The Martial Unity

Rui had to admit that he didn’t expect that the Martial Pontifex would take objection to his claim to the title of Antithesis due to some annoying theological technicalities. He didn’t even know that he technically didn’t even have authority over the Martial Sages by virtue of simply being the Antithesis until he was in the ‘divine state’ that the Martial Pontifex.

In other words, the Martial Sages were following him entirely due to religious fervor and no actual directive. They could refuse to follow him even if they thought he was their sacred Lord Virodhabhasa.

That was annoying.

Especially so since the Martial Pontifex hadn’t objected to the Solution of Harmony in the Human Summit, Rui had assumed that he was on his side. He hadn’t expected the man would end up forming the greatest impediment due to some theological bullshit.

Thankfully, he offered Rui a condition.

One that Rui wasn’t sure if he would be able to fulfill or not. He simply had no idea what to expect or how to strategize for such a meeting. He had been half-tempted to refuse such a meeting due to the risks associated with it.

However, ultimately, he had accepted.

“I will go after I have recovered to my peak, however.”

Not only had he fought an extensive battle, he had also proceeded to impart the Hellbringer model one after upon the Martial Masters and Martial Sages, before also conducting breakthroughs.

His Realms of power had been active for quite some time now.

Of course, with the Blood of Solaris, it was not particularly hampering at all, but he didn’t want to take any chances. The meeting was extremely important and he wanted to ensure that he was at his peak.

“Understandable,” the Martial Pontifex easily relented. “You may go whenever you please. Until then, you can remain here as our honored guest. For now, this event is completed.”

He departed swiftly, sky-walking away with a swift gait.

Rui turned back to the other Sages who had gathered before him, heaving a sigh. “You may go, return to your duties as Cardinals of this nation.”

“Understood, Your Divinity.”

WHOOSH

In the blink of an eye, all the Sages disappeared from the battlefield to adhere to his command.

Meanwhile, the Martial Masters also slowly departed with many directing a reverent and pious gaze at Rui.

Thankfully, they didn’t come swarming him either, getting his message to leave him alone.

And yet, of them, two of them still decided to make their way to him, kneeling before him. “It’s been a long time, Your Divinity.”

“We weren’t certain back then, but we are now.”

Rui’s eyes lit up with recognition. “You two… Master Carian and Master Greminga.”

“You have truly grown so much in the past twenty years.”

“I look forward to the heights you will reach from here on out.”

Rui recalled the two proctors of some of the rounds of his time in the Virodhabhasa Theocracy.

“Please stand up,” he heaved a sigh. “It has been a long time indeed, Masters.”

The two of them had gotten visibly older since he last visited the Virodhabhasa Theocracy. Twenty years was not a small amount of time even for Martial Artists, after all. A hint of regret emerged in their eyes as they beheld his current self with respect and admiration.

“…Had we known back then, we would have put more effort into protecting you from Master Uma back then.”

They had been entrusted to keep her away from Rui while he was in the nation, after all. They should kept an eye on her for longer and ensured that she remained even after Rui and Master Deivon had departed from the Virodhabhasa Theocracy.

Rui felt regret about Master Deivon.

He had yet to interrogate Sage Sariawar and find out the truth, even if he had all but figured it out. Even if she was responsible for his death, he couldn’t kill her because he needed her. Human civilization needed every Sage it had on hand. “The past is the past, Masters,” Rui’s tone was soft. “Let’s focus on the future. Not too far into the future, you will be entrusted with the protection of Virodhabhasa Theocracy. When the time comes, you will be expected to rise and will the core of the protection of the Virodhabhasa Theocracy.”

“Understood, Your Divinity. We will train ourselves and ensure that we are at our absolute peak to fulfill this duty when the time comes.”

Rui nodded. “Good. Then, for now, I will take my departure here and get some rest. It was good meeting the two of you after so long.”

And thus, he departed from the battle arena after bidding them goodbye back to his assigned quarters with a tired sigh.

“Good fight. Good win.”

Amare’s cheery voice congratulated him. “Thank you.” He smiled wryly at her. “It didn’t go quite as expected and things did get more complicated, but at least I managed to gather most of the Sages under my banner. That should count for something.”

“You don’t seem well,” she murmured, brushing her shoulder against his.

Rui heaved a sigh. “I just didn’t expect this tour to be this tiring, I suppose. In the Human Summit, all nations except three were mostly in informal agreement. And even those three, my father managed to convince. So I expected a relatively eventless tour around the world. Maybe even something enjoyable.”

And yet, Rui learned firsthand why verbal agreements were absolutely meaningless. There was a reason things were written in formal and official treaties and ratified into law. It was precisely because verbal promises in politics were to be taken with a grain of salt.

Rui had not expected this journey to be so difficult.

“I’m just tired. Even though there are six nations left to go. I truly hope that the other nations will not be as much of a mess as the past three have been.”

She nodded empathetically, holding his hand as the two of them slowly walked back to their quarters with interlocked fingers.

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