Chapter 159. The Knave Appears
Futsu Mitama temporarily left the Grand Bazaar and had a brief conversation with Faruzan and Tighnari.
The content of the conversation was actually very simple: to inform them that his group was preparing to leave Sumeru.
Faruzan and Tighnari already knew this, even though Nahida hadn't told them directly.
But both were intelligent people and naturally understood that under such circumstances, calling them back surely meant something had happened.
Moreover, Futsu Mitama and his group had also emerged from the Great Sage's office, and there were still many, many things that Sumeru needed to busy itself with.
Their emergence from the Great Sage's office was equivalent to telling others that they were leaving.
Although somewhat reluctant, Faruzan and Tighnari also understood that this was an unavoidable part of Sumeru's journey.
No matter what, Futsu Mitama and his group were not Sumeru natives; they had no obligation to help clean up Sumeru's mess.
Their assistance to Lesser Lord Kusanali in handling Sumeru's most troublesome three months earned them the gratitude of many Scholars who were privy to the inside information.
After all, everyone knew that Lesser Lord Kusanali was working with Lord Rukkhadevata, who was inside the Irminsul, to deal with the calamity within the Irminsul.
To prevent Sumeru from being "godless." Futsu Mitama became the Acting Dendro Archon, sitting in the former Great Sage's office to handle various matters.
Originally, Sumeru intended to select a candidate for Acting Great Sage to make things easier for Futsu Mitama and his group.
However, the individuals elected through voting all chose to decline, so the position of Great Sage naturally remained temporarily vacant.
Originally, there were three candidates for the next Great Sage.
The first was Tighnari's mentor—Naphis.
The second was Faruzan, who possessed unimaginable prestige and was known as a legend of the Akademiya.
The third was the current Scribe, Alhaitham, who seemed ordinary but always managed to solve various tasks with the highest efficiency.
All three were capable of serving as Great Sage, but none of them wanted the position.
Naphis believed he was not qualified to be the Great Sage.
Faruzan felt she also couldn't serve as Great Sage because she lacked management experience.
Alhaitham's answer was simple: he didn't want to be the Great Sage; he thought being the Scribe was perfectly fine.
Thus, the position of Great Sage was in an awkward situation: those with ability didn't want it, and those without ability didn't dare to take it.
Ultimately, the Akademiya Scholars suggested focusing on their current tasks first, and once most matters were handled.
Or when Lesser Lord Kusanali emerged from the Irminsul, they could then discuss the vacant positions of Great Sage and other Sages.
Upon hearing this, everyone agreed, as it was indeed a good method.
But now, with Lesser Lord Kusanali emerging from the Irminsul, Futsu Mitama and his group were about to leave Sumeru.
This also meant that the position of Great Sage was once again poised to stir up a storm in Sumeru.
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Shinobu looked at Faruzan beside her, arms crossed, and said as she walked.
"In my opinion, the position of Great Sage is like the heads of the Commissions in Inazuma. It's an indispensable position. If a capable person is chosen for it, it should be a good thing."
Kokomi also nodded, looking at Faruzan with a smile.
"With great power comes great responsibility. You can't avoid it."
Hearing this, Faruzan rolled her eyes, at a loss for words.
After all, she had become a candidate for Great Sage, and even if she didn't become Great Sage this time, she would still become a Sage.
In any case, this responsibility was unavoidable. To be honest, Faruzan hadn't expected to become a Sage at such a "young" age.
This was something she wouldn't have dared to imagine before, but its current occurrence gave Faruzan a massive headache.
She was indeed a legendary figure of the Akademiya, but who said that a legendary figure had to bear such "troublesome" matters?
In Faruzan's view, both the Great Sage and Sage positions were troublesome.
If she were to sit in that position, wouldn't she have to be like other Sages, constantly attending meetings to discuss matters, or dealing with various unrelated research issues every day?
Just thinking about these things made Faruzan's head ache. She would rather face the ancient texts in the ruins of the rainforest and Desert, and the lost mechanisms.
She didn't want to sit in that headache-inducing position.
It wasn't that she disliked it, but Faruzan knew very well that her personality was simply not suited for that position.
However, her "juniors" were forcibly trying to put her in that position, as if the entire Akademiya, apart from her, had no one capable of serving as a Sage or Great Sage.
"Alright, this is about far enough."
During their conversation, Futsu Mitama also interrupted, turning around to look at Sumeru City behind him. He sighed with emotion.
"I originally thought coming to Sumeru would only take a little over ten days before I could leave. I never expected it to take a solid three months before I could leave this place."
Futsu Mitama felt a bit melancholic. Before coming to Sumeru, he had thought he would only need about a month to clear the entire Sumeru 'dungeon.'
Even if the Fatui and the Akademiya colluded, what of it? With his Archon-level combat power, he feared nothing!
But later, he did speed-run it: the Lady was dealt with, Scaramouche was dealt with, and the problem of Dottore likely wouldn't appear before him for a long time.
What Futsu Mitama never expected was that fighting the Fatui was simple; the troublesome part was the aftermath.
This also made him deeply realize that Archon-level power could solve a large part of the problems, but the accumulation of the remaining small problems could drive a person insane.
"Now we can leave too."
Shenhe looked in the direction of Liyue; she also wanted to return to Liyue quickly and see her master.
Before leaving Liyue, her master had said she had a sudden enlightenment and had begun secluded cultivation to explore the Demon God Realm.
She wondered if her master would have already entered the Demon God Realm by the time she returned.
"I've been looking forward to Liyue's Rite of Descension for a long time."
Kokomi was also eager.
The Rite of Descension in Liyue was less than a month away. If they rushed back now, they would only need a period of rest before they could smoothly participate in the Rite of Descension.
"Mhm."
Black Aila also nodded slightly. She had an inexplicable emotional connection to Liyue.
After all, she possessed childhood memories; she grew up in Liyue, and was later inexplicably abducted by Dottore.
The Rite of Descension, in her memory, was also an annual grand festival. Returning to Liyue to participate in the Rite of Descension this time, in a sense, was also a search for that feeling of childhood.
"Then, goodbye."
Futsu Mitama looked at Faruzan and Tighnari and chuckled.
"You don't need to see us off. After all, Sumeru still has a lot of things to do. We've escaped the sea of suffering, but that doesn't mean you have."
Here, Futsu Mitama was a bit gleeful; after all, he had personally experienced how great the work pressure was before.
Although he felt a little sorry for Tighnari and Faruzan, Futsu Mitama still couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly.
"Sigh~ I know, I know~"
Faruzan sighed, waving her hand, signaling Futsu Mitama and the others to hurry up and leave.
Tighnari earnestly stated.
"When you return to Sumeru next time, you will see a different Sumeru. I can feel that Sumeru as a whole is now bursting with unimaginable vitality. In the future, it will definitely bloom with astonishing flowers."
At this moment, Tighnari was very firm. He had originally become a Forest Ranger due to his disappointment with the overall academic atmosphere of the Akademiya.
But now, he saw a Sumeru revitalized, and he felt that as a student of the Akademiya and a Forest Ranger, he had an obligation to do something.
At the same time, Tighnari was also very grateful for what Futsu Mitama and his group had done, so he made a promise: when they arrived in Sumeru next time.
They would definitely see a different Sumeru.
"Good." Futsu Mitama nodded, smiling. "Then I eagerly await it."
With that, Futsu Mitama turned around and walked along the path leading to Liyue.
"Keep up the good work~ I look forward to you becoming a Sage or Great Sage."
Kokomi offered Faruzan her sincere blessings.
Shinobu and Shenhe nodded beside her, thinking Faruzan should indeed become a Sage or Great Sage.
"Thank you all very much."
Faruzan rubbed her forehead, an expression of helplessness on her face, seemingly at a loss for words.
Just like that, Tighnari and Faruzan watched Futsu Mitama and his group's figures disappear into the distance. They exchanged glances and returned to Sumeru City, preparing to continue with their own busy affairs.
—
Not far away, Nahida and Maha Rukkhadevata appeared. They stood on the mountain, watching Futsu Mitama and his group depart.
"I'm really reluctant to see them go."
Nahida's voice was filled with emotion; she was truly reluctant to see Futsu Mitama and his group leave.
What good helpers they were! Having their assistance versus not having it was completely different.
And... Nahida also realized one thing: after Futsu Mitama and his group left, she might not have anyone in Sumeru with whom she could speak on "equal terms."
Cyno, as a member of their group chat, would not communicate with her as an equal; he always referred to her as Lesser Lord Kusanali or Lady Nahida.
Now Futsu Mitama and his group were leaving Sumeru, and Klee and Albedo had already returned to Mondstadt two months ago.
Due to the "special husk doll."
Albedo needed to use items in his Alchemy Workshop for in-depth analysis and research of the Irminsul branches.
So he took Klee back to Mondstadt, as he wouldn't be able to look after Klee when he was busy.
Given Klee's personality, she would likely cause unimaginable trouble in Sumeru, so Albedo simply took Klee back with him.
Of course, now that the "special husk doll" had been successfully created by Raiden Ei, Albedo wouldn't bring Klee to Sumeru to play either.
After all, Sumeru was still quite busy. Nahida, starting today, officially took over various matters and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Under these circumstances, even if Klee wanted to go fishing with Nahida, Nahida couldn't possibly agree because there were too many things to do! She simply couldn't spare the time.
Fortunately, Maha Rukkhadevata's clone was helping to handle matters, which allowed Nahida to steal a moment of leisure to watch Futsu Mitama and the others leave.
"Don't be reluctant; there's still a long time."
Maha Rukkhadevata looked at Futsu Mitama and the others' backs, sighing.
"It's a pity. Why isn't Futsu Mitama a Sumeru native? If he were a Sumeru native, then the third and fourth Dendro Archons would be settled."
Nahida nodded in agreement. She understood Maha Rukkhadevata's thoughts, because if Futsu Mitama were a Sumeru native.
Then Aila and Black Aila would also stay. The two of them were inextricably linked with Futsu Mitama, and they were willing.
The two of them, possessing Archon-level combat power, were willing to stay by Futsu Mitama's side.
Coupled with their combined combat power and speed in handling various matters, serving as a temporal governing deity would be a very normal thing.
"However, you can't force this person. It's better not to voice this idea."
Maha Rukkhadevata was very open-minded, because she knew that if she were to voice this idea.
Leaving aside whether Futsu Mitama would refuse or not, Beelzebub and Morax would probably charge over with swords and spears to reason with her.
There was no other way; unable to defeat the two of them, Maha Rukkhadevata could only surrender.
"One month." Nahida looked at Futsu Mitama and the others' backs, saying very seriously. "I will finish handling Sumeru's affairs within one month and attend the Rite of Descension."
"I have a premonition that this Rite of Descension will be very unusual; the Geo Archon will probably take action."
Maha Rukkhadevata smiled without speaking, as she had already seen this coming.
However, compared to that matter, Maha Rukkhadevata was more eager to figure out what Morax would say to deceive Azhdaha during this Rite of Descension.
But, he probably wouldn't be able to hide his identity. Thinking of that scene, Maha Rukkhadevata also felt she absolutely couldn't miss it.
Maha Rukkhadevata looked at Nahida and slowly said.
"The Rite of Descension is not far off; we also need to work hard."
Nahida nodded seriously, then disappeared from the mountaintop.
Maha Rukkhadevata's figure also vanished at the same time.
—
After Futsu Mitama and his group left the Akademiya and Sumeru, a matter of no small consequence also occurred in Liyue.
Inside the Northland Bank, the Fatui's Fourth Harbinger—The Knave—arrived.
Arlecchino looked at Tartaglia, whose face was clearly etched with "displeasure." and said in a calm tone.
"You, it seems, do not welcome my arrival."
"What do you think?"
Tartaglia was naturally displeased. The Rite of Descension was about to begin, and his plan was also set to be put into motion.
At this critical juncture, Tartaglia was naturally unhappy with Arlecchino's arrival, especially since previous Harbingers who came had only caused him trouble.
Whether it was Dottore or the late Signora, they had caused him countless problems after arriving in Liyue.
Now with Arlecchino's arrival, Tartaglia had an even bigger headache; she chose to come at this precise moment, not earlier or later.
What was even more frustrating was that he had no reason or excuse to refuse her.
"No need to be displeased, I understand your difficulties."
Arlecchino looked at Tartaglia, sitting on a chair nearby, and said calmly.
"I came to Liyue only to break Fontaine's Prophecy. As for other matters, I will not interfere at all. You should be very clear about this."
Tartaglia looked at Arlecchino, his eyes still full of suspicion.
The reason was simple; Dottore and Signora said the same thing when they came to Liyue last time, but they still ended up doing many things.
Tartaglia truly didn't believe that Arlecchino came solely to break Fontaine's curse.
She! Definitely had other motives!