Dehya spread her hands. "You're being too naive. You're vastly outnumbered. How could you possibly stand against the Akademiya, which covers all of Sumeru?"
"If you don't believe me, just ask those two men over there. They've also opposed the Akademiya, but none of them were as conceited as you are."
[Alhaitham: There's no denying the Akademiya's power.]
[Lumine: They're equally cunning when it comes to scheming. They've deceived the desert people, who don't even realize they've been used.]
[Paimon: I feel the same way. They're truly formidable opponents.]
[Nahida: Deception and lies are what the current Sages excel at.]
[Dehya: If I hadn't encountered the Dendro Archon, I might have been swept along and joined them too.]
[Paimon: Why? Dehya, don't you disagree with them?]
[Dehya: But I also want to tear down the Wall of Samiel.]
Rahman sneered. "Hmph. The stench of a lackey. Why should I converse with those who follow the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?"
"You despicable, filthy traitors! Your deity betrayed King Deshret and sold out righteousness. The children of the desert will never trust the people of the Dendro Archon."
Cyno rested his chin on his hand. "Too hostile. Communication is impossible."
Alhaitham spoke up. "What, do you think those scholars alone give you enough leverage to negotiate with the Akademiya?"
Alhaitham shook his head. "Those people are nothing more than discarded pieces from the Akademiya. But I can reluctantly serve as your hostage instead."
"I am the Akademiya's Scribe. To you, that would count as a substantial bargaining chip."
Dehya looked shocked. "Wait, you can't be serious."
Rahman's arrogance remained undiminished. "You want to trade yourself for my hostages?"
Alhaitham nodded. "Yes. If you're smart, you'll accept my offer."
Paimon asked with concern, "Alhaitham, what are you thinking? What if they kill you?"
[Alhaitham: Paimon, if you paid more attention to my physique, you wouldn't entertain such speculation. They couldn't kill me.]
[Paimon: That's so confident!]
[Lumine: He has a Vision and trains diligently in combat. It's only natural for him to be confident.]
Alhaitham looked at Paimon. "Even if that happens, it would just be a matter of luck."
"Besides, this gives me an opportunity to get close to the scholars in his possession. I might be able to uncover the truth."
Rahman chuckled. "You think you can convince me with this hollow confidence?"
Alhaitham shook his head. "This isn't about convincing you. I'm simply joining your resistance movement in this form."
Rahman looked skeptical. "What reason would a Scribe have to betray the Akademiya?"
Alhaitham replied, "Not everyone who lives in the desert believes in King Deshret. The same is true of the Akademiya. Why should someone who pursues knowledge necessarily endorse the Akademiya's methods?"
"Hahahaha." Rahman let out a manic laugh. "Hypocrite! Hypocrite! Everyone from the Akademiya—no, everyone from the other side of the Wall—is exactly the same. I told you, I won't listen to a single word from those who follow the Dendro Archon."
[Paimon: What is this? These desert people are completely impossible to communicate with.]
[Dehya: Haha, you're right. Communicating with these desert folks is incredibly exhausting. Most of the time, I don't even bother arguing with them.]
[Alhaitham: It likely has to do with their lack of proper education. The less education one receives, the more prone one is to stubbornness.]