The Martial Unity

A shocked wave of murmurs spread across the crowd.

Many powerful authorities and Cardinal Sages watched as Rui issued his challenge to the three seeds.

It was perhaps not the most appropriate for this particular occasion that was meant to welcome the Dawnbringer to the Virodhabhasa Theocracy officially, but none of them interceded.

For one, he was the one who initiated the challenge.

Secondly, many of them approved of this measure.

The world needed Lord Virodhabhasa sooner than later, for they were inclined to believe that the Era of Darkness and the Beast Incursion was undoubtedly the great Apocalypse that the Transcendent Prophet spoke of. In other words, identifying and finding the Antithesis was a top priority.

And given that the Antithesis wouldn’t die before fulfilling his prophesized role, a death battle was a logical way to root out the Antithesis.

“You bastard…” the Worldfolder’s eyes blazed with wrath. “You dare disrespect me like this?!”

“It seems that you are eager to be killed, indeed,” the Mindbreaker directed a sinister smile towards him.

The Anti-Life didn’t offer even the slightest reaction towards his challenge.

He was entirely unmoved.

“There are easier ways to find out that you are not the Antithesis and that I alone am truly Lord Virodhabhasa, but…”

His lifeless voice reached Rui.

His deathly gaze sharpened.

“…but if this is the way you wish to realize this truth, then I shall oblige.”

His eyes never left Rui’s.

“I will baptize my divinity with your blood, fraud.”

Rui simply stared at him. “I presume that all three of you accept my challenge then?”

There was no doubt about that. “In that case, let me specify the terms and conditions of my challenge to you,” Rui replied. “The last man standing wins. Defeat can only occur with death or concession that one is not the Antithesis and will never be the Antithesis.”

The Worldfolder and Mindbreaker stirred at the second condition.

“I would much rather have killed you, but I suppose it will be more interesting to see you beg for mercy while you admit to the world that you are a fraud.”

“I don’t care for concessions,” the Worldfolder growled. “I will just crush all three of you.”

“…I accept your conditions.”

Rui nodded matter-of-factly. “Then, we will have the battle in exactly twenty-four hours, is that alright with you?”

The three of them hadn’t expected that not only would Rui be so proactive in seeking a battle with them, but that he would be so clearly eager for it. “I accept any conditions that you propose,” the Anti-Life turned around to leave the event. “Your death is certain regardless.”

The Worldfolder threw one last glare at Rui before departing while the Mindbreaker flashed him a look of soft bloodlust. His eyes narrowed as he spotted Sage Sariawar following the Anti-Life, smiling at him meaningfully before departing away with her chosen seed.

He had paid more attention to her than the seeds.

There was something about her that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Soon enough, all of them had departed, and the tense air de-escalated as the show was finally over. Rui was satisfied that he had gotten his little free-for-all battle with the three seeds, too, as soon as the very next day. He was glad because he didn’t want to spend even a single unnecessary day in the nation. He also resolved to absolutely not use Gigabrain no matter what, not just because it put him in a coma for far too long but also because he didn’t want to be rendered so helpless in the Virodhabhasa Theocracy of all nations.

He didn’t trust these religious crazies even in the slightest.

“Let’s return, Amare.”

“…Yes.”

He couldn’t be bothered with the rest of the event.

He simply offered a perfunctory apology and bade them farewell before heading away with Amare by his side and the seven Sages behind him. “Once I emerge victorious, let’s go to a nicer nation, Amare.” He heaved a sigh. “I just don’t gel with these fellows.”

He didn’t care if the Sages could hear him. “This nation does feel… off.”

He couldn’t agree more. Perhaps he was just being biased, but he felt better in the Solaris Kingdom.

“What do you plan to do now?” she asked with a curious tone. “Do you intend to impart the Hellbringer and breakthroughs before tomorrow?”

“No, I will save it for after the battle,” Rui replied. “It will serve as icing on top of the cake. And I don’t want to do it when the seeds are still being supported by their Martial Sages.”

It would have a much stronger impact after he defeated the seeds and emerged victorious and the last man standing. The Sages who used to support the seeds would have grown disillusioned with the candidate that they supported, and thus, Rui would be able to dazzle them to a much greater extent if he showed off his revolutionary gifts when they were more inclined to be open-minded.

Once he tricked them into thinking that he truly was the Antithesis, then he would immediately order all of them to partake in the Solution of Harmony. That was the most optimal outcome and, hopefully, what would happen. Rui would rather avoid complications so that he could minimize the amount of time that he spent in this nation.

“Until the battle tomorrow, I will just set myself to ensure that I’m at my absolute peak,” Rui remarked. “I don’t want to take any chances and grow arrogant in my power. I will meditate and ensure that I enter the zone and am entirely consumed by the battle alone and nothing else. It would be extremely embarrassing if I failed to secure the victory after making such a bold and brazen declaration, and more importantly, it would destroy any chances of the Virodhabhasa Theocracy partaking in the Solution of Harmony.”

And thus, the path ahead was determined.

Now, Rui only needed to ensure that he performed as well as he knew he could. –