(Caravan Ribat)

They have temporarily lost Nahida's help, but according to the message she left behind, they will meet someone in the desert who can help them get out of the woods. To foil the nefarious plot between the Akademiya and the Fatui, they set off on another journey.

They arrived in Caravan Ribat. Joining them were Altera and Ishtar. Both servants were invisible. There were also the servants Patrick said he'd summon. They were also invisible.

Paimon: We've finally made it to Caravan Ribat. It's pretty lively here!

Asuka: It is.

Paimon: So just past this wall is the desert, huh...

Vert: Looks like it.

Paimon: Oh wow, Paimon remembers hearing people call this the Wall of Samiel. It's made to block sandstorms from the outside... If it's this tall, it's gotta be the divine work of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, right?

Durandal: Maybe.

Aether: It is indeed quite impressive... Truly awe-inspiring.

As they were looking at the wall. A man passes by them.

Alhaitham: ...Enough gawking. Come on, follow me.

Paimon: Huh...?

Everyone: Alhaitham!?

Alhaitham: Over here.

Alhaitham ran so they did what he said and followed after him by running after him.

Paimon: Alhaitham went that way — let's hurry up and follow him. Wonder what he's up to...

They managed to catch up to him.

Durandal: Why did you want us to follow you?

Vert: Maybe that's why.

Vert pointed at some Ermite Mercenaries. It looked like they were following them.

Eremite Mercenary: What the? Where did they go!? Ugh, how did we lose 'em? They were just here a second ago...

Paimon: More Eremite mercenaries? Who're they working for this time... Anyway, Traveler, it seems like we were being followed again!

Durandal: Guess it's a good thing our groups split up.

Alhaitham: You were too careless. You should have noticed those hopeless amateurs trailing you a long time ago.

Aether: Thanks, Alhaitham.

Vert: We couldn't have shaken them without you.

Alhaitham: There's no need to thank me. I've never cared to keep track of personal favors. All I did was correct a mistake I happened to come across. It's a habit I developed at the Akademiya.

Paimon: You really gave Paimon a scare, Alhaitham! We never thought we'd run into you here. Last time we met at Port Ormos, didn't you say you were going to go back to the Akademiya? Wait... don't tell Paimon that you're here to take us back on their orders!

Alhaitham: Oh, so you've already landed yourselves on the Akademiya's hit list? Haha, I can't say that I didn't expect it.

Neptune: Exactly! We were framed and got turned into wanted fugatives!

Nepgear: We found out a terrible secret and now the Akademiya wants to silence us!

Alhaitham: However, had I wished to turn you over to the Akademiya, don't you think you'd already be the Eremites' honored guests by now?

Paimon: Oh, right... You do have a point.

Aether: Did you participate in the sages' big project?

Alhaitham: I have no interest in running errands for that project. As a scholar, I've always belonged to the camp that promotes researcher autonomy. And these days, you are more fascinating than anything the sages can offer.

Aether: So, you were actually looking for us?

Alhaitham: Hmm, not quite. To tell you the truth... I'm still investigating the Divine Knowledge Capsule. Unfortunately, I've run into some difficulties.

Mei: What kind of difficulties?

Kiana: Tell us.

Alhaitham: Everyone says the capsule originated in the desert and was eventually moved to Port Ormos. If I am to get to the bottom of this, I must understand how the capsule first came to be. Which brings me back to you, and why you're so interesting. The leader of Ayn Al-Ahmar used the Divine Knowledge Capsule right in front of you, and upon seeing him, your expression became perplexed, and you were lost in thought for quite some time. To have that kind of reaction, I think you must have realized something. Are you interested at all in sharing what you've been hiding from me?

Aether: (It must be because I was so shocked to hear those words again... "world... forget me...")

Paimon: Alhaitham, you really have a ridiculous eye for detail! What kind of person even notices and remembers stuff like that...

Patrick: The situation is a little complicated.

Aether: I can't share what I know just yet.

Alhaitham: So that's your answer... Well, I do work for the Akademiya after all. So considering that, it is indeed wise to keep your cards close to your chest. But that does prove you do have some undisclosed information about the Divine Knowledge Capsule. Am I right?

Aether: ...

Alhaitham: No matter. Rather than simply learning the answers from you, I'd still prefer to investigate on my own. Speaking of, yo people are also headed to the desert?

Paimon: That's right, we have the same plan as you. But we don't really have any concrete goals at the moment...

Alhaitham: Then I'd suggest starting with Aaru Village. It's the largest settlement in the desert, so it'll probably have more resources and intel than anywhere else. Well? Would you like to head there together?

Neptune: Sounds good.

Aether: Let's head there together then.

Vert: (That's the same name as Princess Aaru from our crossover game with "Senran Kagura".)

Paimon: It's always better to travel with someone you know. Let's go!

So they exited Caravan Ribat and went on their way to Aaru Village. Halfway they met with the other group.

Homura: Those Ermites just won't give up.

Noire: Just like bounty hunters.

Patrick: Alhaitham. Please fill them in.

Alhaitham: Certainly.

Patrick: There is one more thing.

Patrick snapped his fingers then the servants appeared.

Altera: Greetings.

Ishtar: Greetings Alhaitham.

Xuanzeng: Hello.

After introductions to the servants they continued walking to Aaru Village as Alhaitham filled the other group in.

They approach the entrance to Aaru Village at the statue of the Seven.

Alhaitham: Before us lies Aaru Village, the safe haven of the desert folk.

Paimon: Whoa, this landscape is really something else. What a cool place! Let's go check it out!

Altera: Good Civilization. Let's go check it out.

They walked up closer and took in the sights of Aaru village. That's when someone jumps down from above with a spear to attack them.

???: Hmph!

Aether blocks the attacker with his sword and pushes him back then slashes at him only for the attacker to dodge and jump back.

Neptune: And now we have an attacker.

The attacker charges in only to get blocked by Altera.

Altera: What's your problem?!

Altera pushes the attacker back and charges in and their weapons meet for some rounds. That's when the attacker kicks Altera away and goes to Alhaitham and they start to fight. After a few rounds, Alhaitham recognizes the attacker.

Alhaitham: ...Cyno

Cyno: Tsk...

Cyno, General Mahamatra of the Akademiya.

Alhaitham: Unless my memory fails me, we have barely spoken two words to each other before now at the Akademiya. Would you care to enlighten me as to when and how I invited the General Mahamatra's wrath?

Neptune: Exactly! Tell us why you attacked us!

Altera: You are Bad Civilization for thinking that we're bad people!

Cyno: Alhaitham, do not think that you can escape my judgment just because you managed to escape my attack.

Alhaitham: "Judgment"? So, that's how you'd characterize your actions here, is it? Or would "elimination" perhaps be a more accurate description?

Cyno: Had I used my full strength, not even this traveler would have been able to stop me. Or that woman either.

Altera: Hey, I'll have you know that my full strength is higher than yours because I'm a servant!

Cyno: Though styled like an assassination, I sought only to ensure that my target would be unable to flee or resist. Standard practice for the matra, as well you know.

Alhaitham: Seemed to me more like your own personal touch.

Paimon: Uh, wh—who is that, Alhaitham? Did you call him "General Mahamatra"?

Alhaitham: Yes... General Mahamatra Cyno, head of all the matra at the Akademiya. He's a formidable hunter, and the ultimate nightmare for any who have committed academic crimes.

Cyno: You seem to have placed a lot of trust in Alhaitham, to the point of blocking an attack for him. If I were you, I'd never choose to side with him. I wouldn't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth.

Vert: Even he believes the sages lies.

Cyno: I have been pursuing this scribe for a long time. I urge you, stand back and do not seek to defend him any longer. Otherwise... there will be consequences.

Aether: I don't trust him as much as you seem to think.

Durandal: But that doesn't mean we're going to stand by and do nothing.

Paimon: Has Alhaitham done something wrong? Paimon doesn't think he's as bad as you've made him out to be.

Cyno: I won't waste my breath explaining things. Alhaitham, I saw it during our fight... Take it out. The Divine Knowledge Capsule you're hiding on your person. Unless you want me to retrieve it for myself?

Alhaitham: ...Hmph. Very perceptive of you... Nothing escapes a matra's senses.

Alhaitham takes out the Divine Knowledge Capsule.

Paimon: Wait, the Divine Knowledge Capsule!? Didn't it fall into the matra's hands in Port Ormos?

Aether: So you did lie to us.

Alhaitham: No wonder you speak with such confidence, Cyno. But I must admit, I am very curious... What does this capsule mean to you? And why, as General Mahamatra of the Akademiya, are you all alone in the desert? As far as I'm aware, the other matra have been speculating about your disappearance. Have you been given a mission that's... let's say, morally dubious? If I was the real target of your mission, what was stopping you from simply using your authority and resources to judge me within the walls of the Akademiya?

Aether: Is it a mission from the sages?

Cyno: ... I should have known you'd be difficult to deal with.

Paimon: You two... Ugh, what should we do? Paimon feels like we can't trust either of them...

Vert: I don't know.

Dehya: Ahem... Well look at you two, acting all tough and self-righteous over there.

Paimon: Wait, Dehya!?

Dehya shows up out of nowhere.

Paimon: Great, finally someone that we can trust!

Noire: Glad you could join us.

Paimon: You gotta help us out here! Otherwise, these two are gonna start fighting again...

Dehya: Yeah, sure looks that way... Two giants from the Akademiya, duking it out once and for all. Not something you get to see every day, that's for sure. Listen, I know you academic types love to fill up your big brains with self-righteous morality, and lord your empty rules and virtues over each other... But how dare you bring your petty disputes into the safe haven of Aaru Village? It seems like someone's gonna have to beat some sense into your thick skulls until you finally learn to respect these grounds!

Cyno: ...

Alhaitham: ...

Aether: Neither of them can afford to be distracted by Dehya...

Altera: They're still looking for an opportunity to attack...

Dehya: Hey! Did either of you hear a word I just said!?

Wind: Whoosh...

A sandstorm shows up unexpectedly.

Paimon: Whoa! What's going on!? The wind's so strong — is this a sandstorm!? Paimon's gonna get blown away!

Dehya: Tch... Another sandstorm? What's up with these recently?

???: Hey! All of you, over here, quickly! We have to take cover!

A woman calls out to them.

Paimon: Someone's calling for us, guys! This wind is too strong. Let's get over there!

Group: Right!

Dehya: That sounded like Candace... ...C'mon, you people! Geez, are all you Akademiya folks such hard work? Move it!

Alhaitham: Alright, stop yelling.

Cyno: ...Hmph.

So they follow Candace and take cover inside a building.

Ishtar: That was a close one.

Altera: Sandstorms are Bad Civilization.

Homura: Sandstorms are bad for people.

Cyno: ...

Alhaitham: ...

Dehya: ...

Aether: ...

Paimon: Well, this is pretty awkward...

Asuka: It sure is.

Neptune: 4 people silent while everyone else is calm.

Paimon: "Hey, wanna play sardines with three people who wanna tear each other limb from limb?" "Sure, why not, sounds fun!"...

Durandal: No fighting is allowed.

Paimon: Ah... The air's so thick and heavy, Paimon can hardly keep floating anymore...

???: My sincere apologies, everyone. This is the home of our village chief. I will have to ask you to make do with this small room until the sandstorm dies down.

Miyabi: Alright ma'am.

Theresa: Easier said than done.

Candace: Please let me introduce myself. I am Candace, protector of Aaru Village.

Paimon: Ah, our savior has come at last!

Neptune: She looks like something from Egypt.

Nitrocris: She is themed around Egypt.

Ozymandias: So is Cyno.

Ereshkigal: What's gonna happen now that she's here?

Ishtar: We're about to find out.

Paimon: Nice to meet you, Candace! The name's Paimon! Thank you so much for helping us!

Aether: You have our gratitude.

CPU Candidates: Thank you so much for saving us.

Candace: Hehe, there's no need to thank me. It's only right to help each other when the weather gets rough.

Altera: That is true. Helping is always the right thing to do.

Paimon: Wow... She's so gentle and caring, like a nice older sister! ...Unlike those guys over there.

Vert: I like being a nice older sister too. Even though I have no little sister.

Candace: Alright, now that we're all better acquainted, we should return to the topic at hand. As a guardian charged with the responsibility to protect my fellow villagers from harm, I was observing your conflict from afar, even before the sandstorm started. And now that you have set foot within Aaru Village itself, it is all the more my responsibility to make absolutely sure that you pose no threat whatsoever to us. So please, have an honest and sincere conversation with one another, and put your hostile feelings to rest. If anyone dares to start anything again while they are under this roof... I will not hesitate to send them out for some quality time with the creatures of the sandstorm.

Paimon: Oh, uh... On second thought, Paimon may have misjudged Candace's character.

Vert: Same here.

Patrick: Or you could chain them together to take sure that they can get along.

Candace: That's not a bad idea. I'll keep that in mind.

Dehya: Hmph...

Candace: And that goes for you too, Miss Dehya. Do I make myself clear?

Dehya: *sigh*... Alright, we got it, Candace.

Candace: Hehe, that's what I like to hear. So, which of you will begin?

Dehya: I was supposed to be a mediator, but uh... I might've gotten a little too involved just now. Anyway, one of those people should probably start talking.

Paimon: Wait, that was you trying to be a mediator?

Cyno: ... I have nothing to hide, so there is no shame in explaining myself. While Alhaitham wasn't wrong about the other matra not knowing my whereabouts, it's not because I've been assigned a morally dubious mission. Rather... I've chosen to exile myself.

Paimon: Huh? Exile yourself?

Durandal: Why?

Vert: What did you do to make you exile yourself?

Cyno: A little while ago, I discovered that there was data missing in the Akademiya's project planning and development files. What little they did report clearly did not match the project's actual progress. As General Mahamatra, I had the responsibility and authority to request an audit. However, to my surprise, the person responsible for the erroneous data was none other than Grand Sage Azar himself.

Vert got an angered face hearing that name.

Cyno: I tried to investigate the issue myself before submitting a formal audit request, but I soon found that all leads and potential pieces of incriminating evidence were carefully concealed from me. I began to realize that... they were cautious of me from the very beginning. Unsurprisingly, the Grand Sage rejected my audit request as soon as the submission reached his desk. He even said to me: "The power of the General Mahamatra is granted by the sages. You have no right to judge us."

Alhaitham: So they really are up to no good.

Vert: Exactly! They're going through with their evil plans and have high hatred towards Lesser Lord Kusanali!

Theresa: Vert. Enough.

Durandal: Finding out their secrets caused us to become wanted fugitives wanted by the sages.

Cyno: I realized then that to the Grand Sage, the matra are nothing more than tools for the sages to assert and maintain their control over knowledge. The vows that we took, the principles that we strive to uphold... They are meaningless to the Akademiya of today.

Aether: So you then decided to exile yourself?

Cyno: I believed it would be wise to flee the Akademiya before the sages had a chance to take action against me. This way, they can no longer see nor predict my actions. I will never give up on this investigation... There's no need for someone else to give me power or authority. Once I find the truth, I will administer judgment by my own name.

Paimon: Cyno seems to have the same goal as us... We're all investigating the sages!

Group: YEAH!

Paimon: Plus, now that he's no longer the General Mahamatra, he somehow feels a lot less scary!

Aether: (It's still too early to trust him completely... What if that whole story was just made up?)

Paimon: Well, Cyno, if that's your story, then why did you see Alhaitham as a target?

Cyno: When I was investigating the matter in the Akademiya, I overheard a conversation between Alhaitham and a sage. The sages asked you to investigate a blond-haired Traveler. Along with a large group of girls and another boy. Do you dispute this, Alhaitham?

Paimon: What!?

Valkyries: WHAT?!

CPUs; What?!

CPU Candidates: What?!

Shinobi: What?!

Patrick: What?!

Altera: At least us Servants aren't wanted.

Ishtar: Thankfully.

Blanc: Because they haven't seen you and because you didn;t do anything to get in their way.

Cyno: Like many parts of the project, this assignment was undocumented. Now, throw in your suspicious behavior with the Divine Knowledge Capsule, and I think we deserve an explanation.

Aether: From the very beginning, Alhaitham was...

Durandal: Watching us from the beginning.

Vert: The sages were also watching us from the very beginning...

Alhaitham: Yes, I was indeed tasked with investigating the Traveler and his large group of friends.

Paimon: Alhaitham!

Alhaitham: After all, the promised reward was so great that hardly any scholar could have refused. The sage told me, "Once you've completed this assignment, I can give you a glimpse of divine knowledge."

Cyno: A most enticing offer.

Durandal: Bribery.

Alhaitham: Unfortunately, those academics don't know me at all. Their words contained one key piece of information, namely that "Divine Knowledge" indeed exists. That gave me all I needed to know. From my perspective, the sages are far from trustworthy. Think about it: Isn't it a little strange that they're so willing to share Divine Knowledge with anyone, even as a reward? So, I began my own investigation following the lead of the Divine Knowledge Capsule. In the end, I realized my wisdom in committing to this rather than collaborating with the sages. Had I been less guarded, I probably would have ended up like that Ayn Al-Ahmar mercenary, incapable of remaining sane for long enough to hold a conversation.

Cyno: You mean that the sages originally planned to dispose of you using one of those capsules that drive people insane?

Durandal: Finding you no longer of any use to them.

Aether: What about your encounter with us? Did you join forces with us just so you could investigate us?

Alhaitham: I'd already given up on the assignment by then. I only told the Akademiya I was waiting in Port Ormos for you to appear so that they wouldn't suspect anything. So it came as quite a surprise when I encountered my erstwhile target while investigating the Divine Knowledge Capsule.

Cyno: Criminals do love to talk about "coincidences."

Alhaitham: Even though I ran into Traveler and large group by chance, I had no intention of providing assistance to the Akademiya. Also, you should remember...

Vert and Durandal: What?

Alhaitham: You were the ones who decided to follow me and strike up a conversation after I left that tavern.

Aether: Now that you mention it, things did go like that... Is that enough to prove his innocence...?

Paimon: That's true... Alhaitham helped us out at Caravan Ribat as well. Maybe he's telling the truth?

Alhaitham: I'm willing to apologize, if that's worth anything to you. I took the Divine Knowledge Capsule behind your back because I judged its existence to be a significant risk. I felt that it would be best for no one to interact with it before it had been properly studied. After all, curiosity often proves to be the most dangerous thing in this land.

Vert: It's fine, Alhaitham. We found a way to meet Lesser Lord Kusanali. So we forgive you.

Seele: Yes we do.

Bronya and Blanc: Yes.

Cyno: You should be well aware, Scribe Alhaitham, that curiosity can also lead you to danger and suspicion. Answer me this: Did the sages share any information about their project with you?

Alhaitham: Have I not made myself clear? You and I are both distrusted by the Akademiya. Do you really think they would tell me anything?

Cyno: ...Fine. Although you haven't completely proven your innocence, I won't regard you as an enemy for now.

Alhaitham: As you wish.

Candace: Mm—hmm, good. I'm glad to see you two clearing up your misunderstandings. And now you, Dehya. I believe it's your turn.

Dehya: ...Oh, sorry. Whatever the boys were talking about must have been so boring that I spaced out. Ahem... My situation is pretty straightforward. My employer, Dunyarzad of the Homayani family, is friends with the Traveler and his large group of friends and is currently recovering from her illness at home. I had nothing going on, so I decided to return to Aaru Village for a visit. I was actually looking forward to a pretty exciting time getting back together with everyone here... But then I saw these two random guys in the middle of a pointless argument. It ticked me off, and then things went downhill from there...

Candace: Is that all? Well, I will admit that definitely sounds like your style. In that case, welcome back, Dehya!

Dehya: That's more like it! I missed you all so much, Candace...

???: *growl*

Paimon: Whoa! What was that sound?

Rom and Ram: Scary.

Candace: No need to worry. Now that you're no longer at each other's throats, please make yourselves at home. I'll take a quick trip outside to clear out some of those creatures in the sandstorm.

Paimon: C—Creatures in the sandstorm...? Uh, are you sure you don't want some backup?

Durandal: We can fight.

Candace: Fighting in a sandstorm is not for the fainthearted. Anyone without extensive training in these conditions is at a disadvantage. You needn't worry.

Dehya: Yeah, just leave them to Candace. Don't worry, she's as tough as they come.

Homura: Fine...

Vert: Alright.

Kiana: Might as well just settle down now.

After a while the winds calmed down.

Paimon: The winds died down... That means the sandstorm's over, right? Candace still isn't back yet, though. Is she alright? Maybe we should go out and check on her.

Dehya: When you put it that way, even I'm starting to feel a little worried... Alright, let's go. We've been here long enough, and the boys are as chatty as the floor.

Himeko: I guess that we have to go out and find her.

Miyabi: Yeah... Let's go look for her.

Theresa: Alright.

So they leave the house then they use their wind gliders and approach Candace. She was fighting against rifthounds. Then she finished them off.

Paimon: Whoa... Candace, you're still fighting? You've been out here dealing with these creatures the entire time?

Candace: Yes, they just keep coming in waves... I've lost count of how many I've defeated. Before I realized it, even the sandstorm had stopped...

Aether: Not only is she really strong... Her stamina is also something else...

Paimon: Eek, here comes another wave!

Dehya: Leave this round to us! I got interrupted earlier, but now I have something to take my anger out on!

Candace: Hehe, it's been quite a while since I've seen the Flame-Mane in action. I'll leave these to you then.

Altera: It's time to see what us Servants can do.

Dehya: I'll be sure to put on a good show! Everyone, let's go!

They charge in and engage the Rifthounds. They saw what Candace could do. She wielded a spear and a shield. And she had a Hydro Vision. When she raises her shield, Hydro energy materializes on it and the shield transforms and after a few seconds hse uses a Hydro attack with both the spear and the shield. She had an elemental burst where she holds her spear up to summon divine assistance and deals Hydro damage. It gave the others support in their attacks and helped them deal more damage and Hydro damage. Cyno had his spear and an Electro Vision. He did high speed dashes dealing Electro damage to the Rifthounds. His elemental burst summoned a divine spirit possessing him and he morphs into Pactsworn Pathclearer. He had huge claws made of electro on his arms and dealed lots of Electro damage.

Neptune: Wow! They're both really deadly!

After defeating the first wave of Rifthounds, more showed up.

Paimon: Ugh, here comes another wave... When are they ever gonna let up!?

Kiana: Very soon!

After defeating the second wave of Rifthounds, the Rifthounds finally stopped coming.

Paimon: The creatures stopped appearing. Was that the last of them?

Candace: What we fought just now was probably the aftermath of the sandstorm, so we should be safe for the time being.

Sakura: Thank goodness.

???: Well fought, everyone. No injuries, I hope?

A man comes out of nowhere from Aaru Village.

Paimon: Huh? Who are you?

???: Ah, my apologies, I haven't had a chance to greet you yet. I had my hands full taking care of the village's elderly and children.

Uncle Anpu: I am the chief of Aaru Village. Everyone usually calls me Uncle Anpu.

Aether: It's a pleasure to meet you.

Homura: Sorry for all the trouble.

Cyno: Sir, I am also originally from the desert, but I have not been back for some time now. May I ask if such sandstorms are common?

Uncle Anpu: I can't say they've always been common, but recently, the storms have become increasingly severe and frequent. Besides sandstorms, we also occasionally get earthquakes... According to an investigator who stayed in the village a while ago, these unusual natural phenomena are related to the withering of Irminsul.

Paimon: Hmm, another effect of Irminsul's withering... So... Irminsul's withering causes Withering Zones in the forest, and sandstorms and earthquakes here in the desert?

Vert: Looks like it.

Durandal: Things are getting Worse.

Alhaitham: Everything in the natural world is inextricably connected to Irminsul. These "regional symptoms" can indeed be a reflection of Irminsul's present state.

Dehya: *sigh* Everyone in Aaru Village needs to take good care of themselves. Uh, speaking of which, why haven't I seen a single Village Keeper since I got here?

Paimon: Village Keeper? Who are they? Village guards like Candace?

Cyno: Does your curiosity know no bounds... "Village Keeper" is how Aaru Village refers to mad scholars exiled here by the Akademiya.

Kiana: Exiled. Meaning banished from the Akademiya.

Cyno: Most of them are scholars who lost their sanity after a period of training in the Avidya Forest. The Akademiya believes that their crazed mutterings may have a negative effect on the psyches of other scholars, so they're forcibly exiled to the desert... Though if you ask me, it's all a boatload of nonsense.

Sakura: Tighnari also brought this up before...

Aether: Haypasia was also nearly exiled to the desert.

Uncle Anpu: Alas, that's exactly what we've been trying to investigate. One by one, the Village Keepers have been mysteriously disappearing without a trace... But no one in the village has ever seen them leave... If you're planning to stay around the village for the next few days, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for them.

Rita: Don't worry we'll keep an eye out for them.

Kallen: Hopefully we can find them.

Cyno: ...I've had encounters with those people in the past. I'll see what I can do to help.

Alhaitham: The matra are the ones responsible for their exile. Now that you're no longer with them, are you trying to alleviate your guilt and atone for your past sins? I'm fascinated by how you think.

Cyno: Mock me if you will. But if you are guilty, I will eliminate you, regardless of my position or identity.

Altera: There will be no killing.

Uncle Anpu: Oh, you're the former General Mahamatra? You must be an expert in these kinds of investigations. Thank you for your help.

Aether: I'll help, too.

Theresa: We all will.

Paimon: Is it because you're reminded of Haypasia? These poor scholars, first they lose their sanity, now this... We need to help get them back home, safe and sound.

Ishtar: We better do that.

Paimon: But, uh... Is it really a good idea to tag along with Cyno? You seem like you really don't trust him.

Aether: That's why this is a great opportunity to watch him.

Patrick: It'll be fine. Dehya and the others are here, too.

Cyno: I'll be grateful for the assistance. No doubt you will do a better job than some of my former subordinates. Let's start by finding a spot to share what we know so far.

So the really large group follows Cyno to the spot.

Cyno: Although I've sent myself into exile, I'm still doing essentially the same things as before...

Do you still have any questions for me before we start our investigation?

Aether: Why do they refer to the mad scholars as Village Keepers?

Cyno: One of my former subordinates told me that this title has its origins in a strange incident. The Akademiya has long exiled mad scholars to Aaru Village. A mysterious phenomenon exists here... When mad scholars first arrive, they are as incoherent and deranged as before. But after spending some time here, they invariably begin to calm down.

Cyno: Initially, the people of Aaru Village greatly resented having to take in the mad scholars. But a strange incident one night changed that...

Durandal: What is it?

Cyno: Aaru Village was struck by the strongest earthquake in living memory. Seeing buildings on the verge of collapse all around him, the then chief of the village was preparing to take everyone to safety... Suddenly, he noticed a mad scholar crouching in a corner, caressing the ground with his hands. A soft, green light radiated from him, like a divine glow against the backdrop of night. Despite the powerful tremors that ripped through the ground that night, all the houses remained upright, almost as if they had grown roots reaching deep into the ground. In the end, not a single building collapsed, and no one was hurt. After that, the people of Aaru Village treated the mad scholars with greater kindness, and began to refer to them as the Village Keepers.

Paimon: A soft, green light... A mad scholar protecting Aaru Village... Hmm, what do you make of it?

Aether: It must have been Nahida's power.

Vert: Only she could be capable of that...

Paimon: Paimon thinks so, too! Actually, Cyno, do you know if any of the mad scholars continued to wear their Akasha Terminals at Aaru Village?

Cyno: In theory, they would continue wearing them so the Akademiya could still monitor their activities. With that said, the main Akasha system would no longer have any interaction with them.

Paimon: Oh, no wonder! Everything makes sense, then! Add in the fact that they calmed down... It was probably Nahida who calmed them...

Cyno: ...If you are able to draw a conclusion from this one story alone, then it appears you possess much more information than I do. So, what do you make of the story?

Vert: That mad scholar's power likely came from Lesser Lord Kusanali.

Aether: Lesser Lord Kusanali was actually the one who protected the village.

Cyno: Really? Lesser Lord Kusanali... Hmm...

Paimon: What, you don't believe us? Lesser Lord Kusanali was definitely using the Akasha to give her power to the mad scholars...

Vert: You've got to believe us!

Cyno: No, it's not so much that I don't believe you, I'm just struck by your reasoning... Lesser Lord Kusanali, the current Dendro Archon... Is she really active in Sumeru? The Akademiya has always placed far greater importance on the late Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. They've more or less ignored Lesser Lord Kusanali, and I've never had any reason to doubt their views.

Vert: Exactly. They hate her and have her locked up because of how much they hate her and because they want to make sure that she doesn't get in their way.

Cyno: In addition, I've never heard any stories about Lesser Lord Kusanali and her deeds... To me, she might as well have been a god that never existed.

Paimon: No way, Nahida definitely exists! She's a... How should Paimon put it... She's a good archon who's kind and wise! ...Even if she says weird stuff sometimes!

Durandal: She also saved me once not long ago.

Aether: We saved Sumeru City together in the not-so distant past.

Cyno: I've spent many years interrogating criminals, so I can easily tell when someone is lying.

Paimon: Good! Then you should know that we're telling the truth!

Cyno: That look in your eyes... I've never seen that from a liar. You really must have met Lesser Lord Kusanali.

Vert: We have.

Cyno: ...How can this be... To think, our archon has been among us this entire time...

Paimon: Alright, now it's our turn to put our skills to good use for this investigation!

Aether: You betcha!

Paimon: But easier said than done, especially since we don't have any leads... Hmm... Maybe we can start by knocking on some doors?

???: Excuse me, are you here to help me find my grandpa?

A little boy comes up to them.

Paimon: Huh? Who are you?

Cyno: By the sounds of it... a resident of this village.

Isak: M—My name is Isak... You'll help me find my grandpa, right?

Cyno: Is your grandpa a mad scholar?

Isak: Hey, don't say that! Grandpa is just Grandpa. Why do you have to call him that... It's not like he's a bad person or anything.

Asuka: Because of what happened to him before coming to Aaru Village?

Cyno: ... The person you're referring to is not a local, yet you are. Why do you call him "Grandpa"?

Isak: Grandpa is just Grandpa! He's my family. I heard everything you said to the village chief. Please, you gotta take me with you! I wanna find my grandpa, I swear I'll help... I won't be a nuisance!

Cyno: Ah, so you're the one who was eavesdropping on us around the village chief's house. I was planning to go out and take care of whoever it was, but I had a vague feeling that they didn't harbor any ill intent...

Paimon: Whoa, Alhaitham wasn't kidding about matra having sharp senses... Cyno, he's just a kid! All he wants is to find his grandpa. Let's find a way to help him!

Yumi: Exactly. We have to help this kid find his Grandfather.

Isak: Sorry... I was only listening in because I wanted to know where Grandpa went, honest! If you don't believe me, you can ask Miss Candace.

Aether: Please help him, Cyno.

Cyno: ...Alright. But first, let's confirm the facts with Candace.

They return back to the village chief's house. As they approach the village chief's house, Cyno asks Isak to wait nearby.

Paimon: Cyno is super vigilant... Is this what all the matra are like?

Durandal: That's gotta be it.

Candace: Ah, you're back already.

Cyno: We just wanted to confirm something with you. Do you know a boy by the name of Isak?

Candace: Hehe, I had a feeling he'd go looking for you.

Paimon: Huh? You knew this would happen?

Candace: Yes. Although he tried his best to stay hidden, I still noticed him eavesdropping outside the window. He really wants to get his grandfather back. Isak's parents were both Eremite mercenaries who rarely returned to the village after finding employment in the city. He was raised by his grandfather. Unfortunately, it was only a few years before his grandpa passed away. Isak was still very young at the time, so various families in the village took turns caring for him so he could survive. Later, an elderly mad scholar arrived at the village. Isak thought the scholar bore a striking resemblance to his grandfather, and thus often spied on the man. However, the scholar was unkempt in appearance and incoherent in speech. Although Isak referred to the man as his "grandpa," he was afraid and didn't dare to approach him. One summer night, the oft-mumbling and bumbling "grandpa" suddenly calmed down and seemed to become more lucid. He even noticed Isak hiding in the distance. So "Grandpa" walked up to Isak and patted him on the head. He even took Isak to the entrance of the village, where he patiently taught the boy the names of the stars, and accompanied Isak until he fell asleep. The next morning, Isak woke up and wanted to go find his "grandpa" again, only to realize his grandpa no longer recognized him. However, even so, Grandpa retained his calm expression. It's said that those who saw the scholar claimed he no longer appeared to be crazy, but appeared to be living in his own world, almost as if he were sleepwalking. Isak was thrilled that his "grandpa" was able to find peace, and would follow him all the time asking him things like, "Grandpa, want me to take you somewhere fun?" or "Grandpa, could you tell me stories about the stars again?"

Rom and Ram: How sad...

Vert: A little boy without family.

Yumi: Having to live in a village while parents are away.

Paimon: All this somehow just makes Paimon feel really sad... It seems like they both deserve so much better...

Candace: Perhaps. Nearly everyone who lives in the desert has some form of hardship or regret. But even so, we must still continue on with our lives. It's also my reason for fighting. I must continue to protect this land.

Aether: ("Lucid grandpa" was probably Nahida... She must have soothed the other mad scholars as well.)

Cyno: ...

Aether: (From the look on Cyno's face, he's probably connected the dots as well.)

Cyno: Maybe the people have always had a considerate god watching over them.

Paimon: Huh? What did you say, Cyno?

Cyno: No, nothing. As long as Isak keeps his word and doesn't get in our way, we can take him along.

Candace: Perhaps you are more compassionate than I gave you credit for. Please accept my thanks on Isak's behalf, Cyno.

They go back outside.

Paimon: Hey, Isak!

Isak: Ah, it's you guys!

Paimon: We've cleared everything up! Let's go find your grandpa!

Isak: Really!? Wow, thank you so much!

Aether: Your grandpa will be found safe and sound.

Isak: Yeah!

Cyno: Alright, let's ask the local residents some questions first.

After asking the locals about the missing Village Keepers, they had come up with nothing. The group was shortened to Aether, Paimon, Cyno, Isak, Patrick, Kiana, Altera. Ishtar, Xuanzang, Nitrocris, Homura, Durandal, and Vert. And after talking with the third person, Cyno noticed something.

Cyno: ...!

Aether: Hmm? What's wrong, Cyno? Did something happen?

Cyno: Don't say anything for now. Hmm... Isak, stay here. Let's head over there. Stay quiet as you move.

Durandal: I wonder what's up?

Vert: We're about to find out.

They follow Cyno to the marked area.

Cyno: Listen, see if you can make out what they're saying.

Sharkan: Have you heard? The mighty Scarlet KingKing Deshret, the sovereign of our faith, will soon return to this world!

Makan: Yes, of course I have. The Scarlet KingKing Deshret is the one and only true ruler of this land. I've never believed in any other gods!

Vert: More haters of the Dendro Archon.

Durandal: Keep your voice down.

Makan: Still, you say he's coming back, but... it sure doesn't feel like life's about to change around here anytime soon. What's your proof?

Sharkan: Haven't you noticed? The village has been getting more deranged scholars than ever! Delavar was saying that many people also went insane just before the fall of the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's civilization in ancient times. We don't quite know why, but it seems like there's some sort of a connection between insanity and the Scarlet KingKing Deshret. Isn't it a sign of the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's power that all the mad scholars have disappeared? If you ask me, they must have been chosen as the final sacrifice for the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection!

Ishtar: Sacrifices?

Nitrocris: For the Scarlet KingKing Deshret?

Makan: Huh, now that you say it, that does make some sense! Haha, does this mean our lives are finally going to take a turn for the better?

Sharkan: Exactly! Those city folks will get what's coming to them!

Cyno: Now, repeat everything you've just said from the very beginning.

Sharkan: Huh!?

Vert grabs Sharken and holds him with her sword. Durandal does the same thing with her spear with Makan.

Makan: Wh—Who are you!? Where did you come from?

Cyno: My patience is running thin. You heard what I asked.

Cyno summoned his spear.

Vert: Repeat everything you've just said from the very beginning!

Sharkan: Ah! B—Bro, this guy and these girls are something else. Just look at their eyes... One wrong move and they're gonna flay us alive...

Vert: Or we're gonna stab you right through the heart. Haters of the Dendro Archon.

Makan: Let's not get on their bad sides, okay? I'm no match for these guys...

Durandal: Now talk to him and explain everything again. To him.

Sharkan: O—Okay, good sir, wh—what is it you would like to know?

Cyno: Tell us about the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection.

Sharkan: Well, I... I only know a few things from hearsay. I went for a drink the other day, and heard others talking about a rumor that the madmen will disappear, and that the Scarlet KingKing Deshret will return to this land. I'm not making this up, I swear...

Cyno: ...

Vert puts her blade closer to Sharken's throat. Durandal does the same thing to Makan.

Makan: Hey, go on, keep talking!

Sharkan: It's true, it's all true, sir! We desert folk have had more than enough of those people at the Akademiya... They keep sending us all their mad scholars and won't let us have a good life... Would you want to live like this if you were in our place? The Radicals were even more thrilled than me when they heard the news... We're all praying for the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's speedy return. Delavar also said that once the Scarlet KingKing Deshret returns to our side, it's only a matter of time before we conquer the land on the other side of the Wall. They're all willing to serve under the Scarlet KingKing Deshret and fight for a share of the glory...

Cyno: Is that so...

Vert: It's not enough information.

Vert puts her blade even closer to Sharkan's throat.

Makan: Uh, seems like they still want to know more, keep talking!

Sharkan: Ah, g—got it! I uh... at first, I told myself it was just the drink talking. But then, all the mad scholars vanished without a trace... just as the rumors said! P—Please don't beat me up for just mentioning these rumors! I—If I'm guilty, then everyone else around here is also guilty! I'm just saying what the others said!

Paimon: The people here really like the Scarlet KingKing Deshret, but dislike the Dendro Archon...

Aether: The Akademiya is probably the true target of their hatred.

Patrick: Maybe.

Cyno: Where is this "radical" person you talked about?

Sharkan: I haven't run into him over the past few days, so he probably hasn't been around the village... What about you, man — have you seen him at all?

Makan: Uh, no, not at all! We wouldn't dare lie to you. He's really not here right now!

Vert: You lie.

Sharkan: NO! We're telling the truth! We swear!

Cyno: Sounds like you're not too close with the Radicals.

Makan: No, of course not! All we know are their names.

Cyno: I have many ways to stop you from talking, and many others to stop you from sending warning messages. So you'd best just stay home and hope I don't hear of you trying to contact anybody. Don't do anything until I've gotten to the bottom of this. Try something foolish, and even Candace won't be able to protect you.

Vert: And if I hear you say anything negative about the Dendro Archon again... I will end both of your pathetic lives.

Sharkan: Yes, yes, got it! We'll do just as you say!

Vert: Now scram.

Vert and Durandal push them away which causes both of them to run away.

Paimon: Whew, that scared Paimon half to death! Cyno is pretty terrifying...

Vert: I was pretty terrifying too. Was I not?

Paimon: Oh yes! Yes you were, Vert!

Durandal: And so was I.

Aether: Good thing we're not one of your enemies.

Cyno: Mhm.

Paimon: He didn't try to reassure us at all... It's like he's used to hearing that. Paimon bets lots of people have told him that before...

Aether: All the more reason for you to not get on his bad side...

Cyno: I heard that.

Paimon: Ahh, sorry!!!

Aether: Sorry.

Kiana: We have ways of defending ourselves.

Cyno: It's part of being a matra. The rumor we heard just now seems like a strong lead. But we need to check a few more places.

Aether: Maybe we could check the scholars' homes?

Cyno: Very well.

Paimon: Isak!

Isak: Ah, I'm here!

Cyno: Where's your grandpa's house?

Isak: I can take you there. Just follow me.

They follow Isak.

Isak: Grandpa... He likes to be alone. Sometimes, he stares at the sky in a daze, and other times, he just pokes at the ground with his fingers... Every now and then, he yells out at the top of his lungs, so a lot of people are really scared of him. But he's a good person, really. I know he is! I swear, he's just like my real grandpa.

They followed Isak all the way to his Grandpa's place.

Isak: This is where Grandpa usually stays.

Paimon: There sure isn't much here...

Aether: Hm? What's that smell... Cyno, did you catch a faint whiff of incense?

Cyno: No.

Paimon: Incense? Ahh! Please don't say it's that same one as before!

Aether: It's definitely that one.

Paimon: But are you okay!? Are you getting dizzy or need to lie down?

Cyno: There's a scent that you can sense, but I can't...?

Paimon: A certain Traveler here once passed out from that smell. Thankfully, Tighnari saved the day... and then he gave us a long lecture to explain all about how it worked...

Vert: The rest of us gave the incense a try too later on and we connected to Irminsul.

Cyno: ...So you know Tighnari.

Paimon: Huh? You know him too? Are you two friends?

Cyno: Yes. ...Hmm, now that I concentrate, I can also make out the scent of incense.

Paimon: ...Wait, surely Tighnari didn't lecture you, too?

Cyno: No. No need.

Aether: I can't handle this scent very well...

Cyno: Did you first encounter this scent at Tighnari's house?

Aether: No, it was in the forest where a scholar was meditating.

Cyno: In the forest... from a scholar...

Aether: Let's keep looking for more clues. It'd be more efficient if we split up.

Kiana: That's actually a good idea.

Altera: Alright then.

Altera summoned her Photon Sword then took off into the sky.

Ishtar: Me too.

Ishtar flew up into the sky too.

The rest of the group split apart around the area to find clues.

Isak: *sigh* Where did Grandpa go... Please come home, Grandpa...

Cyno: ...

Cyno found something.

Paimon: What are you looking for, Cyno?

Cyno: Here it is. Take a look right here.

Paimon: Erm... Paimon doesn't see anything.

Cyno: Although the traces have been completely buried in the sand, there are footprints here. From the size and shape, they belong to an adult male. This pattern is a common one from this area. Local shoes... This was probably someone from the village. The scent is quite faint... but still extant. The footprints head in the direction of the door.

Aether: You mean someone else has been here?

Isak: But who would come looking for Grandpa? He doesn't have any friends.

Cyno: We'd have to ask whoever lured him away with the incense.

Aether: Lured him away... So that's what happened!

Homura: Just like luring bugs with fragrance..

Patrick: And using worm bait for fish.

Paimon: Huh? So you can lure someone away with just a scent?

Aether: You get lured away by food all the time.

Durandal: That is true. You fall for that kind of thing all the time, Paimon.

Paimon: Hey, what's wrong with liking good food!? Everyone's got something they love in life!

Kiana: And we gotta eat!

Cyno: Exactly. Most scholars are fond of incense, since the smell supposedly helps them clear their minds and discover new knowledge. Even deep within the clutches of madness, they still yearn for their knowledge-seeking days, and will follow the scent whenever it presents itself.

Isak: No... Grandpa...

Paimon: So someone's taking advantage of their weakness, huh... Still, why would anyone wanna abduct all the scholars?

Aether: Is it to resurrect King Deshret?

Vert: That has to be it.

Paimon: Are the rumors really true?

Aether: That's the only lead we have so far.

Paimon: Could the disappearance of all the mad scholars have something to do with the Radicals?

Cyno: It's highly likely.

Isak: Please, you have to save my grandpa! Grandpa's never done anything wrong. Please help him!

Vert: And we will, Isak. At least we hope we can.

Paimon: Sounds like we'd better help get him back! Don't you worry, Isak, we won't let whoever took him get away with it!

Cyno: Let's head to Aaru Village and inform Candace and the others about what we learned here. After that, we'll set off to find the scholars.

Patrick: Altera! Ishtar! Return!

They returned back to the village chief's house.

Candace: ...Right, the darker fabric definitely looks a lot better. That'd be my choice, too...

Noire: I have to agree.

Paimon: We're back, Candace! We've got a lot to tell you!

Candace: Ah, welcome back!

Dehya: Heh, sounds like everyone's friends already.

Paimon: Oh, Dehya's here too!

Dehya: You bet! So, everything go smoothly?

Cyno: Reasonably.

Dehya: Hmm? Alhaitham didn't go with you?

Paimon: We haven't seen him at all!

Dehya: Huh, I saw him around the village entrance earlier and figured he was investigating with you... I guess he must have gone off on his own.

Candace: Did you find out anything useful?

They tell everyone everything they've learned...

Candace: I see. So, someone used a kind of incense to lead the exiled scholars away from the village...

Uni: Just like using a flute to lure mice away.

Dehya: The resurrection of the Scarlet KingKing Deshret? First I've heard of it... Far as I know, the kind of incense you just mentioned is only popular beyond the wall. Scholars are fond of it, but as you can see, there aren't many scholars still studying around these parts. No seller would be able to make a profit here. Not to mention, making incense is a labor-intensive process. You won't see anybody in the desert with the patience to make or sell something that requires that kind of effort. It seems someone from beyond the wall must have been supporting this.

Cyno: Makes sense.

Paimon: Hmm, so what should we do then? Do we go back to the Akademiya and search for leads there?

Vert: If we do. We better storm it and hit them with everything we've got.

Dehya: If it was any other day, that would be your next logical step. But today, you've got me on your team, so you get an extra tip. Didn't you say that the villager got his news from the tavern? Well, I also like to drink at the tavern, so I know a thing or two about these radicals he mentioned.

Paimon: If Paimon remembers correctly, the leader of the Radicals is some guy called Delavar!

Dehya: Ah yeah, Delavar the "Scar-Riddled Bandit," Engur the "Wide-Eyed Butcher," and Jabari the "Ducktail-Bearded Crook." The whole lot of 'em are known around these parts.

Aether: (I feel like I've heard these names somewhere before...)

Dehya: These guys have one thing in common, and that's being broke. The rougher life gets, the more they wanna believe in the Scarlet KingKing Deshret. Way they see it, the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection is their only chance at overthrowing the Akademiya. Throwing all of Sumeru into chaos is the only way to change the way of life here in the desert. Anyway, that's my guess why they've chosen to become radicals.

Paimon: Dehya, you're amazing! You really know this place inside and out!

Aether: But Dehya, I...

Dehya did a wink then pointed her eyes in a direction.

Aether: (Huh? Dehya's winking at me... Maybe I should stay quiet for now?)

Dehya: Hahaha, no merc can afford to slack off on gathering intelligence! Every Mora I've spent in the tavern has been a valuable investment.

Cyno: Let's head out.

Dehya: Now hold on. You're staying right here, Cyno.

Cyno: Why?

Dehya: Aaru Village is not a big place. Outsiders stand out here like a sore thumb. I'd bet word about you has already gotten out. The desert is unforgiving, so the way of life here is also a lot tougher than on the other side of the wall. You survive on making connections out here. Compared to you, mercs like me are just third-rate amateurs... I've got no actual fighting skills to speak of. But that also makes it a whole lot easier for me to gain the locals' trust.

Aether: (...?)

Dehya: I need to go around and ask some questions, but it'll be difficult if you're with me.

Cyno: Fine.

Dehya: Good, then we've got a plan. The Traveler and Paimon will go to Caravan Ribat with me, and we'll try our best to figure out where the mad scholars have been taken. Cyno, you'll have to stay in the village and continue investigating on your own.

Paimon: Alright, sounds like a plan!

Noire whispered to Dehya

Noire: So we were being watched?

Dehya whispered back.

Dehya: Yes.

Candace: Cyno, please don't take offense. I'm sure Dehya just wants to help everyone solve their problem as quickly as possible. That's why she can be so straightforward at times.

Cyno: I don't mind.

Candace: Ah, I see... Well, from the way you were staring out into the distance, I thought you might have been mulling over Dehya's words.

Cyno: No. I'm used to being treated that way. It's natural to fear strength. I take no objection to it.

A small group goes with the three. Himeko because she wanted a drink at the tavern, Miyabi, Durandal, Vert, Noire, Fu Hua, Sakura, and Altera.

Paimon: Well, here we are again.

Vert: Back at the Desert starting point.

Dehya: Sounds like you're starting to get familiar with the area.

Paimon: Paimon's amazed every time we see the Wall of Samiel. How can a wall this tall even exist? It's almost... unreal.

Dehya: I know what you mean. I had the same question every time I walked this way when I was a kid.

Noire: Really?

Dehya: Yes. Also, why is this high wall here? And can a wall really block sandstorms?

Aether: ...

Dehya: It was only after I grew up that I realized... the Wall of Samiel isn't just there to keep out the sandstorms. It serves a more important purpose — keeping out people like us. Sumeru is run by wise and mighty sages. To them, us desert-dwellers are nothing but tools that can be used and discarded at their whim.

Vert: And they've become corrupted and hate Lesser Lord Kusanali.

Dehya: We're cheap labor. Like livestock, but easier to control... Nothing more. Even if a child from the desert got the chance to obtain an Akasha Terminal, almost all their requests for knowledge would be denied. The Akademiya believes we're undeserving. Geniuses like Setaria are one in a million. The other children never get a single chance to try and rewrite their fate... Even though the Akademiya knows very well that we're humans, just as they are.

Paimon: That's terrible...

Vert: That makes me want to kill them even more.

Altera: Sumeru is a Bad Civilization.

Dehya: I would tear down this wall with my own hands if I could.

Aether: (I understand how she feels... But I hope she doesn't do anything drastic here...)

Paimon: Hey Dehya, uh, you're not thinking about doing anything scary, are you?

Dehya: Uh, no, not at all. This place just... gets me thinking, that's all. Besides, we're here to procure information, aren't we? Yep! We gotta catch those—

Dehya: Shhh! Caravan Ribat is crawling with people, so be careful what you say. We don't want anyone to find out what we're here for. Our mission started the moment we arrived here. Let's go check out the tavern. Maybe we'll find someone I know.

Miyabi: And we better keep our guard up.

Altera: Exactly.

Altera summons her Photon Sword then they enter into Caravan Ribat. Then they go to the tavern.

Dehya: Just our luck... None of them are here today.

Paimon: You mean, you don't see anyone you know?

???: Dehya, is that you? Haha, what a coincidence! You're here for a drink, too?

Dehya: Hmm, Zaki? Finally, a friendly face!

Zaki: Oh? And who do you have with you here? Guests from another land?

Altera: You could say that. Yes.

Aether: Hello, nice to meet you.

Zaki: Hello, hello! I'm Zaki, Dehya's... How would you put it? Drinking buddy?

Dehya: Haha, we've had drinks together a few times. You could say we go back a ways. Anyway, as far as my friends here, they aren't too shabby, are they? You rarely see any outlanders so friendly and respectful nowadays.

Zaki: Absolutely, much better than those people on the other side of the wall. So, Dehya, are you uh, looking for someone?

Dehya: Yeah, have you seen Engur, Delavar, or Jabari recently?

Zaki: Of course I have. Matter of fact, we were all here drinking together just a few days ago.

Dehya: I've got a spice-trading deal from another nation... I thought maybe Delavar and his friends might be interested. Know where I could find him?

Zaki: Ah, how thoughtful of you. Then I assume you also know that Delavar's been having a hard time making ends meet these days. So, you came here to help him out?

Dehya: Hey, keep it down. Let's just say I'd prefer to keep this deal a secret. Y'all at Caravan Ribat are like family. If there's Mora to be made, why not do it together? Besides, Delavar and his friends have muscle. They'd be a good fit for escorting the goods.

Zaki: Hahaha, yes, how considerate of you. Delavar's my friend too, so of course I can take you to him. Come with me.

Zaki brings everyone to the location. It was back in the desert close to Caravan Ribat.

Dehya: Are we there yet?

Zaki: Yep, this is the place.

Dehya: This place is practically deserted... What are they doing in a place like this?

Zaki: Hahaha, why don't you take a guess? Go on, a wild stab in the dark... Hehe, you're like lambs to the slaughter!

Dehya: ...!

Vert: It was a trick!

They summon their weapons.

Paimon: Oh no, it's an ambush!

Miyabi: Of course it had to be a trick.

Dehya: What's all this about, Zaki?

Zaki: C'mon Dehya, you really think we didn't hear about what you said back in Aaru Village? The boys have kept a close eye on you from the moment you set foot there.

Noire: They heard everything!

Zaki: Not only do I know that you're looking for Delavar, I also know that you've teamed up with people from the Akademiya to look for the missing scholars.

Dehya: So you've been watching us from the very beginning?

Paimon: Uh oh... Paimon knew leaving Cyno behind was a mistake!

Zaki: Heh, and you left the strongest one in the village, didn't ya? Who do you think you are? You really thought we'd fall for your little "business deal" nonsense?

Dehya: Tch.

Share energy began to radiate off of Vert.

Noire: Don't do it Vert.

Altera: You were Bad Civilization.

Dehya: So you and Delavar have been partners all along.

Zaki: Hahaha, Dehya, I guess it's only natural for a traveling mercenary like you to be out of the loop. Those of us who hang around the tavern have stronger bonds than you think. But you got one thing right... We're all looking forward to an uprising in Sumeru. There's nothing more we'd like to see than the desert folk overthrowing the Akademiya.

Dehya: If that's the case, then I'm sure Delavar wouldn't miss a second of it.

???: I'll be honest with you. If it weren't for what you said in the village, your little monologue about the Wall of Samiel would have me convinced that you're one of us.

Dehya: Delavar... and Engur. You're here, too, huh.

Engur: Long time no see, Miss Mercenary. You should've known that traitors are what us followers of the Scarlet KingKing Deshret despise the most.

Delavar: Dehya, I thought that you, a fellow desert-dweller, would understand the Scarlet KingKing Deshret is greater than the Dendro Archon. Little did I know... you don't deserve to join us.

Dehya: Yeah, gee, what a missed opportunity... Adopting radical views and kidnapping innocent scholars? All because of some baseless rumors? Anything else I'm missing out on?

Delavar: See? There you have it... Mercenaries are just a bunch of faithless scum with only one thing on their minds... Mora. Pathetic, you're all like a pack of street rats.

Dehya: You're not wrong. Mercenaries are driven by Mora, and my faith lies with whoever's paying me. As long as there's a profit to be made, anyone can become my friend.

Zaki: Enough talking. Get 'em!

Dehya: Hmph, just as I expected. Let's teach 'em a lesson, Traveler!

Miyabi: HA!

Miyabi opens a black hole and shoots it at them and kills a few. Then they spread out.

Durandal: You are no match for us.

Durandal sends a Radical flying away.

Himeko covers her Greatsword with fire and decapitates some Radicals and burns them alive. Dehya uses her Pyro attacks and beats some Radicals up. Altera uses her Photon sword as a whip and beats up lots of Radicals.

Noire: They never learn.

Noire stabs a Radical with her spear. Then Vert blows a Radical away with an Anemo attack from her rapiar.

Vert: They're all haters.

Sakura goes fast, slashing 5 Radicals back and forth, killing them. Aether held on perfectly taking them out one by one.

Altera finishes off the last one.

Altera: That's all of them.

Zaki: Impossible! H—How could you...

Vert: You Ermites and Radicals just never learn. You will never beat us in a fight or a battle.

Noire: You're all weak against us.

Altera: And Bad Civilization.

Dehya: So, what do you think about your meticulous network now, Zaki? How did you say it... "It's only natural for a traveling mercenary like me to be out of the loop." I'm guessing your informant told you that I'm just an incompetent merc with no real fighting skills, correct? I mean, that is what I said, after all. And of course you would believe everything he reported. The only thing you know about me is that I'm a mercenary, but you've never seen me in action. Even though you heard we went to handle monsters together, you believed that Candace was the only one doing all the real fighting. "That so-called Flame-Mane is just a fraud! She admitted it herself: She just uses her connections to gain the trust of others." That's what you thought, right?

Zaki: Ugh, you lied in the village because you figured that we'd have people watching you...

Dehya: And you were stupid enough to fall for it. I figured as much the first time we drank together. You all thought you were so smart. Pathetic.

With one swift kick, Dehya knocks Zaki unconscious.

Dehya: Okay, that should be all of 'em.

Vert: Good riddance.

Miyabi: I'd rather kill him not leave him unconscious.

Altera: Same here.

Durandal: Well at least we beat them.

Himeko: Every time.

Paimon: Whoa, so you've been planning this since we were in Aaru Village?

Dehya: No task can be done without preparation. I just happened to notice a couple suspicious-looking people while you were out investigating.

Paimon: Oh... But instead of catching them right away, you let them report back...

Dehya: Those two who were snooping around were just a couple small fries. If we wanna get the real catch, we have to be patient and give it some time.

Aether: So, those names you mentioned...

Paimon: Oh, you mean the funny names she mentioned back in Uncle Anpu's house? The Wide-Eyed Butcher, Scar-Riddled Bandit... Uh, Paimon can't remember them all.

Dehya: That's just a bunch of drunk talk. Engur and Delavar like to talk themselves up when they're drinking. "Engur the Wide-Eyed Butcher" and "Delavar the Scar-Riddled Bandit" are the nicknames they came up with for themselves. Alcohol has a way of making people share what they really think, so Engur and Delavar are always rambling in the tavern about how the Scarlet KingKing Deshret is a superior deity.

Paimon: What about Zaki?

Dehya: He's just a numbskull who fell right into our trap. Zaki was probably the best hidden of them all. My initial plan was to find Delavar first, and then try to track him down.

Aether: So who is the "Ducktail-Bearded Crook"?

Altera: Tell us.

Dehya: That's what you wanted to ask when we were at Uncle Anpu's house, right? Jabari's one of the villagers you talked to. You know — the one who wanted to treat Isak and his grandpa to some food.

Paimon: Wait, so he's a Radical, too!?

Dehya: No, he isn't. I just needed to tack on a random villager name to make the eavesdropper think that I was making some wild guesses based on my impressions.

Paimon: Wow, what a genius idea! Well, that's an expert mercenary for ya!

Dehya: Haha, you're too kind. It was straight from the usual playbook, if I'm honest.

Paimon: So, that thing you were saying before... is it really true?

Dehya: Hmm? About what?

Paimon: About how mercenaries only care about Mora, and that anyone's a friend as long as there's a profit...

Dehya: Does that bother you?

Aether: I don't think you're that kind of person.

Dehya: What makes you so sure?

Aether: Because even without an employer, you're still helping us out.

Dehya: ...

Paimon: Dehya, do you dislike the Dendro Archon like the other desert folk?

Dehya: Heh, you guys are pretty sharp. No, I don't have anything against the Dendro Archon.

Vert: At least you're not a hater.

Dehya: I've heard a lot of nice things about the Lesser Lord from Dunyarzad. I can understand her devotion and gratitude. Dunyarzad's just an ordinary person. There's no way a god would be so involved in the lives of everyday people unless they were truly compassionate. I've begun to realize that the sages are behind everything that's happened recently. The Radicals' blind belief in the Scarlet KingKing Deshret, making the Dendro Archon out to be an enemy... It's all the Akademiya's trickery. But I see through it all. And unlike them, I could never be hostile towards anything who's never done anything wrong.

Paimon: Dehya...

Dehya: Anyway, looks like we're done with business here. Traveler, lend me a hand. Let's tie 'em up and bring 'em to the village.

Miyabi: Right.

Everyone returns to Aaru Village. It became night.

Dehya: This should be all of 'em. I'll let you take it from here.

Candace: Alright. I'll be in touch. Until then, please stand by.

Paimon: Candace, do you need any help?

Dehya: Candace will be okay on her own. I trust her, so you can too.

Dehya: She's been guarding Aaru Village for quite some time now. If anyone is qualified to question the offenders, it's her.

Candace: While I'm questioning them, why don't you pass some time by exploring the area?

Ishtar: I guess we could.

Dehya: I'll meet you back here tomorrow morning, Traveler. Everyone.

Aether: Sounds good.

Dehya: As for these idiots... Let's just hope they live to see another day.

Patrick: If you want help interrogating them. We'd love to do that with you.

Neptune: It would be fun torturing them. Especially with a certain torture dance.

Candace: Oh no. There's no need.

(A few seconds later)

Candace: You heard the question. Now answer me.

Delavar: Arrghh!!!

Dehya: Candace is an expert at dealing with people like this. All we have to do is wait for her word.

(Serenetea Pot)

The party was back in the Serenetea Pot without Aether and Paimon as usual. They were at the meeting table.

Nitrocris: So the Ermites and Radicals are making sacrifices to bring back the Scarlet King.

Ishtar: Altera and I saw the Ermites and Radicals at The Mausoleum of King Deshret.

Altera: Ishtar and I saw it sucking up whatever it's sucking up. It's sucking up some kind of energy.

Neptune: There is one thing we have in common with the believers of the Scarlet King.

Noire: And what would that be?

Neptune: We all hate the Akademiya and the sages.

Kallen: That tells us nothing.

Neptune: Hehehe~

Durandal: It looks like Alhaitham is against the Akademiya too.

Vert: Now why do you say that?

Durandal: Because of how he did not hand over the Divine Knowledge Capsule to the sages. And he's fighting on our side now.

Vert: That is true. He's now an enemy against the Akademiya too.

Patrick: We all hate the Akademiya now.

Nitrocris: Didn't you forget to summon someone?

Patrick and some of the Valkyries: Huh?

Nitrocris: You've forgotten about one servant who is also from Egypt like me.

That's when it rang in Patrick's head.

Patrick: I forgot to summon Assassin Cleopatra!

Ozymandias: If you want to summon her you better do that first thing in the morning.

Patrick: Ok! I'll do that right away!

Kallen: I guess if there's nothing else to talk about, everyone is dismissed.

(Next morning)

The group appeared out of the Serenetea Pot with someone new. Joining them was Assassin Cleopatra.

Paimon: Hey Dehya!

Vert: Good morning.

Dehya: Right on time.

Patrick: Dehya. We brought in another person who is going to help us.

Cleopatra revealed herself.

Dehya: Who are you?

Cleopatra: My name is Cleopatra. It is a pleasure to meet you. I've already been filled in.

After introductions, Aether asked Dehya.

Aether: Did we learn anything from the criminals?

Dehya: We'll know any moment now.

Paimon: Paimon's been wondering... You seem to know Candace pretty well. Have you been friends for a long time?

Dehya: We've known each other for some time now. She's a pretty interesting person. Even though she's an extremely strong warrior, she never misuses her power against others.

Paimon: Oh, Paimon knows what you mean. Like a lot of martial artists say: "Never take the fight outside the ring."

Patrick: And we must use our powers wisely.

Dehya: Yep, I guess you can put it that way. It takes strong convictions to be as dedicated as she is and shoulder that kind of responsibility. Us mercs, on the other hand... We pretty much live from one day to the next.

Paimon: Well, Paimon thinks you're great too!

Dehya: Really? Thanks for that.

Cyno: ...

Paimon: Ooh, Cyno's here! And he's pretty early too!

Cyno: Yes. I was here yesterday to help out a little.

Paimon: To help out? By doing what?

Cyno: Sharing some interrogation techniques.

Paimon: Oh... You mean, you taught Candace some more... persuasive methods?

Cyno: Right.

Neptune: We could try our own interrogation techniques.

Candace: Come on in, everyone.

Dehya: C'mon, let's go inside.

They enter the house.

Paimon: Candace, we're... Whoa! You look furious!

Neptune: You're a real bad cop!

Candace: Do I? Huh... What gave it away?

Dehya: Oh, there's no mask that can hide true bloodlust. Cover up your eyes and it'll still show itself at the corners of your mouth.

Candace: Perhaps I need to work on my composure... Still, it's perfectly understandable why I'm angry — I'm sure everyone present would agree?

Party: Yes.

Delavar: Ah yes, yes M—Ma'am...

Engur: Please don't beat us anymore... We're gonna die...

Paimon: Well, looks like Cyno taught her well...

Durandal: She mastered it really quickly too...

Aether: Now she's just as terrifying as he is...

Cleopatra was introduced to everyone. After that, some of the group members put on their angry faces joining Candace. Consisting of Patrick, Kiana, Neptune, Vert, Durandal, even Bronya and Blanc.

Candace: You fear death yourselves, yet you do not hesitate to place the lives of others at risk. The absurdity is mind-boggling. The ones you call "mad scholars" are known to us as "the Village Keepers." They are vital members of our community, and some even count them as family... You come here, to my village, and you treat my people as nothing more than stepping stones towards your goal... Tell me, what would you do to you in my position?

Zaki: Ah! Mercy, please have mercy!

Dehya: You've made your bed.

Candace: We may both be desert-dwellers, but there's one thing that I understand better than you. The resurrection of the Scarlet KingKing Deshret will only result in war... and war serves no one.

Neptune: And war is bad.

Kiana: We hate fighting wars.

Patrick: War is just wrong.

Candace: The people of Aaru Village care little about which god is in power. Life may be tough and tiring, but we wish to preserve our way of life. A war would only cause us to lose all that we have, and that is not a responsibility that you can afford to shoulder.

Zaki: Ah, we understand! We're sorry! I'll tell you everything I know! Please, just let us go...

Candace: I'm listening.

Vert: We're listening.

Zaki: Uh, you might not believe this, but it wasn't us who came up with this idea. Someone was spreading rumors in the tavern. That's how we ended up hearing about the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection. Some mystery man told us that mad scholars will make the perfect sacrifice to usher in the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection. They give their lives, and we can get anything we wish for.

Cyno: They're called Village Keepers. Slip up again and you'll regret it.

Zaki: Ah, yes, sorry! It was all that mystery man's doing! He told us to spread the word about the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's resurrection, and talked us into helping him... In return, he said he'll help facilitate the resurrection process.

Aether: Where are the Village Keepers now?

Zaki: I—I'm not sure...

Vert points her rapiar at Zaki.

Zaki: AH!

Cyno: That's one.

Zaki: Huh? ...One what?

Cyno: Strike. You get a total of three, then you die by my hand.

Vert: Our hands if you don't tell us where the Village Keepers are.

Zaki: Wait, I'm telling the truth! We don't know anything, it was all him!

Vert: Who?

Zaki: The mystery man!

Cyno: Two.

Zaki: H—He got us to lure them out of their houses in the night with some kind of incense. We take them to a junction outside the village, then the mystery guy takes 'em from there!

Cyno: ...

Zaki: You gotta believe me, please! I'm telling the truth, I swear! J—Just ask them if you don't believe me!

Cyno: That was indeed the truth. Traveler, go on.

Vert brings her rapiar back away from Zaki

Vert: Go ahead.

Aether: Do you have any idea who that mysterious person might be?

Zaki: I don't know!

Bronya materialized Project Bunny and pointed its cannon at Zaki's head on his right, touching his head. She had her angry face on.

Zaki: I SWEAR! I DON'T KNOW! You have to believe me! If I knew that, I woulda told you his name right away! I'm not risking another beating to keep his secrets, no way! He, um, that guy, he wears a cloak, and he's always careful to cover his face... Uh, he calls himself the Scarlet KingKing Deshret's envoy.

Bronya: Keep talking.

Blanc put on her usual angry face and pointed her staff at Zaki.

Blanc: Keep talking.

Uncle Anpu: I believe I may know what's going on.

Bronya, Blanc, Vert, and others: Huh?

Candace: Uncle Anpu? What do you mean?

Cyno: ...

Cyno strikes the three crooks unconscious with one swift move.

Dehya: Heh, smooth!

Bronya makes Project Bunny disappear while the others made their weapons disappear.

Blanc: With just one hit.

Cleopatra: Very impressive.

Kiana: We could have done it ourselves.

Cyno: Okay, speak.

Uncle Anpu: If my suspicions are correct, this mystery man they speak of could be from the Akademiya.

Cyno: ...

Durandal: It could be.

Uncle Anpu: Some time ago, people from the Akademiya attempted to take the Village Keepers away. I refused, insisting that they are a part of our community. It strikes me now that this secretive character shares the same goal they had.

Dehya: Which means... it's highly likely that the Akademiya was purposely spreading a false rumor to trick the Radicals into delivering the Village Keepers right into their hands. Huh, they were the ones who brought them here to begin with... Now they're trying to take them back? We aren't gonna let that happen.

Cyno: ...Not the Akademiya again.

Vert: Those haters.

Aether: In Sumeru City, Setaria also mentioned...

Durandal: King Deshret's resurrection is just the Akademiya's misinformation campaign.

Dehya: Just as I thought.

Dehya: But what could they want with the Village Keepers...?

Cyno: People are nothing but tools in the eyes of the Akademiya. A change in their plans likely means they've found another way to exploit the scholars. ... Regardless, our top priority now is locating the Village Keepers.

Candace: You're right. Isak is still waiting for news on his grandpa...

Dehya: Time to go. Let's leave the village and try to track them down.

Cyno: Yes. Pack up and get ready to leave.

Dehya: You got it. Candace, I'll let you deal with the Radicals. Leave everything outside the village to us.

Candace: Alright.

Paimon: Let's meet back here once everyone's ready!

Theresa: Right.