Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

"Reason is useless," Rama said with a smile. "I like to talk about reason, but I don't believe it serves any purpose."

"Have you ever been to Caravan Ribat?" he asked, without waiting for Nahida's response, continuing, "Let me tell you about a trade process."

"Usually, we need to find a person from the rainforest, promising them a portion of the profits to sell on our behalf. If we present ourselves directly, the profits might be cut in half."

That's how business works; if they know you're easily bullied, don't expect them to show mercy. Rama couldn't think of any reason why these business people wouldn't act this way when there's no cost and only higher profits to be gained.

"In terms of external dealings, including negotiations and business, the answer to any weakness is only one: your country is weak."

"Weakness is the greatest original sin," Rama said calmly. "Often, I don't like to blame those rainforest merchants and the Thirty-man Brigade for being unreasonable."

"I can't expect strangers to always be warm and friendly; their kindness is a precious commodity, whereas indifference is the norm."

"My homeland is so weak and has fallen to this state. Although I am saddened, I also accept that the weak should be oppressed."

This is not simply about bosses and employees. If an employee works hard but the boss refuses to pay the agreed wages, withholding half the salary, it's not because the employee isn't working hard enough. This is unreasonable.

When a problem arises, it's natural to first consider whether you've made a mistake, but you shouldn't always blame yourself for every issue. Statements like "Why do they only bully you and not others? You should reflect on yourself" are nonsensical.

It's not always because you provoked them and are facing retaliation. Sometimes it's simply because the other person's character is indeed bad. 

The saying "it takes two to tango" can be tested by pulling the face of the person saying it. The answer will be clear immediately.

But the rainforest and desert are two different systems, even two different regimes. They don't share the same faith and are barely connected by the Tri-God Pact period. If not for the kind-hearted Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the desert might still be part of the rainforest, but its people would likely be treated as slaves.

In a normal system, the unreasonable exploitation of employees by a boss is without justification. However, between the rainforest and desert, which are almost like two separate regimes, if you're beaten, you can't do much about it.

You can resent being attacked, but you can't naively ask, "Why did they attack me?" They are stronger than you, belong to a different system, and inherently have conflicting interests. So, what if they hit you? 

The only reason is your weakness. One word, "weak," solves all problems.

You are easy to bully, and bullying you brings benefits, so they will bully you. That's it. No more questions.

"Desert people are aware that internal conflicts creating a divided rule allow the rainforest to impose high-pressure policies."

"But even knowing this, they can't let go of their mutual hatred to make the right choice."

The right choice isn't necessarily reasonable. Rama knew that advising people to let go of hatred could be dangerous, but that was the reality. 

If you refuse to make the right choice and cling to your hatred, then continue to be oppressed. This is the reward you deserve.

Rama wasn't overly agitated by the oppression of the desert. He had the desire and determination to resist and had taken action, but he didn't see the oppression as an issue.

If he conquered the rainforest, he didn't plan to give its people a high status either.

Given his own intentions, there was no need to criticize others for lacking morality.

However, this was bad news for Nahida.

Rama's emotions were too calm.

Few people can remain calm under unjust treatment unless they intend to perpetuate such injustice themselves.

Those who inflict such treatment certainly have no reason to get emotional.

Would the Sages get angry over the unjust treatment of desert people? Of course not. They were the ones imposing this injustice.

But when injustice befalls them, Nahida doubted they would remain as calm as Rama.

Rama's calmness wasn't due to high inner cultivation, ignoring external changes. It stemmed from confidence.

If you could retaliate against your enemy within two minutes, you wouldn't be overly emotional about the initial conflict.

"Bring it on, then. I'll hang you up soon. There's no need to get angry."

"You see oppression as normal because you never recognized the desert and rainforest as part of the same kingdom from the start," Nahida sighed. "Isn't that right?"

Rama nodded. "Mutual enmity between two forces naturally involves wanting the other dead, let alone mere oppression."

Once positions are clearly divided, there's nothing to get angry about.

"Given the enmity, using violence is more reliable," Rama said calmly. "If I plan to do what they've done, walk their path, and impose stricter rule, I lack the position to scold them for immorality."

This was troublesome.

Nahida fell silent.

"I can't persuade you to let go of your hatred because I haven't experienced what you have. Without sharing your experience, I can't replace your forgiveness of hatred."

Fairness is hard to achieve, especially between the desert and rainforest. The rainforest people have been doing this for a long time.

Eliminating hatred like this is unfair to the desert people.

But letting Rama unleash his revenge, which Nahida had been observing through Faruzan, was worrisome.

The Akademiya must recognize the changes in the desert and take action immediately to have any chance of change.

If they don't react, Nahida doubts they can win.

However, a decision must be made. She can't stop a person's justified revenge—his thoughts might not be just, but his actions certainly are.

"To be honest, I would rather you favored the rainforest."

Rama's smile faded.