War descended suddenly.
The Tanit Tribe advanced smoothly. While they were initially skilled in hunting, as the war progressed, their power increased, but their hunting abilities diminished.
Because there was no longer a need to use those skills.
In any case, the war was simply about advancing mechanical troops, with them responsible for cleaning up the aftermath.
This kind of war didn't hone any real abilities. Relying on localized skirmishes wasn't enough to curb the arrogance built up over long-term victories.
Especially with the choices made by the internal elders, which exacerbated this sudden change.
Perhaps not everyone was foolish, but a wrong choice wasn't due to the decision-makers' stupidity; it was due to more significant reasons.
For example, conflicts of interest.
"Rama is the key to our progress today. Without the technology Rama mastered, the desert would still be a scattered mess."
"But his approach is too frivolous."
"All the divine power is controlled by him alone, and the consequences are evident to all."
"We must share a portion of the divine glory from his hands."
Capriciousness is a fitting label.
Whether loyal to Rama or not, they all agreed on Rama's mistake.
So why could Rama be so capricious, disregarding their opinions and making an absolutely wrong choice? Because the blessings of the Scarlet King and the Flower Goddess were controlled solely by him.
If I had the divine blessings, I could do these things too, even better than he did.
Rama might be the key to the tribe's progress today, but I will be the great ruler of the future...
They were all smart people, naturally understanding Rama's value to the currently rising desert regime.
But smart people don't avoid doing stupid things. If a foolish act doesn't harm their interests but brings additional benefits, they will naturally do it.
Doing foolish things will inevitably have drawbacks, but the ones who lose aren't necessarily the ones who act.
"This isn't betrayal but a reasonable demand."
"If Rama continues to act so recklessly, he will eventually lead us into an abyss."
"We must obtain the divine blessings to restrain Rama's incorrect behaviors and words."
Reasonable and rational.
This definitely wasn't an unjust, evil backstab but a "for your own good" restraint.
For your own good, because you made some mistakes first, we judge your way of doing things as unsteady.
You didn't do things well, so for the future of the desert, we can only step up to help you.
You don't want us to help?
Look, these issues have driven the child to speak nonsense.
You made mistakes, so of course, we must help.
You don't need it? That's not possible.
This reaction was entirely predictable. In the desert, betrayal is far more common than loyalty.
Rama certainly had shown grace to people, but these people also did things.
Since they did things and then received grace, they at least believed it was reasonable compensation, rewards for their efforts, so they didn't owe Rama much gratitude.
"The main force of the [Corps of Thirty] hasn't approached... Are they worried these people are acting?"
Rama, standing on the peak, looked down at the shadows below with a relaxed expression.
This should be the general attack, but the [Corps of Thirty] only drove the [Deshret's Relic] and other Eremites to charge forward, while their core forces remained observant.
It seemed they didn't trust the desert aristocrats' chips.
"Indeed, to them, the desert depends on me, and at least now, it has a chance to rise."
The desert aristocrats only wanted to teach Rama a lesson, not to bring him down completely.
The [Corps of Thirty] knew this too, so they spurred the [Deshret's Relic] to charge ahead, waiting for an opportunity themselves.
Both sides understood each other's goals but still chose to act on schedule, without hesitation or doubt.
Probably they all believed they could win amidst the chaos.
Except for the [Deshret's Relic], who, having lost their value of playing both sides, could only choose to cling to one side, losing any extra say.
The cost of losing one's voice is, of course, being pushed to the front as cannon fodder, but Mishal should be able to bear it.
No matter how you calculate it, Mishal can't be considered cannon fodder. Sacrificing the [Deshret's Relic] mercenaries to secure his position isn't an unacceptable deal for him.
The flames of war ignited quickly.
Obviously, it wasn't just the [Corps of Thirty] acting; several key points simultaneously erupted in chaos, followed by the elders' loud shouts.
This was evidently an unexpected chaos.
"They screwed up."
Rama watched the chaos and flames below with great interest.
The Fatui clearly had no sense of contract, and neither did the desert people.
When neither side has a strong pursuit of cooperation, the outcome of this partnership was already written.
Clearly, the Fatui had the upper hand.
Inside Babel's tent.
"I knew the people of Snezhnaya were unreliable."
She had clearly anticipated this.
"But you didn't tell Rama we would act, Lady Babel," the Electro Cicin Mage's voice was elegant. "You still desire the highest power, don't you?"
Serving in the middle tier of a kingdom or at the top of a tribe, Babel preferred the latter.
"Who doesn't desire power?"
Babel wasn't flustered.
Strictly speaking, she hadn't told Rama about the elders' private alliance, but she didn't think Rama was entirely ignorant either—he didn't seem like such a fool—well, given his recent choices, maybe he was.
"People who lack ability but pursue power will only bring trouble to everyone," the Electro Cicin Mage said, "You are truly pitiable, Lady Babel."
"You've exhausted every effort, but you're still not as good as a child who accidentally received the gods' favor."
She could be sarcastic and hit where it hurt.
This was indeed Babel's and many elders' greatest pain.
When someone easily gets what you worked hard for, not because of talent but because of luck, it breeds resentment.
If he doesn't keep a low profile but flaunts his luck, the righteous indignation burns even hotter.
"What do you want me to do?" Babel avoided the topic, her face somber.
Speaking is a waste of energy, and any effort implies a demand.
"Frankly, you've already lost."
The Electro Cicin Mage's words were leisurely, full of confidence.
"The Akademiya is not as sluggish as you think. They plan to make the first battle the decisive one, to completely wipe out the desert regime."
No probing, no need for it.
Continuous warfare doesn't benefit the Akademiya, and a unified desert is not a good thing either.
The six sages are never short on decisiveness.
Even in the plot, Azar's biggest hesitation was out of sympathy and attempts to recruit genius scholars.
But for the majority of ordinary people, their true nature is more clearly revealed.
"The fact that you're mentioning this means you don't want us to end just like that."
Babel sneered, "Let me guess, while scheming against the desert, you don't want us completely wiped out, so you still need us to do something."
"Stall for time?"
The fall of the desert regime wouldn't be the end, but rather the trigger for redistributing everything.
The impact of a victory would give the current six sages of the Akademiya a few more lines in history and thoroughly strip the desert people of any hope of rising again.
Because they truly rebelled and caused trouble for the rainforest.
When they lose, being treated as true slaves, not like the slaves Dehya mentioned, will be the logical outcome.
Rebellion has its costs when it's suppressed.
But Babel knew these things had nothing to do with these people from the land of eternal winter.
They weren't talking for these reasons, but they had reasons nonetheless.
What could those be?
This moment of reflection showed a mother-son resemblance; Babel's sneer mirrored Rama's cold demeanor.
Despite being on the weaker side, they acted like they held the upper hand.
The Electro Cicin Mage narrowed her eyes slightly.
"A vanquished desert cannot stop the Akademiya's whims, but before the treasure falls into the Fatui's hands, the Akademiya must wait."
"Well said." Babel clapped for her performance. "So what do you plan to do, openly intervene, under the watch of the Seven Nations, brazenly meddle in Sumeru's internal affairs?"
"Do you even qualify?"
There's always an unspoken understanding between nations, not written but customary.
But actions have consequences, this is no exception.
The desert and the rainforest, no matter how you slice it, are Sumeru's internal affairs, the concern of the Flower Goddess and the Akademiya.
The Fatui intervening before acting would leave a lasting impression on the Seven Nations.
Not worth it.
The gains from the desert might be substantial, but higher plans involve the Seven Nations, and all the gods.
For an unexpected delight, it's not worth going that far.
But that doesn't mean giving up.
The prize is within reach, it must be taken.
Just with a bit more grace.
"So, I need you to step up and stop the Akademiya's attack," the Electro Cicin Mage said without changing her expression. "Lady Babel, you're not the only one we've chosen."
"Chosen, hmm, what a noble term," Babel said with a smiling face. "Go on, let me hear your amusing little schemes."
She could barely hold it in.
**Translation:**
"Your original idea has completely failed. Replacing the rainforest with the desert is already an impossible task."
"In an impossible situation, do you plan to stay here and die with the Tanit Tribe, or take the Northland Bank's check and live in another country?"
The Electro Cicin Mage's words lacked temptation, but the real state of the war was more persuasive than any words.
It was true they couldn't win, and it was also true they were nearing defeat.
In such a situation, the only option was to find another way out.
"If it weren't for cooperating with you, things wouldn't be this bad," Babel couldn't help but say.
No one trusted the Fatui, just as the Fatui didn't trust the desert aristocrats' promises.
But things still needed to be done. You thought you could guard against the other's schemes and then use them.
Similarly, the Fatui thought the same.
And by the results alone, the Fatui won.
"But you've already made your choice," the Electro Cicin Mage resumed a leisurely tone, "You've lost utterly."
The cause and effect were simple: greed but no success, that's all.
Having failed, one must consider a way out.
The Fatui didn't believe these people had much loyalty to the identity of the desert people. After all, since the death of the Scarlet King, being a desert person only brought trouble and prejudice.
The main hatred was naturally directed at the Akademiya since they were the ones who started the prejudice and discrimination.
But over the long thousand years, many had begun to resent their origins rather than the Akademiya, which caused this environment.
For example... why was I born a desert dweller instead of a rainforest dweller?
This thought churned in many desert people's hearts. They couldn't understand why such unfortunate things had to happen to them.
The world is vast; many people can be desert dwellers and serve the Akademiya. So why does it have to be me?
"Indeed we lost, but it's not an utter defeat," Babel shook her head.
Someone has to be the laborers, that can't be denied.
But resenting one's origin and resenting the environment are two different difficulties. The former leaves the problem to fate; thus, all mistakes become irrelevant because of a poor start that can't be helped.
Origin is an unchangeable fate; the environment is an enemy that needs to be challenged.
But the Akademiya is tough to fight.
It's almost impossible to win. Rebelling against their rule and oppression is not as good as leaving the problem to fate.
"Do you still have hope of turning the tables?"
The Electro Cicin Mage couldn't help but frown.
This time, the Fatui even sent a Harbinger to handle the affairs. With the desert's power, there shouldn't be any room for resistance.
But estimations are estimations. Until the dust settles, the outcome is always an unknown number.
She certainly hoped for no surprises.
"Aren't you doing the same thing?" Babel spoke casually, "If you weren't probing Rama's trump cards, you wouldn't be wasting time with me here."
Finding the right person is key to solving many problems.
What the Fatui wanted were the relics of the gods, not the desert regime or Rama's life or death.
Those were trivial matters. What was important were the legacies of the Scarlet King and the Flower Goddess.
End of Chapter