Rahman looked at Nahida with expectation in his eyes. Scratching his head, he spoke somewhat cautiously.
"A few days ago, when we were dealing with the false god project, I saw the reinforcements Miss Lumine brought from Mondstadt. I saw those Dragon Riders."
"These past days in Sumeru City, I've also gathered information from passing merchant caravans."
"Light infantry. Heavy cavalry. Firearms units. These are the new military branches formed by the Four-Nation Alliance."
"Once Lesser Lord Kusanali regains control of Sumeru… I want to know how you intend to treat the Eremites."
"Will we be treated as ordinary Sumeru soldiers? Will we be given a fair chance to become part of these powerful forces?"
Nahida lowered her gaze and fell into thought.
Rahman held his breath, watching her closely.
After a long pause, she spoke gently.
"The reputation of the Eremites in Sumeru has never been particularly good. Many among them have engaged in activities no different from treasure hoarders."
"Of course, we cannot condemn everyone together. Some Eremites have committed wrongdoings, but others act with principle and restraint."
"The same applies to the Corps of Thirty. Some soldiers are loyal and resolute. Others are complacent, even corrupt."
"But from my perspective, there is no fundamental difference between the Eremites and the Corps of Thirty."
"They are both armed forces of Sumeru."
"In the future exploration of the new world, Sumeru will need many hands. We will require the strength of both sides."
"However, how we evaluate and reorganize members of the Corps and the Eremites, that will be the key issue."
She looked directly at Rahman.
"Even if you are confident in yourself, even if you have never wronged Sumeru's people, "
"How can you guarantee that all your subordinates are the same?"
Rahman fell silent.
He wanted to nod.
But he could not.
As leader of one of the desert's strongest Eremite groups, he knew the truth.
Perhaps not seventy or eighty percent, but at least half of the Eremites had, at some point, done work indistinguishable from banditry.
True mercenary work existed, but not everyone could secure honorable contracts.
The desert was vast. Its people numerous. Everyone struggled to survive.
That struggle was understandable.
But understandable did not mean acceptable.
Some had harmed Sumeru's citizens.
And that reality could not be ignored.
The deeper issue was not merely crime.
It was division.
Generations of Sages had exacerbated the rift between rainforest and desert, fueled by differences in faith.
After Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's passing five hundred years ago, the Sages intensified the separation.
Desert people were deemed unworthy of knowledge.
Military presence was strengthened.
Travel was restricted.
A family had been turned into enemies.
Even with Nahida's desire to unite both sides, reconciliation would not happen overnight.
Forcing it would only deepen resentment.
The best method, just as discussed earlier, was dismantling the Wall of Samiel and fostering cooperation through shared development.
The same logic applied not only to civilians, but also to the Eremites and the Corps of Thirty.
Rahman finally spoke.
"Most Eremites are not evil at heart. They only wanted to survive."
"I understand their hardship."
Nahida shook her head gently.
"And I am willing to give them an opportunity."
"In three months, survival in the desert will no longer be a concern."
"In six months, vast oases will form, enabling self-sufficiency."
"In one year, desert living standards will approach those of the rainforest."
"I guarantee this as Sumeru's Archon."
"But in return, the Eremites must cease all wrongdoing."
"If, in the past, they stole or looted simply to survive, I am willing to grant them one chance."
"If no lives were lost, they may offer restitution and seek forgiveness."
"But if their crimes were severe, if any citizen died at their hands, no justification will be tolerated."
She turned to Cyno calmly.
"The Corps of Thirty will undergo the same scrutiny. Those who are complacent, corrupt, or unmotivated will be removed."
"We need elite forces. Forces with conviction."
Cyno nodded.
"I will oversee the investigation and purge."
Nahida looked back at Rahman.
"What is your decision?"
Rahman understood.
She wanted a commitment.
After a moment's thought, he answered decisively.
"I know many Eremite leaders. I will inform them personally."
"We will begin self-cleansing. General Mahamatra Cyno may supervise."
Nahida's eyes curved into a satisfied smile.
"After purification and certification, the Eremites will become part of Sumeru's official military forces."
"You will compete on equal terms with the Corps of Thirty."
There was risk in this decision.
But no one in the room was concerned.
Even after self-cleansing and Cyno's oversight, recruits would undergo secondary review.
If assigned to the Minecraft world, they would face further scrutiny by Alhaitham, Yelan, and alliance forces.
There would be no room for trouble.
Sumeru required manpower.
The Corps of Thirty alone could not suffice.
One thousand must remain in Sumeru City.
Others must guard Port Ormos.
That left barely over a thousand deployable.
Not nearly enough.
The Eremites, numerous, battle-hardened, experienced, were the natural solution.
From their ranks, selecting two to three thousand qualified soldiers would be easy.
After filtering out the unsuitable, two thousand capable recruits would remain without difficulty.
The Eremites were many.
And they were, above all, Sumeru's people.
Nahida chose to trust them.
"As you've heard," she continued, "heavy cavalry, firearms units, Dragon Riders, these are directions for Sumeru's military reform."
"I promise equal opportunity."
"But loyalty to Sumeru is the prerequisite."
Rahman slapped his chest.
"That's acceptable!"
"If I argue further, I'd just look unreasonable."
"We'll begin cleansing immediately after the Sabzeruz Festival."
Nahida nodded.
"Once reorganized, both forces will form the Sumeru New Army."
"You may retain the name 'Eremites,' but when called upon, you will serve as Sumeru's military."
Rahman agreed without hesitation.
Most Eremites felt little attachment to the label anyway.
They joined for survival.
In the desert, a lone wolf died quickly.
Strength lay in unity.
"Good," Nahida said softly.
"Selection for elite units, including Dragon Riders, will be conducted through open competition."
"Merit alone will decide."
Rahman grinned broadly.
"We Eremites fear no competition."
"We fight nature every day."
"Frankly, those comfortable Corps soldiers, how could they compete with us?"
It was not arrogance.
It was fact.
The Corps handled routine disputes and occasional monster patrols.
Often, they even hired Eremites to take the lead.
Meanwhile, the Eremites fought:
Against sandstorms.
Against monsters.
Against rival factions.
Against the elements themselves.
They survived on the edge of blades.
Rahman's men could easily defeat three Corps soldiers apiece.
Nahida regarded him quietly.
Her steady gaze unsettled him.
After a long pause, she spoke softly.
"I heard that when confronting the Corps of Thirty, you mocked them."
"You told them… that in the future, they should sit at the children's table during meals?"