Why is it called countering with a check? Because Alhaitham's words not only expose that Cyno is already isolated and without support.
They also conveniently stuff the Traveler with a "Cyno isn't trustworthy either" wake-up pill. It's all about "you tear down my stage, I flip your table."
Didn't you shatter my trust level in the Traveler's heart? Then I'll shatter yours too—so now the two are back to evenly matched positions.
Traveler: I suffered betrayal a second time, second from the officer—he also plays mind games with me.
Scholars are absolutely untrustworthy; officers also make me hate.
[Cyno silent for a moment: "...You're indeed hard to deal with."]
Cyno clearly understands the meaning in Alhaitham's words, but in the art of language, Cyno is ultimately a step behind, not knowing how to refute.
[Paimon: "You two... Traveler, looking at it this way, neither of them can be trusted... What do we do now?"]
Readers are also helpless—it's not that the two can't be trusted; it's that they're too smart, and you can't outplay their tactics.
Lumine isn't dumb, but compared to these two, she's not on the same level—if this were a card table, she'd lose even her underwear.
At times like this, you should go to Inazuma and invite Yae Miko—she's quite skilled at this, with a professional record in proxy "verbal battles."
Fortunately, though Yae Miko didn't come, another powerful woman did.
[Dehya: "Ahem... Quite the aggressive momentum, you two."]
This one doesn't have high achievements in the art of language, but has sufficiently strong achievements in fists.
I don't understand reason, but I know a bit about fists and feet.
The Traveler and Paimon are delighted to see Dehya—they were worrying about having no one trustworthy, and finally one came.
Now the four can even form a mahjong table; with Dehya's help, they probably won't lose their underwear.
Dehya will of course help, but not with mahjong—she's here to help break up the fight.
[Dehya: "Two 'big shots from the Akademiya' about to fight again—how impressive."]
["Carrying those self-righteous big principles, mouths full of the Akademiya's empty rules and morals..."]
["You actually dare to bring your boring disputes into the pure land of Aaru Village..."]
Seeing this, readers realize something's wrong—Dehya doesn't seem like she's here to break up the fight?
How come she starts by attacking both at once?
[Dehya, arms crossed: "Looks like someone needs to beat you both down to properly recognize the land under your feet!"]
Good grief, she's really not here to break it up!
She's not here to "separate" them—she's here to join them!
Now a two-person fight is turning into a three-person brawl! Historically known as Three Kingdoms Kill.
Lumine is stunned—is there no one who can really help me?
I suffered betrayal a third time, third from a friend—I hoped she could break up the fight, but she didn't!
In the story, Cyno and Alhaitham don't pay attention to Dehya; they continue staring at each other, not even glancing at Dehya.
Dehya is still very honorable in martial ethics; the two aren't worried about Dehya suddenly attacking.
But the guy opposite is hard to say—if they get distracted, who knows if the other might sneak an attack.
A spear thrust to the butt—no Skyrend Scales to block it.
[Dehya, angry: "Hey hey, you... Did you hear what I said or not!!"]
A bit awkward—she made a "grand declaration," but these two don't even look at her.
Aren't you "sharing the grand event"? Include me!
But speaking of which, Dehya is indeed honorable; even ignored, she has no intention of sneaking an attack, still shouting loudly to attract attention.
The atmosphere grows more tense; the three seem ready to fight at any moment—fortunately, at this point, Venti acts!
No, actually, it's just a sandstorm blowing up in the desert; in this situation, naturally, they need to take shelter.
[??? : "Hey——people over there, here here! Hurry and come this way to take cover!"]
A person stands outside a house waving, signaling everyone to come into this house for shelter.
Dehya hears and knows it's Candace; she wants to go, but looking back, sees Alhaitham and Cyno still standing there and says:
["...Hey, you two—are Akademiya people's brains all malfunctioning? Hurry up!"]
One can only say Dehya's aggressiveness is quite good, and she usually uses area attacks—all AOE.
Inside the house, the three become very silent.
Alhaitham sits on a chair; Cyno refuses to sit, just standing beside with arms crossed.
You sit, I won't! Just being stubborn with you! This is how men quarrel!
Mainly, if Cyno sits, he'd either sit next to Alhaitham or face him—he's of course unwilling.
[Paimon flying very low, blocked by the table with only her head showing: "Uh... the air... is so heavy, I feel like I can't fly anymore..."]
You know what Cyno is going to say—the real-life Cyno naturally wants to tell everyone his "Zaytun Peach" joke.
Unfortunately, the Cyno in the story can't tell it; after all, they just finished quarreling—how could he tell a cold joke now? One imagines Cyno at this moment must be holding it in painfully.
At this time, Candace comes holding a tray, planning to entertain everyone.
[Candace: "I'm really sorry, everyone. This is our Aaru Village chief's home; until the sandstorm passes, please make do here."]
["Let me introduce myself—I'm Candace, guardian of Aaru Village."]
Candace! From the "silk" generation, same generation as Barbatos and Morax—one look and she's no ordinary person!
This is nonsense; Candace is indeed no ordinary person, but there's no "silk generation"—the characters aren't even the same.
For Candace's appearance, Paimon is super welcoming—this person in front of them has "saved" them twice.
Both times in this heavy atmosphere that makes Paimon uncomfortable, both times Candace's appearance broke it.
[Paimon comments: "This big sister is really a gentle good person, unlike those few over there..."]
Paimon is really brave, badmouthing them right in front of those three people.
But Paimon's evaluation is indeed correct—Candace is truly a gentle good person—if she hadn't said the following, she'd be even gentler.
[Candace: "Alright, that's the pleasantries, so for the time ahead..."]
Candace's tone shifts; her gentle voice seems to carry a sharp sword.
She says she's the guardian of Aaru Village—if anyone continues causing trouble, she'll throw them into the sandstorm to feed the beasts!
[Candace: "...You're no exception, Miss Dehya."]
Setting aside strength for now, readers seriously suspect if this way of breaking up fights is "desert culture."
How come it feels like you desert people all break up fights this way? Beat everyone quarreling first, right?