As expected.
When someone else is just as miserable as you are, the heart really does feel a lot more balanced.
Alhaitham was in exactly that state.
Even though he was a genius—an absolutely rational and calm one at that—he still felt a trace of joy in moments like this.
"Don't just stand there, oh Great Sage. Time to work," Cyno said.
Alhaitham cast him a glance and replied coolly, "Then let's begin, oh Great General Mahamatra."
The two took the suffering sages away, dragging along the mercenaries of the Thirty as well.
Moonlight flooded the terrace of the Sanctuary of Surasthana, as though washing away all filth.
Gu Chen saw Nahida still standing in place, her small face twisted in grievance.
He couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you leave?"
"Eh?"
Nahida froze.
Wasn't the Sanctuary of Surasthana her home?
Why would she leave?
"For someone hailed as the God of Wisdom, you're not very smart."
Gu Chen glanced up at the moon nearly overhead and said, "It's nearly midnight. I still haven't had my two-person world with Buer."
Nahida was stunned.
The words pierced her straight through like a knife.
Her mood plummeted instantly.
"He means—you have more work you need to go handle right now," Buer said gently, comforting her.
Nahida pressed her lips together. "You two must be planning to do… unspeakable things, and you don't want me to see it!"
As another God of Wisdom, she also had the authority to connect to the World Tree.
Just thinking a little was enough to understand!
Face flushing, Nahida muttered, "Mr. Great Sage, don't say things so hurtful next time! I'm also the God of Wisdom!"
If Gu Chen was considered Buer's dependent, then he was kind of her dependent too!
Gu Chen thought for a moment. "Feels like Paimon's smarter than you."
If it were Paimon, she would've found an excuse to leave the moment Alhaitham and Cyno walked out.
Nahida puffed up her cheeks. "Then where am I sleeping tonight?"
"My suggestion—" Gu Chen considered. "Go to Dunyarzad's. Or Nilou's. They're both your fans."
"I understand. Then I wish you two a pleasant night~"
Nahida nodded, waved, and walked off.
Only after watching her go did Gu Chen turn to Buer.
Moonlight spilled over Buer's face, making her seem impossibly sacred.
Gu Chen arched a brow and reached out a hand. "It's late."
Buer took a deep breath, a faint blush on her face. "Yes… time to rest."
The scene she had fantasized countless times… was finally becoming real.
Her heart was shy, yet filled with burning anticipation.
Before, her relationship with Gu Chen was superior–subordinate, but mostly equal—like co-rulers of all of Sumeru.
After she shrank from over-drafting her power and found she had never forgotten Gu Chen, she began planning everything.
She could not leave this man.
As long as he was there, no matter how dangerous the world became, she would have the courage to face it.
The doors of the Sanctuary of Surasthana slowly closed.
Pure moonlight bathed the Divine Tree.
Clouds rolled across the sky.
Little birds nestled together on the branches.
Everything fell into the calm of night.
At Nilou's Home
"Eh?! Lady Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
Nilou was shocked to see Nahida at her door.
"Hello~" Nahida greeted with a smile.
"H-Hello!" Nilou stumbled over herself inviting her in.
"Why would Lady Lesser Lord Kusanali come to my home?" she asked in confusion.
It was already very late—if not for still being keyed up from watching videos, she would've long gone to sleep.
"Because I got kicked out," Nahida shrugged.
"Eh?!"
Nilou was even more confused. "Why?!"
"Well… it's like how you wouldn't want someone watching you while you go to the bathroom," Nahida said earnestly.
"U-ugh—"
That metaphor was… very abstract!
But yes, being watched while using the bathroom—just imagining it was mortifying! Only a pervert would do that!
Wait—
If Nahida got kicked out of the Sanctuary…
The only ones qualified to live there were the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Gu Chen.
Nilou paused—then her eyes widened in realization.
Her cheeks flushed as she whispered excitedly, "Is it… is it that kind of… thing?"
Nahida tilted her head, then whispered, "Shh—"
"I get it! I get it!" Nilou grinned like an idiot, nodding furiously.
"But my place is small, just one bed…"
"It's fine. I don't move around when I sleep. You don't either, right?" Nahida asked.
"O-oh~ I don't!"
God and dancer lay on the same bed.
Nilou covered her burning cheeks. "This is so exciting…"
Seeing her face as red as her hair, Nahida asked in confusion, "Why are you having such big mood swings? Shouldn't that be something for Mr. Great Sage and Lady Buer?"
Nilou giggled. "Lady Kusanali, you seem to understand quite a lot!"
"Eh?!"
"No—I know nothing! Absolutely nothing!"
Nahida shook her head wildly. "I AM the God of Wisdom. It's only natural that I know everything!"
"Hehehehe—"
The Next Morning
Birdsong echoed among the branches—crisp and pleasant.
Gu Chen yawned, glanced around at the messy room, and couldn't help but smile.
Buer lay beside him, long hair disheveled, her sleeping face so beautiful it tugged at the heart.
To recover memories she once lost, she had sacrificed far too much wisdom and strength.
Now she finally had her dreamlike reunion. And in the night, Buer had almost become another person—gentle and serene turned fervent and wild.
As though terrified the entire night was just a dream.
Only when the pain hit did her shyness return.
Gu Chen chuckled softly, leaned back, and opened the chat group while waiting for her to wake.
[Transcendents' Chat Group]
(Chat logs preserved—translation follows original tone and memes.)
[Alhaitham]: First day as a newly hired Sage. At work. (Alhaitham: loud noises)
[Kaveh]: Why YOU of all people?! (Dehya: take my punch)
[Alhaitham]: The incompetent always envy ability. You should reflect on yourself. (moves brain)
[Kaveh]: Anyone else becoming Sage is fine—but YOU?!
[Alhaitham]: Oh, not just me. I already submitted a recommendation for the empty Sage seat. Tighnari is perfectly suited for the job.
[Tighnari]: Becoming a Sage? Uh… I don't really want to…
[Alhaitham]: I didn't want to either, but last night, Mr. Gu Chen persuaded me—with his fist.
[Tighnari]: I understand. Then of course I shall fulfill my duty. (shocked)
…and so on, unchanged from original up to Dottore's last line:
[Dottore]: No need. I feel like my corpse is about to be left in the wilderness.
[Hu Tao]: Even better! (cute)
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