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

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 177 The Consciousness Space of the Great Compassion Tree King 186.

Chapter 177 The Consciousness Space of the Great Compassion Tree King

Aru Village self-governance.

This was actually something that Rhodes had discussed with Narcida before leaving Sumeru.

The Red King's followers harbored immense malice towards the Grass God.

So much so that if they weren't shown the message left by the ancient Red King priest, they wouldn't accept that the Red King and the Grass God were originally friends.

Even some people who see that message might not believe it's true.

Don’t say anything else.

Just look at that phrase, "a lackey of the grass god."

Rhodes has heard this countless times since he revealed his identity as the Red King's messenger.

Since there's no way to ease the tension, let's just make Aru Village, which is close to the Grass God, a legitimate and compliant gathering place for Red King believers. Let time and reality defeat these people's fanatical faith, just like how Candice and Uncle Amp slapped the faces of the village's old folks with reality.

Although the Church did not originally prohibit the desert people from worshipping the Red King or the Flower Goddess.

However, it is an undeniable fact that those who believe in the Red King and the Flower Goddess do not receive fair treatment in the rainforest.

Moreover, the centuries-long operation of the Church of Christ has led to a rift between the two sides that is now so severe that it is almost impossible to resolve.

For example, when Luo De returned to Aru Village, he saw someone openly insulting the desert people on the bulletin board of Kawan Post Station. Naxi Da's official business also received a large number of requests from various parts of the rainforest every day, suggesting that the control of the desert people should be strengthened.

In addition, some desert dwellers, especially mercenaries who were used to being bandits, did indeed go too far.

They were indeed taking advantage of the lifting of border restrictions at Kawan Station to rampage and plunder throughout the rainforest, then quickly fleeing back to the desert after committing a few heist, forcing the Order to send a large number of people to maintain order.

Fortunately, Rhodes had foreseen this would happen before he went to Mondstadt.

So he gave Nasita a suggestion.

That is to let Aru Village, which also occupies a strategic pass, enforce the Red King's laws.

Didn't you disagree with the Grass God?

Then I will directly judge you mad dog-like followers of the Red King in the name of the Red King.

However, Nasita did not immediately agree to this matter, but considered it for a long time.

She didn't agree until Rod returned and brought it up again.

The desert and rainforest are divided into autonomous zones. Everyone is part of the Sumeru territory under the rule of the Grass God. Taxes remain the same, nominally the same. The benefits of the rainforest zone are shared by the desert zone. At the same time, the rainforest zone completely relinquishes its governance of the desert, handing over all authority to Aru Village for integration and management, including the power of life and death.

to be frank.

A country is not entirely governed by its own gods.

This would be a really explosive thing in Teyvat.

But in Rhodes's view...

This is very much in line with the current state of affairs in Xumi, where there is a serious division and mutual hostility.

With the military deterrence of Aru Village, things like the Relics of the God-King are unlikely to exist in the desert anymore. When it comes to maintaining order, Aru Village, which has been working hard in the desert for many years, is much more professional than the lazy and good-for-nothing thirty-person group of the Order Academy.

As for these desert mercenaries blocking the road at the village entrance...

Rod didn't care whether they were misled by the legacy of the God-King.

Didn't you want to seek an explanation from the Crimson King's messenger?

Now the explanation is here.

I have secured a piece of land for the desert that can belong entirely to the followers of the Red King. Since you all believe in the Red King so much, then stay and farm the land.

The mercenaries were naturally unwilling to accept this sudden and forced invitation.

But it didn't work.

Given the current strength of Aru Village, unless they choose not to fight, no matter how many of these rabble there are, they can't do anything about it.

Of course.

It's impossible to bring them all back to the village.

While Aru Village possesses formidable military strength, it still lacks sufficient manpower. Facing the horde of mercenaries fleeing into the desert, it is simply unrealistic to expect to bring them all back.

But it doesn't matter.

These escapees are the best messengers; they will spread the news that Aru Village has become the Red King's autonomous territory as quickly as possible.

It's not enough for just the mercenary community to know about this.

After Candice gathered all the captured people into the village, Rhodes and she went together to find the eaglets that had joined the guard ranks.

The young eagles are still led by Tadra.

They, who both hail from the Tanit tribe, address each other as brothers and sisters.

On weekdays, they are just like any other orphans in the village. They go to school during the day and return to the village's orphanage at night. Sometimes they will go to Rod's house to ask Adbay or Farusan for tutoring.

According to the rules of Aru Village.

The village will cover all living expenses for the children in the orphanage until they reach adulthood.

But the eaglets felt it wasn't right to eat and drink for free.

So after some discussion, the young eagles, led by Tadella, found Candice and were determined to join the guard team, so that they could contribute to the village while learning.

These years in the Tanit tribe.

The only thing they learned was how to kill.

Although Rod hoped they could let go of the past and start a new life.

Kotadra and the others said that in order to protect this new life, they were willing to pick up their knives again.

finally.

Candice was persuaded.

This is why Rhodes saw Tadra standing guard at the entrance of Aru Village when he returned there.

Don't underestimate Tadella and the others just because they are young.

The falconry training they underwent from childhood was a genuine method of training warriors passed down from the descendants of the Blazing Sun.

Furthermore, Candice did not seize Tanit's Evil Spirit weapons, but returned them all to them.

This also makes the young falcons far more powerful than most of the adults in the village.

Rhodes and Candice have now found Tardella for one thing.

"The news of establishing Aru Village as an autonomous territory was sent to the desert tribes."

As he spoke, Rhodes handed over the specially made void terminal that had always been with him to Tardra, and temporarily transferred the right to use it to her.

"This is the creation of the Little Lucky Grass King."

"With it, you will receive an early warning no matter what danger you encounter, and you will also be protected by the Grass God when you encounter danger that you cannot avoid."

This is a protective measure that Rhodes gave to the eaglets.

With this, Tadra and her group can travel freely in the desert, not only in small desert tribes, but also in those perilous ancient ruins, ensuring their safety.

"Yes, Rode."

Tadella hesitated for a moment, then changed her address to: "Mr. Rhodes."

"Just call me teacher."

Rhodes saw through Tardella's thoughts and said with a smile, "Didn't you want to be my disciple before? What's there to be so coy about? Just call me teacher."

"Um--"

Tadella pursed her lips, nodded heavily, and called out again, "Rhodes, teacher."

"Why are you crying?"

Seeing tears welling up in Tadella's eyes, Rhodes patted her on the shoulder.

After enjoying good food and drink in Aru Village, Tadella grew very quickly and before she knew it, she had reached the height of an adult, no longer suitable for being patted on the head for encouragement as before.

"Remember, you're representing Aru Village to those tribes this time. Don't disgrace Aru Village. Fight if you need to fight, kill if you need to kill, and let them know our stance."

As soon as Rhodes finished speaking, Candice immediately followed up.

Then she took out the Red King's emblem from Aru Village, the same one she had given to Rhodes before.

This is the symbol of the Red King's lineage.

It's not just about recognizing their identity, but also about Aru Village's military deterrence against outsiders.

At the same time, she handed Tadra a document.

This is a letter of surrender to the desert tribes that she drafted overnight.

Anyway, that's what Rod calls him.

Candice didn't understand what the letter of surrender meant, but she followed his instructions and wrote down the name.

This letter of surrender details the benefits that Aru Village will provide to the tribe members, as well as various matters that the tribe members need to pay attention to after accepting Aru Village's jurisdiction.

It also had to be handed over to those tribal people through Tadra and the others.

As for whether they will agree to this form of appeasement.

Again.

In the desert, faith can bow to reality.

For most people, the choice between a life of going hungry for three days and a life with meat at every meal is clear: unless they are fanatical believers, they can easily distinguish which is what they truly need.

Besides the letter of surrender that Tadla sent to the desert tribes.

Desia's side also mobilized.

Her target is the mercenary group in the desert.