Anyway, there are people who have that taste; quite a few like Alhaitham.
Some readers even get a bit infatuated seeing his handsome face in the illustrations—what a magnificent face.
But the Traveler in the story wouldn't get infatuated; she still remembers that Alhaitham is from the Akademiya and can't help but ask if he participated in the "project."
[Alhaitham: "As a scholar, I'm from the faction that pursues 'research autonomy.'"]
["Compared to the sages, lately I've been a bit more interested in you."]
His interest in Lumine isn't because she's particularly beautiful—of course, it's a fact that Lumine is beautiful.
But what Alhaitham is focused on is something else; what interests him is Lumine's attitude toward the gods' canned knowledge.
Back in Port Ormos, the leader of "Ayn Al-Ahmar" used a divine knowledge capsule in front of the Traveler, and at that time, Lumine's expression was complicated, and she thought about it for a long time... This clearly means she knows some inside information!
This kind of subtle expression didn't escape Alhaitham's notice; he determined that the Traveler definitely knows something, which is why he's interested in the Traveler.
The Traveler is unwilling to say, but also doesn't deny knowing something, which allows Alhaitham to fish out some information.
One can only say that Alhaitham is extremely cunning; there aren't many old foxes who can steadily beat him—Yae Miko wouldn't dare claim a sure win.
To deal with him, you might need to send out ancient old foxes like Zhongli and Venti.
As for the questions Alhaitham mentioned, the Traveler says she can't disclose them yet.
Alhaitham is the Scribe of the Sumeru Akademiya; the Traveler still doesn't dare to confirm if this is the Akademiya's "honeypot trap."
Send someone to track, then send someone to rescue, thereby gaining trust, and the like.
Regarding the Traveler's vigilance, the real-life Alhaitham not only isn't angry but expresses appreciation—having vigilance is a good thing; if only Kaveh had a bit more vigilance.
Speaking of which, Kaveh is truly kind-hearted by nature; even though his own life isn't exactly smooth, he still harbors no malice toward the world.
He doesn't misunderstand the evil in the world, but he's willing to assume good intentions—an idealist.
Back to the story: to gain the Traveler's trust and also to investigate the origin of the divine knowledge capsules, Alhaitham decides to travel together with the Traveler.
Traveling together as two people can conveniently save half the travel expenses.
Though Alhaitham doesn't care about this bit of money; he could cover all the expenses without issue—he's financially free anyway.
He doesn't want to travel with Kaveh because Kaveh talks too much and he finds it annoying.
In fact, Paimon talks even more than Kaveh, but Paimon has one good point: she's a "bully the weak and fear the strong" type.
Facing someone tough like Alhaitham, she'll be much more obedient, unlike Kaveh who "unwaveringly" and "tirelessly" chats with Alhaitham.
In the story, the trio walks through the desert, with quite a few desert landscapes along the way.
How to describe these landscapes? For people who've never seen them, they're quite novel, but after seeing too many, they feel monotonous—the desert is just too barren.
So readers, while looking at the scenery, can't help but let their thoughts wander, pondering the current situation.
Unknowingly, several more plot lines have emerged: the Wanderer becoming a god, the Death Realm and Eleazar, and now Alhaitham bringing in divine knowledge capsules.
With so many lines and not a single one straightened out, readers get more and more excited the further they read—they just love this feeling of being treated like an idiot and then having an epiphany when the truth is revealed!
If I could realize the "prophecy" of the ending midway, that would give even more sense of achievement.
In the story, the three arrive together at Aaru Village in the desert—this is a safe haven for the desert folk and also a place of exile for the rainforest people.
From this, one can see just how vast the gap in living standards between the two sides is; a safe haven for one side is considered exiled bitter days for the rainforest.
It's practically like people from Ningguta looking at exile to Ningguta.
But given enough time to develop, the desert isn't incapable of progressing—history has records of this as well.
And flipping the prophecy book to the next page reveals an illustration, which really gets the readers excited.
When there are long illustrations, it's the gorgeous highlights—bring more!
Here it comes! What comes is wind and sand, and a person.
In the illustration: desolate sand winds, the Traveler and Alhaitham walking through a valley, seemingly having completely shaken off the pursuit.
Traveler: Hahaha, I laugh at those sages for having no strategy, the Doctor for lacking wisdom—if they ambushed a division here, wouldn't we have to surrender without a fight?
Just as she's thinking this, on a barren sand wall in the distance, a not-very-tall figure is rapidly running, seemingly holding a polearm.
Readers seeing this figure feel doubt in their hearts—is it you, Xiao?
Probably not; though the height is similar, how could Xiao come to Sumeru?
Flipping to the next page, that short figure reveals its true form: dark skin, white hair, wearing a jackal hat with the ornament being the "Eye of Truth."
The polearm in his hand unhesitatingly stabs toward Alhaitham; fortunately, the Traveler has a sensitive constitution and quick reactions, blocking this strike.
The attacker is quite agile; missing the strike, he quickly retreats, leaping several times to pull away distance—such nimble footsteps, a dark-skinned PE student!
Sumeru people immediately recognize this person—the famous General Mahamatra: Cyno.
His hat is custom-made, very distinctive, so Sumeru people can recognize it at a glance.
One can only say, worthy of a TCG player, wearing the Millennium Eye as a hat ornament.
Readers inwardly cry out in alarm—drawing Cyno here means the Akademiya's conservators are coming, right!?
All because the Traveler triggered "Why are you laughing"!
In the illustration, though Cyno is blocked by the Traveler, he completely ignores the Traveler without a moment's hesitation—Cyno thrusts straight toward Alhaitham.
Alhaitham also reacts quickly, drawing his sword to parry; the two fight back and forth.
This makes everyone quite tense; right now, Alhaitham and the Traveler are fugitives, and Cyno is precisely the one in the Akademiya responsible for capturing fugitives.
If Alhaitham loses the fight, wouldn't the Traveler be in danger too?
Doesn't he claim to be a feeble academic? How can someone so feeble beat the General Mahamatra?
Then, in a series of illustrations, they watch in increasing silence.
The fight panels in the illustrations are drawn extremely well—straight up hot-blooded manga level.
But the problem is that Alhaitham handles it with ease; the two sparring appear evenly matched.
Who is he facing? Not some small fry from the Gilded Brigade—this is Cyno!
Is this what you call feeble? Feeble in (literature), so (thriving) in (martial)?
Though we long guessed you definitely have some combat strength, we didn't expect it to be this much!
Cyno, Sumeru's General Mahamatra! How many flee in terror at the sound of his name?
Are you Sumeru's 50-50? Able to exchange blows with anyone.
The real-life Cyno stares at Alhaitham—you kid hide as deep as the Chasm.