Paimon asked again, "What about your own body? Why do you keep using this method? I remember you live in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, right?"
At this question, a trace of loneliness appeared on Nahida's face. She answered, "That goes back a long time. After Greater Lord Rukkhadevata disappeared, the Sages found me just after I was born and brought me back to Sumeru.
"Back then, I really was young and powerless, so the Sages confined me in the Sanctuary of Surasthana in the name of protecting me and scarcely bothered with me again. But I knew very well how much they wished they had found Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, rather than me, whose very existence all but symbolized the fact that she had passed away.
"In a sense, they weren't wrong. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was omniscient and omnipotent. Even after her passing, the Akasha continued to empower this nation. And I... am still far from deserving the title of God of Wisdom. The Akademiya is also much more adept at governing the nation. My existence doesn't mean all that much..."
Before Nahida could finish, Yucheng let out a derisive laugh beside her, drawing all three of their gazes.
Yucheng couldn't help bursting into laughter. "Sorry, but I really couldn't help myself. I never expected that even you, the victim, would hold such a ridiculous, laughable view. It seems the Akademiya's influence on you really does run deep."
Nahida frowned. "Mr. Regent, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Yucheng shrugged. "This is the first time I've heard of a nation's god thinking her own existence is meaningless. In that case, if I led Inazuma's army to invade Sumeru, I wonder whether Sumeru's Corps of Thirty alone could withstand the attack!"
Nahida's expression changed at once. "You... are you declaring war