The Martial Unity

The treasure of the Solaris Kingdom.

Rui had learned about it in his research into the Solaris Kingdom.

The very moment he did, he knew that he wanted a part of it. His entire act thus far was all to get his hands on the treasure. In reality, he couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what the Martial Artists of the Solaris Kingdom thought of him. Queen Lianiala hadn’t missed his sharp U-turn on the matter, recognizing his intentions. “You are more crafty than your profile suggests, Prince Rui.”

Rui shrugged. “I haven’t the faintest idea what you speak of, dear Queen.”

Both Amare and Queen Lianiala gazed at him with a dubious expression.

“…Regardless, I’m glad that you have changed your mind,” she continued. “I am willing to impart you with the national treasure of the Solaris Kingdom, the Blood of Solaris himself, in exchange for your services.”

Rui’s eyes lit up with delight.

The Blood of Solaris.

Every year, at sharp noon on the hottest day of the Summer Solstice, the Solaris Kingdom engaged in a ritual worship of the glory of the Sun. It was said that if the Sun God Solaris was pleased by the ritual, he would offer a few drops of his godly blood to his descendants.

It was said that anybody who consumed even a drop of his blood would be able to draw power from the Sun, replenishing their stamina and empowering their Martial Body. In other words, it was an esoteric substance that induced genetic changes in one’s genome, inducing a physiological trait similar to photosynthesis.

What stunned Rui for the most was the fact that all of this information was accurate. As nonsensical as it sounded, the Blood of Solaris was truly real, and it was able to do exactly what the legends stated.

So much so that other nations were willing to bleed a lot just to get their hands on a drop of the esoteric substance.

When Rui learned about this, he was determined to get his hands on a drop of it in exchange for his services. The insults and disrespect were just an excuse to force the queen to offer it to him. “Great, let’s get started immediately.” Rui grew enthusiastic. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” she replied. “I am indeed able to give it to you right this moment, but the fact of the matter is that it will be difficult to impart your services to our people.”

Rui directed a knowing gaze at her. “Because they regard me as cursed?”

She nodded, heaving a sigh. “It is truly unfortunate that your hair and eyes are black; we could have avoided this problem entirely if not for that.”

Rui scoffed. “I don’t mean to be rude, but that is not the only problem with your nation. If I’m not wrong, your people are having difficulty accepting the Estoerist’s solution, isn’t that right?”

She regarded him with a grim expression. “You are correct. We have had difficulty with integrating MECHAs into our Martial Art community. However, that is still not as bad as the virulent backlash that your arrival to our nation has caused. Many have even advocated beheading you, although that will never happen, rest assured.”

Rui snorted. “Because the color black is banned?”

She nodded. “I had to use my royal power to give you special authorization, and this has angered our people even more.”

“No wonder I didn’t feel particularly safe in this nation.” Rui narrowed his eyes. “Do not worry,” she reassured him. “The Golden Guardian will protect you at all times, he is the most powerful Sage after me. Your safety is guaranteed, but that does not solve the main issue at hand.”

“…You mean convincing your Martial Artists to accept my services? It does seem like a tall task, but I’m afraid that it is not my problem,” Rui shrugged. “I will offer my services for whoever is willing to accept them in this nation.”

“I’m afraid I cannot give you the Blood of Solaris until you have imparted your powerful Hellbringer model to all our Masters and broken through as many Martial Artists as you are able to.” She shook her head. “We will have to convince them to accept your services.”

“‘We’?” Rui scoffed. “Like I said, Your Sagehood, this is not my problem.”

She gazed at him with a pointed expression. “Are you willing to miss out on the opportunity of obtaining the Blood of Solaris? Without your services, we will be unable to participate in your father’s plan, reducing his mandate and making many other nations less inclined to participate. If the Gen Temple finds out that we are not participating, they too will be less inclined to participate as the quasi-Transcendent beasts and monsters that emerge from the Beast Domain coming after us will also harm the Gen Temple.”

“No…” Amare’s expression grew complicated as her eyes bore on Rui.

In turn, he found himself glaring at the queen.

Unfortunately, she was right. The greater the number of nations who weren’t inclined to take part in the unified Sage task force, the less willing the remaining nations were. That was why he had gone to such lengths in the Republic of Gorteau to ensure he got at least twelve of their fifteen Sages to partake in the task force.

“Frankly, this nation does not deserve my services.”

The queen narrowed her eyes at his sharp words.

“But…” He shook his head. “Your rationale is compelling.”

Her expression softened. “I’m pleased that you are able to see reason.”

“It is not I who was unable in the first place,” he scoffed. “It is your people who are being unreasonable. I don’t know how you expect me to convince your people that I’m not cursed when they have been brainwashed to believe that pure black is cursed.”

“There is a way,” her tone was firm. “The same way that I became queen.”

Rui’s eyes lit up. “You mean…?”

A small smile cracked at the edge of her golden lips. “How good is your light bending?”

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