Sumeru City, Nether Palace.
The time came to around two in the afternoon.
The acting Grand Sage Alhaitham, who had finished organizing the recent public affairs of Sumeru, arrived here.
As the main force in rescuing the great Grass God, he was elected to this position by everyone.
But truthfully, Alhaitham did not like the position of Grand Sage, which was at the forefront and drew much attention.
He only wanted a position that was neither too high nor too low, where he could research topics he was interested in while ensuring his basic material life.
As soon as the great Grass God found her next successor, Alhaitham would honorably retire and go back to being a scribe.
Knock, knock, knock!
Alhaitham knocked on the door of the Nether Palace.
No one responded from inside the door.
Was she possessing someone again to observe the lives of Sumeru's citizens?
Alhaitham guessed, then lifted his foot, ready to leave.
It wasn't his problem that his superior wasn't there, so he couldn't report his work.
Just recently, the Akademiya had collected a batch of peculiar books, so he would leave a few hours early today.
Alhaitham's plan, as he thought this, did not come to fruition. Before he could walk out of the spacious Nether Palace square, a voice sounded in his mind.
[It's Alhaitham. Come in.]
"Yes, great Grass God."
Next time, I must use the speed of an elemental skill to leave!
Alhaitham turned back, walking with a normal expression.
The door of the Nether Palace opened automatically. Nahida was not floating in mid-air meditating as usual, but was being held in a man's arms, reading a comic book.
That was... Traveler?!
Alhaitham's pupils contracted, his emotions rarely fluctuating so intensely.
"Is the acting Grand Sage here to report this week's work?"
"Yes, great Grass God."
Alhaitham respectfully placed the documents in his hand on the newly built Grass God's desk.
A green Aralia Element Power swirled up, carrying the documents to Nahida's front.
This was a mechanism Nahida personally established after the Akasha Terminal was disabled.
Although she could know what was happening in Sumeru without the Akademiya's reports, this paper-based reporting allowed her to see what her subordinates were doing and to corroborate what she saw and heard, better grasping Sumeru's major and minor movements.
Bang!
Jack closed the comic book, gave it a gentle flick, and tossed it into his personal god's eye space.
He wasn't interested in the official documents Nahida was looking at, but rather looked at this civil official, who was rumored to be unskilled in combat.
"Long time no see, Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham, how does it feel to be at the pinnacle of Sumeru's power for so long?"
Alhaitham glanced at the Traveler and the Grass God, who clearly had a very intimate relationship.
Could the Grass God's slightly bulging belly under her clothes mean she was pregnant? The Traveler was too… beastly!
Adhering to the principle that a subordinate should not speak too much, Alhaitham kept his eyes down.
He carefully considered his words: "It's not so much a feeling, but rather that I used to underestimate the position of Grand Sage. I'm quite good at playing little tricks in my daily life, but for a position that requires a broad vision and great perseverance, I often feel out of my depth in private."
"He's lying. He often finishes a whole day's work by morning and then slacks off in the afternoon. He also frequently uses his position as Grand Sage to bully a student from the Kshahrewar Darshan named Kaveh."
Beyond her work, Nahida didn't forget to speak up, undermining her subordinate.
Alhaitham's expression remained unchanged, but he lowered his head slightly.
Clearly, he felt some shame about the Grass God seeing him use his official position to tease Kaveh.
"Don't worry, little Nahida doesn't mean to blame you for abusing your power. She knows you were just joking with a friend."
Alhaitham and his problematic roommate Kaveh, he knew their relationship as troublesome friends.
Afterwards, Jack asked about the recent situation in Sumeru.
Such as issues left over from the previous Grand Sage, internal factional disputes within the Akademiya, and the establishment of Sumeru's own armed forces.
To these, Alhaitham answered one by one.
He fully demonstrated his S-rank talent, integrating military, political, and administrative capabilities.
"Establishing Sumeru's own armed forces is indeed a very urgent matter. The Corps of Thirty and the Akademiya are, after all, in an employment relationship. Since it's employment, it's a transaction, and thus there's a price tag."
"Once someone offers them a price that would make them violate the terms of the transaction, Sumeru's defense forces would be directly hollowed out by hostile forces, putting the gods and the people in crisis."
Clap, clap, clap!
Jack expressed his admiration for Alhaitham's speech.
"As expected of Alhaitham, it seems this Grand Sage position is truly meant for you. Nahida, just make him official later, the word 'acting' sounds so uncomfortable."
"Mhm, whatever you say."
These two, husband and wife, sang in harmony, even tricking the shrewd Alhaitham.
No! Why have I said so much today?
Alhaitham reacted, pressing his finger to the side of his earphone.
This was a special tool he had made for himself, capable of providing a quiet environment for thought while also serving as an analysis and detection instrument.
Upon sensing, he discovered that his brain was being interfered with by some external force.
It was a power that his tools, made with reference to the Scarlet King's technology, could not analyze. In other words, it was forbidden knowledge unique to the gods.
Since the gods had even resorted to the lowly method of truth serum, Alhaitham had no room left to refuse, and could only bite down on this exquisite yet unpalatable piece of fat.
"Tha… thank you, Grass God, for your kindness. I will do my utmost in this work as Grand Sage."
"Mhm, mhm, just as Jack said, we're just taking off your 'acting' hat. My promise to you about finding a successor to replace you is still valid, you know."
Alhaitham's eyes lit up, and he looked up at the benevolent Grass God, his savior.
The Grass God is indeed reasonable!
It's decided, I'll quickly start preparing Tighnari psychologically. In this talent-scarce Sumeru City, only he has the ability to serve as Grand Sage.
After finishing his report, Alhaitham exited the Nether Palace.
He was still pondering something while walking.
"No! The Traveler has been missing for at least 7 months. He just returned, and he's already gotten the Grass God pregnant? Or is it that gods are different from ordinary mortals and don't need to go through 12 weeks of embryonic development, showing immediately?"
The thoughtful Alhaitham discovered the problem.
But this question, it seemed, no one could answer him.
…
"He… seems to have noticed."
On the divine throne, Nahida stood up, and in stark contrast to her petite body was her bulging belly.
It looked as if she was four or five months pregnant.
"He should have noticed, but Alhaitham isn't one to gossip, probably."
"I hope so."
Nahida touched her bulging belly with some regret. Although it was full of vitality, it was not a new life in the ordinary sense.
"If only I were truly pregnant… Unfortunately, it's just that Nahida is too weak to digest such a massive amount of elemental energy, resulting in symptoms like 'elemental bloating'."
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