"Next," Nahida continued after allowing the crowd some time to steady their emotions, "is the final matter."
The plaza, though still charged with fervor, had at least regained a measure of composure.
"This concerns the military, and the alliance."
"Now that Sumeru has joined the alliance, we enjoy its protection and benefits. Naturally, we must also contribute."
"The alliance shares common interests, and common enemies."
"To face those enemies and to develop our shared future, Sumeru requires sufficient manpower."
She paused briefly before delivering the key point.
"I have decided to conduct a comprehensive review of the Eremites in the desert."
"Many among them are ordinary desert citizens who joined only to survive."
"Those who pass evaluation will be merged with the Corps of Thirty to form Sumeru's new unified army."
"From this day onward, they will defend Sumeru together, fighting side by side."
It was a decision that struck two targets at once.
First, Sumeru genuinely needed personnel. Desert restoration and dismantling the Wall of Samiel would require enormous manpower. If every able citizen devoted themselves to construction, who would represent Sumeru in Liyue? Who would explore the Minecraft world alongside the alliance?
Second, and more importantly,
The rift between rainforest and desert ran deep.
Even if Nahida's words had temporarily united them, she understood something crucial:
At present, they were united not by genuine reconciliation, but by shared interests.
Desert citizens longed for transformation.
Rainforest citizens sought glory in recreating the miracles of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
And the cure for Eleazar benefited all.
So yes, they were united.
But did they truly trust each other?
Nahida was not naïve.
Centuries of division could not vanish in a single morning.
Many rainforest citizens still looked down upon desert dwellers.
Many desert citizens still harbored resentment.
That kind of fracture was dangerous for a nation.
She did not know why Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had left the matter unresolved.
But she would not.
Desert and rainforest were both Sumeru.
And Sumeru should be one family.
The integration of their representative forces, the Eremites and the Corps of Thirty, would serve as the first bridge.
From there, increased cooperation.
Shared missions.
Gradual trust.
This would be a long-term effort.
The unified army would be its foundation.
Ryen and the others immediately understood her intention.
Even if he did not personally involve himself in Teyvat's politics, he had observed Ningguang, Jean, and others long enough to recognize statecraft at work.
He smiled with quiet pride.
"My Nahida is starting to look like a mature Archon."
Keqing nodded from afar, scanning the crowd.
The division was visible even now.
Desert citizens clustered together.
Rainforest citizens did the same.
Occasional mingling, rare.
"It's a strong regional bias," Kujou Sara murmured, reminded faintly of Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island's past tensions.
Sumeru's divide, however, ran deeper.
Some expressions carried not mere prejudice, but lingering hatred.
Fortunately, Nahida had chosen the perfect moment.
Ningguang spoke softly:
"Her prestige is at its peak. Desert restoration and curing Eleazar concern everyone's core interests."
"Today, no one will dare object."
"And even if dissent exists, it will not surface now."
"Once the Akademiya moves swiftly to shape public sentiment, Alhaitham has more than enough methods to guide integration."
"Time will handle the rest."
As predicted, not a single voice opposed the decision.
Today, if Nahida declared the sun square, Sumeru would amend its astronomy.
But Nahida was not finished.
Momentum alone was insufficient.
Now came the binding of interests.
She continued decisively:
"Once the new army completes integration, part of it will remain to defend Sumeru, participate in desert restoration, and dismantle the Wall."
"The other part will station in Liyue under alliance directives."
"Due to certain considerations, I cannot yet disclose details."
"But I can tell you this, "
"You may have the opportunity to become Sumeru's Dragon Riders."
"And in the future, even more elite divisions may be formed."
"Mastering extraordinary power is no exaggeration."
The reaction was immediate.
Both the Eremites and the Corps of Thirty felt their blood surge.
They still remembered when the Dragon Riders of Mondstadt descended upon Sumeru, majestic, unstoppable.
If desert restoration and curing Eleazar were real,
Then Dragon Riders were not fantasy.
The two factions exchanged glances.
This time, not hostile.
But competitive.
Excited.
Unified.
Nahida exhaled quietly.
The interest binding was complete.
The rest would unfold gradually through shared service.
She had no intention of erasing desert identity.
Nor of turning all desert into rainforest.
The desert and rainforest were both Sumeru's essence.
Her goal was balance:
Larger oases.
Sustainable life.
Preserved culture.
Mutual respect.
Unity without homogenization.
That was her vision.
She glanced subtly at Alhaitham.
He gave the faintest nod.
The administrative machinery would take over from here.
Ningguang had taught her well:
A ruler sets direction.
Others execute.
Excessive micromanagement creates only another overworked Keqing.
Authority must remain centralized.
Execution must be delegated.
Thanks to a week of intensive instruction from Ningguang and Raiden Ei, Nahida now understood this principle clearly.
She might not yet rival Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's mastery,
But she had something the former Archon did not:
Ryen.
The alliance.
Four seasoned rulers as her advisory council.
She was not alone.
Satisfied, Nahida smiled gently.
"For now, that concludes what I wished to share."
"Please enjoy the rest of the Sabzeruz Festival."
"Details of all arrangements will be released through the Akasha."
"Every citizen may review them, and supervise the Akademiya."
"You have the right to a better life."
"And the responsibility to safeguard it."
"To prevent another Azar from emerging, governance must be transparent."
"We will encourage and elevate one another."
She spread her hands, her smile pure and bright.
"Then, "
"In the name of the Lesser Lord Kusanali, "
"I wish you all a joyful Sabzeruz Festival."
For a brief heartbeat, silence filled the plaza.
Then the roar erupted as one.
"Lady Nahida!"
"Happy Birthday!"