Alhaitham said, "Spare me the apologies. I have no interest in exchanging favors."
"I simply helped correct a mistake when I saw one. It's a habit I picked up at the Akademiya."
Paimon said, "I never expected to run into you here, Alhaitham. You really startled me just now."
"I remember when we parted ways at Port Ormos, you said you were heading to the Akademiya. You're not here to capture us, are you?"
"Heh." Alhaitham chuckled lightly. "Have you already gotten on the Akademiya's bad side again? I knew this would happen sooner or later."
"If I wanted to capture you, you'd already be caught."
[Alhaitham: First, let me make it clear—I have nothing to do with the Sages.]
[Paimon: Hmm? That reminds me of an old Liyue saying—'covering one's ears while stealing a bell.']
[Cyno: I agree with that assessment.]
[Alhaitham: I don't get along with the Sages.]
[Lumine: I think I'm convinced. Alhaitham is always so cold—he doesn't seem like someone who could work with the Sages.]
Paimon sighed. "Well, that's true."
Lumine asked, "Did you participate in the Sages' project?"
Alhaitham replied, "Doing odd jobs for the Sages' project is not my area of interest. As a scholar, I belong to the school that pursues freedom of research."
"Speaking of which, lately I've been more interested in you than in the Sages."
Lumine asked, "So you came looking for me on purpose?"
Alhaitham turned away. "Not exactly. I'm still investigating the Divine Knowledge Capsules, but I've hit a bottleneck."
"It's said that the Divine Knowledge Capsules come from the desert. If I want to investigate further, I can't overlook the source. As for my interest in you—it's because when the leader of the Ayn Al-Ahmar used a Divine Knowledge Capsule in front of you, your expression was complicated, and you thought about it for a long time."
"So I believe you're also hiding some information. Would you be willing to share?"
Lumine lowered her head in thought, remembering those words: "World... forget me..."
[Paimon: It feels like that line is very important.]
[Lumine: Yes, it definitely is.]
[Ningguang: "World... forget me..." Who must be forgotten?]
[Paimon: It's not going to require sacrificing Nahida to save Sumeru, is it?]
[Nahida: The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was willing to give up her life for Sumeru. I can do the same.]
[Furina: Is there any other way?]
[Zhongli: Irminsul's authority is tied to the God of Wisdom. I may have great power, but it's of no use when it comes to Irminsul.]
But Lumine didn't answer directly. "The situation is complicated. Now isn't the time to discuss it."
"Is that so?" Alhaitham crossed his arms. "After all, I am affiliated with the Akademiya. It's wise to be cautious around me."
"But at least it proves you do know something, doesn't it?"
Lumine still didn't answer.
Alhaitham smiled. "That's fine. I prefer investigating freely over getting direct answers from you. You're heading to the desert as well?"
Paimon nodded. "Yes, same as you. But we don't have any specific goal yet either."
Alhaitham suggested, "Then let's go to Aaru Village first. It's the largest settlement in the desert—more resources and information there. Care to travel together?"
Lumine nodded. "We'll follow your lead."