In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

In this atmosphere.

And Adbay, who had always been indifferent to these trivial matters, showed no interest whatsoever.

Everyone else was affected to some extent.

Especially Dixia, she hasn't spoken to Rhodes for several days. Apart from helping Rhodes with his work in the experimental fields during the day, she locks herself in her room the rest of the time and deliberately avoids eating with Kusera.

"I gave you a chance, but you didn't use it."

After complaining to the conflicted Kucera, Rod decided he had to take some action.

This can't go on forever.

If they keep arguing, sooner or later either Dixia will be driven away by anger, or Kusela will feel so ashamed that she will run away in the middle of the night again, and end up alone buried in the remains of the God-King.

So, taking advantage of the fact that all the work on the experimental fields was finished...

Rhodes found an opportunity to bring Kusela and Desia into a room and have the father and daughter sit facing each other.

However, the process of calling someone over was a little less than harmonious.

But there is no way.

It's just that these two insist on refusing to meet.

It really takes some effort to get them to sit together peacefully.

Kucera sat in a chair with a sullen expression, while Disia, sitting opposite him, crossed her arms and turned her head away, not even glancing at him.

"I have nothing to say to him, and you don't know anything about what's going on between us, so don't meddle."

Knowing that Rhodes wanted to act as a mediator, Desia's expression was not good.

"I haven't even said anything yet, how come you don't know that I don't understand anything?"

Rhodes glanced at Kusera, who seemed hesitant to speak, and said directly, "Many of your father's evil deeds were actually forced upon him by the mercenary group, the Legacy of the God-King."

"Forced by the remnant of the God-King?"

"Ha, this nonsense can only fool someone like you who has never been a mercenary."

“Rhodes, I know you mean well.”

“But you really shouldn’t get involved in this anymore. I know Kousera better than you do what he’s like.”

"In short, it boils down to one sentence."

"There's no way I could ever reconcile with someone like him, not in this lifetime!"

Dixia said firmly, leaving no room for compromise.

"Okay, let me put it another way."

“Your father told me that he wanted to turn over a new leaf and come to Aru Village to atone for the sins he had committed.”

As he spoke, Rod winked at Kousera: "Am I right, Uncle Kousera?"

"what?"

"Oh, yes, yes, that's it."

Kusela nodded repeatedly and said, "I'm tired of being a mercenary and want to start over."

He said it nicely.

However, this explanation was clearly unacceptable to Dixia.

"you?"

"Start from scratch?"

"You can start over, but what about those you've harmed? How can those you've killed start over?"

Desia's words were sharp, leaving Kusela speechless. The little hope that had just risen was shattered, and he hung his head dejectedly, seemingly giving up on any hope of reconciliation with Desia.

And Dixia hadn't finished speaking.

Having just reprimanded Kucera, she turned her attention to Rhodes.

"Come on, let me ask you a question."

"If the Tanit tribe were willing to repent and start anew, would you forgive them?"

That's a very good question.

Fortunately, Rhodes had anticipated that she would say that.

After all, back in Kawan Post, Rhodes' hatred for the Tanit tribe had reached the point where he was willing to risk being captured to kill someone.

In this regard.

This is Rod's answer.

"You villain, I will show no mercy."

"I will not involve the innocent."

“I am willing to give those who sincerely repent a chance.”

Then look at Desia's slightly surprised expression.

Rhodes sighed, "Don't think of me as so cruel and murderous. I do hate the Tanit tribe for kidnapping, beating, and almost killing me, but I also know that not all the people in their tribe are evil. There are always some normal people among them. As long as they are sincere in repenting, I am still willing to let them go."

"That sounds nice."

How can you tell if they are truly repentant?

"Deception is an instinct ingrained in mercenaries. Can you be sure they are genuinely repentant, or that they are just putting on a pitiful act like him to gain your sympathy?"

Clearly, Desia believed Rhodes's statement that he was not a brutal killer, and she genuinely believed that Rhodes would not indiscriminately kill.

But she didn't trust Kusela's character, nor did she trust the mercenaries' character.

"Hehe, of course I have a way."

"for example."

"What you're thinking right now is that if Kucera is really willing to repent, then it's not impossible to give him a chance."

Following the voice in his mind, Rhode directly voiced what Desia was thinking.

Mind reading.

Naxida possesses unique abilities as the goddess of grass.

Although it can only read the thoughts of Sumeru people, it is enough for Rhodes.

However, just like with possession, Narcida felt it was impolite to casually listen to other people's thoughts, so she rarely used this ability.

Of course.

At Rod's request, she could reluctantly make an exception this time.

Then, with Desia blushing, Rhodes said to Kusera, "I'm leaving tonight. I can't let Desia be bothered anymore."

The voice just fell.

Kusera, who had been somewhat skeptical, immediately fell silent and, like Desia, looked at Rhodes in astonishment.

"Here, this is my method."

Rhodes spread his hands: "It's just that it's really impolite to read other people's thoughts so casually. Otherwise, I could tell what you're thinking anytime."

Such amazing ability.

Dixia certainly didn't believe it, and asked again, "Then what am I thinking right now?"

"You're thinking..."

Rhodes' expression suddenly turned strange as he finished speaking: "You were thinking that Rhodes was a bastard just now, but now you're thinking that Rhodes is a good person."

"They really do know."

Dixia was stunned, muttering to herself.

"so."

"I can't hide what Uncle Kucera is thinking from him at all."

"same."

“I will also use this method to identify the Ahmar’s Beard and the Tanit tribe.”

“Those who are truly repentant will be allowed to stay in the village and do hard labor to atone for the sins they committed back then. Of course, such atonement means they will not have freedom. For the rest of their lives, they will not be allowed to go anywhere except to do hard labor in Aru Village.”

"This matter is not negotiable."

“If there are still those who are stubborn and unrepentant, I will show no mercy if their thoughts reveal even the slightest abnormality.”

Rod turned to Kucera and grinned, "Uncle Kucera won't tell anyone about my ability, will he?"

Rhodes emphasized the last few words, making Kusela's heart skip a beat.

The threat in those words was too strong.

Kusela had no doubt that if she had leaked the secret, Rhodes would have given her a lesson she would never forget.

However, Rhodes was overthinking it.

If someone else had such terrifying abilities, Kucera might have released the information out of fear.

But who is Rhodes?

Divine messengers!

His ability might just be a gift from the Red King he spoke of, or some unknown deity.

And let's not even talk about that identity.

There's a high chance that Rod will become his son-in-law in the future.

There's no reason for a father-in-law to cheat his son-in-law!

Therefore, as soon as Rod finished speaking, Kucera immediately and solemnly promised that he would never reveal a single word about this matter.

that's it.

A reconciliation meeting between father and daughter ended after Rod revealed his ability to read minds.