The group then went to re-examine the place where Isak's grandfather had disappeared.
On the way, Isak volunteered, "Grandfather always stayed by himself. Sometimes he'd stare blankly at the sky, other times he'd scratch at the ground with his fingers."
"He'd occasionally shout loudly, so people were afraid of him. But I know he's a really good person—truly. He's just like my real grandfather."
They arrived at the place where Isak's grandfather lived.
It was a very simple tent at the foot of the mountain, barely large enough for one person.
[Paimon: It's so basic. It must get really cold here when it rains.]
[Dehya: Luckily, it doesn't rain in the desert. Or at least, very rarely.]
[Paimon: Ah...]
[Candace: Most of the mad scholars live like this in Aaru Village. They're delirious and can't take care of themselves. Fortunately, the villagers often help out.]
As soon as they arrived, Lumine caught a peculiar scent. She asked, "Cyno, do you smell incense?"
Paimon asked with concern, "You can smell it? Are you okay? Are you feeling dizzy?"
Cyno asked in confusion, "Huh? There's a smell I can't detect, but you can?"
Paimon explained, "The Traveler was once knocked out by this scent. Tighnari rescued her and gave her extensive special training afterward."
Cyno asked, "You know Tighnari?"
Paimon said, "You know him too? Is he your friend?"
Cyno nodded. "Yes. Mm... focusing carefully, I can indeed smell the incense."
Paimon asked, "Did Tighnari train you too?"
Cyno shook his head. "No. There was no need. I wouldn't be knocked out by that scent."
[Tighnari: Getting knocked out by incense has never happened in Sumeru. I suspect your fainting may have been caused by something else.]
[Cyno: Tighnari rarely speaks up.]
[Tighnari: I'm clearing Withering Zones and doing research. I can only spare a moment to check in here. Alright, I need to get back to work.]
[Paimon: Tighnari is such a busy person.]
[Collei: The Withering Zones are urgent. They can't be delayed.]
Cyno then found adult male footprints on the ground. Based on the tread patterns, he identified them as a common local shoe type. The person who came here was a villager.
"The scent is also very faint. The footprints all lead toward the entrance."
Lumine said, "So someone else came here."
Isak was confused. "But who would come looking for Grandfather? He doesn't have any friends."
Cyno said, "That's what we need to ask—the person who lured him away with incense."
Paimon was shocked. "You can lure someone away with a scent?"
Lumine put her hands on her hips. "If Paimon smelled something delicious, she'd be easy to lure away too."
[Furina: Hahaha, Paimon sounds even easier to catch.]
[Paimon: That's not true! I'm very wise. I wouldn't fall for that.]
[Lumine: I have my doubts about that claim.]
[Paimon: Lumine, you don't believe me either.]
[Lumine: I believe you'd definitely take the bait.]
Paimon looked up defiantly. "So what if I like tasty food? Is that wrong? Everyone has things they're passionate about!"
Cyno nodded. "That's right. Scholars generally like incense. The scent is said to calm the mind and help with the pursuit of knowledge."
"Being lured away by such a scent suggests that even in their madness, they still long for the days when they pursued knowledge."