To appear as a wise person requires many successes, a lot of effort.
Only after you've accomplished many things and reaped sufficient rewards will most people acknowledge you as a smart individual.
Even so, if you make one mistake, they will quickly label you with names suggesting you've lost your touch.
But to appear foolish, you only need to make one mistake to easily achieve that goal.
Rama is currently in such a state.
He wanted to play the fool, and he succeeded quite well.
The Fatui and the [Corps of Thirty] gathered enough information and concluded that he was genuinely unruly, not scheming.
Primarily because they couldn't see what else he could be scheming.
Cooperating with [Deshret's Relics], you could use them as a shield, but rejecting them and pushing them to the [Corps of Thirty], regardless of your reasons, is a done deal.
From the outcome, it appears you lost an important ally.
Reasons are just words, some believe them, some don't.
But actions speak louder, and those well-informed can easily see the consequences and costs of those actions.
Clearly, the losses outweighed the gains, so they could only conclude that Rama had indeed been foolish.
"This indeed can't be defended; just considering this incident, the losses outweigh the gains, no doubt about that."
Rama admitted honestly.
The losses outweighed the gains, that's true, and it's the basis for deeming the action foolish.
But the losses weren't significant either.
The Fatui and the Akademiya hadn't noticed the second point yet, so they could only conclude Rama had been foolish.
"Voices of dissent are rising within the tribe, the [Corps of Thirty] are preparing to act with [Deshret's Relics]."
"If nothing unexpected happens, the final showdown is about to begin."
Rama flexed his wrist, his face showing a hint of anticipation.
He had been waiting for this battle, drawing many into the fray for a long time, creating issues, waiting for public opinion to ferment, giving them ample time to recruit tribe members.
Then, he would sweep them all away.
"This isn't the right way to do things; don't learn from me." Rama looked at the young deity, "Their betrayal is essentially my indulgence and guidance, and in the end, I slaughter them for their betrayal, which is wrong."
Do not test human nature.
Moreover, you deliberately did wrong things, then led them down this path.
In the end, you absurdly label them as traitors and slaughter them, which is inherently wrong.
"You know it's wrong but still do it because it's the most beneficial for you."
Nahida floated up and touched Rama's head, "You always do things this way."
"I can argue that testing them is my fault, but they failed the test, which is their fault... but there's no need to argue with you."
After gaining considerable power, Rama's attitude could influence many people.
He wouldn't bear all the sins of the people like Nahida, but he wouldn't avoid his mistakes either.
Rama didn't mind, "Anyone within the tribe with thoughts should have been approached by the Fatui by now."
"Next, the only one left to consider is Babel, my foster mother."
Babel's power rose because of Rama. Most couldn't speak directly to Rama and lacked the courage to defy him, so they naturally pushed his foster mother forward.
Babel understood this well, knowing her power base wasn't the elders but Rama. Hence, while she represented the elders in probing Rama's intentions, she never truly led any opposition to his commands.
Because of this power relationship, she should have been isolated by the interested elders.
Candace, Dehya, even Babel could be targets.
"They will act against Babel, just like handing a piece of information to the [Deshret's Relics], it's something easily done without losing anything."
Nahida deeply understood this answer.
It's something easily done, with benefits if successful and no loss if it fails, so why not do it?
The Fatui had this attitude, and so did Rama, creating trouble everywhere without others knowing why they encountered it.
The simple truth is—my casual action, irrelevant to me, could be another's disaster.
"No need to wait for them to act and then catch them. I'll act before they do."
"I just need them to enter the game. As for reasons, we can make them up after they're dead."
Rama's expression was relaxed, "Spend some time, and you can always find some incriminating evidence in their homes."
Those who do these things generally don't keep such evidence, but no one can falsify evidence, making it real.
If we're fishing with straight hooks, there's no need for scruples.
"Since you're ready, I can also proceed with my actions."
Nahida nodded, then described her efforts.
"I've contacted Dunyarzad and convinced her father."
They will promote the belief in the Dendro Archon at an appropriate time, which will be when the [Corps of Thirty] fail.
"A defeat on the battlefield will make the citizens of Sumeru City lose faith in the Akademiya."
"At that point, they must offer something new to restore public confidence."
What could be more appropriate than the faith in a deity?
"I will step forward," Nahida said seriously, "They consider me the god of the rainforest. Even if they dare not release me, there are promises only a god can make."
Promoting faith isn't for the Akademiya but to declare the Dendro Archon's choice of the Desert at the critical moment, shattering all of the Akademiya's defenses.
Besides, there are Mondstadt, Inazuma, and other forces.
Under pressure, the Akademiya will consider leveraging the status of the Seven Nations.
After all, Sumeru is one of the Seven Nations, and among them, everyone recognizes the Akademiya as the true ruler of Sumeru.
Not using this status would be a pity.
Once they invite external aid, regardless of what Mondstadt and Inazuma can offer, even if they don't respond, when Nahida acknowledges the legitimacy of the Desert regime, they will be left dumbfounded.
(End of Chapter)