Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

The battle with Tartaglia deepened Rama's resolve to intervene in major events.

However, unlike the Traveler, Rama, with his inherent Sumeru affiliation, would rarely be a welcomed presence.

His stance was too clear-cut, unlike Lumine, the protagonist directly intertwined with the divine.

Fortunately, after tonight, things would become much simpler.

Faruzan, who was controlling the giant Ruin Guard, shifted her gaze and resumed her simple cleanup tasks.

She had been observing Rama's situation all along, ready to change her attack direction if Rama fell into a disadvantage.

The modified targeting mechanism couldn't truly catch Tartaglia at full power, but the all-encompassing biochemical weaponry was enough to suppress the entire battlefield.

This weapon could be used in the battlefield below, with even better effects.

Considering the emotions of Faruzan and Nahida, Rama leaned towards subjugation rather than destruction.

This was a minor issue.

The temporarily activated giant Ruin Guard was enough to turn the tide of a small war. Although the Akademiya was serious, their preparations were far from sufficient.

After recovering some strength, Rama looked down at the mortals who had their weapons confiscated.

Once the mechanical forces were detected, this card had to be played; otherwise, they would lack the confidence to act.

But this was a hassle.

You can act a bit foolish, making many think you are foolish.

However, after having driven away the "[Deshret's Relic]," informing the public that you dispatched the mechanical forces for a secret mission was not playing the fool; it was truly foolish.

Rama found a suitable reason to weaken himself.

The Fatui caused trouble again.

They coveted the relics and legacy of the Scarlet King and the Flower Goddess, compelling Rama to send guards.

This was a usable reason. Anyone who knew the "truth" of Rama's rise would find the Fatui's actions entirely logical.

First, the benefits were significant. After all, the god's legacy supported an ordinary person becoming the king of the desert.

Second, the Fatui had such a reputation that if you said they did something good, no one would believe it. But if you said they coveted something and wanted to seize it, it was reasonable without any issue.

It wasn't that everyone believed whatever Rama said; the Fatui indeed displayed a certain degree of cooperation.

This was also why the Fatui's plans went smoothly tonight.

This was an exchange of interests.

Rama knew of the Fatui's collaboration with the new aristocracy, and he himself had a deal with the Fatui.

Information was transmitted through the Fatui's channels, in a relatively secretive but just traceable manner.

This culminated in tonight's raid.

In this entire story, the Akademiya knew one version, the desert aristocracy knew another, and the Fatui had their version.

Three stories, one ending.

"Not bad at all," Rama exhaled deeply.

He contemplated "testing his blade," seeing if he could extract some experience from these captives.

But he had to consider his reputation and the thoughts of those around him, even if he personally lacked such moral standards.

After Tartaglia withdrew from the battlefield, the Fatui's troops also retreated orderly.

Clearly, this time Tartaglia didn't intend to betray his subordinates and managed them well.

Rama did not stop them.

A confrontation didn't mean future cooperation was off the table. Today's fight was due to interests; interests could also lead to future collaboration.

The only unusual aspect was Tartaglia's swift arrival.

Rama thought the usual script involved capturing your relatives as hostages or a direct attack to keep you overwhelmed.

But Tartaglia acted like he was in a rush, attacking swiftly with the sole aim of subduing you.

Perhaps, as he said, he considered this job a temporary diversion, wanting to escape the financial accounts of Northland Bank.

It's hard to say. If his expenses were always for buying things for one person, it would naturally raise questions.

Even if Tartaglia was an executive, when Pantalone questioned him, he had little to say.

He couldn't always use "it's for Snezhnaya's mission" as an excuse; it wouldn't hold.

But that was past, and Tartaglia's thoughts didn't matter.

"Luckily, though these ordinary people cannot be killed, the culprits should be milked for a bit."

If that wasn't enough, he could only wait until the day they break through Sumeru City.

At this moment, there was no urgency. The people were captured, and the next step was to search, fabricate evidence, and clean up.

But Rama received another group of visitors.

"Great King of the Red Sands, we are honored to have the opportunity to meet you."

The guests from the [Corps of Thirty] spoke respectfully.

"Although I guessed you would abandon the Akademiya... indeed, this is a good time."

Rama remained expressionless.

Friends and enemies sometimes have fixed roles, but they often change.

Unless it's a blood feud or biological enmity, most relationships are maintained by interests.

The Fatui and his relationship oscillated between enemies and friends, and the [Corps of Thirty] was no exception.

"I am Asfand, an advisor of the [Corps of Thirty]."

"I come on behalf of the [Corps of Thirty] to pledge loyalty to the future ruler of Sumeru."

Hardly surprising.

In the plot, the [Corps of Thirty] betrayed the Akademiya, now making the same choice.

Of course, this wouldn't be called betrayal; history would record it as "turning to the light."

If Rama won, history wouldn't remember them as traitors but as righteous fighters against oppression.

Maybe they lacked the courage to stand up directly, but they had the courage and enthusiasm to follow a guide.

They were still warriors.

"I'm glad to hear your evaluation, members of the [Corps of Thirty]."

Rama smiled warmly, "I thought we might need a more appropriate occasion, but perhaps tonight is a good opportunity."

Indeed, it was.

If two or three people died when the fighting ended, it was insignificant.

Asfand's face showed some age.

He was used to using the opponent's favorite words to converse and negotiate, and according to Rama's reputation, this dictator only liked to solve problems quickly.

He was as busy as if a calamity beast was chasing him.

Asfand sighed inwardly and chose to follow his prepared speech.

"King Rama, the core of the [Corps of Thirty] is also desert people."

The old man's voice was earnest.

"I know, the desert people know." Rama said slowly, "Everyone knows you were the first to surrender to the Akademiya, starting the trend of desert people laboring for the rainforest."

It wasn't just luck. In that environment, the [Corps of Thirty]'s proactive steps brought positive feedback, which they deserved.

Rewards earned by ability couldn't be explained away by luck or timing.

But the [Corps of Thirty] led to a poor beginning.

The desert had no unified regime, and seeing that working for the rainforest people could be profitable, people were less inclined to waste time in the barren desert.

"The early Akademiya did not treat us this way," Asfand said calmly, "But we encountered an opportunity where they needed to show their attitude to the desert people."

Friendly, amiable, with promises of wonderful things, as if joining them would make you one of them.

However, once you joined and your homeland lost its resistance, those who served with you would smile.

Then you would realize, though you sat at the table, you were not enjoying the benefits but were the benefit being divided.

"But this is irrelevant. How the desert fares has little to do with you; at least you did well, didn't you?" Rama was expressionless.

This wasn't a lack of negotiation intent but a price reduction tactic.

The truth was simple; the [Corps of Thirty]'s actions weakened the desert, but their upper echelon gained much.

The betrayal of their homeland brought them benefits, like Setaria becoming the Grand Sage's secretary. They had to gain something.

The idea that they deeply regretted was unlikely in Rama's view.

Setaria's change of heart came from personal decisions and Nahida's repeated influence.

But expecting the mercenaries' loyalty to the desert was laughable.

The Akademiya used them for dirty work, then despised them for being dirty and planned to dispose of them, causing the pawns to rebel.

This was not a new story; it depended on how well-prepared the [Corps of Thirty] was for survival.

A counterattack was unrealistic.

Justice could be invoked, but truly believing oneself as righteous was too absurd.

Asfand sighed.

Rama's attitude matched his reputation, uncompromising in negotiations.

Talking about the desert heritage, he bluntly reduced it to merely seeking new masters due to uneven interests.

He didn't see the [Corps of Thirty] as a potential friend but as a tool, like the Akademiya did.

If that was the case, then cooperation...

"You are right." Asfand shifted his tone, "In fact, as the desert declined, the Akademiya gradually restricted the [Corps of Thirty]'s powers."

"This caused much dissatisfaction among us. After all, we betrayed the desert for benefits."

Alright, you like hearing this, don't you?

Then let's be straightforward.

"Now we get nothing good. They reduce our power, repeatedly lowering promised rewards, treating us like hunting dogs without proper compensation."

"The [Corps of Thirty] does not wish to continue under the Sage's rule."

"If Sumeru remained Akademiya-dominated, we would endure."

"But if there's a chance, we don't want the Akademiya to remain in power."

Asfand's attitude was sincere, "This is our stance."

The Akademiya had indeed squeezed the interests of the [Corps of Thirty], while Rama simply had a poor attitude.

When it came to hatred, the Akademiya was the clear winner.

Rama's fingers lightly tapped on the table.

The [Corps of Thirty] could definitely survive.

The Eremites were unique to Sumeru, and the [Corps of Thirty] were the true creators and maintainers of the Eremites' order.

The [Deshret's Relic] seemed powerful, but if the Akademiya truly issued an order, the [Corps of Thirty] could immediately wipe them out.

This was the confidence that came from backing by a national institution.

"I can't give you much reward," Rama thought for a moment, "because you don't hold much value."

"Of course, we all understand that," Asfand did not argue with this statement. "The reward should naturally match the price we pay."

In the Akademiya, their value was mainly to provide the desert people with a seemingly attainable path, making them obedient and compliant.

This role was significant and thus highly valuable.

High value meant the Akademiya would spend a lot of money.

But Rama clearly had no need for this. He wanted to rule Sumeru, not divide the desert and the rainforest.

Whether people liked being managed was a hard question to answer.

However, managing others was something many people were interested in.

Given the different roles for the [Corps of Thirty], the offered price naturally differed.

The [Corps of Thirty] had expected this and had no strong opinions.

Their betrayal was driven by interests, but more directly, it was due to feeling threatened.

As the desert declined, they realized their existence was no longer essential.

This sense of being unnecessary and the threat of being destroyed at any time were the core factors behind their betrayal.

Rama couldn't offer a higher price, but following him wouldn't carry the same risks.

(End of Chapter)