The Martial Unity

In the Royal Office of the Kandrian Empire, Emperor Rael found himself seated at his table with a straightened back and steepled fingers, gazing at a projector before him. His golden hair was perfectly groomed, as was his skin and attire, reflecting the importance of the meeting that was about to commence.

BZZZT

The projector came to life, projecting the three-dimensional image of the Shinken Patriarch. The dark eyes of the patriarch met with the powerful gaze of the Emperor of Harmony. “Patriarch Shinken,” the Emperor of Harmony began with a formal tone. “I am pleased that you are able to make this meeting despite the chaos that the Sekigahara Confederate is currently drowned in.”

“…We would not be here if it weren’t for your intervention, Emperor Rael Di Kandria,” the patriarch remarked with a lowered tone. “I am here to honor my promise… as long as I am able to clarify some details.”

Emperor Rael raised an eyebrow. “I believe that you promised me everything. Do you… intend to violate your word? I believe I have told you before, I have a recording of your promise and ample political justification to trample over Sekigahara with my many Martial Masters.”

“…Yes, you are able to easily overwhelm the deeply weakened and wounded Sekigahara Confederate as it is now,” the Shinken Patriarch did not deny the irrefutable truth. “However… I know your modus operandi, Emperor Rael. You believe in the principles of Harmony. You do not wish to levy war in general, but certainly not in the Era of Darkness when humanity must stand united against the beasts and monsters that seek to destroy us.”

Emperor Rael simply gazed at him with his powerful golden eyes, not denying the man’s statement. “Additionally, no matter how powerful your political justification is, it simply does not look good for the Kandrian Empire to essentially bully a ravaged and wounded nation when it is at its weakest,” the Shinken Patriarch remarked knowingly. “From the outside, it will look as though the Kandrian Empire is an opportunistic predator that is just waiting for its allies to suffer before pouncing on them maliciously.”

The Emperor of Harmony remained silent, simply gazing at the Shinken Patriarch with a calm expression that did not betray his thoughts and emotions.

“…I believe you do not wish to cultivate such an image for the Kandrian Empire after all the effort you hear put into cultivating the image of a benevolent leader of humanity. It will disrupt trust and impede collaboration,” the Shinken Patriarch continued. “I believe you would rather engage in a peaceful takeover of the Sekigahara Confederate than a violent one, would you not?”

The air grew tense.

The atmosphere tingled with a faint hint of peril as the two leaders stared at each other in silence.

“…They call me the Emperor of Harmony,” Emperor Rael began, “but I have always felt that that title is boxing. In reality, I simply adapt harmony because inclusive political and economic institutions and geopolitical relations is objectively the most superior path to prosperity and flourishing. However…”

His golden eyes sharpened.

“That does not mean that I mindlessly choose harmony over all other avenues at all times.”

The Shinken Patriarch gulped nervously.

“If the situation demands a non-harmonious approach, then I haven’t the slightest problem adopting one,” Emperor Rael continued. “I would rather not have to adopt one in this situation for the reasons that you have listed, however…”

His tone grew intense.

“Do not test my patience, Patriarch of the Shinken Clan.”

The Patriarch stiffened. “…I do not intend to betray my word. My only priority is my people. I have accepted submission to the Kandrian Empire because I believe it will minimize the suffering that my people go through. I have simply come here to verify that. I have but one and only one question for you…”

His expression grew a little stronger.

“Just what is your intention with the people of the Sekigahara Confederate?” He clenched his fist. “I don’t care what you do to the state. To the polity. But I do care about what you do to our people. If your intentions are to exploit and harm them, then…”

His tone grew more intense.

“Then I will violate my word and fight you to the last breath.”

The eyes of the Emperor of Harmony lit up with a faint hint of approval. “You have changed.”

The Patriarch remained silent as he gazed at the Emperor.

“I only wish you were this man during the war,” Emperor Rael heaved a sigh. “But I suppose the seventeen years of suffering that followed from the war is what had caused to change. Regardless, it is a welcome change to speak to a leader who cares about his people rather than one who only cares for his pride and ego. The answer to your question, however, can be summed up in one word.”

The Emperor of Harmony raised one finger. “Reform.”

The Patriarch’s eyes lit up.

That was far better than he had expected.

“I do not intend to squeeze the Sekigahara Confederate dry for the sake of the Kandrian Empire aside from the Tree of Healings,” the Emperor of Harmony remarked. “That national treasure will be treated as payment for what is to come. However, for the rest of the Sekigahara Confederate, I will reform the nation down to its very root and replace your existing martialocratic martial supremastic system of a monarchic confederacy with a democratic republic.”

The Patriarch shook where he sat. “What…?!”

And yet, the Emperor of Harmony was on a roll.

“I will set up powerful, inclusive political and economic institutions with powerful enforcement and perfect incentive structures to promote growth and productivity to lead to a civilization that is more fundamentally stable with rock-solid foundations,” Emperor Rael continued. “At most, I will somehow integrate the existing clans and a family system into a democratic power structure. I will dismantle your asinine perspectives on war and aggression and promote a less dogmatic political philosophy, among other things. By the time I’m done with Sekigahara…”

Emperor Rael narrowed his eyes.

“It will be beyond recognition.”

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