Shao Yun wasn't joking—his hand had already settled on the revolver holstered at his waist.
Seeing that motion, Nahida's heart skipped a beat. Her face went pale; panic flickered in her emerald eyes. She stammered, voice trembling, "I… I'm sorry. My words earlier were inappropriate, I didn't mean to offend you… perhaps we can talk this—"
Before she could finish, a sudden knock at the door shattered the tension.
The cheerful chatter that had filled the room just moments ago vanished in an instant. Every girl froze mid-motion; their laughter turned to silence.
Their gazes all snapped toward the tightly closed door, eyes wide with alarm.
"Could it be… those Akademiya agents?" Dunyarzad whispered nervously. "Did they notice the God of Wisdom is missing and start searching door to door?"
The others exchanged tense looks and nodded; unease gripped the air like frost.
Nahida reacted immediately—her small form darted behind the large, decorative gift box in the corner. In a blink, she slipped inside, imitating Kirara's trick.
Though unlike the true "Box Cat," the little god now hiding inside looked more like a "Box Tree."
Lumine blinked at the sight, momentarily stunned, then took a deep breath and called toward the door, voice steady despite her racing heart.
"Who's there?"
From outside came a familiar, slightly weary voice. "It's me—Lisa. Something urgent. If you're still awake, open up."
At the sound of her name, every tense muscle in the room seemed to relax.
Even Paimon, who'd been clutching Lumine's arm in terror, exhaled in relief.
"Ah—Lisa! You scared me half to death! But what's she doing here at this hour?"
Shao Yun, however, didn't lower his guard so easily.
He rose from his chair in a swift, deliberate motion, drawing his cowboy revolver as he approached the window.
He narrowed his eyes, peering through the glass into the dimly lit street. The lamplight outside revealed the figure standing before the door—purple robes, hat, calm posture.
It really was Lisa.
"...Huh. So, it is her," he muttered. Still, something about her midnight visit bothered him. Why come now?
He scanned the surrounding alleys, his instincts sharp. Only when he confirmed there were no others lurking nearby did he finally step to the door and unlock it.
The door creaked open. Lisa stood there, visibly relieved.
"Thank goodness—you're still awake."
Shao Yun crossed his arms, expression wary.
"What brings you to my place in the middle of the night?"
Lisa gave him a look halfway between amusement and reproach, gesturing toward the room behind him.
"Out of courtesy, shouldn't you at least let a lady inside before we start our conversation?"
That familiar tone of gentle teasing finally eased Shao Yun's tension.
Yeah… that's definitely the real Lisa.
He stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. "Come in."
Once she was safely inside, he closed the door quietly and slid the revolver back into its holster.
…
Lisa's eyes swept the room. When she saw Lumine, Paimon, and the others still awake and alert, her expression brightened with relief.
"Good. You're all conscious. That's… that's incredibly lucky."
But even as she spoke, her voice carried a faint tremor—something wasn't right.
Paimon floated closer, curiosity written all over her tiny face.
"Miss Lisa, what's going on? Why are you here so late?"
Lisa rubbed her temples and sighed. "I'll make it short. Something's happened—every resident in Sumeru City has fallen into a deep sleep."
"At first, I thought everyone was just exhausted. But when my bed broke, I went to find the innkeeper… and no matter what I did, he wouldn't wake. None of them would."
"Everywhere I went—nothing. No movement, no response. Like half the city suddenly became drunks passed out cold on cheap wine."
Paimon gasped, ducking behind Lumine.
"W–What?! That's terrifying! You're not kidding, right?"
Lisa crossed her arms, her tone grave. "I wish I were. But it's true. I've searched half the district—so far, the only people awake are standing right here."
At that revelation, the room fell silent again.
Lumine, Nilou, Dunyarzad, Dehya—all of them looked stricken.
Only Shao Yun and Nahida managed to remain calm.
Shao Yun pulled a pocket watch from his coat, flipping open the lid with a soft click. He frowned, murmuring under his breath.
"Judging by the time… the Akademiya's brain-harvesting project must've begun. Figures. Guess it paid off not wearing an Akasha Terminal."
When he looked up again, Nahida was already climbing out of the gift box.
Her face had turned solemn, but her voice remained composed.
"Everyone, please—stay calm. I know what's happening."
She turned toward them, bowing her head in gratitude.
"First, thank you all for celebrating my birthday with me. Even though I didn't get to ride the beautiful flower carriage you prepared, Dunyarzad, the time we spent together tonight means the world to me."
Then her tone shifted, sharp and decisive.
"But now, something far more important demands my attention. It was wonderful to spend the Sabzeruz Festival with you… but I must return to the Sanctuary of Surasthana."
Before Shao Yun could say a word, she turned to him.
"Mr. Shao Yun, I'll need your help."
Shao Yun blinked, pointing at himself.
"Me? Why me?"
Nahida nodded firmly.
"Yes. I need your assistance—and besides, our earlier conversation isn't finished, is it?"
He muttered under his breath, "You really aren't afraid I'll kill you, huh? Guess you don't have much choice anyway…"
Turning to Lumine and Paimon, he gave quick orders.
"Alright. You two stay here. If anyone breaks in—don't hesitate. Shoot first."
Then to Lisa, Dunyarzad, Dehya, and Nilou, he added,
"My advice? Don't leave until I'm back."
Once everyone was accounted for, Shao Yun followed Nahida out the door.
Lumine called after him, her tone gentle but firm.
"Be careful, okay?"
…
After they left, Lisa frowned, realizing she'd never met the small girl before.
"Lumine, who was that child?"
Lumine smiled awkwardly.
"Oh—that was Lesser Lord Kusanali, the God of Wisdom."
Lisa froze, blinking rapidly.
"Ah… so he wasn't kidding…" she murmured under her breath.
…
Sometime later—
Shao Yun tightened his grip on the small god in his arms as he carried her back toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
At the gates, the same two guards he'd knocked out earlier with spiked liquor still lay sprawled on the ground.
"They're still out cold? …I swear, I hope they're not dead."
Neither he nor Nahida had time to check.
They pushed open the great doors and stepped inside—only to stop dead in their tracks.
Before the meditation device that once imprisoned her stood a tall, thin man wearing a top hat.
He stood perfectly still, back turned to them—as if he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
When their footsteps reached his ears, he clasped his hands behind his back and slowly turned around. His voice was calm, expression unreadable.
"You've finally arrived."
Nahida's eyes widened, her body tensing with divine energy.
"Who are you?"
Green light began to shimmer in her pupils as her power flared.
The man in the hat met her gaze unflinchingly. His tone was unnervingly tranquil.
"There's no need for hostility. I merely came because someone here required my assistance."
Her glowing eyes narrowed. "What do you intend to do?"
He tilted his head slightly, voice cool as stone.
"You should already understand. Sheep must know their place in the flock. Those who defy the shepherd's authority… invite nothing but tragedy."
The meaning behind his words was unmistakable.
Yet Nahida did not flinch. She nodded softly.
"I know. Miss N of the Hexenzirkel warned me days ago about the Akademiya's 'God Creation Project.' I just didn't expect tonight's events to be tied to it."
Shao Yun blinked in disbelief.
"Wait—you knew? And you didn't tell me? What else are you hiding?"
She turned toward him, her expression calm, almost tired.
"Don't you also have secrets you've never told me?"
That shut him up.
He sighed, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
"Hah… guess that's fair. Seems you really can't judge someone just by appearances."
He looked at her small frame, voice low with frustration.
"And to think I actually believed you were just a kid, Buer…"