The first question posed by Babel was akin to using a gun instead of a sword.
For a moment, Rama couldn't discern the rationale behind these people's choices, but it didn't matter. The elders' power was built upon the tribe's larger environment, and they couldn't stir up too much trouble.
Questions of little importance could be accepted with or without answers.
But the second question...
"The kingdom needs no name. We will conquer Sumeru, and Sumeru will be the future kingdom of the Sea of Sands' regime."
"Show some respect to the Seven Archons, everyone."
"The Archons recognize Sumeru ruled by the Dendro Archon. After overthrowing the Akademiya, we need to consider two questions."
Rama's expression was serious.
What lineage or bloodline are you talking about? I don't know about that.
Never mind, are you trying to arrange a marriage?
I'll tie your lives and fortunes to a big issue and see who has the time to think about these things.
There are many ways to solve a problem, such as by raising another severe issue.
As expected, the elders' expressions turned serious, immediately forgetting the previously "unimportant" question.
"But the Dendro Archon is the deity of the rainforest; she won't protect the desert people."
The elders looked pained.
"A country cannot exist in isolation. The seclusion of Inazuma was successful because it's an island and the Raiden Shogun personally issued the decree."
Rama paused slightly.
Yes, seclusion.
Cutting a country off from the world, completely suppressing external influences, and living in isolation.
This approach has both advantages and disadvantages. Historically, the disadvantages impacted the entire country, while the advantages were typically enjoyed only by the ruling class.
When external forces could overpower the Raiden Shogun's protection, the people of Inazuma would suffer.
But that day never came.
If humanity's strength could defeat the Archons, they wouldn't care about the resources of Inazuma.
"And Sumeru... Sumeru could do the same."
"We're not facing a stable situation or an unchanging opponent."
"We will be influenced by the outside world, usually negatively."
He continued to exaggerate, "The Akademiya could even use the name of legitimate divine authority inherited from the Dendro Archon to invite other countries to help suppress the desert's resistance."
No one was excited anymore; everyone's faces were solemn, and their brows furrowed.
The final blow.
"We are fighting against the oppression of the rainforest for justice and freedom."
"But everyone knows the Scarlet King is only the god of the desert, and one of the seven nations is ruled by the Dendro Archon."
"They are recognized as the legitimate government by other countries."
You claim to be just, but we've always had diplomatic relations with the Akademiya, and everyone knows the Dendro Archon is the god of the rainforest.
So, why would I help you?
Rama glanced at everyone present, noting their dejected expressions, and nodded slightly.
Two variables.
The divine and foreign support.
Their pained expressions suggested they hadn't considered this scenario at all?
Logically, the benefits were immense, but their expressions still puzzled Rama.
It shouldn't be this confusing. The problem is quite obvious.
As he pondered, he noticed their eager gazes directed at him.
"This problem is hard to solve."
Rama was silent for a moment. "But things have reached this point; we can only continue and see if there is a turning point."
If you place your hopes on me, then I'll start performing.
In reality, these unexpected factors don't exist.
Nahida does not possess formidable divine power and does not intend to favor the rainforest.
Other governments are unlikely to intervene.
The Seven Archons rule independently, and unless Nahida personally intervenes, there's no reason for other forces to enter Sumeru.
Except for the Fatui, whose tactics are crude and shameless, as everyone knows.
But dealing with the Fatui isn't difficult either. If they press heavily, we can simply expose their plans, causing their strategies to fail before they even start.
If only two or three low-ranking Harbingers come, they're easy to kill.
Humans can't withstand poison and bombs. They are strong, but they can be killed.
This is information Rama knows, but these new tribal leaders sitting in front of him were wrong from the start.
They assumed Nahida would favor the rainforest, so their speculation only ran towards the worst possible scenario.
This information bias gave Rama another victory.
This issue could have been raised later, ideally after a major victory, to dampen their enthusiasm with bad news.
But with Babel's heavy blow, Rama could only retaliate.
Then he sidestepped, leaving the new tribal leaders floored.
"That's the reality. Our ancestors failed to succeed hundreds of years ago not because they didn't try hard enough."
"But because the other side had divine protection, and we lost our deity."
This is a glorified statement.
Rama's expression turned earnest, his tone slowing, his voice rising, "But we can't give up."
"If we give up today, the descendants of the desert will remain slaves to the rainforest."
"Today's situation may be difficult, but we can't place our hopes on the future. The change must start with your efforts."
The Scarlet King is dead. No matter how long we wait, the desert will not see another deity.
But they might encounter a blond traveler seeking blue question marks, who could destroy the Akademiya and release a god with compassion for all.
The desert's hope lies in the future.
They don't know this and don't intend to place their hopes on the future.
Expecting people who learned to wield weapons before they could read to shout, "You are the hope, the future is in your hands," is unrealistic.
Before Rama, they only believed in themselves.
In the desert, the only reliable ones are themselves.
No matter how the tribe teaches the lower classes about benevolence and morality, everyone knows it's false.
In the future, when Babel single-handedly killed so many elders, saying each betrayed the tribe and she killed them for the tribe...can you see the "Matriarch" title she just received?
A red title, quite conspicuous.
How am I supposed to believe that?
Nine elders, and you almost killed eight of them. Then you teach us benevolence and morality. Do you believe in those things yourself?