The next day, after waking up, Idris naturally had no idea what Nahida had secretly been up to while he slept the night before.
As usual, he returned to his office to handle work.
The previous day, Idris had already sent word to Inazuma, informing them that they were welcome to visit at any time—and preferably sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, if they delayed too long, he might once again be off handling affairs abroad.
After all, Natlan had now officially opened as well, and it was also one of Sumeru's desert-bordering neighbors.
However, judging by the current timeline, the situation there should remain stable for at least another two years. In addition, Natlan's people rarely involved themselves in foreign affairs, so the likelihood of active diplomatic visits wasn't particularly high.
After dealing with some preliminary paperwork, Idris sent for Alhaitham, who happened to be in Sumeru City.
"Great Sage," Alhaitham asked calmly after arriving, "what instructions do you have for me?"
He stood respectfully before Idris.
Though Alhaitham preferred an easygoing lifestyle and disliked excessive administrative work, he also understood one thing very clearly—
a stable and prosperous nation meant that his future retirement would be equally carefree.
Moreover, as someone who had once played the role of a key conspirator in the original timeline, Alhaitham now held an extremely high level of trust in Idris.
As long as he wasn't overworked, he was more than willing to help deal with thorny problems.
Idris understood this perfectly as well, which was why he summoned Alhaitham far less frequently than he did Cyno.
Looking at Alhaitham, Idris nodded.
"I called you here today because I have new work for you. As for the portable music player factory—you no longer need to manage it personally."
"Of course, your share in its profits hasn't changed. You've simply been moved to a behind-the-scenes majority shareholder."
"After this, I'll help adjust the administrative structure. Take two days off to familiarize yourself with your new position."
Initially, one of Idris's main reasons for establishing the music player factory had been to raise Sumeru's overall economic level.
Now, however, Sumeru's situation was already thriving.
Ordinary citizens had no shortage of ways to earn a living—
plant grafting projects, joining the Forest Rangers, enrolling in the Akademiya, assisting alchemists as apprentices, or working in factories.
At this point, keeping someone like Alhaitham—a top-tier talent—stuck managing a factory would be a waste.
People like him were born administrators. In another era, he would have been a model pillar of the state.
Continuing to tie him down to factory labor simply didn't make sense anymore.
The factory itself could be left to Dori—profit-driven work actually suited her far better.
Hearing Idris's arrangement, Alhaitham nodded without objection.
After all, openly nitpicking assignments from your leader wasn't just unwise—it was practically asking to meet your ancestors early.
Seeing that Alhaitham had no complaints, Idris continued:
"Come with me. We're heading to the lower levels of the Sanctuary of Surasthana."
Alhaitham naturally agreed.
He cast a glance at Nahida, who faithfully followed Idris almost everywhere, before turning and accompanying them underground.
With the Shouki no Kami long since removed, only a vast underground factory remained beneath the Sanctuary.
This factory had been idle for nearly two or three months after the machine god left.
Under Idris's orders, however, operations had resumed just last night.
Unfortunately, the original senior staff and elders responsible for the facility had mostly been stubborn,腐朽 relics.
Half had already been executed.
The rest had been stripped of power—kept alive as "strategic reserves," useful whenever the people needed scapegoats.
As a result, the workforce now consisted almost entirely of younger engineers.
That wasn't a problem.
After all, this factory was precisely why Idris had brought Alhaitham here.
Summoning all current staff, Idris spoke clearly and firmly.
"The reason I've restarted this factory is simple."
"From today onward, this place will once again forge Sumeru's secret weapons."
"Once upon a time, this factory produced a creation capable of shaking the world—an artificial god: the Shouki no Kami."
"But we cannot afford to stagnate, basking in past achievements."
"Back then, Sumeru had no divine leadership. Corruption ran rampant through the Akademiya, Eleazar haunted every household, and withering zones poisoned the forests."
"And yet—even in such times—this factory still gave birth to a god."
"Now, Sumeru prospers. The storms have cleared."
"So tell me—are you willing to shoulder this factory once more… and create new glory?"
Under Idris's kingly presence, his words were far more effective than any rallying cry.
The response was immediate.
Voices rang out, hoarse yet resolute.
"We are willing!"
"Very good."
Idris smiled.
Nahida, standing at his side, watched curiously and asked through their mental link:
"Sage Idris, everything in Sumeru is improving—salaries, treatment, stability. Why give such a speech today?"
Idris shook his head.
"Because of a simple truth."
"'Born in hardship, perish in comfort.'"
"This was my criticism of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Her kindness kept Sumeru too well sheltered."
"So when she was gone, the nation lost its spine."
"That is why I admire Liyue."
He continued calmly.
"Before I became the Grand Sage, I was just another scholar—one associated with Azar's faction."
"Back then, I read countless accounts of how Rex Lapis 'died.'"
"And I was astonished that after just a brief period of chaos, Liyue not only endured—but thrived."
Nahida tilted her head.
"Isn't that because the Adepti knew he never truly died, and instead became Zhongli?"
Idris shook his head again.
"Zhongli only told them the truth after Osial was sealed. By then, the tide had already turned."
"Liyue's strength was not dependent on one god."
He stated slowly:
"A nation's power doesn't come from one generation—it comes from inheritance."
"Rex Lapis once said:"
'Liyue's prosperity is not the will of a single god, but the effort and legacy of countless generations.'
"I've never forgotten that."
Hearing this, Nahida fell silent.
Only now did she realize just how far she still was from being a true ruler of nations.
Finally, she smiled softly.
"You really do like Liyue."
Idris smiled back.
"I do. But that's the past. I am now Sumeru's Grand Sage."
"And one day, I will surpass him—
that will be my greatest respect."
Turning to Alhaitham, Idris said:
"This factory is yours to manage."
"Here, we will develop Sumeru's firearm technology."
"The blueprints come from Fontaine, based on Pneuma–Ousia energy."
"Your task is to find a suitable alternative native to Sumeru."
"It may take time—but I believe in you."
"If you hit obstacles, I'll step in myself."
Alhaitham's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Grand Sage. I won't fail you."
Idris nodded, then added calmly:
"Don't celebrate too soon."
"There's one more project for you."
As he spoke, Idris placed the floating warship blueprints—acquired from Wriothesley—into Alhaitham's hands.
Alhaitham stared at the massive schematics.
Someone who could debate architecture with Kaveh for hours…
Naturally I wouldn't resist something like this.
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