While the Liyue construction team and the others were building the city, the news reached the Sumeru Akademiya.
"What did you say? People from Liyue actually dared to enter Avidya Forest, and they brought a large number of soldiers with them...?"
"Yes, Sage..."
"Then did they report to us?"
"That... no. Not a single letter..."
"Damn it! Have the people from Liyue gotten this arrogant already?!"
The Sage was furious.
The two countries shared a border.
Avidya Forest had originally served to keep watch over the Liyue side.
It was meant to prevent enemy infiltration.
At the same time, it also acted as a buffer and a scout post for other areas.
But now these people had become the enemy's lackeys.
It was truly unbearable.
The Sage wore luxurious clothing, with gold and silver ornaments hanging all over him. At a glance, he looked anything but ordinary.
He was clearly a man of status.
"Then, Sage... what should we do?"
"Send people over to check the situation. If anything seems off, immediately mobilize the nearby troops. Take over Avidya Forest's defenses..."
"Yes, Sage... By the way, if the people from Liyue are there, can we really fight them?"
Everyone knew how terrifying the people of Liyue were now.
Not to mention Sumeru's troops.
Even the strongest nation, Snezhnaya, would have to eat a loss if they went there.
The Sage said angrily, "Are we supposed to just let them occupy that place? If Avidya Forest falls, our defense line will collapse completely!"
"Yes, understood..."
The messenger in robes hurried off to relay the order.
The Sage was not idle either.
He immediately began contacting the other Sages.
This incident was extremely sensitive.
If he was careless even a little, it could turn into something much bigger.
So he had to unite the others.
They had to drive the Liyue people out.
This Sage even wanted to use this chance to seize control of Avidya Forest in one move.
All along, that place had been under that old fox's control.
Maybe today was the opportunity.
The messenger rode something like a magic carpet and quickly spread the news.
The soldiers assembled quickly.
They set out that afternoon.
By evening, an extremely intense argument had broken out near the city gate of Avidya Forest.
"Where did you come from? Why are you driving away Liyue's craftsmen...?"
"We received orders from above saying that the people from Liyue have invaded Avidya Forest, and that we need to suppress them."
Hearing that, the Forest Rangers were furious.
They thought, When Snezhnaya people came yesterday, you didn't dare show up.
Now you're running here to show off?
Disgusting.
At this point, Tighnari pushed through the crowd and said to the soldiers, "There are no Liyue soldiers here. These are people here to help us build the city..."
"But..."
"If you don't believe me, you can go in and take a look. But I need to report one thing to the higher-ups. The day before yesterday, Snezhnaya launched an attack on us. How does the higher-up plan to handle that?"
"Snezhnaya attacked?"
The soldiers looked blank.
Weren't they here to deal with the people from Liyue?
What was this Snezhnaya night raid supposed to be?
Under Tighnari's guidance, the soldiers saw countless machines and the corpses of Snezhnaya troops.
At that point, the truth was clear.
Everyone fell silent.
The explanation they had received from above was completely different from what they were seeing.
The city before them was still being built.
From the ruins nearby, it was obvious there really had been a major battle here before.
Some of the trees still had signs of being burned.
Even in the distant mountains and forests, there were marks left behind by sword energy bombardment.
At that moment, the soldiers were confused.
Tighnari then explained, "Actually, the situation is very simple. I understand why you came to question us. What I want to explain is this. This time, it was Lady Ningguang of Liyue who came to Avidya Forest on an official visit to discuss the railway.
"At the same time, trade was supposed to be strengthened.
"But at night, an insider tipped off the Fatui.
"Then the battle broke out.
"These things are all evidence.
"I don't understand why the Sage would send you here to drive the people of Liyue away.
"But there is one thing I can say for sure.
"Snezhnaya is our enemy.
"The facts are right in front of you. You can go and look, or go and ask. All the townspeople will answer your questions.
"If someone forged it, could everyone forge it?
"Besides, we have recordings too..."
Facing the sincere Tighnari, the soldiers all showed shocked expressions.
What was the truth behind all this?
Very quickly, they found out.
With so much evidence in front of them, they understood what had happened.
This was a game of power.
The Sumeru Akademiya was probably trying to stir up trouble again.
"If you don't know where to go, then stay here. As for occupying Sumeru, let's not even talk about Liyue spending that much effort just for that. If they really wanted to occupy it, why not send the Adepti instead?"
"Looks like this time it was our mistake..."
"No. The mistake is power. Present the evidence. Tell those scheming fools that Sumeru has never been invaded. On the contrary, I really want to know why those people didn't say a word about Snezhnaya?
"Avidya Forest was destroyed by people from Snezhnaya. Are we not even allowed to speak up about that?"
The photos and recordings were made public.
Not by the soldiers taking them back.
Instead, Ningguang used the spies she had planted in Sumeru.
A large number of realistic photographs.
As well as written descriptions.
Even the cause and course of the incident.
Even the Akademiya's accusation.
All of it was included in this incident.
Ningguang publicly declared that she would pursue the matter to the end.
She wanted to see what Sumeru was really thinking.
They came here, got attacked, and then were misjudged on top of that.
If they could not give her an answer, then Sumeru would be listed as the second enemy state after Snezhnaya.
They would face military strikes.
...
The people of Sumeru City turned pale.
"What exactly are those Akademiya people doing? Liyue came here to rebuild a destroyed city, and this is how they treat their benefactor?"
"Look at this. Someone burned Avidya Forest city. These masks, and those decorations, they're clearly from Snezhnaya!"
"They won't question Snezhnaya, but they'll make things hard for Liyue. Do they think Liyue is easy to bully?"
"Heh... now things are really bad. Liyue wants an explanation. If they can't give one, we'll become the target of Liyue's attack."
"Yeah... just thinking about it makes me scared. Because if that happens, our enemy won't just be Liyue, but... three countries."
Liyue.
Inazuma.
Mondstadt.
These three countries were now acting together.
And if one country was made difficult for, the other two would follow.
Less than half an hour after the newspapers were published...
Mondstadt and Inazuma both sent telegrams to Sumeru.
They questioned what was going on here.
If they did not get an explanation, a full-scale war would break out.
As for power?
These three countries were now in no way inferior to anyone.
Inside the Sumeru Akademiya, an emergency meeting was held.
This matter was too terrifying. No one wanted to offend Snezhnaya.
But facing these three countries would lead to an even worse outcome.
Liyue could strike from the front.
Inazuma could attack the harbor.
And Mondstadt could enter Sumeru from the Stormterror's Lair side.
A war on three fronts.
Who could withstand that?
"Damn it... this mess is all because of you, isn't it?"
"Hmph. How can that be my fault? I only received some information and wanted to verify the facts."
The Sage with the hooked nose said disdainfully.
But inwardly, he had already grown nervous.
He also knew that if he handled this badly, the impact would be enormous.
The Great Sage at the head of the table said, "Since you caused this trouble, then you will resolve it. Also, the affairs of the Akademiya lately no longer need your attention.
"As for the scholars under you, others will take over for now. Meeting adjourned."
Hearing the Great Sage's ruling, the Sage from the Vahumana faction looked extremely ugly.
But he did not dare say more.
Because the Great Sage was the master who ruled over the six major factions.
His strength far exceeded his imagination.
He was not someone he could resist.
"Yes... Great Sage..."
The old man with the hooked nose said through a twisted expression.
After the meeting ended, the Sage from the Vahumana faction gathered the people from the press.
He publicly expressed his apology.
Not only that, he also apologized to the elders of the three countries one after another.
His attitude was extremely sincere.
At the same time, the Sumeru Akademiya also announced the punishment for this incident.
That Sage was suspended from his position.
In addition, they expressed their apologies to Liyue and sent a gift.
If they were fighting a single country, these people could still manage.
But making trouble with three countries at once?
Actually, no one dared.
After all, three countries meant facing three gods.
There had already been friction with the Dendro Archon.
If three more gods were added on top of that, the Sumeru Akademiya would probably turn into ruins on the spot.
The Great Sage was not stupid.
And this apology announcement spread throughout all of Sumeru.
Everyone knew that the Great Sage had bowed his head.
...
At this moment, inside the Sanctuary of Surasthana, a servant arrived before the Little Lucky Grass King.
"My lord... this is truly good news. The Sumeru Akademiya has suffered a setback..."
"Mm, I already know what happened outside. Snezhnaya has gone too far. Not only do they blaspheme the gods, they also recklessly attack our allies.
"Tell Avidya Forest that I am willing to support them.
"All activities may proceed.
"Strengthen relations with Liyue.
"If possible, full trade with Liyue would be the best choice."
"Yes, my lord..."
This was the first major incident in the Sumeru Akademiya in a long time.
She was actually quite pleased.
Because only like this could those people be weakened.
The ruler of this country was the Dendro Archon before her, not those humble mortals.
At this moment, the Little Lucky Grass King revealed a faint smile.
If she had the time, she really wanted to meet Su Han.
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