Nahida, Lumine, and Paimon looked at Miyashiro with puzzled expressions, not quite understanding what he meant by 'betting'. They quietly waited for Miyashiro's explanation.
Miyashiro explained, "Since those sages of the Akademiya are opposed to Inazuma, there's no way I'd humble myself for a few old dogs, nor can I just obliterate the Akademiya over this matter.
Now that I know about the Akademiya's God Creation Project, things are much simpler. If the Akademiya's God Creation Project fails, I just need to make it public. The pressure of public opinion will be enough to force those sages to resign.
At that point, you can support Nahida's ascension and sign a normal diplomatic agreement with Inazuma. That way, it's good for you, good for me, good for everyone."
Paimon immediately raised a question: "What if the Akademiya's Project succeeds?"
Miyashiro sneered, but still patiently replied, "If the Akademiya's God Creation Project truly succeeds, then things will get interesting.
You now know what the Akademiya has been doing and have completely fallen out with them. The new god, led by the Akademiya, and the old god, led by Nahida, will inevitably clash in a divine war due to various conflicts of interest. All I need to do is reap the benefits.
After all, if your side defeats the new god, then those Akademiya sages who supported the new god will naturally be ousted, and my goal will be achieved.
Of course, if your side is defeated, then those sages supported by the new god will pay even less attention to Inazuma. For me, this attempt at establishing diplomatic relations can basically be declared a failure."
Nahida's expression turned extremely solemn upon hearing Miyashiro's words, and she sternly said, "You are using all of Sumeru as your betting chip."
Miyashiro retorted just as sharply, "No! I am merely telling you, the deity who is about to ascend, a truth: fall behind, and you will be beaten!
There's nothing wrong with valuing wisdom, but Sumeru hasn't used its wisdom to turn knowledge into a force to protect its nation. In this regard, the nation of Focalors, the Hydro Archon, Fontaine, has done much better than Sumeru."
Nahida remained silent. Lumine, sensing the tense atmosphere between the two, quickly stepped in to mediate, "Let's leave this matter for now, but I have a question. Given the current situation, the sages of the Akademiya hold all the power.
Nahida's body is also imprisoned in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, and most of Sumeru City's populace does not worship Lesser Lord Kusanali. The forces that can aid Nahida are probably few and far between. One could say our side is at a distinct disadvantage, so why would you choose to bet on us?"
Miyashiro was somewhat speechless at Lumine's way of changing the subject. "Could I possibly bet on the Akademiya's side? Those sages lack neither money nor people; they're practically looking down their noses at the Inazuma Delegation! Hmph! Bet on them, and they wouldn't even care about our bet!
As for you, while it's a terrible start, it's not without a chance of winning. Besides, I will also offer you some assistance, from helping you directly defeat that new god to running errands for you. Everything is negotiable, but after the matter is settled, Lesser Lord Kusanali will need to pay an additional price."
With Miyashiro having spoken to this extent, Nahida, Lumine, and Paimon all understood his meaning. You could consider Miyashiro a pragmatic ally, but the more help you sought from him, the greater the price you would have to pay later.
Paimon tentatively asked what price would be required for Miyashiro to directly defeat the new god. Miyashiro thought for a moment and decided that ceding Port Ormos of Sumeru to Inazuma would be a good choice.
These words immediately made the three present abandon that idea. It was simply too expensive, utterly unacceptable.
However, for Nahida now, if she gave up Miyashiro's help, relying solely on her own strength and the Traveler's support, shaking the great tree that was the Akademiya would be incredibly difficult.
After weighing the pros and cons, Nahida finally agreed, extending her small hand to Miyashiro: "Alright, for the people of Sumeru, I must stop the Akademiya's mad Project."
Miyashiro's hand clasped Nahida's small hand. And indeed, Nahida's small, soft hand felt excellent. She was already five hundred years old, wasn't she? This should fall into the category of a legal loli... Miyashiro noticed everyone's strange expressions, then deliberately coughed and quickly changed the subject: "Ahem! In that case, to show our sincerity, the following information and advice are free, you know."
Everyone was very interested in the free information and looked at Miyashiro with hopeful expressions, waiting for his intel.
Miyashiro: "A good way to fight is to unite the majority and strike at a small few. The Akademiya sages' idea of creating a new god is too radical. Therefore, not all scholars support this Project, nor do all sages agree with this matter.
Currently, Amurta School sage Naphis and Logic School sage Iskander have been imprisoned by the other four sages for several months due to their opposition to this Project. A portion of people in these two major schools, Amurta School and Logic School, have already noticed that something is amiss.
Lumine, Paimon, didn't you say before that your strength alone wasn't enough to overthrow the Akademiya? Then, your top priority is to unite all forces that can support you."
Paimon: "Oh, that's right! Speaking of Amurta School scholars, isn't Tighnari one? And his teacher seems to be Naphis. I heard him say before that his teacher participated in a secret Project of the Akademiya and even wanted Tighnari to join. If that's the case, to save his teacher, Tighnari would definitely be willing to join our team."
Lumine: "The Grand Bazaar in Sumeru City, most of the people there are followers of Lesser Lord Kusanali, and they have some prejudice against the Akademiya's actions. They are also a force."
With Miyashiro's lead, everyone began to ponder who else in Sumeru could be recruited.
As the god of Sumeru, although Nahida rarely left her abode, through the power of the Akasha Terminal, her consciousness was able to understand the current situation in Sumeru. If there was a place that was dissatisfied or even disgusted with the Akademiya's policies, then Aaru Village in the Desert would definitely be high on the list.
Paimon: "Aaru Village? What kind of place is that?"
Nahida: "Aaru Village is the largest village in the Desert region. In recent years, due to the Akademiya's deliberate actions, the Desertfolk have had an extremely difficult life. Furthermore, because of the pollution of Irminsul, scholars cultivating in Mawtiyima Forest, once their consciousness connects to Irminsul, will fall completely into madness.
The Akademiya believes that their delirious words would affect the minds of other scholars, so they uniformly exiled these mad scholars to Aaru Village."
Paimon put her hands on her hips and angrily said, "The Desertfolk haven't enjoyed any good policies, but bad things are thrown into the Desert region? This discrimination is too severe!"
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