At the entrance to the Akademiya, Faruzan walked toward the main gate as usual, with Lumine and Paimon following beside her.
Lumine wore a yellow mask, while Paimon's was white.
Since nearly everyone in Sumeru wore masks these days, their attire drew no suspicion.
When the guard at the gate saw Faruzan, he couldn't help but ask with a hint of confusion.
"Miss Faruzan, you're at the Akademiya so early today?"
"Ah? What did you say? I can't hear you!"
Seeing Faruzan lean in with her ear cupped, the guard was momentarily speechless before quickly changing his form of address.
"Madam Faruzan, I was saying, why are you here so early today? Don't you usually come much later?"
Much later was an understatement. Sometimes, she didn't show up at all.
After all, Faruzan was the most senior scholar in the Akademiya. Although she didn't get along with the Sages, no one really wanted to bother her, treating her as a fringe figure within the institution.
Of course, if Faruzan agreed to change her research focus—abandoning her study of ancient mechanisms, which the Sages deemed useless—she would immediately be given a prominent position.
No one doubted her abilities; her talent was plain for all to see.
"Oh, that."
"I've had a breakthrough in my research, so I rushed back to verify my ideas."
"Sorry about that. My hearing's gotten a bit bad with age. Don't mind me."
"It's fine, it's fine."
The guard waved his hand with a wry smile. Everyone knew perfectly well whether she was actually hard of hearing.
Just then, the guard noticed Lumine and Paimon trailing behind Faruzan. Seeing they weren't in Akademiya uniforms, he inquired, "And they are?"
"They're assistants I've hired."
The guard nodded at Faruzan's explanation and let them pass without much suspicion.
Normally, the Akademiya wouldn't hire outsiders even for assistant roles. But for a maverick like Faruzan, such an unconventional move didn't seem strange at all.
Lumine and Paimon entered the Akademiya with surprising ease—so smoothly that they couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Without Faruzan's help, they would have had to expend most of their energy climbing trees to sneak in, all while risking discovery. It was nothing like this relaxed and effortless entry.
Of course, getting into the Akademiya was just the first step. Now, they needed to figure out how to capture the Great Sage, Azar.
Soon, Lumine and Paimon followed Faruzan to her office. The space was spartan, with few decorations.
"Make yourselves comfortable for a moment. I'll contact Great Sage Azar."
With that, Faruzan activated her Akasha Terminal to establish a long-distance connection with him.
"Hmm?"
Meanwhile, Great Sage Azar, who was deeply engrossed in his research, furrowed his brow slightly upon receiving Faruzan's message.
[Azar, I agree to your previous proposal. However, we need to discuss the matter of research funding in detail.]
[I'm already at the Akademiya. Should I come to you, or will you come to me?]
After reading the messages, a triumphant smile spread across Great Sage Azar's face.
As expected, she finally caved.
He had cut her funding primarily because he believed her research held no value. Unexpectedly, this move had made the stubborn old scholar change her mind.
Great Sage Azar deeply admired Faruzan's abilities. She was a genius among geniuses, capable of excelling in any field she chose. He was confident that her involvement would greatly smooth the progress of his current project.
However, when it came to revealing the full truth to her, Great Sage Azar hesitated for only a moment before completely dismissing the idea.
Even though she's changed her stubborn ways, she'd likely become an obstacle to our plan. It's best she remains unaware of this matter.
Let her delve into any field she likes, as long as it's not those utterly useless ancient mechanisms and scripts.
At this thought, Great Sage Azar surveyed his surroundings. This secret area was clearly unsuitable for her to access.
Since I have to meet her elsewhere anyway, I might as well go to Faruzan directly. It would also give her the impression that I value her highly.
So, Great Sage Azar replied to Faruzan.
[I'll come to you. Don't leave for now.]
After sending the message, Great Sage Azar headed toward Faruzan's workplace.
But after just a few steps, a young man wearing a half-silver mask appeared before him, flanked by several Fatui soldiers.
"Azar, where are you off to?"
Great Sage Azar frowned at the sight of him.
"Dottore, stay out of my affairs."
"Don't forget, this is merely a partnership. And here in the Akademiya, I call the shots."
"You will continue with the subsequent research. This plan cannot afford to fail."
Hearing Great Sage Azar's words, Dottore merely chuckled dismissively.
"It seems you still haven't noticed."
"Noticed what?"
"Heh... Didn't you send some of your people out earlier? Why not try contacting them yourself now?"
A profound unease gripped Great Sage Azar. He immediately used his Akasha Terminal to contact the Matra dispatched to the Restricted Zone, but there was no response.
The unease in Azar's heart intensified.
After several more failed attempts to reach them, his expression turned utterly grim.
"What in the world happened in the Restricted Zone?"
"My men and yours have all gone silent. They've most likely been dealt with by those inside the Restricted Zone," Dottore said with a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned by the fate of the Fatui soldiers.
"Furthermore, my agents discovered the Restricted Zone is under lockdown. They also intercepted someone attempting to contact the Resistance organization."
"So, are you still going to hesitate, Azar?"
"Sometimes, to achieve a grand ambition, small sacrifices are necessary."
"Besides, those people are already a lost cause. They've completely turned against the Akademiya."
"Even if you offer them some benefits, they might feign gratitude, but they will never forget the suffering they've endured."
"When the time is right, they will raise the banner of rebellion, gather together, and attempt to overthrow the Akademiya's rule."
A flicker of conflict crossed Great Sage Azar's face. Seeing this, Dottore decided to press his advantage.
"That doctor, Edward... his reputation among those commoners has already far surpassed the Akademiya's."
Great Sage Azar's fists clenched instantly. Dottore had struck his most vulnerable point.
What a ruler cannot tolerate above all else is the existence of someone who threatens their authority. If such a person chose to submit, it might be acceptable, but Dr. Edward had clearly positioned himself as an opponent.
Great Sage Azar took a deep breath, then spoke slowly.
"Abandon the pursuit of greater knowledge collection efficiency. We'll proceed with the original plan."
"We'll make up the shortfall by extracting it from the people in the Restricted Zone."
"Are you satisfied now, Dottore?!"
After making this decision, Great Sage Azar's expression twisted into a savage mask. He knew full well the immense casualties this choice would cause.
"Heh heh, a wise decision, Azar."
Dottore chuckled.
"I look forward to witnessing the birth of a new God alongside you."
"Now, can you finally tell me what you're planning to do?"
Great Sage Azar's brow furrowed again. Dottore's complete disregard for his status infuriated him.
"I've already told you—this has nothing to do with you."
"Is that so?"
"Fine. If you don't care about your own safety, then I've said all I need to."
With that, Dottore shook his head and walked past Great Sage Azar.
However, he had only taken a few steps before Great Sage Azar called out to him.
"Wait."
Great Sage Azar watched Dottore slowly turn around, his expression grave as he asked:
"What do you mean by that?"
-
"Fontaine, at last."
"The memories are distant, but this place feels strangely familiar."
Sandrone, "The Marionette," stood on the shore, gazing at the azure sea as she murmured to herself.
Behind her, a massive Autonomous Mechanism stood silently, its colossal frame intentionally or unintentionally shielding her from most angles of attack.
"Lady Marionette, we must leave quickly! It seems our position has been compromised."
Just then, a nearby Fatui soldier anxiously reported to Sandrone.
"Fontaine's detection technology is far too advanced. We still haven't figured out how they found us."
"But judging by the fleet's course, they've definitely spotted us."
"Hmph. This is the nation that gave birth to me and Rene, after all. It's only natural they'd have a few tricks up their sleeves."
Sandrone shook her head, then settled back onto the Autonomous Mechanism's enormous palm.
However, just as the Fatui soldiers prepared to retreat with her, she frowned and spoke.
"Who told you to follow me?"
"Huh?"
The Fatui soldiers were stunned by her words.
"You'll stay here. If you're captured, do not resist."
"This is the best way to ensure I remain hidden."
"There's no point in you following me anymore. You might as well make one final contribution."
With that, Sandrone ordered the Autonomous Mechanism to carry her away, leaving the Fatui soldiers utterly bewildered and abandoned.
Sandrone then cautiously evaded the Fontaine law enforcement's search parties. After a long wait with no further activity from them, she knew she had successfully infiltrated.
"Rene, is this ultra-long-range detector your latest research breakthrough?"
"Just as I'd expect from you. Even after years of silence, you're still at the forefront of the era."
"In this world, only I can stand on the same level as you."
"Of course, that was centuries ago. Now, you're no longer my match."
Sandrone shook her head.
"Besides, you've already realized your research path was flawed. By returning to study Clockwork Technology, you've fallen far behind me."
"This time, I will completely shatter your confidence and finally put an end to the conflict that began between us centuries ago."
Sandrone recalled the location of the Fontaine Research Institute and commanded the Autonomous Mechanism to head in that direction.
Before long, Sandrone spotted the massive structure floating in the distance.
An ordinary person witnessing such a sight would be utterly awestruck, likely exclaiming, "Holy shit!"
But Sandrone merely scoffed disdainfully. Just lifting a building complex into the sky? A mere parlor trick!
This was technology she had long since surpassed, yet the Fontaine Research Institute paraded it as their showpiece. How pathetic.
Suddenly, Sandrone no longer wanted to simply seize victory. A brilliant idea struck her.
She would first give these frogs in a well a little taste of her talent—a small shock of Snezhnayan technology!
Then, after they eagerly recruited her into the Fontaine Research Institute, she would continuously increase her value until she earned the title of First Sequence. She would stand before Rene as an equal, ready for their final showdown.
Finally, she would crush Rene, utterly destroying their confidence, and savor the sight of these mediocrities' minds twisting in agony from the immense disparity.
Ah, what a beautiful picture!
Don't blame me, Rene. This is the same pain you once inflicted upon me.
If not for a stroke of luck, I would have been gone from this world entirely. You were the one who showed no mercy first.
Now it's your turn to taste the bitterness of defeat!
Rene, just wait. I'll be standing before you soon!
A confident smile spread across Sandrone's face.
Of course, her current attire, and even the design of her Autonomous Mechanism, were far too conspicuous. She needed to disguise them.
Disguising herself was easy. So many years had passed, and her appearance had changed significantly. With a little makeup and a change of clothes, she could become a completely different person.
But the massive Autonomous Mechanism behind her was another matter. To accommodate its immense firepower, Sandrone had paid no mind to its size. It was too late to modify it now.
In the end, Sandrone made a few cursory attempts to conceal it before ordering the Autonomous Mechanism to carry her toward the Fontaine Research Institute.
If I'm recognized, so be it. I'll just end this game early.
For her own safety, she would never let the Autonomous Mechanism stray too far from her side.
Besides, the risk of exposure was low. Since joining the Fatui, she had lived a reclusive life, and few people knew anything about her.
Soon, Sandrone arrived at the main gate of the Fontaine Research Institute. To her surprise, the gate was open, and a person stood waiting at the entrance.
A coincidence?
Sandrone shook her head and ordered the Autonomous Mechanism to descend before him.
"Hello," she said. "Are you still hiring?"
Spy-oohh boy...