Rahman led the largest mercenary group in the desert, and it was Aether himself who brought them as well.
Dixia had mentioned it the night before—Rahman's group was the biggest in the region, and their support would greatly boost their strength.
Unfortunately, Rahman had always been a devout believer in the Red King and believed the Great Compassionate Tree King was responsible for the Red King's demise.
But Aether knew the truth. He personally brought Rahman to the tomb of the high priest, where he revealed the true story. The Tree King was not their enemy, but their benefactor.
When Rahman learned the truth, he gathered his entire mercenary group and shared it. In honor of the Great Compassionate Tree King, they all pledged their loyalty to Nahida.
"Rahman, the main road is in your hands now. You're the strongest among us."
Rahman pounded his chest.
"Leave it to us! If anyone wants to lay a finger on the Little Auspicious Grass King, they'll have to step over our corpses first!"
He turned to his men, shouting, "Am I right, brothers?"
In perfect unison, the mercenaries roared, "Right!"
Aether gave a relieved nod. "Don't worry. I'll be there with you."
Rahman's face lit up with surprise. "That's great! With you on our side, I feel even more confident!"
Aether went on to assign defense zones to other mercenary groups as well. Every one of them agreed instantly. They had come here ready to die.
After all, they had finally found hope in the desert. They wouldn't let it be snatched away again.
Many of them had become mercenaries out of necessity, scraping by at the edge of life and death. They could handle that. But their children? They deserved better.
Even if it cost them their lives, they would protect Nahida and the sacred Tree.
That Tree, the Tree of Life, had already started changing the desert.
Aether had explained its properties to the people. With time, the oasis it created would expand and might even transform the entire desert into a forest.
From the Tree of Life's peak, Nahida looked down, a little dazed.
"Why are there so many people here?"
Dixia smiled warmly. "Lord Little Auspicious Grass King, they're all here to support you. To help you take down the Great Sage."
Nahida's face softened, and a smile broke through. Relief. Gratitude.
Kevin chimed in from nearby. "Hey, Nahida, want me to just go take that Great Sage out? I can do it."
Alhaitham interjected. "No. The Little Auspicious Grass King needs this war to establish her name and authority.
Killing Azar won't change anything. Without him, another will take his place. Nahida needs the people's support and to defeat them openly."
Kevin threw up his hands. "Geez, you guys make everything so complicated. I'd just cut 'em down."
March 7th nodded eagerly. "Yeah, same here. Just fight it out!"
Nahida giggled. "Thank you both. When the time comes and I need your help, I'll definitely call on you."
Kevin grinned. "Alright! We'll be hanging around Sumeru for now. Just shout if you need anything. I'll be there."
He turned to March 7th and Firefly.
"Hey, wanna go borrow a few pack animals from the mercenaries and race?"
March 7th's eyes lit up. "That sounds fun! Let's go!"
The three of them leapt from the Tree of Life and made their way to Rahman.
Kevin waved at Aether and Rahman.
"Hey! Can we borrow three of those pack animals? Just for some fun."
Aether gave Kevin a look.
"You guys ditched me yesterday, you know that? I ended up in a dozen Xumeran caves thanks to you!"
Kevin chuckled nervously. "Not my fault! Yuri told us to run, remember? We had no clue what was going on."
Aether sighed and turned to Rahman. "Let them borrow some. They're friends of the Little Auspicious Grass King."
Rahman nodded. "Of course! Anyone who stands with her is a friend of mine. I'll have someone show you."
"Thanks a lot!" Kevin bowed dramatically.
They each picked a beast and took off into the desert, sand swirling in their wake.
Kevin whipped the reins. "Giddy up! Faster, let's go!"
The animals galloped through the sands, huge and heavy, shaking the ground with each step.
They passed the Statue of The Seven and soon found themselves approaching Kawan Posthouse.
Kevin yanked his reins. "Whoa! We made it!"
But the entrance was blocked. A squad of thirty mercenaries stood firm.
"Halt!"
Kevin pulled to a stop. "What now?"
One of the guards stepped forward. "Kawan Posthouse is under martial law. No one from the desert gets in!"
Kevin raised an eyebrow and turned to the others. "Alright, we'll head back then."
That would've been fine—if he hadn't mentioned Aru Village.
"They're from Aru Village! Arrest them!"
Kevin blinked. "What?! Why?!"
He suddenly remembered what March 7th once said.
"We end up wanted everywhere we go."
Kevin sighed. "Guess it's that kind of day again."
He considered summoning the Judgment of Shamash—but decided against it. These guys were too weak, and frankly, it was overkill.
Instead, he hopped off his beast, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright then. Come on. All of you."
The mercenaries charged—and in ten seconds flat, they were all down.
Kevin dusted off his hands. "All done. March, Firefly, let's go."
Just as they turned, a voice called out.
"You're not going anywhere."
Kevin looked up. A boy wearing a dog-head hat stepped forward from the shadows.
The boy was the senior disciplinary officer, Seno.
Seno had originally come here tracking the trail of Elhaisen.
But as soon as he arrived, a message from the Council of Ordinances reached him: Aru Village had rebelled, and a large force of desert mercenaries was amassing there, preparing for war.
Compared to apprehending Elhaisen, Seno decided it would be more worthwhile to first eliminate this potential threat.
Kevin looked at Seno, noticed the dog-head hat perched comically on his head, and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! March, look at that guy! He's actually wearing a dog-head hat! Hahahaha!"
March 7th and Liuying stared in disbelief. Who still had this kind of aesthetic taste?
Seno's face flushed with anger.
"You'll pay for your words!"
With fury, Seno released his full strength and charged toward Kevin.
But Kevin casually blocked Seno's attack with one hand, gripping the Judgment of Shamash with ease.
With a gentle push, Kevin sent Seno stumbling backward. In a flash, Kevin appeared behind him and struck his neck with the flat of his blade.
"Heh ha! Take my dizzying knife technique!"
Seno collapsed, unconscious.
Kevin looked around to confirm no more enemies were nearby. He put away the Judgment of Shamash and jumped onto a pack beast.
Liuying crouched beside the unconscious officer.
"Let's take him back. He's pretty strong in Teyvat. Maybe Nashida can get something useful out of him."
Kevin nodded, found some rope, and securely tied Seno to the beast.
...
At the village chief's home in Aru Village, Seno was tied to a stool. Opposite him, Elhaisen sat calmly, flipping through a book.
The rustle of pages echoed quietly until Seno stirred awake.
Where am I?
Why am I here?
Elhaisen looked up and closed the book.
"You're awake."
Seno's eyes landed on him. "Elhaisen! Where is this place?"
"Aru Village. You were captured."
Seno's face darkened. "Are you part of the rebellion too?"
Elhaisen shook his head. "Rebellion? No. I'm restoring order."
Seno snorted, unconvinced.
Without a word, Elhaisen stood and untied him.
"Come. Walk with me. See the truth for yourself."
Seno followed, still wary.
But as soon as he stepped outside, he froze.
A towering tree rose above the village, its roots glowing faintly in the night. Pale-blue bioluminescent plants lit the entire area with a magical glow.
Beneath the great tree, villagers and mercenaries worked together, drawing water from a fresh spring, laughter and joy ringing through the streets.
The once barren landscape was now lush with greenery. Vines and flowers climbed over rooftops. The village had transformed from a dusty outpost into a vibrant sanctuary.
Under a makeshift shed, chefs ladled hot meals into bowls. Mercenaries lined up in orderly fashion, laughing and chatting. Six little Klee-like ones were in line too, each with their own tiny bowl.
The chef smiled warmly, recognizing them.
"Eat more meat, little ones! Grow up strong!"
No one behind them complained. They even encouraged the chef to give more.
Elhaisen looked up at the Tree of Life.
"That tree was planted by the Little Auspicious Grass King yesterday. It transformed Aru Village overnight.
These mercenaries have gathered here for two reasons—one of them is to protect this sacred tree."
Seno furrowed his brow.
"Protect it? Why would the Council destroy something so miraculous? They'll send scholars to study and preserve it, not ruin it."
Elhaisen gave him a piercing look.
"Did you hear me? I said the Little Auspicious Grass King planted it. The same Grass King who has been imprisoned by the great sage for years."
Seno's eyes widened.
The words of the great sage, the Council's orders, everything suddenly made twisted sense.
They imprisoned a god. And now, they were calling this a rebellion?
The traitors weren't in Aru Village. They were in the Council.
Elhaisen spoke gently but firmly.
"Take off the Void System. The great sage uses it to control you."
Seno hesitated, then removed it.
Elhaisen crushed the device underfoot.
"Now, you're free. Stay or go—but don't stand with the Ministry."
With that, Elhaisen left.
...
In Nashida's temporary office, the little Lanaros were gathered around her desk.
"Tree King! Here's your pen!"
These cheerful little guardians had been brought back by Aether yesterday, and now rarely left Nashida's side.
She smiled and took the pen. "Thank you."
The Lanaro twirled happily. "You're welcome~"
Only Aether could have brought them out. Anyone else, and they'd still be hiding in the woods.
At that moment, Kevin walked in.
"You were looking for me, Nashida?"
He paused as he saw the Lanaros.
"Ah, there you are! I was wondering where you little guys had gone."
Nashida nodded with a soft smile.
"Yes, I need a favor."
Kevin flopped into a seat opposite her, casually picking up a Lanaro and squishing it affectionately.
"What's up?"
"I need your help dealing with a mecha Azar's people built in secret. It's in Sumeru City, and I'm worried it'll hurt innocent people."
Kevin tilted his head. Just a fight?
"Sure. No big deal. March, Liuying, and I were actually about to check out the river valley. I heard there's a party down there."
Thanks to the Tree of Life, a river and waterfall now ran through the valley below Aru Village. Glowing plants lit the waterscape, and many villagers and mercenaries had gathered to enjoy the beauty.
Kevin had just finished dinner and was planning to join the fun.
Nashida nodded, grateful. "Thank you. I'll make sure you're well rewarded."
Kevin waved it off.
"Reward or no reward, it doesn't matter. We're friends. No need to be formal."
Kevin was greedy for money—but when it came to helping his friends, he wouldn't take a single Mora.