Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

80: Feathers Drifting From the Fall

"General Mahamatra, the Acting Grand Sage is requesting your presence at the office."

Cyno was intrigued when a matra came to report to him. It's been three months since Alhaitham took the position of the Acting Grand Sage and it was rare for him to be summoned on official matters.

"Understood. I'll go see him."

Nonetheless, it was work so he went. Cyno left the matra's office and took the lift at the center of the House of Daena.

Alhaitham sat on the desk, staring apprehensively at a letter in his hand. He barely raised his head when Cyno walked in.

"You called," Cyno stood before his desk and crossed his arms, "Do I need to investigate anything?"

"From the look of things, yes. Take a look at this," Alhaitham handed the letter to Cyno, who stepped forward and accepted it.

He scanned the letter, crimson eyes darting across the message imprinted on the letter. Alhaitham watched his face contort subtly as he recognized what the letter was.

"Soleil is...dead. She died in a duel in Inazuma," Cyno said, frowning at what he read next, "Executed by the Electro Archon?"

"Look into it and verify the credibility of this letter," Alhaitham instructed, "None of us can be certainly sure unless we see the body."

Cyno was silent. He placed the letter on the table and looked at Alhaitham, "It will be difficult to investigate without leaving Sumeru."

"I'll grant you a leave. Normally, I'd send for someone else, but you would have found a way to look into it, wouldn't you?" Alhaitham said.

"And normally, things like this are beyond the job description of a Grand Sage. Your interest may be judged to be misaligned," Cyno responded.

"You're handling this surprisingly well. As expected of you. But allow me to correct you: I am merely an 'Acting' Grand Sage, and my interest is not misaligned," Alhaitham said and got serious, "Soleil was an elected candidate to take the position of Grand Sage. Investigating her profile was a task I would be handling anyway."

So that's why he needed confirmation, Cyno thought in realization. But if he knew the girl any better, she'd turn it down in a heartbeat.

"Until there is a body, I'm inclined to think that this letter is fake," Cyno said.

"A good mindset. However, I'll need you to be swift with investigation. If this letter arrived in Sumeru, I'm inclined to believe the same news will circulate among interested parties," Alhaitham said.

"No need to tell me twice," Cyno replied, "I'll make preparations before leaving."

Alhaitham nodded, allowing Cyno to exit the Sage's office. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, weaving thoughts until they were a cognitive picture in his head.

If the news were true, Soleil's death would be a domino triggering several reactions and consequences. The Lesser Lord was successfully returned to her rightful place as god of Sumeru, but nearly half of the Sages have been removed from their position due to their transgressions.

If Soleil was dead, the parties that were restrained by Soleil's hidden influence in Sumeru would act. Alhaitham snorted and got up.

That was no problem. He'll just have to erase them all before the news get out.

"L-Lady Tianquan! We've received a message on the situation in Inazuma!"

"Hm... Tell me about it."

"Master Diluc, we've discovered the information being passed unto the Knights of Favonius in secrecy."