"Are you serious?"
Candace asked seriously.
This answer directly relieved the inner burden of many people.
Historically, records about the divine beings have always been like this. If you are their people, you will feel inexplicably reassured.
Conversely, if you become an obstacle on their path forward, not necessarily resulting in death but definitely in defeat.
The divine beings have this deterrent power.
Since Rama's uprising, many people have questioned this matter internally. However, everyone just harbored doubts in their hearts and avoided discussing it.
Because everyone knows and there's no way to solve the problem, bringing it up alone wouldn't make you look smart; it would only make you seem presumptuous.
Who doesn't know that the Dendro Archon is the biggest stumbling block for the Desert regime?
But knowing is useless. The problem lies here. They need solutions, not just the awareness of problems.
But Rama's attitude resolved this issue.
The Dendro Archon is a god of Teyvat, not just of the Rainforest.
The Desert is also part of Teyvat.
This answer directly represents the inclination of the Dendro Archon, which also represents the future direction of Teyvat's progress.
This is the value of the divine beings.
"Of course, I have no reason to deceive you," Rama explained calmly, "In this war between the Desert and the Rainforest, the Dendro Archon has chosen us."
[On what grounds?]
Candace couldn't understand, but she didn't ask.
She believed that Rama wouldn't lie in such a place. Neither of them saw any value or necessity in listening to such lies.
"You don't know much about the Dendro Archon. Although during the alliance of the three gods a thousand years ago, the Scarlet King governed the desert, and the Tree King managed the rainforest, people naturally divided the Tree King and the Scarlet King into opposing sides."
"But the reality is not like that. The divine beings are benevolent. The Dendro Archon doesn't harbor any prejudice against the desert people just because the Desert was once the Scarlet King's domain."
The issue lies with the Akademiya.
As the authority governing Teyvat's overall situation, the culture propagated by the Lord Rukkhadevata reflects deeply in the Akademiya's conduct.
They don't look favorably upon desert people, and the Dendro Archon, when using this tool, has no choice but to be bound and restrained by the tool.
This has nothing to do with Nahida.
She can issue commands, but things ultimately require people to act.
These people have their own ideas, and she doesn't have time to monitor each other's actions and choices.
"You want to use news of the Dendro Archon to let Shahzaman and the powerful figures behind him in Teyvat know that besides the Akademiya, they have a second choice."
Dehya wasn't slow.
"In fact, how the powerful figures in Liyue choose is not a very important issue."
"But since you've come, I have to find something you can do and that benefits me."
Rama stated a simple truth.
"In other words, you've actually decided to help me from the beginning."
Dehya finally understood something.
"Yes, I will help you because this matter benefits my plans," Rama didn't deny.
"But just because you can help me easily doesn't mean you can really solve the trouble I encountered. Because you want something in return for everything you do," Dehya lowered her head.
"Or, to put it another way, maybe it's more comforting for your soul."
Rama said empathetically, "If you don't come knocking, I'll wait until these people die and then act as if I just found out, and then I'll turn my face against the [Deshret's Relic] in anger."
"And you paid the price, I would refuse the [Deshret's Relic] in advance, forcing them to take this path early, which could incidentally save those you care about."
"The reason is the same. Candace and your relationship is good, and I like Candace very much. I'm willing to be unhappy for Candace's little feelings."
"You know I have a little power, and when I'm unhappy, I can make a lot of people even unhappier."
"For me, the result is the same, but for you, the outcome of acting early or late is completely different."
Dehya bit her lip, "So, my efforts are worthwhile?"
Rama nodded, "You'd better think so. At least that way, you'll be a little happier."
"If you don't think so, then for you, I'm just a villain who exploits your suffering for profit."
"But I don't think so. How you think doesn't matter to me. I don't think so, so I won't compromise or give in because of this."
Candace rubbed her brow.
She really wasn't good at persuading Rama.
These words could have been left unsaid, but Rama always opened up about things before transactions.
"What you said... makes sense."
Dehya sighed.
This person's reasoning was too forceful and direct.
"Well, then, let me briefly describe this commission."
"I need you to contact Shahzaman and the powerful figures behind him in Teyvat, letting them know that besides the Akademiya, there's a second option."
"Of course, I don't need them to make a choice right away. I just need them to propagate the faith in the Dendro Archon."
Rama spoke calmly, "As a reward for this transaction, I will help you deal with the [Deshret's Relic], but I can't guarantee that none of your loved ones will die."
"You want to spread the faith in the Dendro Archon in Teyvat?" Dehya's expression was odd, "But isn't the Dendro Archon the deity of the Rainforest?"
"He is a god of Teyvat, and the Desert is also part of Teyvat," Rama gave the answer.
The young deity suddenly appeared, smiling gently.
"Is this... the Lesser Lord Kusanali?" Candace pursed her lips.
She didn't want to speak out of turn, but it didn't seem to have much deterrent power.
Nahida repeated explaining her situation.
Unlike Rama, Rama didn't like to describe his own issues to anyone because it would always lead to unnecessary sympathy and pity.
And Nahida was just explaining the issue. If you have a problem, I answered it, but whether this answer will make me have any emotional fluctuations, it won't.
"Perhaps some of you can't accept it, but I'm not the kind of deity you think I am," Nahida's voice was gentle, "In fact, my power is quite weak, insufficient to intervene and change the course of a war."
"Rama's words are reserved. According to reason, I'm afraid I can't be considered his partner in cooperation, but rather closer to an adherent."
A sentence can solve many problems.
Like this sentence, I'm quite weak.
This answer resolved all the doubts in Candace's and Dehya's hearts. Logically speaking, a god who lacks power isn't much of a god to the Scarlet King's people who have always been active in the Desert.
But the two of them, how did they reach this cooperation?
(End of Chapter)