Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

This was merely laying down the bottom line.

Rama was driving the price down, and the other party accepted Rama's terms, indicating their acknowledgment of his statements.

They accepted the price cut, and acknowledged their shortcomings, showing their sincere willingness to cooperate, so Rama couldn't push them any further.

Turning to you is to live a better life; even if the price you offer is a bit lower, you can't really treat us like beasts of burden, can you?

"Before I appeared, you still had value in dividing the desert."

As for why they didn't rule, that was the Akademiya's issue.

In Inazuma, the Shogunate had considerable control over Watatsumi Island until Sangonomiya Kokomi decided to rebel. Watatsumi Island had been following the Shogunate's orders.

Of course, orders were orders; listening without truly obeying was a common situation, and they managed to get by.

But the situation in the desert was more unique.

"All foreigners recognize the desert as part of Sumeru, but the Akademiya had no true intention of ruling it. They weren't even interested in managing it, only in dividing the desert's war potential."

"Recruiting talented scholars, restricting the flow of knowledge, using the Eremites' model to conscript young men from the desert, allowing tribes to engage in civil wars... they had no desire to rule this land."

Probably because they were too poor, the cost of direct rule was too high, and it was easier to divide it this way.

"But after you appeared, the war potential of the desert alarmed the sages of the Akademiya," Asfand said, not wanting to waste words on this issue. "If you succeed, there's no need to say more; the rule of the Akademiya and the rainforest ends."

"And if you fail, the Akademiya will ensure this place has no chance to rise again."

Originally, they didn't want to fight or manage; they were content to extract what they could from the desert for their own benefit.

The desert's issues were closely tied to the legacy of the Scarlet King. The Dendro Archon had tried to heal the land, but the damage was done, and later restoration couldn't return it to normal.

With poor conditions and few valuable resources, it was better not to fight.

But with Rama's example, the Akademiya would certainly choose to crush any potential for the desert to rise.

"So the [Corps of Thirty] lost their most important value," Asfand sighed. "Even though they had been slowly stripping the [Corps of Thirty] of power, they still needed us to do some things."

Value necessitates existence; no value doesn't mean immediate destruction.

But the Akademiya spent money to support the [Corps of Thirty], and naturally, they needed the [Corps of Thirty] to perform tasks.

Once the desert completely collapsed, they wouldn't need us.

Not only unnecessary, but they began to doubt the [Corps of Thirty]'s loyalty.

Such suspicion was reasonable.

Whether the desert people knew if they were treated as humans or beasts was one thing; the sages of the Akademiya certainly knew.

A king can treat his subjects harshly yet still expect loyalty from his ministers and people.

It's not strange; it's their constant expectation.

But they would never be unprepared or let down their guard.

The Akademiya perhaps thought they had given the [Corps of Thirty] incredibly generous terms, believing all members should be deeply grateful and willing to risk life and limb to complete the Akademiya's tasks.

Yet they would never drop their vigilance, especially after Rama's rise.

Once suspicion arose, accusations quickly followed.

The [Corps of Thirty] saw this and sought a new path.

After suspicion, it was only a matter of time before the higher-ups accused the lower ranks; it no longer mattered if you were guilty.

If trouble was sought, the higher-ups could easily accuse the lower ranks. Even stepping into Sumeru City with the wrong foot first could be a crime.

The Akademiya saw this too and promised the [Corps of Thirty] more rewards.

Maybe to buy time, maybe without real intent, they painted a beautiful vision.

The only regret was that no one believed in the value of those promises.

The [Corps of Thirty] didn't trust the Akademiya, and the Akademiya didn't trust the [Corps of Thirty]. Without any foundation of trust, betrayal was only a matter of time.

"We believe

that a reckoning from the Akademiya is inevitable," Asfand said with a troubled expression. "Since it's a problem that will arise sooner or later, we might as well prepare early."

"Otherwise, if there's any issue on your end, we'll have no way out."

The situation wasn't too bad, as long as Rama could hold on.

As an enemy of the Akademiya, the desert people who were close to the rainforest could live better because of him. With a troublesome enemy, the pro-foreign faction had a reason to exist.

Otherwise, they'd just use their own people; why bother with outsiders?

Experience had taught the leaders of the [Corps of Thirty] that they had good days as long as Rama held strong. But if he couldn't, they were doomed.

This was only half a choice.

They could either prepare to flee now and settle in another country or stay in Sumeru and choose Rama.

Watching and waiting was no longer an option.

Once Rama fell, the desert would have no chance of standing again. The Akademiya would never give a second chance; that would be foolish and irrational.

To the Akademiya, the desert people close to the rainforest were less convenient than the rainforest people themselves.

"The Akademiya probably thinks the same. Besides using benefits to ensure you won't betray, don't they also use methods like threatening your families to keep you in line?" Rama asked gravely.

Showing concern for partners' situations was a good start. Even though he didn't fully trust Asfand's words, he needed to act like someone looking forward to cooperation.

The [Corps of Thirty] could see the direction of things clearly. It was obvious that the Akademiya wouldn't rely on the [Corps of Thirty]'s professional integrity alone.

Trusting someone solely because they were paid?

Good luck with that, my friend.

"Of course, the Akademiya used both benefits and threats," Asfand said with a mocking smile. "But we weren't unprepared."

"Some people were indeed controlled, but we could still rally more lower-ranking mercenaries."

"They are people who will do anything for wealth and glory. Whoever wins their support is the true master of the [Corps of Thirty]."

His answer was simple.

The Akademiya had various measures in place, and they knew it. Some among them couldn't withstand it.

But they had the determination and ability to sacrifice some comrades, so they didn't care about those who didn't share the [Corps of Thirty]'s common interests.

Talking about common interests could be quite troublesome.

"I'm sure Your Majesty is also concerned about one issue," Asfand said, after showing enough sincerity, "the issue regarding the Dendro Archon."

(End of Chapter)