Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

Nightfall.

Candace sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, tilting her head as she waited for someone.

Just as Dehya had mentioned, Tadhla specifically brought her here, and she certainly understood the implications.

She was no longer a child; in a place like the Great Red Sand, frequented by mercenaries, how could she not understand what was expected of her?

But...

"Why the sigh?"

Rama's figure suddenly appeared.

"A projection?"

Candace couldn't comprehend.

She rubbed her temples, her face puzzled.

Had she misunderstood?

Were they really just wanting Aaru Village to surrender and join the Great Red Sand?

"The elders wanted you here."

He had placed many projection devices throughout the tribe, allowing him to appear at any time.

"On one hand, they believe I've completely distanced myself from the tribe and want to use something to bind me."

"Additionally, they've accepted Mora from the Fatui."

Candace pondered, "It seems you had a deal with the Fatui, but they're not satisfied with what you offered and want more."

For a notorious violent organization, the best way to get something isn't through fair trade—that would be too costly.

Why not find the owner and have a pleasant, interesting conversation, persuading them to willingly hand it over?

"If I appear in person, they'll be able to trace me."

During the early transactions, Rama was unknown. By the time his value became apparent, the Fatui couldn't find him anymore.

"Maybe this is a bit direct," Candace bit her lip, "but I have a question: Are you avoiding them because it's a hassle or because it's truly troublesome?"

"Regretting the compromise too soon?"

The essence of the question was clear. Rama didn't answer directly.

"A bit." Candace nodded slightly.

Her heterochromatic eyes were gentle under the moonlight, yet alluring.

"You see, everyone knows why I'm here—to protect Aaru Village."

"Sounds a bit self-sacrificial," Rama mused, "but Miss Candace, you know such words don't just make someone feel guilty; they might even make them happier."

"That bad?" Candace smiled, "Are you such a bad person?"

"Obviously." Rama nodded, "Isn't that what they all say about me? A tyrant, a dictator..."

"Those aren't good evaluations, but I don't think they're bad either." Candace stretched lazily, "At least it means you have both power and strength."

Just like being criticized for being nothing but rich—as long as you have money, many might wish to be cursed the same way.

So, it's not really an insult.

Yes, I'm just rich and nothing else—isn't that fine too?

Feel free to keep cursing; I enjoy hearing it.

"I want to protect Aaru Village because you commanded it first, so I had to compromise."

She could have stalled for time... but Rama had already conquered all the tribes.

For someone who resolved so many opponents with warfare in a short time, stalling while waiting for the Akademiya to offer a price and then negotiating was unrealistic.

Candace thought about it and simply chose to compromise.

You extend your hand first, you call the shots.

"But upon arriving, I found you can't even protect yourself."

Candace smiled, "So, was I deceived?"

A reasonable question, Rama thought, then shook his head, "No."

"That's your assumption, but I don't think the Fatui are an insurmountable enemy."

After a brief exchange of information, Rama recalled, "If the Fatui aren't the problem, what about me, Your Majesty?"

She elongated her tone, her voice soft.

Rama's eyebrows adjusted slightly, "I've already explained; they want to use a wife and offspring as chains."

"So, you don't want me?" Candace mustered her courage, "I thought you wouldn't care about these things, given how easily you described them."

Chains...

Such words fit Rama's public image well.

This brutal dictator had stirred up war in the Great Red Sand, caring little for anyone's life, only driving the chariot wheels towards his goal.

Candace wasn't very surprised.

Rama was close to being the King of the Great Red Sand. For a king, being overly attached to a woman wasn't a good thing.

Such passion and true love usually appear in stories, rarely in reality.

"Let me think, are you in a hurry?"

Rama raised an eyebrow, "I've explained how my marriage would be valued by others."

"And you think my marriage only has value."

Not hard to understand.

"A queen isn't indispensable to a king." Rama recalled, confirming his statement wasn't excessive, "Nor are children irreplaceable."

Feudal dynasties wrote clearly: the greatest value of a queen lay in her familial connections.

As for children... they're not indispensable either.

Loneliness isn't just talk.

For those at the pinnacle of power, aside from the crown and scepter, they truly have nothing they can't lose.

But the truth isn't so straightforward.

"If these things aren't unique in value, losing them isn't an unbearable loss."

"You're better at math than me."

Rama admired, "Truly ruthless."

It wasn't hard to see. Since sitting here, this guardian of Aaru Village had clearly prepared to sacrifice herself.

She hoped to use herself as a bargaining chip for Aaru Village's benefit.

Much like Nahida's choices and reasons, everyone in Sumeru had their own beliefs and convictions.

This made Rama feel like a bad guy taking advantage of others, but oddly, it didn't feel too bad.

Candace blushed.

She didn't believe Rama was unaware of her true intentions.

Strictly speaking, her presence here wasn't a mystery to anyone in the tribe.

The nobles were waiting for Rama's reaction, observing how to please him, deepening his attention to the tribe.

Many believed Rama wanted to be king, but his desire for worship suggested he aspired to be a god instead.

Candace knew well.

Aaru Village wasn't indispensable.

Their sole value was maintaining uniformity on the map.

Whether they surrendered or were destroyed didn't matter.

"It's not entirely invisible. Supposedly, this is your decision, so I won't refuse."

The projection gradually shattered, and Rama's figure emerged from the fragments.

Of course, this wasn't teleportation; with a beauty in your room, why use a projection to communicate?

He pressed his finger gently on Candace's honey-colored skin.

The saying goes, ugly faces are diverse, but beauty is uniform.

True indeed.

Despite living in the desert, Candace's skin remained soft and smooth, like satin.

"Since I also acknowledge being the beneficiary, I have no reason to refuse."

The Akademiya never felt oppressing desert dwellers was wrong; they were naturally oppressors, not the oppressed, and couldn't empathize with the oppressed.

Similarly, a beneficiary rarely opposes something advantageous.

Candace didn't emit any soft, sweet sounds; she wasn't that tender.

Living as a warrior rather than a beauty, her skin wasn't that sensitive.

"Talking like this now, is it inappropriate?"

He paused.

"What do you think?" Candace raised an eyebrow, wrapping her arms around Rama's neck.

Sacrifice required significant courage, and any further declarations would seem desperate.

But if not now, then when?

She was already here, and others likely anticipated the entire process.

Candace took a deep breath, swallowing the last bit of dignity.

"Alright, alright, you're all saints of your tribe, always sacrificing." Rama pressed his hand to her lips, "I know what you want—it's Aaru Village. I agree."

"You're here, so I'm committed."

This wasn't mere hesitation; this courage wasn't easily stirred, and to refuse now would be inhumane.

"I don't want to reason with someone at such a time," Rama sighed, "but you've mustered such courage; I should at least be somewhat considerate."

"Can you stop talking while doing this?" Candace whispered in Rama's ear.

This was the quintessential desert beauty, perfectly fitting Rama's stereotype.

Such notions stemmed entirely from portrayals of Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen.

His hand naturally slid down Candace's spine, resting on her waist.

"So, being somewhat considerate."

Rama maintained his composure.

"You're always right."

This sounded like a little love talk.

Stay clear-headed!

"To be fair, you're the one sacrificing."

Between heart and mind, Rama leaned towards mind, not necessarily pursuing the heart.

But if maneuverable, he wouldn't mind having both heart and mind.

"You're very aggrieved, not wanting to be with a stranger, yet Aaru Village's future lies in his hands. You're aggrieved but still need to please him."

"I understand you all have your beliefs; that's your freedom."

Compromise isn't unusual.

His only interaction with Candace was clear: if she showed any reluctance, the answer lay with Aaru Village.

Candace embraced Rama without words.

"Because you believe you're sacrificing, though voluntarily, you feel it's all give, no take."

"When what you give is precious, you're still unhappy."

"Alright, stop analyzing." Candace sighed, "Has anyone told you, you're terrible at speaking?"

Rama recalled, "Yes, but I disagreed."

"Am I wrong?"

"Right, right, too right." Candace squinted, "Let me guess, your next point is compensating the sacrificer?"

"But I... okay, okay, using my beauty is my skill, right? At least I have this beauty!"

Resigned.

Candace felt something was off about this, opting for the most

 straightforward approach.

If beauty is an asset, she should excel in using it, right?

"This is hard, Your Majesty." Candace whispered.

"Does it have to be like this?"

Rama was almost angry.

"Yes," Candace nodded slightly, "like this, otherwise you'll overthink."

"I thought I was overthinking!"

Candace moved closer, "Alright, I get it, I understand."

She gently placed her lips on Rama's.

"I can't stand it anymore," Candace said softly, "so please, less talking."

"Although I know the first time might not be satisfactory, but for my pride, can we not discuss this matter in this manner?"

"No, definitely not."

"Then the way to rectify it is not in words but actions."

Candace's voice trembled slightly.

Trembling before the challenge, she mustered her courage.

Her hands gripped Rama's arm tightly, trembling faintly.

Tadhla was right.

The people of the Great Red Sand always fought, their strength surpassing the average. She could feel the distinct difference.

"Alright, you win."

This was inevitable. She felt a little embarrassed for her slight victory, leading to an inevitable retreat.

She could only try to appear confident, looking up at Rama with a gentle smile.