Chapter 603: After the Dust Settles

In this catastrophe, the desert's civilization nearly faced a complete break in continuity, and the rainforest people were unaware of the truth.

On top of that, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was infected by forbidden knowledge, and she wanted people to forget her.

The desert people had no understanding of the rainforest's internal affairs—they thought the Dendro Archon dominated the Akademiya.

All these reasons combined made them hold grudges against the one they least should have hated...

This was just like Zhongli's story that time—the truth was the greatest punishment for them.

This was the desert people's "Rock-Eating Punishment." The desert people could not hide their tears.

Azar! You deserve to die! I would kill you a thousand times and it still! Wouldn't! Be! Enough!!

People from other nations also sighed deeply. Among them, the most smug sigh was "Thank goodness we didn't believe Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was a traitor—thanks to Rock Studies."

It had to be said, Rock Studies' line "Do you understand Rex Lapis or do I?" awakened all of Teyvat, preventing everyone from getting slapped in the face.

[Rahman in disbelief: "No... No—! Impossible!"]

He couldn't believe it—couldn't believe that the one he had hated for half his life was actually his benefactor.

Like most desert people, "hatred" was his motivation to keep going. Now... he was in despair.

From the desert people's perspective, the Scarlet King's death led to the collapse of civilization, and the Scarlet King died because of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's arrival.

Yet they missed the crucial point: the Tree King came to save them.

[Rahman's tone carried a self-mocking laugh: "How could I dare believe there is such an incomprehensible deviation in the world?! How can you ask me to believe that I raised a butcher's knife against my benefactor and lived like that for so many years!"]

Both gods chose self-sacrifice, causing their people to think the other side had killed their own god.

This was a case of one's position determining one's thoughts—their stance shaped their ideas.

[Dehya's tone serious and stern: "Rahman... enough. Stop talking. Don't make yourself into a joke."]

Dehya rarely took this attitude—it was clear she was getting heated now too.

[Rahman: "Dehya... tell me... what exactly have I and my brigade been fighting for?"]

His faith collapsed. At first, he just wanted the desert people to live better lives.

No—that wasn't right. He merely wanted the desert people to live ordinary lives; that was all he fought for.

But now he understood: the desert people's survival was already thanks to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's grace, yet they hated her.

So ridiculous, so tragic.

After long reflection, Rahman's emotions finally calmed. He figured it out—their enemy wasn't the Dendro Archon, but the sages.

[Rahman: "Give me some time. I need to explain everything today to my brothers."]

Explaining clearly wouldn't be easy. Everyone had come together because they hated the Dendro Archon. If the boss suddenly said Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was their benefactor, who would believe it?

If a less capable boss said something like that, his subordinates would overthrow him.

But fortunately, Rahman was a man of absolute authority in the brigade. Even though this was too unbelievable for desert people, since Rahman said it, they would believe him.

Now their rebellion plan had allies. As the leader of a Gilded Brigade faction, Rahman's forces were quite large.

After learning the truth, the group left the ruins. Cyno stayed before the statue, placing his hand on his chest in silent mourning.

[Paimon: "Hey, Cyno—! Let's go!"]

[Cyno: "...Don't call me."]

Cyno's words were very direct—he told Paimon not to call him; he would leave when the time was right.

Cyno's words seemed a bit harsh, but no one thought it was excessive.

After all, he was mourning. Paimon disturbing him at this time was inappropriate no matter how you looked at it.

Looking at the priest in the illustration—he might even be Cyno's ancestor.

After everyone left the ruins and rested a bit, they met Rahman again the next day.

Arriving at the Gilded Brigade's camp, the guards at the gate indeed had no intention of stopping them. The group entered the interior without obstruction.

It had to be said, Rahman was truly capable—convincing his subordinates in just one day. Gaining such high "trust" in his subordinates' hearts wasn't easy.

Rahman sent all the village guardians back to Aaru Village and also brought the Traveler and the others to see the scholars they had captured.

The scholars were very surprised to see Alhaitham coming, but overall they remained calm.

Then... Cyno came over too.

[Morgi exclaimed in shock: "The General Mahamatra?! No—no, just kill me, thief!"]

They would rather die than fall into Cyno's hands—it showed Cyno's "renown."

This was also why Tighnari had previously asked Cyno how he interrogated Azar. Cyno's interrogation skills were unquestionable.

[Morgi defended himself: "We were all acting under orders! You should know that, right? These things—these things couldn't possibly be done by individuals!"]

This was true. Just like Setaria, pushed along by "authority"—even if the person wanted to resist, they couldn't.

The only one who could resist the Akademiya as an "individual" was probably Tighnari. As long as Tighnari didn't leave Avidya Forest, the Akademiya couldn't do anything to him.

But bad deeds done were done, and moreover, these people were different from Setaria.

Setaria was truly pushed along—these people were actually willing. They only started regretting it now that Cyno had caught them.

They didn't regret doing these things—they regretted getting caught.

Alhaitham didn't want to waste words with them and directly asked:

["So, the higher-ups had you do all this—what exactly is their goal?"]

Regarding what they wanted to do, the readers actually knew—it was creating a god, right?

What surprised everyone was that the Traveler had known this for a long time, right? How come Alhaitham and the others still didn't know?

Traveler, is your mouth really that tight?

Just thinking about it, the Traveler stepped forward and asked:

["The sages want to create a god, right?"]

[Cyno: "—!"]

[Alhaitham: "..."]

Readers: "...?"

So this intelligence was only shared with everyone now? Traveler, your vigilance is sometimes high and sometimes low!

Sometimes you really should learn the Raiden family's "fine tradition."

But thinking about it, the Traveler was wanted everywhere—being vigilant was reasonable.

[Morgi, surprised and puzzled, said: "...You... how do you know?"]

They had originally wanted to keep this secret hidden, but unexpectedly the Traveler knew.

From this, it could be seen that their level was much higher than Setaria's. Setaria, truly a small fry pushed along, had no idea what the Akademiya was planning.

These two were considered the Grand Sage's confidants—they knew a lot of intelligence. Now it was time for Cyno to take the stage.

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Character Voice · Furina: About "Trial"

"Cyno's 'trial' seems a bit different from what I understand..."