As expected, the moment Alhaitham received the blueprints, the calm, almost expressionless look he usually wore suddenly lit up.
As he carefully examined the extremely detailed schematics in his hands, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"This… Grand Sage, may I ask where this blueprint came from?"
Idris replied calmly,
"That's not something you should ask. I already promised the other party that this matter would not be made public."
"You only need to know one thing—this blueprint is now under your personal custody."
"If even a fragment of it leaks out, I will hold you responsible."
"Understood?"
"Understood. Completely understood!"
For someone as composed as Alhaitham, showing such obvious interest was rare.
It reminded Idris of the time he'd first introduced the portable music player technology—
the same spark had appeared in both Alhaitham's and Dori's eyes.
The difference was this:
Alhaitham loved the technology itself
Dori loved the profits it would bring
After admiring the schematics once more, Alhaitham asked thoughtfully,
"Grand Sage, if we merely build this ship as it is, its function would be limited to aerial transport."
"Considering the massive material cost, the practical value wouldn't justify the expense."
"Do you have plans to modify it?"
Idris nodded.
Speaking with capable ministers was indeed far easier—sometimes even smoother than talking to Nahida herself.
"Of course."
"I intend to equip this aerial warship with a full weapons system, giving it true combat capability in the skies."
"As for what those weapons are—within a few months, you'll understand."
"That said, I don't expect something of this scale to be completed quickly."
"Even with Sumeru's current stability, construction will take a long time."
Alhaitham stepped back and clasped his fist.
"Rest assured, Grand Sage. I won't disappoint you."
He knew very well that he'd just taken on a long-term project.
Which also meant his old role as Acting Grand Scribe was effectively over.
Idris clearly recognized his abilities—otherwise, this responsibility wouldn't have been handed to him.
No more idling at a desk.
But stability came with long projects, and Alhaitham didn't mind that at all.
Idris then continued,
"Besides the warship, there's another device you'll need to focus on."
He placed another set of schematics into Alhaitham's hands.
A nuclear fusion reactor.
A system-level reward—technology far beyond the current era.
Yet on Teyvat—with elemental materials and extraordinary forces—this wasn't unrealistic at all.
Frankly speaking, Idris felt even anti-matter reactors wouldn't be impossible.
Naturally, Alhaitham couldn't understand most of it at first.
After all, nuclear technology didn't even exist as a concept in Sumeru's Akademiya.
Fortunately, the blueprints were annotated to the extreme—
assemble it exactly as instructed, and the reactor would function.
"The substitute materials will require large quantities of Electro Crystals and elemental cores," Idris added.
"I'll handle sourcing those."
"As for machining and assembly—hand it over to the prisoners recently apprehended."
Originally, Idris had planned to build a desert prison as a labor camp.
But when he considered logistics—
transporting materials back and forth between the desert and the rainforest city—
the inefficiency was obvious.
From a pragmatic standpoint, while exile suited the desert, Idris preferred seeing laborers actually work.
He could, in theory, use supernatural techniques to mass-produce labor.
But abusing the ecosystem just to avoid manpower costs?
That would have both Sumeru's guardians and its two princesses knocking on his door with murder in their eyes.
After handing over all assignments, Alhaitham felt the weight settle on his shoulders—but still nodded firmly.
Idris patted his shoulder.
"No rush today."
"Take two or three days to get familiar with the operation."
"Tonight, we'll have a drink together."
"Just don't be too slow—I'm looking forward to seeing Sumeru's first batch of firearms."
Feeling the trust placed in him, Alhaitham agreed without hesitation.
After giving the factory—and its workers—a final glance, Idris left the underground facility with Nahida.
Once they emerged into daylight, Nahida let out a soft chuckle.
Idris glanced at her curiously.
"I was just assigning work normally. What are you laughing about?"
Nahida replied,
"It's nothing—just something amusing I joked about with Lady Rukkhadevata last night."
"We said that if no one interfered, the probability of you inviting Alhaitham out for drinks would always be higher than you actually going on a date."
"Didn't expect it to come true so fast."
Idris rolled his eyes.
"This is work."
"Besides, most of Sumeru's efficient workers happen to be men."
"If I want results, of course I go to them first."
Nahida said playfully,
"You could still place women in similar positions."
"Who knows? Their efficiency might surprise you."
Idris paused.
That line sounded oddly familiar.
Ah—
right.
That was a classic talking point from his old world.
He shook his head, his tone more distant now.
"I choose based on ability, not gender."
"Alhaitham and the others deliver results. That's all that matters."
"I won't deny anyone's potential—but right now, most Sumeru women are better suited for advisory or secretarial roles."
Internally, Idris reflected:
There was a reason people joked about Sumeru's F4.
Cyno handled force.
Tighnari handled the people.
Alhaitham handled governance.
Kaveh handled morale.
It was an almost perfect balance.
Meanwhile, most female candidates were either still students, mercenaries, merchants, or… innocent fools.
Reliable, yes.
But not ready—yet.
Hearing Idris's colder tone, Nahida froze slightly.
Then she asked quietly,
"Grand Sage… were you angry just now?"
She hadn't seen that expression since his earliest days as ruler.
Idris replied firmly,
"I want you to understand something."
"You still have much to learn about ruling a nation."
"If you debate governance based on preference rather than reality—don't joke about it with me again."
Nahida lowered her head at once.
Though she didn't fully understand yet, she made a silent vow—
to learn.
To grow.
And to never again be scolded by her own Sage.
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