Negotiation

Felina observed Nahida's momentary silence and continued, "The tensions between the desert and rainforest have grown increasingly severe. The desert people are desperate to improve their situation. Can you, or the Akademiya, resolve the desert's issues in the short term?"

The problems of the desert are not merely environmental. They encompass conflicts of faith and centuries-old grievances. Solving these issues would require an extended period of time.

However, as Felina pointed out, the desert people cannot afford to wait. They demand change now.

Faced with Felina's direct question, Nahida remained silent for a moment before answering honestly: "We cannot."

Upon hearing this, Felina smiled subtly and calmly replied, "But I can."

Nahida frowned slightly at this bold declaration and shook her head. "I don't mean to mock you, but, God of Justice, your so-called solution likely involves using your control over water to irrigate the desert, doesn't it?"

"You must understand, the desert lacks vegetation to retain moisture. No matter how much water you pour into it, all you'll achieve is turning the sand into mud. Under the sun, the mud will dry, and the sands will return."

Felina chuckled. "Of course, I'm aware of that. Which is why improving the desert isn't as simple as flooding it with water."

"When I say improvement, I mean I can transform the desert into a lush rainforest with abundant water sources in a single night."

"What?"

Nahida was stunned. "How could that possibly be achieved? Even if your intent is to annex the desert, making such an outlandish claim is reckless."

"Why is it impossible?"

Felina wore a confident smile. Sitting before Nahida, she calmly explained a plan that seemed unbelievable.

"You're correct that without vegetation to retain water, no amount of irrigation will suffice. But what if Hydro and Dendro elements bloom together? What would happen then?"

Nahida's brows furrowed as she processed the idea. "Hydro elements hydrate the land, while Dendro elements nurture the seeds of life. Theoretically, it could work. But such an endeavor requires at least two god-tier beings, one wielding Hydro and the other Dendro. The desert is vast, and anything less would be ineffective."

"Currently, Sumeru has no such beings, not even me."

Nahida paused suddenly, her expression shifting. A realization dawned upon her: there was one being in the desert capable of wielding god-tier Dendro power.

The Dendro Dragon Sovereign—Apep.

"It seems you've figured it out."

Felina's smile widened with satisfaction.

"That's right. Once the desert is annexed into Fontaine, I'll face off against the Dendro Dragon Sovereign, Apep!"

"At that time, the collision between god-tier hydro and dendro elemental forces will create a transformative effect, reshaping the desert into a rainforest overnight."

"!!!"

Even the wise Goddess of Wisdom couldn't help but draw a sharp breath at the audacity of Felina's plan.

The Hydro Archon and the Dendro Dragon Sovereign clashing in the desert, leveraging the immense forces of their respective elements to reshape the land entirely—it was a plan both mad and brilliant.

"This… this is sheer madness!"

"God of Justice, Furcalos, you are far more audacious than I ever imagined!"

Nahida's eyes brimmed with shock. Though she opposed the annexation of the desert, she had to admit Felina's plan, as insane as it sounded, was feasible.

"I see you understand now," Felina said, spreading her hands casually. "In this world, I am the only one capable of transforming the desert overnight."

"If the desert becomes part of Fontaine, I can address their environmental issues, provide healthcare, education, and improve their living standards—all with great efficiency."

"You cannot offer the desert a future—not for at least two hundred years. But the desert people cannot wait that long."

"So, without question, joining Fontaine is the best choice for the desert people," Felina declared, her gaze fixed firmly on Nahida.

"You said earlier that you love the people of the desert. If you cannot give them a future, why would you stop them from seeking a better path elsewhere?"

"Do you truly love the desert's people, or are you simply unwilling to bear the shame of ceding land to another nation?"

"I…"

Felina's barrage of pointed questions left Nahida at a loss for words.

Indeed, Felina's rhetoric had the air of sophistry, but it also struck directly at Nahida's weaknesses.

Having employed persuasion, it was now time to apply pressure.

"Do you know why I said you are overly idealistic?" Felina asked.

"Do you truly believe that exposing my deal with the Akademiya would stop the desert's independence?"

"The root cause of the conflict between the desert and the rainforest lies in the desert people's desire for a better environment. As long as this demand remains unmet, the conflict will persist."

"Their desire for independence stems from a longing for a brighter future. My involvement is merely a matter of going along with the tide."

"Even if you reveal the details of my arrangement with the Akademiya, it won't stop the desert's independence. The underlying issue remains unresolved."

"Given the current animosity the desert people harbor toward the rainforest, they would only see the revelation of the deal as another excuse by the rainforest to block their independence."

"At that point, their anger would reach a boiling point, and war between the desert and the rainforest would become inevitable. By exposing the deal, you would only invite more bloodshed and sacrifice."

Felina then brought up the issue of Forbidden Knowledge.

The pollution of the Irminsul affected all of Sumeru, including the desert. Earthquakes and sandstorms in the desert were direct results of this corruption.

If the Irminsul's sickness could not be cured, the desert's civilization would inevitably disappear under the onslaught of natural disasters, whether or not Sumeru ceded the desert to Fontaine.

The key lay in the cure for the Irminsul's ailment—knowledge that only Felina possessed.

"If you don't give me the desert, it will still be destroyed. Sumeru itself might even fall. But if you do, I'll give you the means to save the Irminsul."

"This way, the desert can thrive under my guidance, and Sumeru will be preserved. Isn't that a win-win solution?"

Having said her piece, Felina fell silent, watching Nahida intently as she awaited her response.

In truth, Felina could have bypassed Nahida entirely. With her current standing in the Akademiya, she could have secured the desert through a direct agreement.

However, Nahida was still one of the Seven Archons. If possible, Felina preferred to gain her approval, avoiding unnecessary complications should Nahida decide to publicize their deal.

Nahida, after a long silence, finally spoke.

"You've convinced me, God of Justice Furcalos," she said.

Indeed, as Felina had pointed out, ceding the desert to Fontaine was the best solution for both the desert and the rainforest.

And Nahida, ever gentle and kind-hearted, knew that if she could not provide the desert with a better future, she should entrust it to a deity who could.

Perhaps she also realized that Felina had exploited her benevolent nature, but it no longer mattered. It was still the right outcome.

"I agree to transfer the desert to Fontaine," Nahida said, before adding, "Now that we've settled the matter of the desert, let's discuss your assistance in creating a new god for Sumeru."

"Let us now discuss your plan to assist Sumeru in creating a god," Nahida said.

Although she had been confined in the Sanctuary of Surasthana for 500 years, she remained Sumeru's Archon.

This was an immutable truth, one that even the Akademiya dared not deny, let alone challenge.

Yet now, the Akademiya had openly collaborated with a foreign deity to forge a godlike combat entity. What did that make her, the true god of Sumeru?

From Nahida's perspective, her dissatisfaction was entirely understandable.

"I understand how you feel," Felina said with a soft smile. "No matter what, you are still Sumeru's Archon. Even the scholars of the Akademiya are your people."

"Now, your people wish to create a godlike combatant. Naturally, you fear they may craft a new god to replace you. Isn't that so?"

"I…"

Nahida hesitated, remaining silent. Yet her expression betrayed her thoughts—Felina had touched upon the root of her unease.

"It is only natural to harbor such concerns. There's nothing shameful about it," Felina said, her tone calm. "But you truly have no reason to worry."

With that, Felina launched into an analysis, her words flowing with conviction.

First, she acknowledged Nahida's current state of limited power and the chaotic state of the world. In such an unstable environment, Sumeru's precarious position demanded the necessity of possessing godlike combat strength for self-preservation.

"Second," Felina continued, locking eyes with Nahida, "you must understand something important."

"Human lifespans are finite, but yours is near-endless. Although you are constrained now, you remain the rightful god of Sumeru. That is an unchangeable truth."

"As the God of Wisdom, your power stems from memory and experience. The richer your experiences, the stronger you will become."

"Your long life ensures you ample time to accumulate that power."

Felina's gaze sharpened. "Right now, your authority in Sumeru may be lacking, but the path to reclaiming it lies ahead. To secure the people's trust and fully restore your position, there will inevitably be a struggle—perhaps even a war."

"Power transitions are seldom bloodless. Unless you plan to remain here forever, overshadowed by the Akademiya, you must prepare for conflict to reclaim your throne and earn their respect."

Felina's eyes gleamed with resolute determination. "When that day comes, when your wisdom and strength are sufficient to wrest control from the Akademiya, the godlike mechanical entities they've created will naturally become your assets."

Nahida listened carefully, digesting Felina's words.

She began to see the truth in Felina's analysis: her current predicament—be it her imprisonment or the Akademiya's audacious projects—was a reflection of her own inadequacies as a god.

Political acumen, divine power, decisive action—if she had excelled in even one of these areas, she would not have fallen to such depths.

But as Felina pointed out, this was merely the present state of affairs.

Human lives were fleeting, but Nahida had time.

In that long span, she could learn and grow. And when the day came that she was strong enough to reclaim her power from the Akademiya, the very godlike machines they had built would ultimately belong to her.

"I understand your point," Nahida said, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly. "You once said I was overly idealistic, prone to assuming things would naturally work out."

"But now, it seems you too have your share of idealism."

"As you noted, the source of the God of Wisdom's power lies in memory and experience."

"But the problem is, I am still imprisoned here. I cannot walk freely among the people to create experiences of my own or truly immerse myself in this world," Nahida said earnestly.

Her words held truth. While she could explore the world in dreams, dreams were but fleeting illusions.

She also had the option to use the Akasha System to forcibly project her consciousness into others' bodies, seeing the world through their eyes and walking the land with their legs.

However, such experiences were not her own, and the borrowed identities never felt authentic. Moreover, she was unwilling to occupy another's body for long periods.

To her, as long as she remained confined, accumulating precious memories was little more than a distant fantasy.

It was for this reason she considered Felina's suggestions to be overly idealistic.

Felina, hearing Nahida's concerns, responded with a soft smile.

"That's precisely why I'm here today. I can persuade the Akademiya to release you willingly."

"What?"

Nahida was stunned by Felina's words.

"There's no need to be so surprised," Felina said, spreading her hands.

"The crisis of the Irminsul affects not just you but is also a matter of utmost urgency for the Akademiya."

"While I know how to heal the Irminsul, you are the key to its salvation. You can use this as leverage to negotiate with the Akademiya."

"You can help save the Irminsul, but in return, they must release you."

"But… isn't saving the Irminsul my responsibility as the God of Wisdom? Wouldn't using it as leverage be selfish and inconsiderate?"

Nahida's hesitation was clear.

Felina's mouth twitched slightly at this response.

"You were born a god, destined to rule Sumeru. A ruler must act decisively and without hesitation!"

"This kind of misplaced kindness is meaningless. The prerequisite for kindness is having enough strength to support it. You've been confined for 500 years, unable to even protect yourself. Why concern yourself with being considerate now?"

"If you want to command respect, you need to be firm and resolute! Hesitation and overthinking will earn you nothing but scorn!"

Felina's gaze grew sharp. "Let me ask you this: do you want to stay imprisoned here forever, or do you want to be free?"

Felina's sudden show of intensity startled Nahida.

Faced with Felina's assertiveness, Nahida shrank slightly, an instinctive reaction of self-consciousness. She had felt this way once before in the game's storyline when confronted by the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

But deep down, no one wished to be trapped indefinitely. Everyone desired respect.

At last, Nahida gave her answer. "I want to leave. I want to see the world outside. I want the respect that should rightfully be mine!"

But soon after, she lowered her head again. "Yet you must understand—this involves the power struggle within Sumeru. The sages of the Akademiya will never release me so easily."

"That's nothing for you to worry about."

Felina's expression softened into a confident smile.

"All that matters is your desire to leave. Leave the rest to me—I'll negotiate with the Akademiya."

"In less than an hour, someone will come to release you."

With that, Felina turned and walked away.

Nahida watched her leave, shaking her head lightly.

"What a peculiar god…"

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