The Martial Unity

“I also learned more about the dark elves,” Rui continued. “The Elder Tree described that they have flora lifeforms that are of a much greater power than even itself.”

An excited smile emerged on his face.

“I can’t wait to visit them and see what they’re capable of.”

Emperor Rael regarded him with a knowing gaze. “So you are already leaving, are you?”

Rui shrugged.

“Today. Maybe tomorrow. But yes, I will be leaving soon.”

“If you’re headed to the Genora Continent, then take the Ecologer with you,” Emperor Rael remarked. “She intends to visit the Genora Continent very soon. It would be good if the two of you go as a delegation.”

Rui frowned.

“I’m already going with Amare.”

Emperor Rael sharpened his eyes. “Why are you going with the Omni-Martial? There is nothing to be gained by taking her long.”

“Yes, there is,” Rui insisted.

His father frowned. “What can she possibly help you with if you take her along? She is very powerful, but she does not possess any skillset that is particularly useful to you in your journey across the true world.”

“Well, she makes me feel better,” Rui explained. “If she makes me feel better, then I can perform better. If I perform better, then all of human civilization will benefit. It’s a win-win, right?”

“…”

The three of them stared at him with dubious eyes.

“…I never took you for a lovesick fool, my detestable brother,” Princess Ranea snorted, shaking her head.

“Hahaha, now I really wish to meet this Amare,” Prince Raul smiled knowingly.

“Rui…” The Emperor’s tone was unamused.

“What?” Rui raised his hands in defense. “I’m not forcing her to come. She is coming of her own will. You can’t stop her even if you want to.”

He couldn’t prevent a small mischievous smile from cracking at the edge of his mouth.

“Don’t play the fool with me,” Emperor Rael’s rich voice was stern. “We need her here. We are still not at peace entirely. You never know what might happen.”

“You will be fine,” Rui waved him off. “You have two Transcendent Candidates and many World Bridges in total across human civilization. That’s more than enough.”

The Emperor of Harmony heaved a sigh. “It seems that I can’t convince you. Or her for that matter. Very well. But you must promise to return immediately if and when I insist on it. And you must use your prophecy to detect trouble for the Panama Continent ahead of time and return ahead of time rather than after, to ensure that you are here when we need you.”

“…Those are acceptable terms,” Rui nodded, pondering them. “The race to space has already begun, and I highly doubt any of them will divert any of their resources to launch a foolish attack, anyway. The tekvores have lost their leader and are likely too busy aggressively birthing as many offspring of Anthea as they can. They are not in a position to mount an attack of great magnitude any time soon. I highly doubt that the tekvores will mount an attack on their own, and the therianthropes, as I have learned, are not as united as one might think.”

“Your analysis is just barely sound, although contrived,” his father huffed. “Very well. I just hope taking Amare with you is worth this for you. Regardless, make sure that you try your best to befriend as many powers in the true world as you can when you depart. I will entrust that matter to you entirely. Your experience with diplomacy is rich, and you don’t need any guidance on the matter. Just make sure not to forget it.”

“I won’t,” Rui promised. “It is not the prime reason that I seek to travel the true world, but I will keep true to my duty.”

“Good.” Emperor Rael nodded. “Now, enough about the true world. Coming to more domestic matters…”

His golden eyes grew more serious.

“What do you think about the Blood Paths, as it has been called, that have developed in the hemosapien children?”

Rui knew that this would come up.

He heaved a sigh. “They’re unlike anything I have ever seen. I haven’t had the opportunity to study it in detail, but…”

He shared all the insights that he had gathered on the topic.

“I have resolved to create a new hybrid path that integrates the best of both worlds,” Rui continued. “It will be a long-term project that can’t apply to Arastia or the others, but to their offspring in the future. In order to do that, I will need to learn the rules of hybrid paths and how different Paths interact with one another. And there is no better place to learn this than in the true world where such interactions have been happening for thousands of years. So traveling the true world kills many stones at once.”

“Very well,” Emperor Rael nodded. “We must ensure that the Martial Path survives in some form or another. Not just to protect its advantages and the powerful foundation that it has, but also…”

His expression grew grave.

“…to prevent Martial Artists from revolting.”

The air grew heavy.

It was a nightmarish scenario, but it wasn’t impossible; far from it.

Martial Artists had revolted as a class twice in human history.

They did so when their collective interests were threatened.

“I have declared my protection of the Blood Children,” Rui replied with a thoughtful tone. “It will be made public soon. That should be enough to deter an all-out revolt and keep the children safe, but…”

He shook his head, heaving a sigh. “It will indeed be best to preserve the Martial Path as much as possible for this reason. Martial Artists are not the most rational people around. It might even be that not even my deterrence will be enough. In which case, it is simply best to minimize the cause for revolting. That is the project that I have decided to undertake.”

Emperor Rael nodded. “Then I hope you succeed. Martial Artists are still the most powerful force on this continent for now. If they want something to go their way, it is very difficult to stop them. Even with your power and influence.”