Alhaitham's words left both Tighnari and Cyno momentarily stunned.
This man's thoughts, they realized again, always took the most unexpected turns. One moment he was analyzing Azar's monstrous descent into madness, and the next , he was calmly speaking about Dehya and Nilou.
The shift was so abrupt that even Tighnari, usually quick to adapt, blinked in confusion.
Nilou and Dehya? What did they have to do with the God-Creation crisis, or with the plan to overthrow the Grand Sage?
If one strained to connect the dots, perhaps there was some tenuous link.
Nilou, as the radiant star of Zubayr Theater, had long been at odds with Azar and the Akademiya's dogmatists. The Grand Sage had repeatedly sought to demolish the theater, denouncing dance as a waste of intellect. By now, Nilou had every reason to resent him.
But Dehya?
Did Alhaitham mean to involve her merely because she disliked the Akademiya? That hardly narrowed the field , Dehya openly disdained nearly everyone within the walls of the Akademiya.
Tighnari pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling in mild frustration.
"Leaving aside whether they have anything to do with our plan," he said wearily, "what makes you so certain they'd even agree to help?"
Alhaitham's expression softened into that faint, infuriatingly confident smile of his.
"They will help," he said simply. "In fact, we won't even need to approach them. They'll come to us , asking to help."
Cyno's deep voice cut in, steady and probing.
"Explain."
Alhaitham folded his hands and began in a low, even tone:
"Nilou is close friends with Lady Dunyarzad, eldest daughter of the Homayani family. Dunyarzad has always supported the theater , emotionally and financially. The two are as close as sisters. Dunyarzad's greatest wish has been to see Nilou dance during the Sabzeruz Festival."
His voice grew quieter.
"But Dunyarzad's Eleazar is in its final stage. She may not live to see that day. Nilou knows this , that's why this year's festival is so important to her. It's also why she's desperate for any way to cure Eleazar."
He paused, then continued.
"As for Dehya , she's been hired by the Homayani family to serve as Dunyarzad's bodyguard. Though it began as a contract, their bond has grown into genuine friendship. Knowing Dehya's temperament, if she learned of a cure, she'd move mountains to help."
Alhaitham took a measured sip of tea before finishing his thought.
"So all we need to do," he said, "is ensure that Nilou and Dunyarzad happen to learn that Collei's Eleazar was completely cured. They'll come to us on their own. When they do, we tell them the treatment originated in Liyue, and we warn them the festival may face a hidden danger. The rest will follow naturally."
He glanced up at the other two.
"They'll beg to bring the Traveler to Sumeru themselves."
Cyno and Tighnari exchanged looks, both equally exasperated.
Cyno muttered under his breath, "And this is exactly why I hate dealing with schemers like you."
Alhaitham's smile didn't fade.
"It's not scheming," he replied calmly. "It's efficiency. If a problem can be solved without confrontation, why choose the harder path? Sentimentality helps no one. We aren't deceiving them , we're simply guiding events toward the outcome we all need."
He looked between them, his tone logical, almost gentle.
"By my estimation, the result is mutually beneficial: Dunyarzad is cured, the festival proceeds as planned, Azar falls, the Akademiya stabilizes, and the Lesser Lord Kusanali returns to power. A perfect resolution for everyone."
Tighnari sighed. "Except for the part where you manipulate people into playing their roles."
Alhaitham shrugged lightly.
"Perhaps. But I doubt Nilou or Dehya would mind once they see the outcome."
Cyno leaned back with a huff. For all his moral rigidity, he wasn't naïve. His own interrogations of corrupt scholars were far crueler than any verbal trickery. And Tighnari, for all his gentleness, had been ruthless enough in clearing the corrupted mercenaries from Avidya Forest.
They were no saints , none of them were.
Still, Tighnari frowned in thought.
"But there's a practical issue. How exactly do we let Nilou and Dehya know? The news of Collei's recovery could shake all of Sumeru if it spreads. I won't let her be paraded as proof until we understand the cure's limits. Her case must remain secret."
He folded his arms.
"If we tell Nilou, what's to stop her from shouting to the world that Eleazar can be cured?"
Alhaitham's lips curved again, his voice low and certain.
"Leave that to me."
"Nilou is no fool," Alhaitham said, his tone calm but certain. "She knows when to stay quiet , and she understands how important a cure for Eleazar truly is. Even if she wanted to tell others, a little guidance from us will be enough to keep her silent for a while."
He leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful.
"Besides, sending her and Dehya to Liyue isn't only about inviting the Traveler. It's also the first step in drawing Sumeru closer to the Liyue Alliance. If all goes well, once we resolve our internal crisis, Eleazar won't remain an incurable disease for long."
He gave a quiet laugh.
"The Millelith treated that so-called miraculous milk as nothing remarkable. That means the cure isn't rare , only misunderstood. Once collaboration begins, Eleazar could be treated like a mild fever."
Tighnari frowned, his ears twitching slightly.
"You're saying you want Sumeru to sign the same kind of life-and-death pact that Mondstadt has with Liyue?"
"Is that not the best option?" Alhaitham replied smoothly. His voice dropped, taking on that analytical rhythm he fell into when presenting a conclusion already reached.
"I've been investigating Liyue these past weeks. You two might not grasp it fully, but I do , Liyue is changing. Its military strength has become overwhelming. The Millelith are capable of suppressing even demigods. Something there has transformed their entire civilization. Their people thrive, their industries advance. To join that momentum benefits us , it costs us nothing."
He paused for emphasis.
"A life-and-death alliance means Sumeru would share in their protection and progress. And frankly, it's the only viable path left to us."
His tone softened slightly.
"Don't forget , the Lesser Lord Kusanali is already in Liyue. If I'm right, Liyue's transformation is tied to that man , Ryen. Once the Lesser Lord returns to power, she'll inevitably follow the same course as Mondstadt. So why not prepare now? Reaching out early might earn us more than we expect."
His reasoning was hard to refute. Tighnari and Cyno exchanged a look before the former spoke quietly.
"That isn't a decision we can make. Right now, our priority is still Azar and the God-Creation Project. Once the Lesser Lord returns, such alliances will be hers to decide."
Alhaitham nodded, not at all disappointed.
"Of course. I'm only speaking in practical terms. But you're right , that's a matter for later. For now, we focus on Azar."
He folded his arms, shifting back to the immediate plan.
"As for Nilou and Dehya, I'll handle them personally. I won't hide my intentions , there's no need. This outcome is inevitable. They'll go to Liyue for Dunyarzad's sake whether or not I nudge them. Better to speak plainly. I'll tell them what I need and why."
Cyno inclined his head.
"Very well. I'll remain in the Akademiya for now and monitor Azar's movements. I also need to confirm our teacher's whereabouts , and make sure Azar doesn't target ordinary citizens."
"Be careful," Tighnari said softly.
Cyno didn't answer, but the look in his eyes showed he understood.
Tighnari continued after a pause.
"Since both of you have your roles, I can't just sit idle. I'll keep watch on the Fatui. And I'll leave Gandharva Ville , staying there only draws the Akademiya's attention. Collei's condition must remain secret. Once Nilou and Dehya are confirmed, I'll send them off and move to Ardravi Valley."
He outlined his reasoning clearly.
"That area borders the desert but lies outside Sumeru City's surveillance. Most of the scholars there studied under our teacher , they'll help delay the Akademiya if needed. If either of you need an escape route, find me there. I'll prepare one."
Alhaitham nodded approvingly.
"Good. The plan to overturn Azar and end the God-Creation Project must be finished before the Sabzeruz Festival. That festival should belong to the Lesser Lord , a celebration that might earn us a measure of goodwill from Ryen."
His gaze turned serious.
"Cyno and I are already under scrutiny. Tighnari, you must stay hidden , you're our final contingency. You don't need me to explain how."
He added one final warning.
"And avoid wearing your Akasha Terminals except inside Sumeru City or when absolutely necessary. No data from our meetings must be recorded."
Both men nodded. A silent understanding passed among them.
Then, together, they rose and moved toward the door.
Outside, Collei was waiting, bright-eyed with expectation.
"Master, are you done talking? Can we go deal with the Withering Zones now?"
Tighnari sighed, rubbing his temple. After a pause, he relented.
"Give me a moment , I'll walk them out first."
"Okay! I'll go get my things ready!" she said cheerfully, darting off down the hall.
Cyno watched her disappear, a faint, fatherly smile softening his usually stern face.
"She seems… happier. Since her Eleazar was cured, it's like the fear she used to carry around has lifted."
Tighnari nodded, smiling in quiet relief.
"No matter what else happens, that's the best news we've had in a long time."
Side by side, the two watched Collei's retreating figure. To Alhaitham, the sight was oddly domestic , enough to make him shiver with faint discomfort.
As he stepped past them, his voice carried a trace of dry amusement.
"I'll head back to Sumeru City first. Cyno, stay a bit longer , talk with Tighnari if you must. After all…"
He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a teasing tone.
"The two of you really do look like a proper academic family."
Both men froze, momentarily bewildered. Only after Alhaitham's silhouette vanished did the meaning sink in.
They exchanged glances, faces flushing with equal parts confusion and irritation , then, at the same moment, both gave a sharp, dismissive huff and turned away.
After a brief silence, they departed in opposite directions.
~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters:
[email protected] / Dreamer20