After parting ways with Rahman, Dehya let out a long breath. "Thank goodness. He really didn't go through with it."
Paimon said angrily, "Are you crazy?! You're both acting like maniacs! What if he really had cut off your arm?"
Dehya shrugged nonchalantly. "Huh? Then I'd just have to learn to hold a sword with my left hand."
[Dehya: As long as you accept the worst possible outcome in advance, there's nothing to fear.]
[Paimon: But... but it's still...]
[Lumine: Even after watching it, I'm still shaken.]
[Paimon: Yeah. Losing an arm sounds absolutely terrifying.]
[Dehya: There's nothing scary about it. Among mercenaries, losing arms or legs isn't that uncommon. It's inconvenient, sure, but you can still live.]
Lumine said, "I hope you won't take such risks in the future."
Dehya spread her hands. "Sorry. It just felt like a situation where I had to take that gamble."
Cyno spoke up. "Don't make promises like that next time. I could have taken care of all of them."
"Even in the worst case, you wouldn't have lost."
Dehya looked at Cyno. "I believe you. But, Cyno, this isn't just about me. They're not just individuals—they represent a certain mindset."
"Even if you take out one radical, there will be others like him. Killing them won't solve the problem."
Cyno was persuaded. "Alright. We'll do it your way."
Suddenly, Alhaitham said to Dehya, "You're quite radical. You'd be well-suited for academic research."
"Wait, are you serious?" Dehya looked incredulous.
[Dehya: Alhaitham, I didn't expect you to be good at cracking jokes too.]
[Alhaitham: I wasn't trying to tell a joke. I'm being serious. The most important quality in academic research is radicalism. Conservatives can't discover new knowledge.]
[Dehya: Then... if I ever get the chance to study in Sumeru, doing research might not be a bad idea.]
[Alhaitham: You could start as my assistant.]
[Dehya: Is that really okay?]
[Alhaitham: Of course. I believe in your intelligence. You have a sharp mind—you just lack research training.]
[Dehya: Then I'll definitely have to consider that seriously.]
Alhaitham continued, "Those Eremites also called me a madman. Perhaps madmen are the ones who achieve something in academia."
Dehya spread her hands. "I feel like he's praising himself while complimenting me at the same time."
Lumine said, "That's just how he is. Don't mind it."
The group returned to Aaru Village to rest and gathered on time the next day.
They arrived at the agreed meeting place, but there was only one mad scholar waiting for them.
Alhaitham crossed his arms. "I didn't expect you to arrive before us."
Paimon covered her face guiltily. "Is it because I overslept for five minutes this morning?"
Lumine said, "You don't have to admit to everything."
Rahman asked, "Are you all prepared?"
Alhaitham nodded. "Yes. But you've brought fewer people than I expected."
Paimon also widened her eyes. "Why is there only one person?"
Dehya stepped forward to negotiate. "Rahman, I've always seen you as a man of your word. What's the meaning of this?"
Rahman said matter-of-factly, "One for one. Fair trade, isn't it?"
[Paimon: Ah, if it's one for one, we don't have enough people!]
[Alhaitham: Don't worry. If there's no other way, we can always use force.]