Aaru Village holds a special status.
It is a settlement of desert dwellers and bears the title of descendants of the Scarlet King. Later, the Akademiya used it as a regular exile location for scholars, establishing a certain relationship between Aaru Village and the Akademiya.
Candace insisted on not getting involved in any trouble.
She knew very well that she didn't have the strength to influence a war. Without enough power, the only way to protect Aaru Village was to avoid getting involved in any disputes and to remain inconspicuous.
Objectively speaking, she did a good job.
At least in the timeline where Rama didn't appear, she indeed protected Aaru Village and even made an investment to help the divine.
This investment later yielded enough returns, and Aaru Village gained more resources—practically a profitless deal.
The dangerous work was done by others, and Aaru Village hardly paid anything, but the results were not bad.
This wasn't an opportunistic move but a genuine desire to avoid trouble.
But it was of no use.
When trouble comes knocking, hiding is futile—you still have to face it.
"I've told many people, a guardian won't leave those she protects."
Inside the room, the previous guardians and Uncle Anpu, the village chief, were discussing matters.
Outside the room, Candace leaned against the wall, looking tired as she talked with her friend.
"I know, I even invited you once."
Dehya crossed her arms, a slight smile on her lips. "I told you Aaru Village was too small, that you could go to the rainforest or other parts of the continent for a more exciting life, but you just turned me down."
"You see, you could refuse me, but there are people in this world you can't refuse."
"Don't mock me." Candace sighed. "You say I don't want to leave Aaru Village, but what about you? You've been a mercenary for so many years, with the grand title of the Flame-Mane, how much Mora have you saved?"
Candace teased, "You can't be so broke that you can't even afford a weapon you like, right?"
Dehya's smile turned a bit awkward.
Famous mercenaries usually command higher fees, but Dehya remained poor.
She spent her Mora helping desert children get an education in the rainforest. While Sumeru covered medical expenses, education costs were exorbitantly high.
This was related to Sumeru's social structure, which gave scholars many privileges and benefits, making becoming a scholar the life goal for Sumeru's people.
With so many people entering any industry, competition naturally increased.
Moreover, these were children from the desert.
To get the same educational resources, they had to pay a higher price.
Dehya spent most of her money on this, leaving her penniless.
"I grew up in the desert; I have to do something for it." Dehya's answer was the same as before.
"Change your answer first, then consider saying I don't adapt."
Candace pinched her friend's cheek. "At least I have the title of guardian; I'm not as busy as you."
It wasn't to undermine her friend's dreams, but Candace truly didn't see her actions as practical.
She protected Aaru Village and killed an enemy, completing her role as a guardian.
Candace also convinced Uncle Anpu to open trade routes. These actions were direct and yielded visible results.
But Dehya's constant financial investment didn't guarantee results. People could deceive her for her Mora and leave, claiming they were just temporary workers and had nothing to do with it.
Even if they worked hard and took the money, they might not succeed.
This wasn't something that effort alone could solve.
Most of Sumeru's educational institutions had no connection with the Akademiya. They would earn your Mora and work diligently, but they couldn't guarantee entry into the Akademiya.
Given Sumeru's reverence for scholars, if they could help an obviously unqualified person enter the Akademiya, they wouldn't need to use such methods to make money.
The Akademiya's discrimination against desert dwellers had always been overt.
Helping a rainforest child enroll was one thing, but helping a desert child was a different level of difficulty.
Moreover, Dehya wasn't following the proper channels.
In the PV, she took children over the anti-sand wall, not entering the rainforest through legitimate means.
"I can't help it!" Dehya couldn't hold back. "The desert has no schools for education. I suffered because of this as a mercenary, so I hope these kids get a proper education."
The two women exchanged a look, sharing a similar helplessness.
"The situation will only get worse for a while." After a moment of silence, Candace spoke softly. "That man named Rama will stir the biggest storm in Sumeru since the death of Lord Rukkhadevata."
"You have a friend in Sumeru, right? Temporarily stay with your mercenary group at their place and don't come out."
Her expression turned serious. "I know you don't like owing favors, but now is not the time to be stubborn."
Dehya bit her lip. "What about you?"
"Aaru Village is here. If I don't join them, they can destroy Aaru Village immediately."
"Compared to that, the Corps of Thirty and the Akademiya are a bit further away."
Candace looked up at the starry sky.
"I don't want to choose any side, but I have no choice."
There were many things she couldn't control. She had tried to become stronger to control her destiny, but fate bluntly told her she was far from it.
"The changes in the desert are so significant. Last time I returned, I hadn't even heard of this man, and now, suddenly, he's about to rule the entire desert."
Dehya was also troubled.
She hoped the desert would improve.
Unlike most mercenaries who changed their stance, Dehya, after seeing the prosperous world, still loved the land where she was born.
But she didn't know how to bring about change.
History has proven countless times that to accomplish something, one must wield power.
But Dehya couldn't do it.
Her Eremite brigade, the Flame-Mane's Beast Hunters, was a small organization. The gap between such a brigade and the power needed to change the desert environment was so vast it was hopeless.
From a mercenary's perspective, she found the best solution based on her experience by sending children to the rainforest for education at her own expense.
(End of Chapter)