Of course, Dori had done this kind of work before.
Once money reaches a certain level, it's impossible to separate wealth from power entirely.
It's unrealistic.
But...
"There are no scholars good enough." Dori sighed softly, "In the Akademiya, I do have a few scholars with some talent, but they are all too young."
Academic work values age, much like medicine.
This is largely because age correlates with experience in these fields, and as a result, there's no significant issue with this correlation.
Individual geniuses can certainly overcome age-related issues, but the majority of relatively ordinary scholars still need to follow this rule.
"For them to achieve significant results, they need a long period of study and honing."
The Akademiya wouldn't let newly enrolled scholars start writing theses right away.
First, they study, and then they travel for further education, wracking their brains for their own theses.
"I have also found some scholars who are already struggling academically and used academic resources as a bargaining chip to exchange for some of their benefits."
"But as you said, the Akademiya wouldn't let truly talented scholars fall into the plight of lacking academic resources."
Rama nodded.
The reality is that despite the later Archon quests of Sumeru's three C—let's include Cyno in this—the scholars all had some major issues.
But Sumeru indeed provides the best environment for scholars as a whole.
"Now, I give you an opportunity to gain power," Rama said calmly, "an opportunity to change your situation in Sumeru."
Mora is still very important.
Advancing experiments and such require a foundation of Mora and resources.
"Talking about opportunities can't be separated from risks. You give me a money-making opportunity, but such an opportunity obviously also involves risks." Dori hesitated.
She could see it on the way here.
There would inevitably be a battle for discourse power between the Akademiya and Rama.
Rama didn't pay much attention to Dori's answer: "So, will you choose to take a risk or play it safe?"
Dori had some choice, but not much.
Her joining or refusing wouldn't affect the overall plan.
However, having money is a good thing, so if she was willing to join, that would be best.
Dori had invested many times.
Doing business doesn't mean only doing your own business; sometimes, you inevitably have to invest in others' businesses.
This time, the investment was the largest.
"If you came personally, I wouldn't force you to stay if you wanted to refuse," Rama reminded, "At least your caravan can safely leave the desert."
If she came personally and because of a disagreement, forcefully detaining her would be unnecessary.
"If I invest all my assets, what kind of position can you give me?" Dori hesitated for a moment, then dropped her usual tone and looked serious.
She didn't want to take a risk.
If the Mora were solely hers, Dori might be willing to gamble.
But she still remembered that a part of her Mora always belonged to Alice.
If she invested everything and failed, how would she explain it to Alice?
Alice might not care, but Dori couldn't ignore it.
"On par with the Qixing." Rama's expression was calm.
"Do you want to become the Geo Archon?" Dori looked surprised.
On par with the Qixing... but Rama's ambitions had been widely spread in the desert.
He wasn't someone who would share his power with others, splitting it into seven parts to share with others.
The power he could delegate would be the part that couldn't affect his decisions.
Higher than the Qixing, the only one left would be the Geo Archon.
Dori instantly lost interest. "If that's the case, leave all the goods of this caravan here. I'll just take my subordinates."
"You have the freedom to decide, but the desert doesn't need these things. Take them with you." Rama nodded.
As expected, the negotiation fell apart.
Resolving some issues requires countless words and actions as a foundation, but causing them to fail only needs one sentence.
The ambition was too great.
A mortal ascending to a top-level Archon, like Morax among the Seven, seemed absurd and laughable.
"She refused you."
The petite god sighed, "If you had spoken properly, or let me step in, the issue could have been resolved, right?"
Dori's refusal wasn't just about a single sentence; it was because the desert had no god.
Many people spoke of Rama, saying he had the Scarlet King's inheritance.
But it was useless.
Candace of Aaru Village was also said to have the Scarlet King's inheritance.
And then?
Then she could be ordered around with just a word.
Having a god's inheritance and having a god are two different situations.
Smart people like Dori could see that the rulers of Teyvat were Archons, not humans.
"She thought you would choose to help the Akademiya."
Rama's expression was calm as he said, "The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is the god of the rainforest; the Scarlet King is the god of the desert. But the desert has no god now. The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata left the Lesser Lord Kusanali for the rainforest before she passed."
The rainforest had a god, but the desert did not, which was why Dori gave up.
She truly didn't believe Rama would succeed.
No matter how good the blueprint, you have to win first to talk about more.
Rama could offer her what the Akademiya couldn't, but Rama had no god, and she didn't trust Rama's grand promises.
"It's really amazing. The desert people are willing to ignore this point and choose to believe in the future you promised."
"But others, without hesitation, choose to refuse."
Nahida mused, "It's probably due to different stances."
"The desert people are willing to support me because they've been down for too long and are desperate to stand up, so they're willing to gamble on a slim chance."
"Dori refused because she understands Teyvat."
Rama sneered, "This world was never humanity's world; human regimes are merely gifts from the gods."
They let you rule yourselves and call it human governance.
Barbatos voluntarily disappeared, Raiden Shogun implemented the Vision Hunt Decree but didn't personally lead the invasion, Morax arranged his own fake death and Facalors let her mortal 'self' to rule whele she gone hiding to prepare her plans...
They all gave power to humans.
But no one truly believed these powers completely belonged to humans.
Today's Mondstadt citizens still invoke the protection of the Anemo Archon. After Morax's fake death, the Qixing remained diligent, never considering vying for more power for themselves.
No one regarded the ceded power as truly their own.
"You also need this Mora, right? So why not let me step in?" Nahida tilted her head, curious. "What she fears should be me."
Even though she was a captive god, Dori didn't know the details.
"Not worth it." Rama stroked the young god's hair, his expression calm. "It's reasonable that she doesn't want to believe. I understand."
"But everyone must be responsible for their choices. She refused my invitation, so this gives me a reason to act in the future."
Rama murmured, "Just in time, I'm very interested in that Alice lady."
How many chips will you wager for a little girl?
Will you come personally to force me to compromise, or use your knowledge to trade and protect Dori?
(End of chapter)