Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

The final price of goods in a trade usually depends on the value of the goods themselves and the attitude of the buyer.

In this collaboration, the only leverage Nahida could offer was information.

So, Rama proactively suggested, "You can take back your leverage. I have high confidence in my victory and do not need your help."

In other words, Nahida was left with nothing.

If one has no viable leverage in a deal yet is desperate to close it, they have little room to negotiate when the other party names their price.

Of course, this was greatly influenced by Nahida's situation.

For five hundred years since her birth, she had never tasted freedom.

Her predecessor, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, was vastly more experienced and mature compared to Nahida, who appeared very naive in comparison.

This young deity set very high standards for herself, hoping to match the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, but her youthful nature made this impossible.

She still lacked the necessary abilities and needed time to grow.

After all, five hundred years might transform the human world profoundly, but for a god, it's relatively short.

Additionally, the people of the Akademiya never gave her a chance to grow.

By doing nothing, they ensured she would never grow.

These factors concealed her true potential, making her seem like a mere shard of pottery rather than a gem.

However, Rama recognized her value, and he was willing to pay the real price, not just the current perceived value.

If Nahida wanted something, he was willing to give it to her.

Rama found it difficult to understand why the gods of Teyvat valued humans so highly, but fortunately, he didn't need to understand.

If you want something and I have it, then so be it, I'll give it to you.

Why you want it doesn't concern me.

If I give you what you want, you must give me what I want. This is a transaction, and there's no need to delve into the details.

This deal wasn't immediately finalized.

Discussing such matters before the Akademiya's defeat was premature.

After Nahida left, Tadhla regained control of her body.

She had no idea someone had briefly taken control of her body. From her perspective, Rama had been talking and then suddenly stopped.

"Do you need me to do something?" the falcon asked.

"Of course, my Tadhla," Rama replied with a gentle smile. "Go to Aaru Village and deliver a letter to its leader for me."

"The desert must belong to me. Regardless of who currently lives in this desert, in the future, they will all be under the rule of one kingdom."

The political landscape of the desert was chaotic.

There were tribes like the Tanit, large gilded brigades like the King Deshret's retainers, and village-based forces like Aaru Village.

These groups had little to no contact or cooperation, effectively making them a scattered mess.

Even if the desert were unified, they might still be unable to defeat the rainforest controlled by the Akademiya, especially since such scattered governance would be even less able to resist rainforest rule.

"You want to issue orders to Aaru Village, but Candace never interferes in such disputes," Tadhla reminded him without objection.

"Tadhla, some people's boundaries are genuinely untouchable. If you cross them, they will fight you to the death. When there are no conflicting interests, verbal respect is inconsequential," Rama casually replied. "However, most people's so-called boundaries are just a declaration."

"If you dare to step on them, they will lower their boundaries."

"Of course, most stories suggest Candace isn't like that. She accepts various people from the desert as long as they follow Aaru Village's rules."

"Conversely, if someone dares to break the rules, she will punish them."

"It sounds like she truly has an inviolable boundary," he added with a hint of amusement. "Her behavior is quite similar to Babel's."

The falcon couldn't understand, but Rama didn't want Tadhla to be just a tool.

"Let's put it this way, Tadhla," Rama said calmly. "She might be able to refuse me, but Aaru Village can't refuse the Tanit tribe today."

In the main storyline, Candace had mastered the art of self-preservation.

She never directly engaged with the Akademiya, always prioritizing the protection of Aaru Village.

Objectively speaking, she was a qualified guardian.

Aaru Village was incredibly fortunate to have such a protector.

But for Candace, the obligation to protect Aaru Village was also her greatest misfortune.

Candace never shirked her responsibilities, and Rama, as an outsider, couldn't easily judge the desire to protect one's village as foolish. That would be too arrogant.

Rama understood the reasoning and respected others' principles.

However, purely from a factual standpoint, targeting Candace meant Aaru Village was her biggest weakness.

Because Aaru Village was too weak.

Anything you place too high can become your weakness if it has value.

Even gods like Raiden Ei and Zhongli, nearly invincible themselves, had weaknesses that could compel them to compromise.

"The desert can only have one master," Rama said, caressing the falcon's cheek with a smile. "A kingdom can have only subjects and enemies, not bystanders or those who 'don't want to get involved.'"

"Either you are conquered, or you conquer us. It's as simple as that."

He acknowledged Candace's principles, but that didn't stop him from doing what needed to be done.

If all things could be resolved by saying, "I don't want to," then the desert would never have been oppressed for so many years.

Does it work?

Dignity must be earned, and power must be seized by force.

If you have no strength and still want to remain a spectator, claiming you only want peace... do you even deserve to say "peace"?

Peace is such a precious thing. How dare everyone claim they want peace?

You want it, and peace just comes?

"You see, it's that simple," Rama smiled. "Refusing an unreasonable condition is everyone's right."

"But refusing her refusal is my right."

"In theory, we equally share rights, but they don't equally descend upon each of us."

Candace would understand.

She had been a guardian for so long; if she still thought desert matters could be resolved with mere verbal refusals, Aaru Village wouldn't have survived all these years.

"Yes," Tadhla said seriously. "I will bring you the news you desire, Your Majesty."

She made a small joke.

Rama had no such grand designs yet.

Conquering two tribes and calling oneself a king was taking oneself too seriously.

Until the desert was fully cleared, Rama wouldn't concern himself with such titles.

Moreover, if you have the status and power, those things naturally come.

Forcing a title without the corresponding status and power brings no benefits, only trouble.

Rama chuckled, "Thanks for your kind words."

(End of the chapter)