why do you say that?" Lumine inquired.

"... I find it funny really, the closer I get to my objective, the more impatient I become." He chuckled.

"I guess... I'm tired of waiting... I want to find the answer right now... but I also believe that Scaramouche's ascension to godhood is ever closer." Explained Issei.

"And also, I believe that it would be just punishment for their aggressions." He added.

"The Balladeer's ascension to godhood uh?" Azazel said as he rubbed his chin. "I look forward to seeing how it truly works."

The scene changed.

"The Balladeer's deification is nearing." Issei declared as he saw the thundering climate the moment they neared Pardis Dhyai.

"Does he have control over the weather?" Rias frowned.

"That's the same as Zenith Tempest." Azazel spoke. "Quite powerful I must say, so this is looking promising."

"You're really interested in this..." Xenovia pointed out.

"I am a researcher, one that is not bound by rules, but rather personal morals." Explained Azazel. "Though the Akademiya may see this as a threat, I see this as an interesting presentation."

"And... truthfully, a huge factor is the fact that I am not from their world." He shrugged.

"We should truly make haste." Suggested Cyno.

"Will the guards be a problem for us?" Dehya asked, she had been filled by the details a while back as they ran towards Sumeru City.

"As a Fatui Harbinger, they would dare not to put themselves against me, and even more if I reveal myself." Issei explained. "I however, have no wish to use my state as an alumni to get what I want."

"Because they don't deserve it for breaking the laws of the Akademiya." He glared at the sky.

"The first thing we must do is free Nahida's body from the prison the sages built for her." He explained. "After that, we must deal with The Balladeer as quickly as possible."

"And what of The Doctor?" Alhaitham inquired.

"There is nothing we can do with him." Sighed Issei. "The only way to deal with him will only come after this mess is done."

"Truthfully, I believe he would merely stay as a spectator to this conflict, just to see how far this created god can go."

"And then, he will act after he gets his results." Finished Issei.

"... If so, that means he is akin to a vulture." Nahida concluded. "Only snatching the spoils of war after the conflict has ended."

"That is indeed an interesting way of putting it, I believe you are correct." Agreed Issei.

"Ah, so that's what you meant with that offer." Il Dottore spoke.

"With two Gnoses, wouldn't you be strong as an archon?" Asked Layla.

He chuckled. "Though true, my intentions are to elevate humanity closer to the status of a god." He explained.

"Mmm, that is indeed ambitious, we ourselves have the Sacred Gears." Azazel hummed.

"Then, would you like to collaborate? I know that together, we would be able to make much progress." He suggested.

Azazel sighed. "Well, normally, I would say yes... had it been years ago..."

"Let's just say that my previous partner decided to steal all my research and left my faction behind, so I'm quite cautious of who I work with." He added.

"A shame, I was looking forward to advancing humanity." He frowned.

He then ranted. "Gods see humans as so lowly, yet they underestimate the power and will of humanity."

"I will not deny that certain gods do indeed see humans as weak." Rias admitted.

Then, Cao Cao interfered. "Humans are not weak by any means, as a matter of fact, humans are what most supernatural beings have to rely on."

"As the descendant of the great hero Cao Cao, I swore to defeat evil, and to do that, I also wished to see just how far humans could go." He explained.

"Now then..." Issei muttered as he saw Sumeru City up front. "Time to create a distraction."

His Eleazar covered hand expanded as it turned into a tumor like abomination. He touched the ground, making the surrounding vegetation wither.

The luscious green became a monotone brown as The Withering took over the place.

"Don't worry, this Withering Zone is temporary, at the very least the guards will surround it to make sure it doesn't spread any more." He reassured.

Sure enough, guards around the perimeter scouted the area, allowing the group to enter Sumeru City without problem.

They made their way up as discreetly as possible. Only finding one of two guards which they quickly silenced by making them pass out.

Now in front of the Akademiya, Issei acted by himself as he rushed in and quickly broke down the line-up of guards.

He used his Eleazar afflicted hand to slash against the enemy and then used his guandao to block the guards' spears.

They made their way up to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

"Before we enter, I believe it is now time for us to divide and fulfil our duties." Issei stated.

"Cyno, you are to bring punishment to the Grand Sage."

"Dehya, you are to distract the guards around the vicinity."

"And Alhaitham, you are to recollect all proof about this experiment." He ordered.

All three nodded as they left to do what they were tasked for, leaving only Lumine, Paimon and Nahida, who was still using Katherine's body, alone.

"Well, at least we had somewhat of a plan." Spoke Dehya.

"Even with brute force alone, there had to be at least a plan or something." Sethos argued.

"Now is the time to enter then." He said as he took a deep breath.

And once inside, they saw the floating prison which contained Nahida in it.

Issei extended his hand as a black essence slowly made its way towards the prison.

Once it caught it, the prison itself started to wither away, leaving Nahida to slowly descend as she was finally released from it.

Katherine's body suddenly slumped as Lumine quickly caught her to make sure she didn't get hurt with the fall.

On the other hand, Nahida finally opened her eyes and then smiled. "I believe this is a good time to say, 'nice to meet you'?"

"So that's how the archon looks like..." Muttered Kaveh.

"Wait... isn't she..." Collei said as she looked at Nahida. "Wait! You were here this whole time?!"

"Wait what?!"

"No way!"

"How did we not notice you?"

Nahida giggled. "Don't worry, I was purposely hiding myself from everyone."

"But... Lesser Lord Kusanali, what was the reason?" Asked Cyno.

"The biggest reason being... because I couldn't prove myself to be the Dendro Archon until it was proven by the room."

"I understand." Nodded Alhaitham. "Someone claiming to be the Dendro Archon would not have been taken seriously."

"Another reason was because I didn't want to intervene with your thought processes, seeing you theorize, think and come up with possible answers were a great way to make all of you more adept academically." She explained.

"I see, that does make sense." Tighnari muttered.

"So there are now four archons in the hotel..." Muttered Azazel. "This one was Buer if I recall..."

Nahida then looked at Azazel. "It is a pleasure to meet a fellow researcher, I believe that you have many questions to ask, and so do I."

Azazel chuckled. "We'll discuss it later, right now, I am curious about this deification."

"Still... I can't believe I never noticed that the Dendro Archon was here..." Kaveh muttered until he looked at Alhaitham.

"..." Alhaitham wasn't amused whatsoever.

"You... you knew this whole time and didn't say a thing?!"

"Would you have believed me?"

"... You know what? I'm too tired for this!"

"This is our first meeting where I am there physically." She pointed out.

"It is a pleasure to meet you then, Lesser Lord Kusanali." Issei smiled.

"Thanks for coming to rescue me." She thanked. "But we have more important issues in hand."

"Yes, indeed." Nodded Issei. "Scaramouche's ascension to godhood needs to be stopped."

"I will need some preparations before we stop the false god however." Nahida pointed out.

"Then come and stop me if you can." The Balladeer arrogantly said.

"You do that, however, I believe I am more than enough to stop him." Issei mentioned. "I used to spar with Amun back then, so I am not a stranger to combat."

"Tsk!" Scaramouche noised. He wasn't actually sure if he could beat him.

Buer was a weak god, he knew he could beat her, but him? Someone who's been around longer than the formation of Archons? There was little to no chance...

But he wouldn't give up because of that, if he could, he would still fight.

"I don't mean merely against The Balladeer however, I am talking about the restrictions made by The Doctor alongside the administrative powers over the Akasha." Explained Nahida.

"If so, would it be better for us to fight Scaramouche first while you deal with that?"

"I suppose so, however, I would like you to bring something with you just in case." She said. "Just give me a bit."

"We're getting closer to the end, right?" Ravel asked.

"I hope so, we've been here for far too long." Sighed Rias.

"Hopefully we never have to do this again." Akeno said as she stretched.

To which Issei watched intently... but with respect.

The scene changed.

"Why did the thing that Nahida wanted to give us have to have the same features as Paimon..." Paimon said saddened.

"You can't seriously be sad." Lumine deadpanned.

"Nahida didn't create something to replace Paimon... right?" She asked.

"She wouldn't," Chuckled Aether.

"B-but! That boy is replacing me as a guide and now she made something that looks like Paimon!" She comically cried.

"There, there." Aether hugged her. "You're overreacting."

Lumine looked at her brother as she sighed. Never in her life did she expect him to become attached to someone aside from her.

This journey sure has changed them both.

"Given that Nahida isn't good at fighting, she will deal with any of the more technical issues we may find as we get closer to Scaramouche." Informed Issei.

They went to a door deeper into the Sanctuary of Surasthana, upon opening it, they were met with a purple mechanical domain.

"How fitting, you reckon it was made in the image of Kunikuzushi?" Jested Issei.

Scaramouche recoiled a bit, hearing one of his past names.

At the same time, he felt offended hearing that.

"Now is not the time for jokes." Nahida explained. "From what I've felt, the urgency of the creation of a new god was mostly with The Balladeer and the Sages."

"Given how The Balladeer is a vessel for a Gnosis, we are likely to have to fight against him."

"An obsession relating to his past." Issei stated. "He was disposed of by an Archon, and saw humanity's worst, though from what Il Dottore told me, I believe that this view he has is mistaken."

"Mistaken? Is this delusional thinking that I may be wrong?" Scaramouche chuckled.

"Is there more that you know about him?"

"... Perhaps... he's much like me." Issei sighed. "Believing to be betrayed when in reality it was all a misunderstanding."

"Bullshit!" He roared.

"I don't believe he will listen to us." Concluded Issei. "Though..."

"Just like with the Eremites, truth shall be enough punishment."

He then looked at Nahida. "I've stated this before, but The Balladeer has the least roots aside from me when it comes to our loyalty to the Tsaritsa."

"As such, it would be no surprise for him to defect if you are to convince him."

"Therefore, if it is not too late, have him work for you, show him that a god can indeed be kind." Issei proposed.

"... Is this coming from a sense of likeliness?"

"The term you'd be looking for would be empathy." Issei chuckled. "But yes, I believe he can redeem himself, if only with being reformed."

"I will keep that in mind, I shall interpret it as a petition of the one who's been with Rukkhadevata the longest, rather than the petition of a Fatui Harbinger." She accepted.

"Then let us meet him, to see if it has been completed yet." Issei said as he pulled out his guandao.

Lumine raised her sword as they then traversed and defeated any Fatui that had been stationed there.

Scaramouche was trembling with anger.

How dare he? How dare he look down on him?

What did he actually know about him? He was talking as if he knew him completely.

His anger was coming from deep within, from years of betrayals done to him.

And now he was saying that there was a misunderstanding? Don't fuck with him, there was nothing but the rotting personality of humanity behind those he previously cared!

And that included the one who turned him into a vessel for a godly power, Il Dottore was one of them as well.

The difference being that he was willing to help him out of his own interest.

Once he was done reaching the status of god... no one would dare to look down on him ever again.

And if they did... let's just say that it would be as if they never said it.

The scene changed.

Lumine and the others walked towards the last door, where in front of them was a giant mechanical being.

"No fucking way, he's controlling a fucking Gundham!" Issei yelled with stars on his eyes.

"That... looks like one of those mechs made by Fontaine." Alhaitham commented.

"What's a Gundam?" Asked Collei.

Issei went on a lengthy explanation about them, which unfortunately for them, had paused the scene.

And on its head was The Balladeer.

Despite the fact that they were in front of him, he did not act, in fact, his eyes were still closed.

Issei twirled his guandao as he jumped and swung with the intention of destroying the machine. Yet he was blown back by a powerful gust of wind.

Scaramouche raised his hands as he finally opened his eyes.

"To think people would be so eager for my 'birth' as a god."

"I remember you, Buer, God of Wisdom."

And you, Gianduja, The Drunkard."

"And... lastly... the Traveler."

"Enough, Kunikuzushi, you are still far away from a god." Spoke Issei.

"Who told you could use that old name?" The Balladeer sneered.

"We're still early, he still has yet to infuse himself with the Divine Capsules." Nahida informed.

"Even then... his power is close to that of a god."

"So... are we early? Is he still not a god?" Paimon asked.

"Even if he's not a god... he's far more powerful than he was before." Lumine pointed out.

"My previous titles, those that I used through my burdened life... they are nothing, if not small, to what I have attained today."

The head closed itself, covering Scaramouche who was now inside of the giant mechanical being.

Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal

Everlasting Lord of Arcane Wisdom

"What a lengthy and mouthful title." Scowled Akeno.

"It doesn't help that he has an arrogant personality." Xenovia added.

"Oh, I look forward to this fight." Vali smiled. "A fight between gods, that will certainly be interesting."

"How funny." Chuckled Issei.

"What's so funny about this?!" Paimon yelled.

"Does the Gnosis make someone god? Or does someone have to be fit to become a god?" Monologued Issei

"I believe neither. What makes a god is its believers."

"Haypasia has yet to truly become a follower, as such the proof of your existence as a god does not exist."

"Imperfect as a god may be, no one ever does point out their flaws." Said The Balladeer.

"They care not for the suffering they make others go, nor do they truly care for their people."

"All they care about is for themselves."

"That, is a god." Scaramouche declared. "And as a god, I will do as a god does."

Michael frowned. "I believe many of the gods would disagree with that statement."

"Thankfully, none are here." Sighed Sirzechs with relief.

"Then what is Nahida!?" Paimon said, a bit offended over the take on god from Scaramouche.

"Do you not realize? You are interrupting the conversation between two gods who have witnessed and felt the betrayal of all those close to us!"

"Gianduja... no Belial, join my side, together we will be able to take revenge on those who have wronged us!"

"My creator... the remnants of Deshret and Rukkhadevata... don't you want to destroy their accomplishment for how they've abandoned you?!"

"..." Issei closed his eyes.

"Thankfully Hyoudou realized the truth before this offer." Sighed Koneko.

"That being said, I don't believe he would have accepted it still." Alhaitham stated. "He never truly hated Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."

"Kunikuzushi, you are just like me in the end..." He sighed.

"You have been blinded by the negativity and suffering you've gone through, such torment cannot be used as justification for what you're doing right now."

"I've realized that... Rukkhadevata never betrayed me, that what she did was for my own good, even if I don't truly know what happened, I can at the very least tell you that..."

"My feelings tell me that this is the answer." He said as he put his hand over his chest.

"So please, rather than doing all of this, why don't you find out the truth? The reason why Raiden Ei had disposed of you instead of downright killing you."

Scaramouche widened his eyes. He never actually thought about it.

Why did she allow him to live instead of outright killing him?

But still... What he said about the Electro Archon did annoy him.

Scaramouche's eyes widened at that question. "You... you dare say that my mother had a mere drop of mercy on her?!"

"The very same so-called god who participated in the bloodiest battle to exist?! The same who shunned everyone to suffer in their nation?!"

"What does someone who helped in the destruction of a nation have to do with any mercy?! The same who took the Gnosis like every other Archon for themselves?!"

Issei gritted his teeth. "You dare say that Rukkhadevata took the Gnosis for herself?!"

"She was bestowed the Gnosis after witnessing the agonizing death of her companions, those who suffered a horrible death for going against Celestia."

"Do you know how she must have felt when the very same enemy Deshret and Namu were up against then gifted her the rightful position of her close friend?!"

"Answer me, Kunikuzushi! How can you say that when you're unknowingly carrying the same burden without knowing it?!"

"Oh." Was the only reaction Il Dottore had.

He smiled, he actually was curious about how Scaramouche would react once the truth was out.

But right now, The Balladeer was merely confused as to what he was even talking about.

"Enough! I don't care about my past anymore!" He roared as he started charging an attack with his hands. "This is your end!"

Lumine took a combat position, yet Issei threw his guandao towards her.

Instinctively, she grabbed it before looking at Issei with confusion.

"Stay back, this is my fight." He ordered.

His entire body this time started to morph.

(Now Playing: My Creator - Mili)

https://youtu.be/IYiHNzFoA8g

"I am the only one who moves in these waves... Shatter."

His body had been completely taken over by the forbidden knowledge, his arms were turned into claws, his back had three pairs of black wings, and his face now had various eyes on them. He had a dragon tail and his legs were turned into roots.

"Those claws..." Cyno whispered.

They were similar to the ones he used.

Was that... King Deshret's legacy?

"So we weren't the only ones..." Sethos whispered.

Malice Striker

Serpent of the Black Tide

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." Said an annoyed Ddraig.

"Nidhoggr? Like the evil dragon?" Sirzechs widened his eyes.

"To think that my wielder would be that despicable dragon..." Ddraig spat.

"Nidhoggr... if I recall, isn't that the dragon who would continuously eat Yggdrassil's roots?" Rias recalled.

"The very same... but in this case... it would be Irminsul." Sona stated.

"How interesting, it also fits given that he is the holder of Forbidden Knowledge." Chuckled Azazel.

"And the fact that he is known as the Serpent of the Black Tide... He is announcing himself as the Withering itself." Added Tighnari.

"You're telling me he's only the last Fatui Harbinger with that power?" Aether said a bit in disbelief.

"It was a sudden position, so it is not surprising that the Tzaritsa did not take into account his power." Il Dottore explained.

"Truly, this is going to be an entertaining battle." Cao Cao smiled wide.

"Take notes partner, perhaps we could use some of the moves int his fight." Ddraig said, to which Issei nodded.

Issei let out a loud roar as he then flew quickly towards Scaramouche and swung his arm against him.

Scaramouche put the mechanical hands in front of him as he blocked the full brunt of the force that Issei excerpted.

However, he was surprised to realize that was being pushed back.

Lasers were summoned as he sent homing attacks against his opponent while he was still trying to push him back.

Issei then put his legs onto the giant puppet's hands and used them to boost him back to dodge the lasers.

He then followed suit by stopping mid air and flying straight back towards those hands, this time, he pushed Scaramouche even further. He continued by slashing against them, digging each time as he slowly damaged and shredded the pals of one of the hands.

By doing this, he no longer pushed The Balladeer back, which allowed him to slam his hand down to the ground, creating a powerful shockwave which Lumine and Nahida had to dodge.

Scaramouche smiled smugly, but that didn't last long as he saw the machine's hands slowly being raised.

Vali whistled. "That's some strength there."

"You reckon he left his weapon back because he's holding back?" Wondered Cao Cao.

"Either that, or the weapon itself was a handicap." Suggested Vali.

Issei had lifted them with all of his might and then used his tail to stab through it, the damage he had done previously allowed him to create a hole after piercing the palm with his tail.

He quickly ran over the giant machine's hand as he went up to the head and used his giant hand to grasp it, only to rip it open, exposing Scaramouche who was connected by many tubes.

The Balladeer clenched his teeth as he then yelled. "Why?! Why do you side with filthy humans?!"

"You call them humans, yet you are so desperate for Haypasia to become your follower..."

"Tell me, if humans are filth, what does that make you? You who was tainted by humans before?"

"Ouch." Sethos uttered

Scaramouche felt like exploding and yelling at the boy in the room.

However, he knew it was pointless, it would merely stoop him just as low.

"This is a clear example of the type of god I loathe." Sighed Cao Cao.

Issei entered the void in which Scaramouche resided in, in front of one another, Scaramouche glared and snarled with hatred.

"Have we ever had the chance to talk alone?" Issei wondered.

Scaramouche said nothing as he continued to silently express his distaste of his fellow Fatui Harbinger.

"I hope I have not insulted you by insinuating that the Shogun cared about you." Spoke Issei. "What I wish to say is that this path you wish to go down..."

"Will you know what you'll do after you achieve it?" Wondered Issei.

"I'll make all those humans revere me as their god, what else do you think?" Scaramouche responded, still glaring at him.

"Then as a god... will you be alone?"

"Like I'd need company." Sarcastically said Scaramouche.

"... Even gods cannot live without the touch of kindness." Issei said as he looked back at where Nahida and Lumine were waiting.

"This kindness that you speak of? I've already felt it... and I was met with betrayal after betrayal." Responded Scaramouche.

"... Then, do you believe me to be the same as those people?" Issei asked.

"Of course, why else would you want to talk to me? I'm sure you're looking to take my Gnosis away."

Issei smiled. "I'm glad your response did not change whatsoever."

"... But... I feel empathy for another being that's not human..."

"That was born without knowing its origins..."

"Who learnt the kindness of others..."

"And felt the betrayal of such bonds..."

"...And... you will soon know the truth of what happened that eventful day."

Scaramouche sighed. As much as he hated it, yes, they were similar.

He wouldn't have entered this room had he not found similarities with that Afton individual.

But the truth...

Just what did he know?

"Again with the truth..." Scaramouche clenched his fists. "What is it that you know that I don't?!"

"... If you wish to know, you will have to make a trade with the Dendro Archon." Smiled Issei.

"Tell me, will you continue to pursue this ambition that originated from a scripted play? Or will you break from the strings that retain you as their puppet?"

"... You, tell me." Said Scaramouche.

"How can I trust you?"

"You can't." Responded Issei. "This sort of trust cannot be done so just by showing proof."

"Just like how a believer believes in their god, don't you think?"

"Or... when you believed in those promises from your past." He also added.

"You're not helping your argument." Scaramouche pointed out.

"I don't have to, because this doesn't benefit me whatsoever."

"Remember, we're Fatui, we strive when it comes to forceful diplomacy." He joked.

"... I suppose so." Sighed Scaramouche.

"... Very well." He accepted. "You are unpredictable, and I've already lost everything."

"Then Kunikuzushi, under the protection of the Dendro Archon, soon you will find out the truth that Il Dottore has been hiding from you."

Scaramouche looked at The Doctor. "What were you hiding from me?" He said with a dangerous tone.

"A secret, but I suppose sooner or later you will find out." Chuckled Il Dottore. "You will have to wait patiently."

"After all, wasn't that what we've been doing to discover all these revelations?" He taunted.

"But first, there is a bigger mystery to solve." He added.

Nahida could be seen holding the Electro Gnosis. "Irminsul still needs to be saved as well."

"With two Gnoses, discovering the last memories of Rukkhadevata will be possible."

She temporarily closed her eyes, in the meantime, Scaramouche and Issei descended next to her side. Issei's body had returned back to what it was before.

"Please, wait here, Kunikuzushi, I made this offer first." He asked.

"...."

Nahida opened her eyes again, and a golden Knowledge Capsule appeared in front of her.

They connected to it.

"Here it is..." Sighed Tighnari.

"A long journey, right?" Chuckled Cyno.

"You think?"

The scene changed.

"Irminsul... isn't healthy at all." Commented Issei as he looked around with concern.

"Forbidden knowledge has already spread this far..." Nahida murmured.

She then looked at Issei. "This may support my belief that Rukkhadevata did not betray you."

"Pray tell." Asked Issei.

"The timing of her death and my birth coincide, that we already know."

"But we didn't truly know what her cause of death was."

"As we learned that she sacrificed her body alongside yours to contain forbidden knowledge, her body was weakened."

"Normally, that would make her an easier target during the Cataclysm, however, you were there to aid her."

"I know you yourself are powerful, furthermore, the only time you were not with her would be after she betrayed her."

"What reason would she have to betray her when you were her only shield?"

"As such, I believe that her death was caused by giving the remaining amount of her body to contain forbidden knowledge." She concluded.

Issei put his hand over his chin as he now had a saddened look on his face.

"That... makes sense." He whispered with a mix of relief but also further sadness.

"This could also explain why this sort of knowledge is barely known, according to the priest of Deshret, it was still not enough, which meant that she had to sacrifice herself alongside you at the very least twice."

"Yet she didn't allow me to sacrifice myself." Answered Issei. "Had she allowed me, I would have died alongside her."

"Then... the betrayal she supposedly did to me... was instead an act meant to protect me." He said as breathed out with a nervous and despair filled expression.

"T-that's heartbreaking!" Nilou said, pained by such a revelation.

"To think that he thought that she betrayed him this whole time..." Muttered Alhaitham.

"I would have reacted the same way." Sighed Cao Cao. "The fact that he is still hanging there is more than enough proof that he is strong willed."

"Many years of torment just to find out a truth that he longed for... he is indeed strong, I look forward to what you can do, my dear rival." Vali commented as he looked at Issei.

"..." Issei only looked at his other self in silence.

He couldn't see much of himself in that version of him.

What sort of radical change did he have to go through to be that way?

"Why though... Why would you sacrifice yourself instead of letting me do so..." He scratched his head with frustration.

"And those words... 'Goodbye... Forget Me...' What did you mean by those words?"

"Did you want me to forget you? Rukkhadevata?" Issei continued to ask to no one in particular.

"... We have to get to her as quickly as possible." He requested. "Only that way will we be able to get her answer."

"Make sure to keep a clear mind, this madness will make you go crazy and panic." Reminded Nahida.

"I'll try."

"Well uh... I wouldn't be so sure that he'd make it." Awkwardly, Issei said.

"Right... you did... distort." Irina awkwardly laughed.

"Hopefully it won't happen again." Hoped Asia.

The scene changed.

"So this is the place you saw, Traveler?" Paimon asked, to which Lumine nodded.

They were now at the base of Irminsul, instead of Lumine being alone this time, she had people who could finally uncover the truth with her and Paimon.

Slowly walking towards it, she noticed that the tree trunk from before had taken a red tone, perhaps symbolising the infection of forbidden knowledge.

Whispers could be heard along the way, almost impossible to distinguish.

And finally, they arrived at the base of Irminsul, under the tree's shade.

"This is the place." Declared Nahida.

"It is the same as in my memory..." Lumine whispered.

"Uhm... we're looking for Greater Lord Rukkhadevata... yet... why is..." Paimon said as she noticed a small figure standing nearer to Irminsul.

"That's... me?" Nahida said in surprise. "Wait... what the priest said must then mean..."

"To think... we'd have the chance to see Greater Lord Rukkhadevata." Nilou whispered.

"This is a once in a lifetime." Uttered Faruzan.

Issei did not act surprised as he took the first step towards her.

"Hey, been awhile Rukkhadevata." He smiled.

"Belial... I suppose you've realized the truth by now." She gently smiled.

"They look... really intimate..." Rias pointed out.

"It's normal, especially when they've gone through so much together, only to be separated..." Sona explained.

"..." Aether and Lumine remained quiet.

But for Aether, this was hope that he'd reunite with his sister.

"It's finally great meeting you again." Issei expressed.

"Although we must meet in these circumstances." Rukkhadevata pointed out. "This is a minuscule realm of consciousness based on Irminsul years ago."

Nahida decided to step in. "Is the reason why I look like you also related to the timing of my creation and your death?"

Rukkhadevata nodded with a proud smile. "We are manifestations of the same nature after all."

"Nahida, I am thou, and thou art I."

"You are me in the new samsara." She revealed.

"So we were right about that..." Tighnari uttered.

"While I am the avatar of Irminsul, you are the purest branch snapped from Irminsul." Rukkhadevata explained. "Though a tree may wither away, its saplings will eventually take root and grow in place of it, continuing its legacy."

"I am merely the remaining consciousness of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, she died a long time ago." She revealed.

"Back when... she saved you, Belial."

Issei took a deep breath hearing such a devastating confirmation. "Yet... why did she have to save me? Did she not take my word that being there until death meant nothing to her?"

"Five hundred years... that's how long this aching heart has been yearning for you." Revealed Issei. "Even when I had lost all my memories, courtesy of you, I still had this feeling that I was missing half of my entire self."

"And that was you, Rukkhadevata, you're my other half, the one that taught me everything I knew, you're the reason why I even dare call myself God of Knowledge." He said with a desperate look.

"Master Tighnari?" Whispered Collei.

"Yes? Collei?"

"I don't think they are just friends..."

"I... guess most of us had our own suspicions, some already believed it, but this just proves it. Admitted Tighnari.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled. "Your end was not meant to be that day, and my death had purpose."

She then looked at Nahida. "After all, who's best to aid the next Dendro Archon, but the one who's been by my side this whole time?"

Nahida then asked. "Will I truly be a great Archon?"

"You already are, Nahida." Reassured Issei. "Though the same, you will take a different path from Rukkhadevata, that is the nature of this world, as nothing can be an exact replica."

"What Belial says is true, you are to take a different path from I, and as such, you will have a different fate, one you may call your own." Agreed Rukkhadevata.

"Fate is the ultimate knowledge." She stated. "It is this exact same knowledge of fate that will make you have a different fate than me."

"With better knowledge, you are bound to become a better Archon than me."

"..." Nahida felt her eyes start getting watery as she started rubbing her eyes.

"As such, such determination and willingness to help others will be more than enough to pave your own future, one that you chose by yourself."

"Patience, Nahida, wisdom comes with time, just like a tree." She reassured.

"Thank you for telling me this... this reassured me, that the Archon that I looked up to... was just me with a different fate..." Expressed Nahida.

"Though gone, she was always there to guide me up to this point, so that I could finally learn the truth and do with such knowledge as I wish to decide my own fate..."

"I always wanted to meet you, Rukkhadevata..."

"And the feeling is mutual, Nahida." She looked back at the tree. "Ever since I snatched a branch from Irminsul in my last moments, I looked forward to finally meeting you."

"Rukkhadevata..." Issei called. "Please, tell me what truly happened during the Cataclysm."

"Seeking my answer, I see..." She sighed with a smile. "The Seven were called to deal with Khaenri'ah, all except me, I had a different task to attend to."

Lumine recoiled at the mention of her nation.

"It was to protect Irminsul." She revealed. "Sensing that something was wrong, I had to attend as quickly as possible to it."

"It had already been tormenting my mind, and by the time I reached it, it was displaying signs of corruption."

"But... we already dealt with it thousands of years ago, you were there alongside King Deshret, you made me feel that it was not hopeless." She added.

"At that time... you used your entire body, one filled with knowledge alongside the dreams of people, harvested through the Akasha... to suppress it."

"Though that was not enough..."

"Knowing that I was connected to Irminsul, I realized that I myself had been infected as well..."

"N-no..." Collei whispered, realizing what the entailed.

She wasn't the only one, as many others realized it too.

"As such, even in my death, this knowledge would continue infecting Irminsul, making it impossible to eradicate."

"Then... how?" Nilou asked.

"... That led to my plan, to have someone delete myself from Irminsul." She revealed. "Had I done it myself, it would have led to a paradox..."

"Delete... herself?" Repeated Layla. "But... no..."

Many were denying such a decision, they rejected it.

"We can't just... delete Greater Lord Rukkhadevata..." Kaveh pointed out.

"...But it's needed, for the sake of the world." Alhaitham explained.

"How can you be so heartless?!"

"Am I heartless if I accept her request? It would be heartless to allow many more people to continue suffering from the Forbidden Knowledge." Stated Alhaitham.

"As such, as much as it pains me, this is the only way." He sighed.

"Hyoudou, I hope you make the right decision." He warned as he looked at Issei.

"..." He did not respond, merely looking at the scene in sadness.

"And Belial was against deleting me, you desperately pleaded with me not to follow this plan."

"So I then took a branch from Irminsul, the purest one and made her my next incarnation in the Samsara, all while leaving clues for her."

"And those clues... were me, weren't they?" Issei stated.

Rukkhadevata nodded. "I suppressed your memories of me after I realized that you weren't going to delete me, and I then realized that this entire process would be hurting you far more than anyone else."

"The purpose of suppressing your memories was not just to make you help Nahida in the future... but also for you to live a happy life without me."

"I must be the reason why you had to suffer from forbidden knowledge to begin with, and as such, I wished for you to live peacefully were you unable to recover your memories."

"That's... foolish of you to think, Rukkhadevata." Stated Issei.

"To me, you were not my god... because to me... you were my compatriot, you were neither superior or inferior to me, you were my equal."

"And we always got ourselves in trouble, but we always were able to fix them together."

"Wisdom comes with time after all, do you not remember all of our childish and embarrassing actions from before?"

"So why did you have to go and do something foolish without me?" He smiled while tears started building up on his eyes.

"Rukkhadevata, I care not that I have suffered from this corruption, all i cared was that I would still be able to stand by your side during every single problem."

"So having you cease to exist in this world... is the same as killing me." He stated.

"... But... I accept that it must be done..." He sighed in defeat.

Alhaitham sighed in relief. It was one of those sighs which truly showed his emotions.

A mixture of sadness, relief and thankfulness.

"During my time without you, I realized that I cannot stop you from doing your own independent actions, I had clinged to you for so long... and it sort of made me believe that I was also at fault."

"That I was the reason why you 'betrayed' me."

"That's not true." Rukkhadevata denied. "Never would I dare to hurt you for such trivial reasons."

"This was something that also hurt me by doing, it was a necessary evil for the sake of the world."

"And I accept such evil..." Smiled Issei, with tears starting to run down his face. "That I will never be able to see nor remember the girl that I was in love with for thousands of years."

"W-wait, you were in love with me?"

"I realized the moment we decided to help Al-Hamar court Nabu." Issei laughed.

"Oh dear... I-I suppose that explains a lot of stuff now..." She said with embarrassment.

"You're as dense as heartwood sometimes, Rukkhadevata." He gently said. "But... I wouldn't change that quality of yours for anything in this world..."

"Their interactions are so..." Asia said, tears already falling down her eyes.

"No, you don't need to continue, we all can feel it." Michael said, pained to see this departure.

"To think that these two were separated for so long... yet they met again and talked so casually... " Commented Rias.

"Now then... is it time now?" Issei said with a saddened look.

"Buer." Issei called. "This will be devastating for you to do... would it be fine for me to do Rukkhadevata's request? The one that I denied her many years ago?"

Nahida couldn't speak well, still shocked at the revelation of having to remove Rukkhadevata from everyone's memory.

"I... I suppose..."

"This is too cruel." She whispered. "I don't want to forget you too..."

"These cruelties are part of life." Issei pointed out. "It's because we suffer that we can give value to those moments of happiness."

"Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality." Azazel sighed.

"Buer." Gently said Rukkhadevata. "Feel happiness for finding your answer, become the Archon of Wisdom that you wish to become, because I will always be proud of you."

She then looked at Issei with a smile. "Let's begin this."

"Goodbye, my dear forget-me-not."

"That's... what she was trying to say?" Candace softly said.

"Dear forget-me-not... how... lovely." Slowly, said Faruzan.

"... I don't know how to feel about this..." Layla commented. "Part of me wants to cry... but another part of me wants to smile for their reunion..."

"Do as you will, there are many for both situations." Cyno said as he looked at everyone else.

Their dear Dendro Archon was crying, the same went for Collei and Asia.

Nilou had a sad smile as she saw the heartbreaking end to these two lovers. Irina did too, although this was more of a smile to see her crush find someone in another world.

Rukkhadevata took a step forward towards Issei, the size difference was big, and Issei had to look down to see Rukkhadevata's smile.

"We've nestled in our paradise many years ago..."

"Just as people now nestle under the Tree of Wisdom."

"We peer out the perceived world."

"The desert, the flowers, and everything between."

"We admire and rejoice, the bond we've forged."

"And together we link our hands, as children jumping around."

"We were youth, we are adulthood."

"The cycle of life will continue, and together, we have merely gazed at a fraction of it."

"Yet my time has come, leaving you to watch this world without me."

Issei smiled. "I think not."

Issei took Rukkhadevata's hand as he gently clenched it.

"If you're going, I am too."

Rukkhadevata noticed that Issei's entire body was slowly turning into forget-me-nots, just as her body was turning into Kalpalata Lotus.

"W-wait! Issei!" Irina yelled, panicking as she saw her childhood friend slowly disappear.

"So you've chosen a more selfish end for yourself..." Azazel smiled.

"You..." Scaramouche sighed. Annoyed to see he was once again betrayed.

"Well... played..." Yet he accepted it, he had lost, there was no reason to get mad over an already losing situation.

Issei looked back at the Traveler.

"Traveler... it is now the end of the tour guide, I hope you've been satisfied with my service."

"For payment... I suppose a request should be fine."

"Look after my daughter, whenever you can."

"I know she's strong, and that there are already people around her..."

"But please, keep Collei safe."

Lumine's eyes widened at the revelation.

"Excuse me?!" Many of those in the room yelled.

One that did not yell however, was Collei herself.

Instead, she sighed. "So I was right this whole time..."

"You knew from the beginning?" Asked Tighnari, still surprised by the reveal.

"Y-yeah, Master Tighnari... It was when he mentioned... a past." She said meekly.

"... You know, I'm proud." He admitted. "You discovered something before any one of us, that shows that you have skill."

Collei smiled, moved by the praise.

Issei for his part did not really know how to react.

He was paralyzed as he saw the girl who was supposed to be his daughter.

If anything, it was weird to him...

And he knew it was also weird for her.

"Now then, let us bloom away till nothingness, Rukkhadevata."

"A most ingenious answer you have used for this problem, Belial." Rukkhadevata smiled proudly, realizing what he was doing.

"Though you may be gone from this world, I will one day come back to remember you, it will take time, but I will become one of the very few who will be able to remember you." He promised

Rukkhadevata and Issei walked closer to Irminsul as they then faded away as petals of their respective flowers.

And as their spectator, Nahida could only cry seeing as those who believed in her would disappear forever.

In the outside world, the petals scattered across the Sumeru forest, their influence has spread through every corner as the petals pursued those with Eleazar.

Upon being touched by them, Eleazar diminished and disappeared, finally curing them in their sleep.

To them, it would be a nightmare they had woken up from.

But for Rukkhadevata, it was her final apology to the people of Sumeru.

And for Issei, his gift to his daughter, who he never had the chance to see grow up.

"So... Eleazar and The Withering will finally be gone?" Sighed Collei with relief.

"Hopefully so." Tighnari said.

"..." Alhaitham was a bit unsure however.

If both of them no longer existed... What about the actual world? How would it adapt to that change?

The scene changed

Nahida felt tears going down her face, yet confused by this odd behavior, as she didn't know what could have caused it.

"Are you alright, Nahida?" Lumine asked.

"Yeah... just a bit confused..." She answered.

"How so?"

"We've just saved the world, didn't we?" Stated Nahida.

"Then why? Why am I crying?"

Lumine's eyes widened realizing what had happened. "No way..."

"Something inside of me feels sad, yet I do not know what..."

Lumine then asked again. "Has anything happened inside there to cause you sadness?"

"We used the two Gnoses to connect with Irminsul after five centuries." She recalled. "And then... we removed the remaining pollution."

"So the forbidden knowledge, Belial and Rukkhadevata are now erased from existence..." Lumine thought to herself.

"So that's what deleting someone means." Dehya muttered.

"I suspected that it wasn't merely to make them disappear from history, but rather, make them disappear entirely." Tighnari said.

"That's... a scary thought." Admitted Kaveh.

"And we have the luck to know about it without forgetting." Faruzan added.

"I see..." Alhaitham nodded, understanding what happened.

With them gone, it appeared as those gaps left behind would be filled with something else.

He wondered... Did deleting someone already happen before?

"Then... Why do I still remember? Is it because I am not from this world?"

"I suppose their mission has been accomplished."

"But... should I tell her about it?"

A sudden loud buzzing sound could be heard, which attacked Lumine's psyche.

"This buzzing... I feel sleepy..." She thought as she put a hand over her head.

"Uh?" Many were surprised by the sudden sound.

"Uhm... why are we not affected by it?" Asked Paimon.

"Rooms have never truly been able to affect us." Azazel pointed out. "It is unlikely that the contents would suddenly start harming us now."

Il Dottore smiled, he knew that sound quite well.

She looked at Paimon, who had the same expression.

"Damnit, this is like that time with Gianduja..." She muttered as she passed out.

Nahida looked behind to see Paimon and Lumine knocked out.

"I've been waiting far too long... Alas, we are now in front of another alone. It has finally paid off." A sinister voice came from behind her as the sound of the steps filled the silent room.

"Oh right... him." Groaned Ravel.

"My, what did I do to receive such a groan?" Smirked Il Dottore.

Nahida looked at him with a wary eye. "The Doctor... I was expecting you to come."

"Though, I was not expecting you to knock out the Traveler."

"This soundwave is a design of mine you see, I wanted to try it, so there is that." Il Dottore spoke. "Worry not though, they are merely sleeping."

"Now then, our promise." He reminded. "Now that you've done what you needed to do, I expect you to fulfil your side of our agreement."

"I am willing to give you back the Electro Gnosis, that was part of our agreement indeed." She stated.

"But... I believe you are here to put your forceful diplomacy once again against me." She glared.

"Sharp as ever, expected of the Dendro Archon." Il Dottore smiled.

"Right, the trade offer that Issei made..." Realized Faruzan.

"But... why does it exist when he's not gone?" Kaveh asked.

"The gaps left by their actions will be filled by other people." Explained Alhaitham.

"That makes sense... if not, then Collei wouldn't have existed in that new world." Cyno pointed out.

Collei paled at that idea.

"But you're wrong about something." She declared. "You're the one who's at my mercy."

She took out the Electro Gnosis. "What if I were to destroy the Gnosis and awaken the Heavenly Principle?"

"Have you gone mad?" Scaramouche said in disbelief.

"What a gamble... I never expected something like this from the Dendro Archon..." Muttered Il Dottore.

"It is a lose-lose situation for you, it is not a gamble." Nahida pointed out.

"Heavenly Principles..." Lumine scowled at the mention of them.

Il Dottore clicked his tongue. "Awakening them, uh? Is that a measure you had planned from the start?"

"You seem quite sure that this plan will work, how so?" He asked.

"Though they have been silent for many years, the Gnoses are proof of their control over all Teyvat." She explained.

"By breaking it, I would be framing the Fatui alongside myself of attempting to rebel against them. Do you believe that the Fatui have what they can to defend themselves against the overseers of the world?"

"Do you wish to gamble if you get the bad or worse scenario?" She inquired.

"Though a gamble, I suppose it is still a guaranteed outcome that I come out losing in this scenario." Rationalized The Doctor.

"As a scholar, I suppose gambling is part of trying to see what possible outcomes may come out of an experiment, however, this is a futile experiment, for I won't be able to record the conclusion of it."

"Very well, let us change the conditions, rather then giving me back the Gnosis after helping you deal with the issues of Sumeru, what else do you propose?"

"This Gnosis is a disaster waiting to happen should it continue staying in Sumeru." Nahida explained.

"Yet it is an item originary from one of your harbingers." She pointed out. "Given that this issue originated because of the Fatui, should you be the one assuming the consequences for starting it?"

"Then, what price should I pay for it?" Il Dottore smiled.

"Your segments." She named. "In my journey, I learned about you, and the various reports I was able to gain through the mind of the people of Sumeru made me realize that you are everywhere at all times."

"As such, I came to the conclusion that you are not just one person, but rather, various people scattered through Teyvat."

"A cardinal sin of the Akademiya, one that has to be exterminated." She finished.

"That is a smart trade off." Admitted Dehya.

"Mmm..." Scaramouche hummed, wondering what would be of him in that world.

Now that Hyoudou was gone, this meant that he was at the mercy of either the Fatui Harbingers or the Dendro Archon...

...But... looking at her, he had to admit that she was the safer choice.

And if the scribe's explanation of what would happen to the world were to be correct... then the deal was still going on.

Sooner or later, he would find out what truly happened.

Il Dottore laughed, amazed by such an offer. "To pluck away the wings of a bird, that is exactly the trade you wish to do."

"This is a trade that will detriment my personal agenda more than the Tsaritsa, all those years of creating segments, gone like nothing." He said. "A most genius move from your part."

"Let me ask you, how sure are you that I am willing to accept such a trade? No... perhaps you knew from the start, that the most selfish of segments would be the only one willing to accept it."

Nahida then looked at him, curious about something. "Tell me, has your original self been lost? Or are you the original segment?"

"That is a question that would arouse debate between the other segments, but if everyone else is gone, wouldn't that mean that I'd become the only Il Dottore?"

"You are the original, The Outcast that was exiled from the Akademiya, he who would go as far as to kill his own companion in the name of knowledge, had it been any other of your segments... would they have gone as far as to do that?" She asked.

"Mmm... I suppose you're right, then it is a deal." He accepted.

"I see no hesitation from you, why is that?" Questioned Nahida.

"A part of me, one in particular, is too soft to my liking." Il Dottore reminisced. "The only time that I, as a scholar of the Akademiya, was so foolish, innocent, passionate and so friendly..."

"No such segment exists." Il Dottore pointed out. "From the looks of it, it is exclusive to that world, to when my younger self was a junior of Hyoudou."

He smiled. "Fascinating, to think that I would actually have a part of me that was actually innocent."

"It disgusts me, especially because he was so attached to one of the professors there." He spat with disgust.

"I wouldn't go as far, other me." Claimed The Doctor.

"If anything... this is very interesting for me." He smiled.

"Well, no matter, I wish to do this as quickly as possible, there is no reason to talk about an experiment that will soon be cut short." He sighed.

"But what tells you that I am willing to do that? How will you be able to verify it?" Asked il Dottore.

"That professor that you so speak of seems to have rubbed on you far more than you realize, there is still honesty in your being, even when you're the most selfish." Nahida responded.

"Well... those hired Eremites from before contradict that claim..." Muttered Paimon.

"Could it have been possible that it wasn't him?" Wondered Aether.

"At least in that world? Perhaps." Il Dottore declared.

"Then, let it be done..." Declared Il Dottore.

Various voices from different ages could be heard, cursing him, swearing vengeance, hoping that he would fail.

The relationship between him and his other segments was never good as they all hated one another.

Some of those present felt a shiver go down their spine.

"Man, that's some nasty threats." Sethos admitted.

"Empty threats, that is, they can not do anything to me after I erased them." Explained The Doctor.

And the one segment he hated the most...

Was the only one who did not hate him, the one he abhorred the most had a few last words to say, words that further made him hate said segment.

A youthful, happy and passionate voice was last heard, the very last segment to be deleted.

"I forgive you, just like the professor did."

"Never in my life would I have thought I'd hear you say that, doctor." Scaramouche admitted.

Il Dottore laughed as well. "Neither did I."

"So that's done... what else is there?" Wondered Nahida.

Il Dottore gave a sigh of relief once that specific segment was finally gone forever.

Nahida did not notice, instead she pulled the Electro Gnosis and gave it to him. "Here, take it."

"Sumeru City will no longer be your experiment lab, I will control it and help forment the curiosity and knowledge that it so desires, and by doing so, I will shut down the Akasha." She declared. "You will no longer be able to exploit it."

"My academic achievements have never been praised or cherished in my homeland, there is no reason for me to say any longer, the last bit that attached me to it has been gone for a while now." Il Dottore spoke.

"Now... What about the Dendro Gnosis?" He inquired. "How about we do another trade for a different... exchange?"

"In this case, how about knowledge? The kind of knowledge that could unravel the world itself and its origins."

"... If he reveals Forbidden Knowledge, I am about to flip." Dehya sighed.

"An entire journey to delete something, only to have it come back like a cockroach... that would have been tragic." Kiba commented.

"Arrogant as you may be for declaring such a thing, I believe you to not be foolish at all, henceforth, you have piqued my knowledge." Nahida admitted.

"Tell me, do you have any knowledge about the concept of 'The skies in Teyvat are all fake'?" He asked. "A secret from Irminsul, regarding the truth of this world."

"Tell me, are you willing to hear me out?"

"The sky is fake? Alriiiiight, that sounds very..." Issei uttered.

"Conspiracy theory? Yeah, it does." Agreed Ravel.

Nahida sighed. "I will be the judge of such a theory, if it satisfies my curiosity, I will give you the Gnosis, if it does not, I will not."

"And I promise as the Dendro Archon, as well as a seeker of knowledge, to be completely unbiased."

Il Dottore smiled. "Then, I will tell you."

The room turned back to white.

"So... the Fatui now has four Gnoses uh?" Paimon muttered.

"... Traveler, we are so screwed!" She cried.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Childe will give us the pardon for intervening in the Tzaritsa's work." He jested.

"Don't joke about that!" She yelled.

"Finally! It's done!" Cried Dori with comical tears.

"A most educational viewing I must say, I look forward to the next one." Alhaitham commented.

"Course you would, you damn psycho!" Shouted Kaveh.

"I hope that not every single one of these viewings is this long, I should have entered with food because now I am hungry." Dehya admitted.

"This is the first time we saw one go for this long." Giggled Rias. "Though I do wish it was cut into small parts."

As everyone left, Issei walked to his room.

"Ouch!" Only to bump into someone.

"S-sorry!" He said as he looked at who he crashed into.

And it just so happened to be Collei.

"O-oh... uhm... hello?" He uttered.

The awkward ambience could be felt.

He noticed that she had yet to get up, so he lent a hand. "Uhm... Here! Let me help you get up!"

"Thanks..." She said. "... What do I even call you..."

"... Whatever you want I guess... Look I know this is insanely awkward after what was revealed in that room... but, can we just... act like that didn't happen?"

"That's... hard..." She uttered.

"Okay, yeah you've got a point..." He admitted. "We'll just see how this goes later, I guess your friends are waiting for you there."

He pointed in one direction, specifically where Tighnari and Cyno were waiting for her.

"Oh! Yeah! I'll see you later... Issei..." She ended up saying.

"..." Issei saw the girl leave.

"This is... weird..." He admitted. "No, this day was weird."

He then felt someone tap on his shoulder.

It was Alhaitham.

"We need to go back to the Literature Club." He said.

"Sure, I'll catch up to you!"

His relationships with people from now on would only get weirder.

Nahida looked as everyone left.

She then saw Azazel waiting for her.

"We've got some talking to do." He chuckled.

"I suppose so, I was unable to be at that meeting with all the worlds."

"Well, you're in luck, we were able to convince them again, this time, it will be different." He promised.

"I look forward to it."

(A/N)

Wow, this took a lot of time to write.

First and foremost, I want to apologize for taking so long once again.

With exams and this being so long, I hope you can understand why for the delay. Unfortunately, it is likely that next chapter will also be delayed due to exams still. But I am unsure still.

I still am looking for 2 songs for the next Canto VI part, one for Jeremy? Erlking Heathcliff and one for Evan Hindley.

Another one would be a few suggestions for the next worlds meeting, because I want them to discuss about similarities of their worlds and such.

You may suggest questions that are in character or ones that would be interesting, I already have a few questions such as Yi Sang pointing out that they are fictional characters in Earth.

Any of your suggested questions will be passed as questions made by the actual characters. This won't be for next chapter, but from a near chapter.

One last thing, some characters will be changed for others when it comes to ones that will appear in the meeting, here are the few that I chose (be it already mentioned before or other reasons):

Hokma -> Roland

Yae -> Ayato

William Afton -> Henry Emily

Alhaitham -> Nahida

As for the new ones that appeared:

Xiao (LoR) (Association questions)

Yan (Syndicate questions)

Ghira Belladonna (Menagerie questions)

Extra notes:

Forget-me-not is a flower that is associated with True Love and Alhzeimers.

Gianduja is a stock character in Commedia dell' arte known for being a wine fanatic, a lecherous character who likes women and has a happy personality. However, despite his inclination for women, he will always be loyal to his lover, Giacometta.

Belial, is not the Demon of the Ars Goetia, but rather the name used for the opposite of the Kabbalah's Tree of Life, Daat (Knowledge).

Issei's and Rukkhadevata's backstory in this Archon Quest is similar to Yaldabaoth's and Samael's in While My World Shatters.

Mili's My creator can be used for both Scaramouche and Issei in this instance. The lyrics could go for either character.

These themes were used as base to create this chapter, but also WMWS as well, given how connected Issei is to most characters appearing in this Archon Quest, I decided to use him with these themes.

This may seem like I made this out of nowhere, but from my standpoint, who plans a lot about traits that aren't shown in the finished chapters, this was honestly a very scary coincidence, since all these themes fit in one way or another with this depiction of Issei.

I can get into further detail in comments if anyone asks for them, but they might have spoilers for "While My World Shatters".

That aside, this chapter was very experimental, to see if it would work as I do plan of doing the same for other Genshin related content, and this felt like i was rushing from point to point, which may actually explain why the Archon quests are so damn long.

Hopefully, the part that I really didn't want to screw up (Issei and Rukkhadevata) is to your enjoyment.

On another uh... I did end up posting stuff in Space Battles Forum, just my Highschool DxD fic for now though.

Lastly, Natlan characters are coming soon possibly, most likely after Canto VI feat Michael Afton.

This is due to the fact that I've already decided the Intervallo's characters, and it includes Natlan characters in it.

And that should be all, I'll see y'all next update.

Extra: I got Citlali and both weapon banner weapons. I guess that's my reward for completing this.

DxD (Issei, Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Asia, Sirzechs, Azazel, Irina, Xenovia, Michael, Vali, Cao Cao, Ravel, Sona)

RWBY(RWBY, JNPR, Ozpin, Branwens, Cinder's group, Adam, Sienna, Roman, Neo, Blake's parents, Winter, Ironwood, Sun, Neptune, Taiyang)

Library of Ruina (The Library, Ensemble, Yan, Iori, Xiao)

Limbus Company (Limbus Corporation Main Cast)

Omori (Sunny, Basil, Kel, Aubrey, Hero)

FNAF (Afton Family (Except mother), Henry and Charlie Emily)

Genshin Impact (All Playable Characters + Fatui Harbingers, Paimon, Lumine and Dainfsleif)