Knowledge is Dangerous [HaiKaveh]

Chapter 4.1

[Alhaitham's PoV]

Azar then chuckled after hearing what I said, "Haha, as expected of you... but you know that I wouldn't allow that, have you?"

"Whether you allow that or not doesn't matter to me, I will find a way to save them both"

I know it sounds ridiculous considering the limited time we have but still, I want to find a way to save them both even if there's a little possibility

"Don't try your luck-"

I cut him off "I am not trying my luck. I wouldn't say something that's impossible to do. I understand your silly game mechanics but what matters the most here is not the path we'll take on who to save... I bet there's something you're hiding that is needed to be done quickly thus our interference would ruin it. So now, you came here yourself, trying to buy some time... Very impressive, Grand Sage..."

Looking at his tensed face, I smirked and continued talking.

"In the Sanctuary of Surasthana, there's a device of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's that she once used to isolate herself from meditating. If my guess is correct, Lesser Lord Kusanali should be the one that is being held there for such a long time now..." I watched how his expression shows fear and shock as if his big secret has been revealed "No need for you to reason things out, I confirmed just now that I am right" I added

With an unsightly expression on his face, he managed to desperately rebut "S-Still... Knowing her location doesn't mean that you could save her. Are you giving up on your roommate!?"

"Your roommate must be confined somewhere inside a room to draft out mechanical plans, isn't that what architects do?" Cyno asked at me

"Good point, That's what I'm thinking too" I turned to look at Azar again "If I would make a guess again, he's probably in a separate confinement room that was rumored to be under your office. There should be a passageway that will lead us there..."

"What amusing scholars, indeed... I was impressed by how your guesses make accurate points but you still missed a lot of details. The Doctor will go back to Snezhnaya later at night. It's true that I am buying some time for him but I am not trying to hide anything. After all, I have no further need of him since the deification of The Balladeer was nearly complete. It's not a game of who you'll choose to save, It's just a game of time... Haha, exciting, isn't it?"

Although Azar tried to laugh it off as he seems found it amusing and foolish, I could still sense the nervousness in his voice

"The Doctor must be with your roommate..." Cyno whispered

Huh?

Oh, right... Azar said Kaveh was an important figure. He wouldn't let him be locked up all alone...

If Lesser Lord Kusanali was locked up in the Sanctuary of Surasthana using an advanced technology device...

Azar is in front of us buying some time...

Then, Kaveh was probably locked up with The Doctor himself...

"I just confirmed something. Cyno... I trust your judgment..." I whispered to him, tapping his shoulder again to signal him

Dehya and I took a step behind and let him unleash his elemental powers like what he did earlier, his spear was glowing gold and his eyes has turned red

"Damn, He looks cool..." Dehya commented

"W-Wait, What are you doing? Didn't you hear what I said earlier? We have hostages! One word from me and I wouldn't hesitate to-" Azar finally lost his composure, he desperately keeps stepping back until he hit a solid wall behind

Unlike earlier, he's aware that there's no stopping Cyno now.

"Nice try buying time but we are not stupid to get fooled by your poor acting skills..." I stated one last time

"You said earlier that I had no standing to judge you. So now, how about judgment in the name of a god?" Cyno coldly spoke

It happened so fast just like the speed of lightning. As soon as his elemental powers went off, a flow of red liquid could be seen from the floors

"So... That's what a General Mahamatra in action..." Dehya whispered in awe

Azar's no longer breathing.

After watching the scene for a while, I turned to talk to them "Let's go with the plan earlier, we'll split into two groups. I'll go look for Kaveh, you guys look for Lesser Lord Kusanali. Let's use this akasha terminal I've modified for communication..." I handed the akasha terminal to each of them" Let's just talk it over later where to meet up as soon as we finish our goal" I added

"Are you sure you wanted to look for him alone? You might be meeting The Doctor head-on, you know..." Dehya looks concerned but I've already made up my mind

"No worries. It's not as if I was going for combat. I don't think he's the type to use violence in confrontation either. And besides, you guys were saving an Archon, there's greater risk in that than facing a Fatui Harbinger..."

I don't clearly know what type of a person The Doctor is. I know I said earlier that he didn't seem to be the type who'll resort to violence but I am not sure either if I could reason with him

Whatever it will be, all I need to prioritize is saving him.

"Let's just focus on our mission. We were running out of time..." Cyno said, looking at Dehya

"Got it" Dehya briefly replied

They both started to walk in the opposite direction of mine. Before passing me,  Cyno tapped my shoulder and whispered "Save him, no matter what"

"I will, for sure" I quickly replied

We all nodded at each other and then parted ways.

As soon as they went out, I immediately search inside Azar's office for an entrance to the underground confinement room. As I struggle to find something that could lead me there, I feel a small crook of tiles under the carpet I was standing on, when I checked it out, one uneven tile is lying along with normal floor tiles. I used my elemental powers to break it off and there I found stairs from below that were hidden underneath

This should be it.

I'm relying based on my instincts alone... A waste of time means additional risk to his life

I should hurry up before it's too late.