"A compromise."
A flicker of hope instantly flashed in Havria's eyes.
"Right. Something that doesn't require you to join the Lord of Geo's forces, yet still allows you to receive a certain degree of his protection in a way."
Lin Mo continued, "The price is this: once your territory is stabilized, you must provide a monthly supply of salt to Guili Assembly without interruption. How about it?"
"No problem!"
Havria clenched her fists excitedly. What a great deal!
"What... what is the method?"
"Have you heard of... the Guizhong Ballista?" Lin Mo asked tentatively.
"The Guizhong Ballista..."
Havria's gaze shifted slightly.
She had, of course, heard of this weapon of war.
Guizhong, whose combat power was as weak as her own, had managed to shine brilliantly in the Archon War precisely by utilizing the Guizhong Ballista.
It wasn't just Guizhong.
Recently, it was said that a batch of Guizhong Ballistas had appeared that could even be operated by adepti, and they could also inflict heavy damage on powerful gods.
It could be said that the Guizhong Ballista was the strongest weapon of war to appear during the Archon War era, bar none.
With such a weapon for deterrence...
Ordinary gods probably wouldn't dare to come disturb her in her territory anymore, right?
Thinking that she might never lose territory again, Havria couldn't help the joy in her eyes as she asked, "You... are willing to make a Guizhong Ballista for me?"
"Well..."
Lin Mo's expression turned troubled.
"It's... not possible?"
A hint of disappointment couldn't help but surface in Havria's eyes.
If it wasn't possible, why give her hope in the first place?
"It's not that it's impossible, it's that it's unnecessary."
Lin Mo said with a smile, "Because the original, first-generation Guizhong Ballista that Guizhong used before has been abandoned. I can just ask for it directly and place it on your territory. It will serve its purpose as a deterrent."
Hearing this,
Havria's downcast eyes turned to delight again, and she quickly bowed to Lin Mo. "Wandering Free and Unfettered True Lord, thank you."
From that day on,
Lin Mo seemed to become the link connecting Sal Terrae and Guili Assembly.
Every month,
Lin Mo would come to Sal Terrae to ensure Havria's followers delivered the salt to Guili Assembly on time.
Therefore, every month, Lin Mo would visit Havria's palace, sit with her, and chat.
For example, in the eighteenth month since they met.
"Salt Goddess, how have you been this month?" Lin Mo walked into Havria's palace with a smile.
"Lin Mo~ We agreed you wouldn't call me Salt Goddess. Just call me by my name~"
Havria said gently,
while bringing out various delicacies preserved in salt, placing them before Lin Mo.
Then, she also brought out two pots of Osmanthus Wine, their rich fragrance wafting through the air.
Seeing her well-prepared state, it was as if she had long anticipated Lin Mo's visit today.
As she arranged the utensils, Havria said, "Speaking of which... a god did come to my territory this month."
"Huh? And then?"
Lin Mo immediately grew somewhat alert.
Havria carefully poured a cup of wine for Lin Mo while speaking softly:
"He... seemed to be a general under some defeated god."
"I heard from my followers that he even disguised himself as a traveler to gather information about this place."
"It seems because of the Guizhong Ballista, and because you come to see me every month... this god assumed I had a close relationship with the Lord of Geo, and he never showed up again..."
As she said this,
Havria slowly raised the fine wine in her hand and said gently to Lin Mo, "This cup is my toast to you. If not for you... I'm afraid... I would have lost my last territory by now?"
"It's good that you're safe."
Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief.
Fine wine, beautiful company, and delicious food—it was quite an enjoyable experience.
After several rounds of drinks,
Havria, who couldn't hold her liquor well, gently rested her head on Lin Mo's shoulder.
Lin Mo gently stroked her milky-white hair and said with concern, "Your alcohol tolerance isn't great. In the future, you can just have tea instead of wine."
"Thank you..."
"Hmm?"
Lin Mo couldn't help but make a soft sound of inquiry.
"These years... I've been so tired..."
"If you hadn't appeared... I... I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to hold on..."
As she spoke,
Havria nestled into Lin Mo's embrace.
Lin Mo did not respond.
He simply gently stroked her back, letting her tears dampen his clothes.
Putting himself in her shoes,
Indeed, Havria had had a very difficult time these past years.
For her followers, she had given too much and lost too much.
This made Lin Mo feel a surge of pity for this gentle god.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, you and your territory will be fine."
Lin Mo pledged earnestly, "If any god is foolish enough to invade your land, I will definitely bring the Lord of Geo and all the adepti of Liyue to fight them off."
Havria nodded gently and whispered:
"I've heard... the war is about to end..."
"After this, no god should trouble me anymore..."
"As long as you can come see me every month, like you do now... that's enough."
From then on, every month, Lin Mo kept his promise, coming to Sal Terrae to spend time with the lonely, gentle Havria.
Each time, Havria would prepare a lavish feast and fine wine in advance.
Thinking back on it now,
Through a hundred cycles of reincarnation, the most comfortable and understanding confidante he had ever gotten along with was probably Havria, whose nurturing, wifely qualities were off the charts, wasn't it?
But... the ending of the story did not seem to be a happy one.
On this day,
Lin Mo heard some unpleasant gossip in Guili Assembly.
So, he went to Havria's palace in Sal Terrae ahead of schedule.
"Lin Mo!?"
Havria exclaimed in surprise. "How come... you're visiting me today?"
Lin Mo frowned and said, "I heard some... not very good talk in Guili Assembly, so I wanted to come see you."
"Talk? What talk?" Havria asked instinctively.
Lin Mo stared seriously into Havria's eyes and asked coldly:
"Havria, your followers..."
"Do they truly worship you, or do they worship the desires in their own hearts?"
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T/N:
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