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Facing Nahida's unblinking gaze, Paimon finally relented. "Then… alright…"
"I have no intention of defending Scaramouche, but his level of danger is not as high as everyone imagines right now."
Nahida took a light breath and slowly began explaining her reasoning.
"From an objective standpoint: During the god-creation project, Scaramouche was already granted the authority to establish a link with Irminsul. That was why Haypasia was able to connect her consciousness to his through Irminsul. However, during that period, he did not commit any acts that endangered Irminsul.
After we defeated Scaramouche, 'The Doctor' merely appeared to retrieve the Gnosis and showed no concern whatsoever for what became of him. As the Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers, being treated in such a manner undoubtedly meant he was abandoned.
Moreover, the previous battle consumed the vast majority of Scaramouches' power. As he is now, he is no longer capable of posing a strategic-level threat to us.
From any perspective, Scaramouches' current situation is extremely delicate. Having lost the Fatui as a place to belong, he should be even more worried than we are about what comes next.
From my own subjective perspective:
Azar and the others did not merely wish to create a god during the god-creation project—they intended to control one. Thus, during its execution, they backed up Scaramouches' memories, planning to use them later.
Those memories eventually came into my possession. Through them, I believe I came to understand why Scaramouche became what he is today, as well as his personality and weaknesses.
Much like how the Akasha can extrapolate all of a person's actions once it gathers enough data, I can roughly simulate all the measures Scaramouche is likely to take in the future. That is why I dare to let him approach Irminsul."
Seeing Victor Wang, Lumine, and Paimon listening in silence, Nahida continued.
"Next comes the matter of interests:
"I have conducted two transactions with 'The Doctor.' As long as the terms are reasonable, making another deal with Scaramouche is not an issue.
I truly did strike a deal with him—I released him, and in return, he provided valuable intelligence. As the former Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers, he knows many secrets.
Not only that, he will also enter Irminsul to assist you in the investigation. Even without the Gnosis, traces of his ability to link with Irminsul still remain within him.
The amount of information within Irminsul is simply too vast. Even I cannot comprehensively traverse everything in a short time.
I want to help Lumine find information about her brother. The matter of the 'Descenders' suggests that the Fatui possess additional intelligence, and Scaramouches' grasp of Fatui information is more precise than my own.
I also want to help Victor Wang locate the Dendro Dragon. Neither Scaramouche nor I know anything about it, and all we can confirm is that the search range is limited to Sumeru. In that regard, it makes no difference which of us conducts the search.
Taken together, having him accompany you into Irminsul for the investigation is the better option."
"I have a question!" As soon as Nahida finished, Paimon immediately spoke up. "Didn't you obtain a backup of Scaramouches' memories? Then you should already know all the secrets he knows, right? What other intelligence is there to trade?"
"The god-creation project was secretly overseen by 'The Doctor,' so within that backup memory, all key information related to the Fatui was deleted by him."
Even so, Paimon protested, "But we're not short on time! Even if we want to help Lumine and Victor Wang, compared to cooperating with Scaramouche, it would be better for you to do it yourself, Nahida!"
Lumine shook her head as well. "Scaramouche killed many people in Inazuma. He nearly wiped out the Raiden Gokaden entirely."
"I am aware of that incident. It originated from a misunderstanding… or rather, a conspiracy. It is true that he committed wrongs, and it is also true that he was deceived."
Lumine insisted, "Regardless of whether there was hidden truth behind it, I can't see the necessity of cooperating with 'Scaramouche.'"
"Because the one who truly needs to cooperate with Scaramouche is me." Left with no choice, Nahida sighed. "Most importantly, I am not adept at combat… Irminsul is vital, yet I, its guardian, am not skilled in battle…"
Lumine fell silent, while Paimon continued, "But you have us to help you!"
"Victor Wang and Lumine are destined to continue their journeys."
Paimon also fell silent.
Nahida went on:
"All of my decisions are derived from rational consideration. Letting Scaramouche take my place and search within Irminsul appears to be part of a transaction between us, but in truth, it is a test for him.
I not only learned of Scaramouches' past, but also unexpectedly obtained some memories from him when confirming that 'The Doctor' had erased all his segments… among them lies the root cause of the Raiden Gokaden massacre. It should have a significant impact on Scaramouche, and I have already placed it within Irminsul.
How Scaramouche will be treated in the future depends on his performance during this journey into Irminsul.
If he is beyond redemption, then I am not someone who only knows mercy and hesitates at critical moments. If there remains a chance for him to turn back, then I can continue cooperating with him.
Irminsul needs protection, and I am not proficient in combat. The combat capability of the Sixth Fatui Harbinger, combined with my own abilities, would be sufficient to handle many situations—even in your absence.
However, cooperation is the most ideal outcome. I do not fully trust my own predictions. Lumine will not be affected by Irminsul, and Victor Wang possesses considerable strength. I wish for you to accompany him as an added layer of insurance, to help me keep watch over Scaramouche.
Of course, your own matters are all important, and my desire to help you is absolutely genuine.
Especially you, Lumine. Within the backup memories of Scaramouche that were erased by 'The Doctor,' there may be more information the Fatui hold regarding the Descenders—it depends on whether Scaramouche is willing to reveal it voluntarily."
"So… so that's how it is…" After hearing Nahida's explanation, Paimon felt a hint of regret.
"Then when do we begin?" Lumine asked.
"The timing is about right. Scaramouche should arrive soon. You can make your preparations first."
Had she calculated even the time needed to persuade everyone?
Victor Wang pondered quietly.
Nahida's words were, in truth, all correct.
It was true that Scaramouche committed wrongs, and it was also true that he was deceived—but the reverse was equally true—he was deceived, and he committed wrongs.
At most, one could feel regret—regret that Scaramouche had once been a good person before he fell into darkness—but that did not erase the fact that he had done wrong.
Perhaps in this world, merits and faults can offset one another, but that only applies when they concern the same subject. Once there are the dead, the bearer of merit and fault can no longer be the same, and thus they can never truly cancel out.
Yet within absolute rationality, right and wrong can still be prioritized… To Nahida, the duty of protecting Irminsul outweighed everything else, including sacrificing herself or accepting a Scaramouche who had committed wrongs.
She had indeed made the most rational judgment. She saw the root of Scaramouches' corruption, predicted that the truth she held could change him, and protecting Irminsul happened to require high-end combat strength.
Yes—viewed rationally, this was correct.
Victor Wang kept telling himself that, yet a surge of anger still welled up within him. That anger was not directed at Nahida, nor was it truly directed at Scaramouche.
Was Scaramouche pitiful? In truth, very much so.
Was Scaramouche hateful? The dead could no longer answer.
Viewed emotionally, this was an impossibly difficult choice.
If history that had already occurred could truly be rewritten, that would undoubtedly be the most correct answer. Unfortunately, it could not—and instead would only result in the absurd outcome of "the entire world forgetting those sins."
Even if one were to be spared to atone later, there should still be the resolve to accept punishment—yet the memories of those who should have been allowed to release their hatred were taken from them…
Was there anything more infuriating than this accidental, twisted thing called "fate"?
Not long after, Scaramouche pushed the door open and entered.
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