Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

Rama never expected much from Dori.

Relying on a merchant to provide aid in a time of crisis requires a bit of charisma and the merchant's willingness to gamble.

But normal people don't get such treatment.

In Teyvat, with gods as a fundamental part of the world, the hope Rama offered was even slimmer.

Dori's reluctance was understandable.

If she truly invested all her assets for a promise without hesitation, her head would likely follow her wealth into Rama's camp.

Nahida sighed softly.

"She believes in me, but who could imagine that the God of Wisdom is just a deity imprisoned in the Sanctuary of Surasthana?"

If not for Rama improving a certain projection device, Nahida wouldn't be able to easily traverse between the Sanctuary and the desert.

"You hold yourself to too high a standard." Rama glanced at her. "Though you mention Dori, you're actually thinking of Lord Rukkhadevata, aren't you?"

"You believe that Lord Rukkhadevata entrusted you with power to govern Sumeru well."

"But the result is, for five hundred years, not only have you not issued your own decrees, you haven't even had the right to speak."

In this respect, Nahida indeed fell short of Lord Rukkhadevata's expectations.

However, many expectations from parents for their children are inherently unreasonable.

If the child could respond to every expectation, that's his own talent.

If he can't, that's also normal.

"Have I not failed her expectations?"

Usually, she was compassionate, like a saint.

Rama rarely saw her confused expression, making her look more like a child.

"Simple problems have simple answers. Do you think you need to meet the expectations of your believers and citizens?"

Rama asked leisurely.

Most of people's troubles come from wanting to do things they can't, and being unable to let go of it.

Nahida was no different.

"I am the God of Sumeru; I should fulfill the wishes of the Sumeru people." Nahida did not hesitate.

"Alright, you know my goal very well. I want to become a god." Rama spoke casually. "Come on, I'm ready. You can start fulfilling my wish."

Nahida: ...

"Why the silence?" Rama's face was "astonished". "Don't tell me you can't do it?"

"But you should meet the expectations of the people, and even without considering power or status, I should at least be considered a Sumeru citizen, right?"

This answer was blunt.

You should meet the expectations of those who hold high hopes for you?

Then come on, I also have high hopes for you, so hurry up and fulfill my wish.

"If one is poor, one should focus on self-improvement; if one is successful, one should help the world."

"Whether self-improvement or helping the world, these come from your own abilities and self-expectations, not others' expectations of you."

In later events, Lord Rukkhadevata's attitude clearly showed she did not anticipate Nahida's predicament.

Probably, in Lord Rukkhadevata's initial expectations, she left her successor a relatively prosperous kingdom and a group of relatively wise subjects.

If Nahida grew up in such an environment, she should certainly meet those expectations.

Because the treatment she enjoyed came from Lord Rukkhadevata.

Since she enjoyed the benefits, she naturally had to bear corresponding responsibilities.

But in Nahida's growth process, aside from her identity as an archon, she received no privileges in Sumeru but endured five hundred years of imprisonment.

In this case, she really had no need to feel indebted due to her identity.

What is earned by paying a price does not entail much debt.

"Even if they imprisoned you?" Rama asked seriously. "Don't give me reasons like 'I didn't do well' or 'I couldn't meet their expectations'."

She couldn't speak.

The answer wasn't surprising, but Rama couldn't understand how a deity born imprisoned could have such awareness.

But this was good news.

Like Aaru Village for Candace, the people of Sumeru were Nahida's bottom line.

Whoever could win over more Sumeru citizens would gain Nahida's support.

Fortunately, although Sumeru was governed by The Three Eternal Companion-Gods, the desert still counted as part of Sumeru.

So in the eyes of any god, Rama's actions counted as internal conflict in Sumeru, not warranting more attention.

Because Sumeru had the God of Wisdom, they wouldn't intervene and might not even care.

"Alright then, since you hold yourself to such high standards and always respond to the majority of the people's wishes, let's make a simple deal."

Rama spoke leisurely. "You fulfill their wishes, and the majority's wish is simply to live better. Is there a problem with that?"

"No." Nahida nodded.

"If I can achieve that, then their wishes are fulfilled by me."

"You believe you should meet their wishes, and if I take on this responsibility, should you not also spend more time and energy to meet my wishes?"

Rama continued to narrow her response space.

"Yes, it should be so." Nahida gave a positive response.

Governing Sumeru and ensuring the people's well-being should be Nahida's responsibility.

She told herself that if someone else undertook her responsibility and solved her problem, she would owe them this favor.

Nahida acknowledged this reasoning.

"Then that's enough." Rama smiled.

With this promise, the rest became simpler.

But the stakes shouldn't be played too soon; discussing them after achieving results would be much more advantageous.

Because by then, she would have no room to refuse.

"Can I trust you, Rama?"

Nahida suddenly asked.

"Why ask that?" Rama was puzzled.

"You're unlike anyone I know," Nahida's voice carried a trace of concern. "I can't stop you, nor do I know what you intend to do."

"Can you stop the Six Sages? Do you know what they intend to do?" Rama asked with interest. "You can't do these things either, so why ask me this question, because I'm kinder to you?"

"Because what I am about to entrust to you is something I wouldn't entrust to them." Nahida answered seriously.

She didn't seem to understand the teasing; Rama asked, and she answered honestly.

"Things only entrusted to me..." Rama smiled. "You are quite ruthless."

Just this statement alone could lead to the sages' downfall when the Akademiya collapses.

After all, they actually had the chance to obtain something so precious.

Nahida: ???

"So, where do I seem ruthless?"

The God of Wisdom was very confused.

Rama smiled and patted the deity's head, without answering.

(End of Chapter)