Genshin Impact: Rise of the Desert

People say that the village's guardians and the tribe's chieftains received the Red King's blessing when they received the weapons offered by their ancestors.

Only Candice herself knew that she had never truly felt Ahmar's blessings.

"The Guardians have never received divine favor"—this is a secret passed down among the Guardians. Only when a new Guardian takes up the shield and officially assumes office will he be told the truth.

The informed "guardians" reacted in different ways. Some became despondent and even stopped practicing their martial arts. Others believed that since they were not being watched, they did not need to follow the rules, so they acted recklessly and even disregarded the law.

But Candice was not discouraged. Her gun and shield were not wielded to beg for divine favor. Whether or not she received divine blessing, her duty as a 'guardian' remained unchanged.

There are quite a few villages like Aru Village that have partnered with the rainforest, but Aru Village is the most powerful one. If Kawan Post is the official trading post between the desert and the rainforest, then villages like Aru Village are the "black market."

This is where you'll find items that the Council explicitly forbids from being sold to the desert people, such as books, canned knowledge, newspapers, and fine salt...

The centuries of slaughter by Candice's ancestors left only Candice as the sole survivor of the Golden Warriors in Aru Village, as even the Gilded Warriors were all wiped out. However, in return, Aru Village has been free from war for a century.

Candice has been the guardian since she was eight years old. She took up the weapon that had been passed down through generations and fought alone against the dark monsters in the sandstorm, beheading those with evil intentions.

The prolonged killings left Candice mentally exhausted, so he often sought out books.

Books are often less captivating than the stories that unfold around us. When Lord Dolly, accompanied by the Moscow cavalry, secured a week's protection with three thousand catties of fine salt, Candice heard their tale.

The story is not complicated. Simply put, these people offended Sino, and their leader fainted after exchanging a few blows with Sino.

Moreover, these gilded caravans were fanatical about their leaders.

Candice was very curious about what kind of person could tame the "Gilded Warrior," who was more cunning than a jackal, stronger than a hunting hound, and more unruly than a sand fox.

So, out of curiosity, Candice went to Ivan's place every day.

Candice didn't think much of it when Ivan was unconscious. But when Ivan regained consciousness and spoke those cautionary words to the girl like a hymn, Candice realized she was in love.

Candice had an impulse to tell Seno, "I've got this guy under my wing. I'll make trouble for him and kill you." She had the power to do so.

It's one thing if Cyno dies, but what about the Rainforest people who are behind him?

The village is supposedly cooperating with the rainforest, but in reality, it has become a vassal of the rainforest and a disgrace to the desert.

For the sake of the villagers, Candice cannot do this.

However, it would be acceptable to let him meet with Sino.

...........................

In the past two days, Seno has followed the rules of Aru Village and has not resorted to violence. In fact, he has kidnapped many treasure-hunting groups.

While the treasure-hunting group was notorious elsewhere in Teyvat, they were highly sought after in the desert.

He can farm, he knows feng shui, he can do alchemy... he's a damn technician!

Esen was even willing to exchange two thousand sheep for these technicians.

But Seno didn't give it to them; these were criminals! Outlaws trying to rob the disciplinary officer!

Today, as usual, Seno came to the village chief's room to negotiate with the people of the Moscow tribe.

The village chief of Aru Village, Timur of Hezhong, Yesen Choros, and Seno were all the people in the room.

The village chief of Aru Village was an elderly man, but the scars on his body and his still-growing muscles told of his former bravery. However, when facing Seno, the old man repeatedly bowed to him, even though Seno had not asked him to.

Dolly didn't come because she hadn't revealed her identity, and Kawanaka and Ye Xian both looked very serious.

During the two days that Ivan was in a coma, they had been negotiating with Seno.

The negotiation process was simple.

Seno demanded that Ivan be handed over first, then berated the river, demanded that all the members of the Moscow tribe surrender, and then told lame jokes.

Esen refused to hand over Ivan to the river, then berated Seno, refused to surrender, and listened to Seno tell lame jokes.

The village chief of Aru Village kept trying to persuade both sides not to fight.

When Ivan and Candice arrived at the door, they had clearly entered the final stage.

"Yesian, I think you must usually respect the elderly and care for the young."

"how you said that?"

"Because of Yesen (Grandpa)."

"Wouldn't He Zhong usually agree to his tribe's requests very readily?"

"How did you know?"

"Because in the river (drink! drink!)."

When Ivan and Candice pushed open the door, the village chief of Aru was stopping He Zhong, who was looking menacing, from drawing his scimitar.

Seeing Ivan walk in, He Zhong quickly and cheerfully put his scimitar back into its sheath: "Hey, boss, you're awake! Lord Seno was telling us some corny jokes earlier, they were hilarious."

Esen rolled his eyes. So it wasn't you who was about to draw your sword just now?

Seemingly to verify what He Zhong said, Seno immediately said to Candice, "I am very sorry for your brother's passing."

Candice was taken aback: "Which brother?"

"It's a joke, Candice (watch your brother die)."

Seeing Candice's deep, unfathomable expression, Seno knew he had gone too far with his joke.

Facing He Zhong and Esen, two men who had schemed against and insulted him, Seno naturally unleashed a torrent of lame jokes directed at their relatives. Seeing Candice, momentarily stunned, he cracked a joke.

He found it funny, but Candice didn't seem to think so.

With a wave of her hand, Candice conjured a magnificent spear in her grasp.

The spear was pointed directly at Seno: "Seno, Magokla 1!"

Sino is still injured, and even if he recovers, he will probably face a tough battle against Candice.

He wanted to apologize to appease Candice's anger, but Seno remembered the rules of Makgora. If he refused, he feared that his efficiency in arresting criminals in other villages would be greatly reduced due to the locals' contempt.

At this moment, Ivan spoke up: "Sino, words spoken are like blood spilled and cannot be taken back. Many people have paid the price for carelessness, and you are no exception."

After thinking for a moment, Seno nodded and walked out first.

At this moment, Candice leaned close to Ivan's ear and whispered, "Bartle 2 of the Desert, hurry up and leave now, I'll hold him off."

..................................................

1. Makgora, meaning "glorious duel" in an ancient desert language.

The original rule of Makgora was to fight to the death, but it was changed under the decree of the wise Hermanubis to fight without killing anyone. However, this change can be abandoned if both parties agree.

2. Bater, pronounced Bater, with an "er" sound. In ancient desert languages, it means hero, and many people also use this name directly.