Seeing the flood of messages in the group chat, Dottore's expression turned cold and numb.
His mind was a tangled mess.
Rationally, he knew this was retribution—exactly what he deserved for his countless crimes.
But the human part of him, the selfish desire to live, struggled fiercely.
And unfortunately, this particular segment—the selfish slice—was the one standing here now.
The fact that Dottore had turned versions of himself from different periods into "segments" wasn't really a secret.
Even Scaramouche knew quite a bit about it.
This selfish slice wanted Dottore to find any opportunity, no matter how small, to secure personal benefit.
Yet he was painfully aware that he couldn't escape.
The sense of helpless impatience made his heart burn.
"But at least," Dottore suddenly chuckled at Scaramouche, "we can die together."
Scaramouche's face stiffened. He sneered, expression cold.
"Who knows? Maybe they'll slice you into a thousand pieces, while I just get imprisoned."
Scaramouche never considered himself a good person.
But compared to Dottore, he was practically innocent.
Of course their sentences wouldn't be the same.
Dottore only smiled.
He had already started calculating—trying to exploit the nearly nonexistent odds of escape.
Sanctuary of Surasthana
Bright sunlight streamed in.
Buer slowly woke.
The slight movement made pain ripple through her body; she frowned softly.
Then she saw Gu Chen leaning beside her, and her expression melted into a smile as she lifted herself halfway into his arms.
"What are you doing?"
"Watching drama in the group chat," Gu Chen replied, tugging the blanket up to cover her.
"Hungry? Want something to eat?"
"Mmm…"
Buer thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Let me sleep a little longer."
Gu Chen nodded.
Soon after, he received a private message from Nahida—she wanted to check on Buer.
Her love for her idol far exceeded her care for herself.
After thinking a moment, Gu Chen didn't refuse.
Nahida soon ran into the Sanctuary.
It was her first time freely exploring every corner of it.
But she didn't forget her goal.
She quickly arrived where Gu Chen was.
Seeing Buer sleeping in his embrace, Nahida showed a look of I knew it, then whispered:
"What should I do with Dottore and the others?"
Gu Chen rubbed his chin. "Was my suggestion in the group not enough for you? Want to upgrade it?"
"Eh?"
Nahida froze. "You… weren't joking?"
"When did I say I was joking?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
Nahida scratched her head. After thinking for a long moment, she asked weakly,
"…Can I not look at it?"
She could easily imagine how cruel Dottore's experiments were.
To repeat all of it on him a hundredfold would be unimaginable brutality.
Her young heart didn't dare imagine it.
"Really not going to look? He threatened you using the citizens of Sumeru. If he had succeeded, the lives of everyone in the city would've been gone."
Nahida hesitated, then nodded. "Then… I'll look when the time comes."
Only then did Gu Chen nod in satisfaction.
"So—how's Sumeru now?"
Nahida perked up instantly.
"The people are furious. After seeing the sages' miserable condition, everyone was celebrating."
"Then they still count as sane humans." Gu Chen chuckled. "How do the people see you?"
"Me?"
Nahida blinked.
"…They think I'm not very smart. But at least they don't dislike me like the sages do… Nilou even thinks I'm cute."
A tiny loli who looked smart but not too smart—indeed, quite adorable.
Gu Chen agreed with Nilou's assessment.
Nahida continued, "I feel like the people are treating me like a mascot… They probably want Lady Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to rule Sumeru instead."
After all, Buer had returned—fully restored, infinite in wisdom.
Of course the people would think she could lead Sumeru to its peak again.
"Great…"
Gu Chen rubbed his temples helplessly.
Nahida tilted her head, her heart warm.
"Mr. Great Sage… are you worried about me?"
"Yes."
Gu Chen sighed. "If they don't accept you ruling, then Buer has to take the job. Then she'll be busy all day… and won't have time for me."
Nahida: "…"
All right.
Give me back the warmth I just felt.
Her shoulders slumped.
"Listen, Nahida—you want to become a great god like the Greater Lord. Believe in your own wisdom. You can lead Sumeru to prosperity."
"You have the Akasha. You have dreams and the World Tree. You don't need anything else—only time, and experience."
"Believe in yourself. Step into the fog ahead. It's not a cliff—it's a broad, smooth road ascending to the heavens."
Gu Chen spoke solemnly.
Nahida's eyes widened.
Was he drawing a big pie? Or telling the truth?
Probably… both.
But Gu Chen was good at drawing pies—
and the pies he drew were always real.
Imagining it, her little chest burned hot.
Her whole body filled with energy.
"I'll go!" she said excitedly.
"Mm." Gu Chen waved with a smile.
Nahida nodded heavily and dashed off.
Silence returned to the Sanctuary.
At 11 a.m., Buer woke again.
"Mmm—"
She stretched, energy restored.
Though some discomfort remained, a god was not easily hindered.
She buried her face in Gu Chen's chest and inhaled deeply, then knelt beside him, smiling with eyes overflowing with affection.
"You're awake?"
Gu Chen tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Mr. Great Sage… your goddess is hungry," she said, voice soft and teasing.
That gentle-big-sister face trying to act spoiled—no man could resist it, not even Gu Chen.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked.
"It's noon already. Let's go out and walk around," Buer said after thinking.
Her knowledge from the World Tree was never the same as experiencing Sumeru herself.
"Then let's go."
They went out together.
In Sumeru, Gu Chen and Buer had terrifying popularity.
Five video series had engraved Gu Chen deeply in everyone's hearts.
And as for Buer—her reverence rivaled Liyue's worship of Rex Lapis.
The two walking together on the streets made the citizens nearly explode with excitement.
But thankfully, no one disturbed them.
As they walked, they could see the Matra and the mercenaries of the Thirty moving about arresting people.
The purge of the Akademiya originated from Buer herself.
Comparing it with the Institute of Illumination, Buer's dissatisfaction with the Akademiya grew deeper.
If not for scholars like Alhaitham and Kaveh, she might've dismantled it entirely.
The Fatui were also under Alhaitham's scrutiny.
And the reactions from Snezhnaya were… strange.
Silence—complete silence.
As if whatever Sumeru decided was final.
Alhaitham knew very well why.
Not only had Buer returned—
Sumeru also had someone far more terrifying behind it.
Secret Workshop
Dottore and Scaramouche stood on high ground, watching coldly.
General Mahamatra Cyno had arrived.
Matra and mercenaries were collecting equipment—evidence of their crimes.
Even though Dottore could've destroyed it all, there was no point.
The World Tree recorded everything.
They still followed protocol, gathering physical evidence…
Responsible to a fault.
"Dottore. Scaramouche."
Cyno's face was unpleasant.
Dottore said nothing.
Scaramouche grinned. "Unexpected. I thought that one would come in person. Instead they sent a few ants."
"To those above," Cyno shrugged, "you are also an ant."
Scaramouche snorted. "So how will you deal with me?"
"There are many ways. We await Lord Great Sage's decision."
"How boring."
"Shackle them."
Two Matra stepped forward.
Dottore looked at the cuffs, veins bulging beneath his mask—but he swallowed it down.
Scaramouche scoffed. "Afraid I'll run?
Please. These toys can't restrain me."
But he still didn't break them.
He couldn't—not now.
"Move," Cyno ordered. "You heavy criminals."
Dottore smiled—a strange smile that made even the Matra shiver.
Prison of Sumeru
Dottore stood elegantly despite everything.
Scaramouche leaned against the wall, looking bored.
Footsteps approached.
Dottore turned, smiling.
"Should I call you Mr. Great Sage, or Great Patriarch?"
"Titles are just labels," Gu Chen said, unconcerned.
"But you—your problem is quite severe."
"So, how will Mr. Great Sage deal with me?" Dottore grinned.
"By granting you what you desire most—knowledge."
Gu Chen's smile was chilling.
Dottore's face twisted with sick excitement.
Gu Chen ignored him, turning to the scowling Scaramouche.
"Kunikuzushi… your uncle is very disappointed in you."
"Oh? And then?"
Scaramouche spread his hands. "I was weak and got caught. That's all."
"No," Gu Chen shook his head with pity and disdain.
"I'm disappointed in your intelligence. From beginning to end, you were led around like a dog.
You're even dumber than Ei, that blockhead."
Dottore snorted—it was clear he understood.
Scaramouche, utterly confused, exploded.
"What do you mean?!"
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