"We're not guilty! We're not guilty!"
"We maintained the stability of Sumeru! What's wrong with having a bit of privilege? Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is being unfair to us!"
"That's right, we've contributed to Sumeru!"
The aristocrats kneeling on the ground screamed hysterically. As self-proclaimed "nobles," they couldn't fathom being treated like prisoners.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata remained calm, but the people of Sumeru erupted in fury.
"Kill them! Kill them!"
"Kill them! Kill them!"
"Kill, kill, kill, kill…"
The synchronized chants of anger and bloodlust echoed through Sumeru City.
The aristocrats, unaccustomed to such sights, were utterly terrified. Some wet themselves, while others fainted outright.
Among the crowd, Yae Miko watched calmly, sensing Noah's aura. She knew he was observing everything.
Having spent days with that "great one," she had come to understand his temperament and will.
Though his personality was mischievous and filled with dark humor, his intentions were remarkably clear and direct.
He cared only about the greater good for the majority. The small minority who were corrupt, he treated as garbage.
If they obediently accepted his punishment, they might at least retain their bloodline—just like the aristocrats of Inazuma, who now labored in the mines of Yashiori Island to create value.
But if they resisted his punishment, what awaited them would surely be unimaginable.
Istaroth yawned.
"If it were Phanes, this wouldn't have been so troublesome. Humans can always be recreated. Apart from Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the avatar of the World Tree, all of Sumeru's humans could simply be turned into hilichurls like the people of Khaenri'ah."
Yae Miko broke into a cold sweat.
The ordinary people of Sumeru were innocent—they were victims, too. Such a punishment was far too severe.
Watching from the sidelines was Havria, the God of Salt, disguised as an ordinary adventurer girl.
She had sought advice from Morax on how to start anew and avoid repeating the mistakes of the Archon War.
After a long silence, Morax had told her: "Understand humans."
Thus, she began traveling the lands of the Seven Nations as an ordinary person.
Upon entering Sumeru, she immediately sensed the aura of the Heavenly Principle and chose to follow at a distance.
Since the Heavenly Principle had not driven her away, she took it as tacit permission to remain.
Now, she witnessed Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's transformation of Sumeru.
Though she couldn't fully comprehend the ways of humans, she could feel that the atmosphere of the land had changed—it was lighter, happier.
Havria looked toward the highest point in Sumeru City.
"This is what the Heavenly Principle desires?"
Noah, sensing her gaze, smiled faintly.
"Havria has been trailing me since her visit to Liyue Harbor. Does she think I don't know?"
Does she believe that following in my footsteps will change her past fate?
He couldn't help but think that, despite their superior wisdom and power, gods like Havria were inherently simple beings.
This stemmed from their primordial fragments.
The God of Freedom inherently valued freedom.
The God of Contracts placed greater importance on contracts than even the Heavenly Principle.
The God of Justice would never, under any circumstances, violate justice.
The God of Salt, Havria, had powers closely tied to human life but not particularly significant in grand schemes.
Her personality leaned heavily toward domestic concerns, favoring emotion over reason.
Such a personality could only thrive in a peaceful world. In a chaotic one, it would label her a "saint," always responding to human needs but lacking the power to fulfill them—a recipe for an early demise.
"However, if she could understand humans, she might thrive in worlds where such a disposition is an asset," Noah mused, his eyes flickering at the thought of worlds needing a god like her.
But now was not the time to dwell on the future. He turned his gaze to the trial ground and the hysterical aristocrats of Sumeru.
"They truly believe they're innocent. They won't admit their guilt. Very well—I prefer those who refuse to admit their sins."
Admitting guilt would grant them a swift end. Denying it meant they and their bloodlines would suffer tenfold in recompense for their crimes.
"Buer, since these sinners refuse to acknowledge their guilt, then killing them serves no purpose. Deliver my verdict to the people of Sumeru."
Noah conveyed his will to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Behind him, the Primordial Ring of Law manifested, and the Law of Curse descended from Celestia to the earth.
"All sages, mentors, and descendants of aristocratic families tied to the Akademiya will bear the suffering of Sumeru's citizens tenfold, a hundredfold."
"The curse of immortality shall fall upon their bloodlines. They will retain their intellect but become beasts of burden, pulling carts and hauling goods for the citizens of Sumeru, generation after generation, as beasts of labor."
They would remain immortal, fully conscious of their degradation, suffering the endless torment of servitude. Wasn't it beautiful?
The citizens of Sumeru didn't realize this was a curse from the Heavenly Principle. They only saw Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's proclamation and the countless red beams of light descending from the sky.
Those touched by the light began to twist and swell, their bodies sprouting brown fur until they transformed into beasts of burden used for pulling carts in Sumeru.
To distinguish them from ordinary beasts, each bore a red character of sin on their foreheads.
"Moohhh—"
Grand Sage Azar watched in terror as his limbs turned into thick, furry legs. His desperate cries devolved into beastly roars.
His eyes filled with despair, and with him, all who shared his bloodline also transformed into beasts of burden.
The mournful cries of these beasts echoed throughout Sumeru City.
The people of Sumeru were stunned. They had witnessed sinners being turned into beasts of burden by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Moreover, she had declared that these beasts could be freely taken home to labor. They would not die, and even if beaten to the brink, they would recover quickly.
The scribes frantically recorded this unprecedented event.
From that day forward, Sumeru's citizens warned each other: committing evil would result in being turned into a beast of burden.
These creatures became undying laborers who could pass down their curse to their sons and grandsons.
Sumeru's people eagerly dragged the resistant beasts home. They showed no mercy to these sinners-turned-beasts, resorting to punches and kicks when they refused to cooperate.
With the judgment complete, the next step was rebuilding a new Akademiya.
As the avatar of the World Tree, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata understood the abilities of every citizen in Sumeru and assigned them roles accordingly.
Under her guidance, the newly established Akademiya was fully staffed.
Some were overjoyed by their appointments, while others wore expressions akin to pitiful kittens.
—
Kaveh, a master architect who graduated from the Kshahrewar School of Thought, walked out of the Akademiya's gates with a beaming face. In stark contrast, Alhaitham followed him, sporting a look of exasperation.
Kaveh's grin was as wide as a blooming flower.
"Hahaha! Who would've thought that I, Kaveh, would one day become a sage of Kshahrewar? Even Greater Lord Rukkhadevata herself acknowledged my abilities!"
As he spoke, he enthusiastically patted Alhaitham on the shoulder.
"Hey, say something, Alhaitham! You've just been appointed Grand Sage, the boss of the Akademiya! Why are you still wearing that poker face? Smile for once!"
"I've never seen you smile since we were kids."
Alhaitham cast a sarcastic glance at Kaveh, his expression unchanged.
"I'm smiling. Now, can you finally close your mouth?"
Never in his wildest dreams had Alhaitham expected to be shoved into the position of Grand Sage by a group of scholars, let alone with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's approval.
Being Grand Sage meant endless responsibilities—he'd have little time left to quietly "read books."
Among those who pushed him into this predicament was none other than this fool, Kaveh.
Kaveh's cheerful mood soured instantly.
"You're mocking me? How dare you mock me! You're unhappy about being made Grand Sage?"
He puffed up his chest indignantly.
"Let me tell you something, Alhaitham! I'm a sage of Kshahrewar now. Show some respect when you talk to me!"
Alhaitham sighed.
"I said one sentence. Go back and think it over carefully."
Watching Alhaitham stride away as if he were dismissing his intelligence, Kaveh fumed.
"You're always like this, Alhaitham! No wonder you're still friendless!"
"If you don't apologize, I'm cutting ties with you!"
Alhaitham responded indifferently.
"Cutting ties? That might actually give me some peace and quiet. You can also finally move out of my house."
Kaveh glared, practically bristling with anger.
"You're threatening me? You dare threaten me? I'll tell you right now—I'm not falling for it! You want me to move out? Not happening!"
Alhaitham let out a resigned sigh, choosing to ignore his long-time friend, whose intellect he often questioned.
"Hey! Don't you walk away, Alhaitham! We're settling this right now!"
Under Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's guidance, the sages and mentors she appointed quickly restored order to Sumeru.
The old, stagnant atmosphere that once plagued the city was swept away.
At that moment, Noah was seated in a small fruit and dessert shop, holding Nahida in his arms while enjoying some fruit.
He had Nahida sit on his lap, feeding her fruit skewers dipped in beast milk. The sweetness made Nahida's eyes squint with delight as she swung her little feet happily.
Noticing Nahida's elven ears poking out from her hair, Noah reached out and gave one a gentle pinch.
Her scent was refreshingly sweet, filled with the essence of life—unsurprising since she was a branch of the World Tree.
Since few people in Sumeru had seen Nahida, even though she resembled the younger form of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, no one associated her with the Dendro Archon.
Additionally, Nahida deliberately concealed her divine aura, further ensuring that no one would suspect her connection to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
At that moment, a coquettish voice rang out.
"Oh my, so Lord Noah has found a new love? No wonder you haven't visited this old flame of yours for so long~."
Noah looked up and smiled, while Nahida turned her curious, innocent gaze toward the source of the voice.
Yae Miko sauntered over, swaying her hips, effortlessly exuding both the charm of a fox spirit and an air of purity.
Istaroth grinned as she observed Noah and then turned her attention to the small Lesser Lord Kusanali sitting in his lap.
"Hehe, so the master likes this type, huh?"
Hearing this, Yae Miko looked carefully at Nahida.
Surprise flashed across her face.
What an adorable little girl! Even in her five centuries as a kitsune, this was the first time she had seen a child so cute and with such a unique aura.
A spirit? The thought of the explosive witch who once visited Inazuma flitted through her mind.
"Is this little girl a spirit? She's so adorable," Yae Miko murmured, her light-purple eyes sparkling as she gazed at Nahida.
Reaching out, she wiped a bit of cream from the corner of Nahida's mouth with her finger.
Nahida tilted her head in confusion at the gesture, which only made Yae Miko even more captivated by her cuteness. Unable to resist, she scratched gently under Nahida's chin.
"What's your name, little one? I'm Yae Miko," she said with a bright smile.
Noah watched Yae Miko with an amused expression, briefly recalling the first time they met. Back then, she had been just as playful, delighting in teasing him.
Nahida blinked and responded sweetly, "My name is Nahida, and I'm Sumeru's Lesser Lord Kusanali."
Yae Miko froze, her hand still scratching Nahida's chin as though time had stopped.
What? Lesser Lord Kusanali? Wasn't that the second god of Sumeru?
Cold sweat instantly dripped from her forehead.
Had she just flirted with a god? It seemed that she had! Meeting Noah's teasing gaze, Yae Miko felt like crying.
Noah spoke, "Anyone by my side couldn't possibly have a low status. As of now, you're the only one who isn't a god."
"But don't worry. Nahida will forgive you. After all, you are my fox."
Yae Miko immediately seized the opportunity, nodding hastily.
"Yes, yes! I am your fox!" she replied, though she muttered inwardly, But I belong to Ei.
Noah's gaze shifted behind Yae Miko.
"So, since you've resolved this little crisis, shouldn't you take the initiative and reveal your tail?"
Yae Miko rolled her eyes discreetly. This deity had always wanted to touch her tail. She had fallen into his trap this time.
Gods have such wicked thoughts… boohoohoo.
Nahida rested a small finger on her chin, her clover-shaped eyes pondering something.
This lightning-like aura… is she a retainer of the god from Inazuma?
Why is she following the Heavenly Principle?
I don't understand. I'll have to ask Greater Lord Rukkhadevata about this later.
Noah's gaze shifted to the fluffy, light-pink tail peeking out from under Yae Miko's shrine maiden attire. The sight made Yae Miko even more captivating.
Sure enough, when a fox spirit revealed her tail, her charm increased exponentially.
With one arm holding Nahida, Noah reached out with his other hand to touch Yae Miko's fluffy tail.
It was soft, smooth, and carried a unique fragrance that lingered faintly.
While it didn't have the soul-soothing quality of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's presence, it evoked a physical allure that was hard to ignore.
He gently stroked from the tip of her tail to its base.
Yae Miko shivered all over, letting out an involuntary gasp. She hadn't revealed her tail because it was the most sensitive part of a fox spirit.
Clasping her hands over her mouth, she tried desperately to stifle any further reactions.
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