The changes in the desert happened too quickly.
Anyone with a basic understanding of warfare would know this isn't something that could be fully resolved in such a short time.
The Akademiya might be aware of a rogue element in the desert, but then what? They would issue orders to the Corps of Thirty.
The lives of rainforest people are considered more valuable than those of the desert dwellers, so naturally, anything related to conflict is handed over to the Corps of Thirty for resolution.
The early sages used the Corps of Thirty as an entry point to paint a dream for the desert people.
"You can enter the rainforest and gain access to its resources."
And so they came.
Each came for their reasons, some personal, some for the greater good. But looking at the final outcome, it's clear the desert environment remained unchanged.
From this period, the conflict between the rainforest and the desert turned into internal chaos among the desert people.
The Corps of Thirty represented those who had "betrayed the desert to join the rainforest."
The desert people loathed them.
These individuals were seen as hunting dogs kept by the Akademiya, and as such, they naturally had to bite according to their master's will.
On the other hand, within the desert, internal chaos persisted alongside the restrictions and oppression from the Corps of Thirty.
Hatred towards traitors often results in overwhelming victories, and compared to them, the Akademiya, which hardly took direct action, seemed less hateful.
In theory, orders to restrain the desert people came from the Akademiya, but the direct enforcers were the mercenaries of the Corps of Thirty.
Given the choice between immediate visible hatred and the subtle true hatred, most people chose to hate the Corps of Thirty.
Desert people balancing desert people.
The leadership of the Corps of Thirty understood this well; they didn't care about how the Akademiya viewed them.
Mora, treatment... if you raise these, we are here to be hunting dogs.
Work is for rewards, and mercenaries are clearly not motivated by sentiment.
When the Akademiya issued orders, the upper echelons of the Corps of Thirty would respond that fighting for the Akademiya was their honor.
But war costs money, doesn't it? Weapons, supplies, and other logistics need to be covered, right? And if there are casualties, shouldn't there be more compensation?
They discussed Mora as a serious matter.
Serious matters naturally take more time to negotiate.
During this period, Rama initiated the second war.
This time, he didn't personally participate but began producing weapons based on Level 4 mechanics and provided his alchemical potions to the tribes in a limited manner.
The advantage of military innovation in warfare is overwhelming. Moreover, the Tanit tribe now had a considerable number of people.
When both the number of soldiers and their equipment formed an advantage, coupled with the visibility from the array mechanisms, the speed of the front-line battles exceeded the expectations of both the Corps of Thirty and the Akademiya.
This shouldn't have been something that ended so quickly.
But the reality was, while they were hesitating over logistics and compensation issues, there were no longer any large forces left in the desert.
The Tanit tribe had crushed nearly all enemies.
The Deshret's Relic had seemed formidable, but after an accident, given their notorious reputation and atrocious behavior, even their own people seized the opportunity to flee and turned against the organization.
The Corps of Thirty certainly had a hand in pushing this.
Nominally, the Corps of Thirty were just Eremites, though they directly followed the orders of the Akademiya and received its funding.
In reality, they were the official armed forces, but nominally they still bore the title of Eremites.
The Akademiya used desert people against desert people to prevent the emergence of a unified regime in the desert.
Similarly, a single dominant Eremite brigade also didn't align with the Akademiya's interests.
The Deshret's Relic were as obedient as hunting dogs, and even the Corps of Thirty viewed them as thorns in their side.
Especially as this was a violent organization built on plunder and slaughter with an abysmal reputation.
Being powerful was already a significant problem, but being powerful and disobedient made them intolerable.
As a result, after the destruction of the Deshret's Relic's rule, there were no significant organizations left in the desert to challenge the Tanit tribe.
The Tanit tribe's wars brought more influence, and their victorious deterrence spread through the desert, attracting more attention and investment.
Dori was on her way, while Aaru Village...
"At this point, calling him Your Majesty is not an exaggeration."
Tadhla stroked her longbow. "The guardian of Aaru Village, Lady Candace."
"His Majesty Rama has a letter for you."
The tall beauty standing across from Tadhla blinked her heterochromatic eyes and couldn't help but sigh.
At this point, anyone could guess what the letter was about.
But Candace had no intention of refusing.
She received Rama's goodwill seriously and respectfully, even though there were no words on the letter.
"I understand." Candace planted her spear into the sand beside her. "Aaru Village will make the appropriate choice."
Tadhla was not satisfied. "What exactly is an appropriate choice?"
It's not complicated.
There can only be one regime in the desert. The rest must either submit to the scepter or refuse the throne and become the bones beneath it.
"Aaru Village hopes to join the future kingdom of the desert and become the subjects of His Majesty."
Refusal requires qualification.
Growing up in the desert, Candace understood this well.
Tadhla scrutinized Candace, then recalled a small suggestion she received from the elders.
The falcon only needs to obey its master, but she learned some additional knowledge from the elders without violating this core rule.
This person seemed suitable.
So, take her along.
"If that's truly your intention, then please return to the royal city with me," Tadhla said calmly. "Aaru Village can't stay here any longer."
"The Akademiya will soon launch a real war. By choosing the desert, Aaru Village has lost its value to them."
That's precisely why I don't want to get involved in your troubles.
Candace's smile was gentle. "Of course, but please give me some time to handle these matters."
"I am the guardian of Aaru Village, but not its master."
Tadhla nodded. "Of course, that's your freedom."
Freedom, huh? Where's the freedom?
Candace resisted the urge to sigh.
It was quite frustrating.
(End of Chapter)