In Idris's eyes, Zhongli glimpsed it at last—the hunger for control that so often brands a "villain."
Grand words aside—Why shouldn't I be the one to lead this nation?—what Idris truly sought was clear: in this turning of the age, five hundred years after the last god's fall, he meant to steer Sumeru into a human-led era.
And Zhongli had to admit: much of that resolve was likely inspired by present-day Liyue. Yet the reasoning—and the results Idris had achieved so far—left precious little to refute. On performance alone, handing Sumeru wholly to this Grand Sage might not be the worst outcome.
Zhongli could be stubborn about many things, but there was one truth he could not deny: when mortals govern themselves, variables multiply—and so do possibilities. Liyue was proof.
He drew a breath and inclined his head. "You are the most ambitious man of ordinary blood I have ever met. In stories, your type usually plays the great villain. Even Ningguang and the rest of the Qixing, though they command power absolutely, don't radiate desire quite as you do.
"In any case, it isn't my place to meddle in another nation's rule. Decide as you will, Grand Sage."
That said, Zhongli would both regard Idris with new respect—and refrain from feeding Nahida further counsel.
Nahida, face complicated, nodded as well. "Grand Sage Idris, I understand you now. But I won't give up.
"I'll watch you and learn from you. One day, I will surpass you in understanding the human heart.
"And the two most urgent problems in Sumeru—Withering Zones and the rise of Eleazar—require a god to resolve. In time I will take every burden from your hands… and then—" her voice steadied, bright with resolve, "—I will make you the first Sage under my godhood, Buer."
Idris's expression remained as even as a still pond. At last he shrugged. "As you please, Lesser Lord Kusanali. For now, my title is the last Sage of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"If I can also be the first under a new god… I'll take that as an honor.
"As for you, Mr. Zhongli—since you came quietly, I'm afraid I can't see you off in person. I still have much to do, so I'll take my leave."
He offered the courtesy due a Grand Sage, then turned and strode out.
It wasn't a pretext. Between newly gained pill-refining arts and a thousand formulas to seed a new division in the Akademiya, there was work to begin immediately. And if the Doctor would soon publish his apology, this was the perfect moment to shift a certain burden—one even Idris had no desire to shoulder—onto the Fatui's back.
Watching him go with that unhurried, natural ease, Nahida and Zhongli traded a look, then glanced again at the receding figure—each wearing a deeper, more conflicted expression.
Zhongli gave a rueful smile. "My apologies. It seems that even coming here, I haven't actually been of any help. As a man, he truly earns the title Sage."
"Mm…" Nahida nodded. Then, gently, "It's fine, elder Zhongli. If the Grand Sage won't see you off, I'll escort you to Liyue. Weren't you worried that if you returned too late, Director Hu would hang you from the doorframe?"
At the mention of Hu Tao, Zhongli's face twisted into a helpless smile. Not only her—there were a few old friends he meant to tell about what he'd witnessed here. Not that there were many left to tell.
Nahida tilted her head. "Do gods always have a few people who render them utterly helpless?"
"Perhaps…"
…
Outside the office, Idris was already gathering a handful of trusted Akademiya aides and issuing instructions.
"Within the next couple of days, the Fatui Harbinger—the Doctor—will release a public apology.
"When he does, I want our notice to go out at the same time. We'll reveal that over the years, the Akasha has been used to collect the dreams of Sumeru's people.
"But listen carefully—do not say it was the Akademiya that did it."
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