The Martial Unity

To say that it was a radical suggestion was an understatement.

Rui understood that it was a truly extreme suggestion.

It would have been extreme even if not for a Beast Incursion raging through the nation. The apocalypse meant that no nation in their right mind, not even a Sage-level powerhouse, would even dream of holding something like a Master-level tournament with a prize.

It was ludicrous.

“…Our Masters are not simply endlessly free with all the time in the world,” Queen Lianiala narrowed eyes. “They’re burdened with many tasks, including manning the defense line and protecting the Solaris Kingdom from the Beast Incursion.”

Rui smiled. “I’m sure the Sages can temporarily take over their burden for one shift. As for their other preoccupations. Are you really telling me that they won’t put them aside for a chance to win the Blood of Solaris?”

She gazed at him with a sharp gaze.

“Only when you get them willingly and enthusiastically participate in this contest will you be able to avoid facing their resentment and avoid accusations of supporting the outsider heretic, or whatever,” Rui explained. “Additionally, if you limit it to light bending, there will be many a Martial Master who will come away believing that they have a real chance at victory because I wouldn’t be able to use most of my Martial Art. Only when I defeat them in these conditions will I be able to earn their acknowledgment past their prejudice.”

She fell into thought into his suggestion. “Even if you were to agree to this ridiculous event, what makes you so confident that all Martial Artists and aspirants in the Solaris Kingdom will accept being broken through by you and gain your Hellbringer model?”

“Because the only thing stopping them right now is the notion that I’m cursed, then I just have to prove that I’m as auspicious by the standards of the Solaris Faith as anybody can be,” Rui explained. “As long as the Martial Artists of this nation have any self-respect, they won’t make a fuss about losing fair and square in a battle that they willingly joined.”

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that it was perhaps the only way to swiftly undo the stigma against him as long as he won.

All other methods of slowly trying to reach this goal would take too much time and were likely to be met with fierce opposition.

The longer he stayed in this nation, the more danger he was in.

Queen Lianiala heaved a sigh.

“Fine, I have decided to accept your proposal. However, if you lose, then you will still be obligated to contribute to the Solaris Kingdom regardless. I will not compensate you with a second drop of our Sun God, is that absolutely clear?”

Her tone was stern.

Rui shrugged. “That’s not a problem at all.”

“A free-for-all contest is much more difficult than any of other structures of contest I had imagined,” she stated. “You will experience an immense amount of pressure from our Martial Artists, who will do everything in their power to stop you even while they aim to be the last Master.”

Rui smirked. “It wouldn’t be fun if they didn’t.”

“Are you underestimating our Martial Masters, Void Prince?” her gaze intensified. “You are indeed extraordinary, but we are of the sol race. We are superior to other people, and the same is true for our Martial Masters. You are truly powerful, I admit, but don’t underestimate the descendants of the Sun God Solaris himself.”

Rui raised an eyebrow.

She had seemed quite reasonable thus far, but that was only relative to other Sages and Masters. Having been born and brought up in the endless propaganda within the Solaris Kingdom, she, too, harbored the belief that her people were superior.

Rui wanted to retort that if their people were superior, they would be the undisputed most powerful Sage-level powerhouse in the world. But he bit back the barb, letting it slide.

“Whether I’m not truly underestimating the Masters of this nation remains to be seen,” Rui replied with a light shrug. “Rest assured, I will keep my word as long as you keep yours.”

She nodded. “Then, we have an agreement. In return for the Blood of Solaris, you will have to successfully impart your services to your fullest to the Solaris Kingdom.”

Rui nodded. “Deal. I will need about a month to prepare, and I cannot be disturbed during that time. With a month, you should be able to organize the event more comfortably as well.”

She nodded with a hint of interest. “I must admit, I’m rather curious about how you’ll perform. I shall endeavor to be present for the contest to bear witness to your performance. I believe that you are underestimating the Martial Masters of our nation with this over-ambitious. Still, if you believe that you can do this, then I look forward to you proving as much.”

Rui nodded. “Keep that drop of blood ready for me.”

Soon enough, their meeting came to an end as Rui and Amare departed from the Royal Hall.

Outside, the Golden Guardian remained waiting for them.

“You… your words are starting to make more sense than they did the first time,” Rui remarked. “You’re in the same faction as the queen, aren’t you?”

The Martial Sage nodded curtly. “That is true, Prince Rui. I have already been made aware of the arrangements that you have come to have with Her Majesty. I will endeavor to ensure that you are safe during your stay in the Solaris Kingdom. I hope you are able to obtain victory, though I fear that you may have bitten off more than you can chew.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll just have to see,’ Rui remarked. “Take me to a training chamber. I need to get started on my preparations right away.”

“Then, follow me.”

While they headed off for a training chamber, Amare glanced at him with a hint of concern. “Can you truly win this? You’re not even a light bender, are you?”

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