Sumeru City.
"Um…"
The Sage of the Akademiya, Panah, had just opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw the figure before him, his pupils contracted sharply.
Even though few people in this era had ever seen the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata with their own eyes, the Akasha Terminals still held descriptions of her appearance—
Snow-white hair like frost, long elven ears, a sacred and gentle presence, and eyes filled with deep wisdom. She was the god of wisdom whom all of Sumeru worshipped.
Her devotee, Dinadain, trembled with joy.
"The God of Wisdom!" She knew at once—the Greater Lord had returned. Today, everyone had been blessed.
"The Greater Lord has returned! Everyone, it's free drinks today!"
All the citizens of Sumeru were stunned.
Through the Akasha, word spread quickly. When they learned of the Greater Lord's return, countless people cheered with excitement.
One message became ten, ten became a hundred; through the Akasha network, the news spread across Sumeru. Joyful voices filled every corner.
"The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata!"
Koji couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the Greater Lord—five hundred years had passed, yet her prestige had not diminished in the slightest.
That was true authority.
On her way to the Sanctuary of Surasthana, Rukkhadevata walked with a gentle smile, waving to people along the streets without the slightest trace of arrogance.
Before long, she arrived at the Sanctuary itself. The ancient building was unchanged, still the same as in days long past.
"Greetings to the Great Lord Rukkhadevata."
Grand Sage Azar appeared and, upon seeing her, immediately knelt with devout reverence.
No matter how little respect some held for the Little Lord Kusanali, there was not a single person in Sumeru who would not honor the Greater Lord.
"Azar, the god-creation plan you promised to the Little Lord—what is the meaning of it? Before the God of Wisdom, lies are meaningless."
Rukkhadevata's tone was calm.
"I am guilty."
Azar did not hesitate to confess. In front of the true God of Wisdom, deceit was futile.
The Greater Lord had returned—the one and only true deity of wisdom. Compared to her, the god-creation plan was nothing but garbage.
Even if it cost him his life, he felt no fear.
Only under Rukkhadevata's guidance could Sumeru again become a nation of true wisdom.
"Your actions deserve death. Do you have anything left to say?"
Rukkhadevata's words were soft, but final.
Azar remained silent. From the moment he learned of her return, he had already foreseen this outcome.
Yet there was no regret—he had seen the Greater Lord herself, an experience that even generations of Sages before him had never known.
Before long, Cyno and the Matra arrived to take Azar and his followers away.
Without resistance, the man once known as the most powerful figure in Sumeru's hierarchy was led off in silence. His reign was over.
Inside the Sanctuary, Rukkhadevata gazed at the chamber that had once been sealed by her own hand. Her expression twitched slightly.
This place—had become Kusanali's prison.
"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?"
As the prison dissolved, Nahida slowly descended, nervousness in her eyes.
Of course—she was only the moon, while the Greater Lord was the true sun. The moon's light could never compare to the sun's.
"Nahida, this is our first meeting," Rukkhadevata said gently, without reproach.
"Greater Lord, was it you who cured the Withering Disease?" Nahida asked.
"In a way. It was Koji who saved me and cleared the forbidden knowledge from the World Tree."
Rukkhadevata spoke truthfully, taking no credit that was not hers.
Nahida turned her curious gaze toward Koji. Even the forbidden knowledge—he could erase it? Impressive.
"Greater Lord, what about these past years? What happened to you?"
Rukkhadevata hesitated for a moment, then told Nahida everything—her choice, her sacrifice, and the decision she had made back then.
"No… that can't be right," Nahida murmured, shaking her head, unwilling to accept such an ending—
A fate where even the world would forget her, where even she herself would forget the Greater Lord.
"If not for Koji, we would have had no other choice," Rukkhadevata said softly.
"Don't be sad. The old way is no longer needed. I'm back now."
She reached out and gently patted Nahida's head.
"By the way, Greater Lord, what will you do with Azar?"
"Exile him?" Nahida asked tentatively.
Rukkhadevata shook her head. "Nahida, for what Azar has done, the punishment must be serious."
"Wait… don't tell me you don't know anything?"
Nahida scratched her head awkwardly. Truth be told, she didn't know much.
After all, she had been imprisoned, and could only project her consciousness through Katheryne.
"Foolish child. The Akademiya sought to use the god-creation plan to forge a new god to replace you, the God of Wisdom," said Rukkhadevata.
Nahida fell silent for a moment, then spoke earnestly.
"I know I'm not a qualified god. If the new one they created were better, I'd have no objection."
"Nahida," Rukkhadevata said with a deep sigh, "no one is born perfect. You simply never had the chance to learn or to grow."
Her voice carried no blame—only patient admiration.
"I'm back now. I'll teach you how to be a God of Wisdom. When you've learned enough, you will truly be Sumeru's God of Wisdom."
Nahida nodded seriously. She wanted to learn from the Greater Lord—her respect for the first God of Wisdom was absolute, without jealousy.
"Rukkhadevata, where is the Doctor?" Koji asked suddenly.
That madman had already taken an interest in him. Koji didn't intend to wait for trouble to come knocking.
He would strike first—wipe out the Doctor's segments, then destroy the original body.
He wasn't afraid of the man, but he knew such a lunatic might harm his friends. Ending him early would prevent future problems.
"I'll take you there."
Closing her eyes, Rukkhadevata extended her perception. In Sumeru, no matter how deeply Dottore concealed himself, he could not hide from her divine authority.
"Scaramouche, Dottore…
Listen well—hear the voice of death."
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]