The Man with a Top Hat picked up the conversation and said to Shao Yun, "Don't underestimate that one who looks like a child. She knows far more than you think. Haven't you realized she's been deceiving you this whole time?"
Shao Yun widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at the devil. "What do you mean?"
The Man with a Top Hat turned his eerie gaze toward the silent Nahida, then twisted his neck back toward Shao Yun to explain further.
"The witch who's been talking to her told her everything that's happened to you. Did you really think that witch only relayed a few trivial conversations between you and another witch?"
Hearing this, Shao Yun's thoughts raced back to everything Nahida had ever told him—and he knew the devil wasn't lying.
He looked at Nahida, narrowing his eyes. "Which of your words were true, and which were false? Don't try to dodge the question."
Nahida remained unusually calm. Without the slightest change in expression, she said, "Now is not the time for us to talk. We'll discuss this later."
Shao Yun glanced at the Man with a Top Hat watching from nearby, then looked back at Nahida and said in a low voice, "Fine. You two talk first."
He quietly stepped aside, becoming nothing more than a silent observer.
The Man with a Top Hat tilted his chin slightly upward, his cold gaze fixed on Nahida as he spoke emotionlessly. "Let's return to the topic at hand. Since you already understand what those foolish sheep intend to achieve, let us now distinguish which are goats—and which are lambs."
But no matter how persuasively the devil spoke, Nahida's face remained calm as she responded coolly, "As one of the Seven Archons, and the God of Wisdom of this land, I will never harm the people of Sumeru."
The Man with a Top Hat sneered faintly. "Mercy is often mistaken for weakness, and strength is often seen as cruelty. You are the God of Wisdom—not merely of kindness. A god should act like one."
"Otherwise, some arrogant fool might truly believe that their insignificant power can make them omnipotent."
At those words, the soft emerald glow in Nahida's eyes flared with intensity.
She fixed her gaze on the devil. "You can say all you want, but in the end, you're just trying to make me abandon part of Sumeru's people, aren't you?"
The Man with a Top Hat slowly shook his head, expressionless. "I've never asked you to abandon anyone. I merely wish to make a fair and reasonable trade with you."
"Trade?" Nahida echoed, frowning in confusion.
He elaborated, "You know my ability—I can grant others their desires, so long as the exchange is fair. No matter what one asks for, I can make it happen."
"And judging by your current situation, curing that troublesome Eleazar disease seems utterly impossible for you."
At that, Nahida recalled how Dunyarzad's and Collei's Eleazar had mysteriously lessened.
She bit her lip and said firmly, "I will find a way to cure it completely. I don't need your power. Leave now—and I mean it."
Seeing the deal slipping away, the Man with a Top Hat didn't give up. "Trust me—if you refuse now, you'll regret it. When the time comes, you'll pay a price beyond your imagination."
Then, almost to himself, he murmured, "Never underestimate what a person will do when faced with death… the extremes they'll reach to stay alive can be truly terrifying."
Though his words seemed directed at Nahida, both she and Shao Yun could tell the last line was meant for him.
Before either could respond, the Man with a Top Hat vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint, unsettling trace in the air.
…
As the devil disappeared, Shao Yun coughed twice.
"Cough, cough."
A mechanical system message flickered before his eyes:
[Your condition has worsened. The Legend of the East outfit can no longer maintain optimal core values. You must eat and rest to recover.]
Seeing that, Shao Yun realized the devil's last words had been meant for him. It had already begun its game.
"Damn it." he muttered.
Nahida's emerald eyes dimmed, returning to their usual softness.
Then, with uncharacteristic solemnity, she looked at Shao Yun. "Mr. Shao Yun, help me resolve Sumeru's crisis. In return, I'll hand over the Sixth Fatui Harbinger to you. Do we have a deal?"
Shao Yun froze, wondering if he'd heard wrong. The Great Sage Nahida had just said… what?
"What?"
Nahida lifted her head, meeting his gaze, and repeated seriously, "I said—help me, and I'll give you Scaramouche. Isn't that why you came to Sumeru?"
Shao Yun wiped the corner of his mouth, still in disbelief. "You're not joking, are you?"
Her eyes stayed locked on his. "Do I look like I'm joking, Mr. Shao Yun?"
"I know your true purpose in coming to Sumeru. And I've witnessed firsthand how terrifying that 'devil' you mentioned truly is."
"So—since you want to eliminate Scaramouche, and I want to save Sumeru, our goals align. Why shouldn't we cooperate?"
Then she explained her reasoning calmly.
"You're far easier to satisfy than those behind you. By all measures, partnering with you offers the highest return."
Shao Yun still hesitated. "But how can I be sure you won't suddenly grow soft-hearted later? What if you decide to forgive your enemies?"
Nahida pointed a slender finger at her own face, her expression unwavering. "Do I look like someone joking with you?"
Looking into her eyes, Shao Yun realized she wasn't lying.
So even the kindest gods can be forced to compromise.
Faced with choosing between killing one and killing many, even Nahida had been pushed to relent.
Seeing her determination, Shao Yun finally exhaled. "Fine. You're right. We do have room to cooperate. What do you need me to do first?"
Nahida relaxed slightly, then said methodically, "For now, just follow my arrangements. Don't worry—you won't suffer for it."
Shao Yun rubbed his throat and cautioned, "Alright, but you'd better hurry. That devil won't stay idle forever. You'll need to finish your plan before it gets to me."
Nahida nodded in understanding.
Her gaze then shifted toward the Meditation Device once used to imprison her. "First, I intend to modify this device—turn it into a command center, and a means of protection. Then, we'll free the people of Sumeru from the dream cycle."
Shao Yun crossed his arms and smirked. "You're really planning to crawl back into that cage again? Did breathing fresh air for too long make you lose it?"
Nahida ignored the jab, continuing to examine the mechanisms carefully. "The time isn't right for an open confrontation with the Akademiya. I know the Grand Sage's intentions, but not the full details. For now, it's wiser to use this device as cover."
"And according to the witch known as N, both the Second and Sixth Fatui Harbingers are in Sumeru. Facing them head-on right now would be unwise."
When Shao Yun heard she knew of the Doctor's presence, he commented casually, "Yeah, I heard that too—back at Vimara Village. Some Fatui grunt said the Second Harbinger, the 'Doctor,' was once one of your Akademiya's exiles."
Still adjusting the device, Nahida replied, "I know. Witch N told me that as well…"
She suddenly paused, then changed the subject.
"Anyway, what matters now is understanding what Lumine meant when she said she heard 'The world… forget me' inside Irminsul."
"I must also uncover the details of the Akademiya's God Creation Project, and the location of the Grand Sage's secret workshop."
"But it's frustrating—none of them wear their Akasha Terminals anymore, so I can't trace any of it."
When Nahida mentioned 'The world… forget me,' Shao Yun finally understood what Lumine had tried to communicate with her before.
Then he offered a blunt suggestion. "Why don't I just storm the Akademiya and grab the Grand Sage myself? In my hands, even a statue would sing its secrets."
Nahida's face tensed. She shook her head. "No, Shao Yun. I want to end this with as little bloodshed as possible. Sumeru can't afford another civil war like Inazuma."
"Otherwise… the Cryo Archon's plan…"
"I don't know what she told Venti and Zhongli after Khaenri'ah, but since they agreed, I'll keep my peace."
When Shao Yun heard that even the Cryo Archon's schemes were known to her, he raised a brow. "That info came from that witch 'N' too?"
He quickly waved it off. "Forget it, I don't care how you found out. Just don't tell me you plan to debate the Grand Sage into surrender—to talk him to death with love and reason."
Nahida's hands froze for a moment over the device, but she didn't explain further.
"You'll get what's yours," she said simply. "Just live your life for now. When I need your help, I'll call you."
Seeing how resolute she was, Shao Yun shrugged. "Alright then. Command away, General Nahida."
He crossed his arms again, silently watching as the little god resumed her meticulous work.