The Martial Unity

Rui and Amare departed from the dwarven market once they had explored it thoroughly. Even Rui had to admit that their crafts and weapons were of an entirely different caliber from anything else that he had ever seen. The capacity to forge weapons that were so powerful and effective was proof that they had much to offer to human civilization and to Martial Artists. Rui could see the birth of a new partnership just based on this mutual interest.

“They can also offer us MECHAs, given that their warriors wield something akin to it,” Rui told her. “I can imagine just how powerful our MECHA warriors would grow with the combined expertise of our own engineers and their brilliance as craftsmen and blacksmiths. If not for my father, I’d want to run over to the Bournvyrne Empire and get them to be our friends, and not our foes.”

“Didn’t they attack us when they first invaded our land?” Amare raised an eyebrow. “They not only picked a fight with us, but they also tried stealing our resources while we were being attacked on all fronts. Are you sure you want to ally with people like that?”

“The thing about them attacking us while we are being attacked on all fronts, don’t take that personally, it was about testing the waters,” Rui remarked. “It sucks, but this is how the world is. The only thing that matters is power. Power is the foundation of respect. And they wouldn’t respect us if not for our power.”

The initial invasion into the Panama Continent was simply to gauge whether the people who claimed to have ownership over their land could actually protect their land from invasions beyond. If they didn’t have the power to protect their land, then the true world didn’t have any obligation to respect their ownership claims. When human civilization pushed back against the invasion and sent them out of their land, they were merely proving that they weren’t soft and had passed the initial test of recognition.

“…I know.” She heaved a sigh. “It’s just unfortunate that we have to be friendly with people who would have devoured us alive without hesitation if we were weaker. This is why I love the dark elves. They were friendly with us from the very start and didn’t try to abuse us.”

“The dark elves are true allies,” Rui admitted. “It is very rare for me to say this for an ally that we just formed months ago, but it is true. However, we need more allies and the dwarves are probably my dad’s number one target. We have dwarven hostages who we have treated quite well, considering that they were invading our land. I’m sure my father is using them to broker a deal with the Bournvyrne Empire. From what I understand, dwarves are not violent by nature, nor do they require violence for their Path. Unlike Martial Artists who need to fight, the dwarven path, much like the Nature Path, is a path of peace.”

“Do you intend to visit the dwarven empire?” Amare asked with a curious expression.

“Eventually.”

“That sounds fun, I can’t wait to go there and purchase some nice dwarven crafts. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have money.”

She threw a side-eye at Rui, who simply smiled wryly.

“I’ll have to figure something out regarding that.” He shook his head. “Well, for now, let’s just tour the port city and enjoy the new sights.”

It had been hours since they reached the Hlakaschken Trade Empire, and the evening Sun had turned the sky auburn. The intensity of the bustle had reduced as the most active part of the day had passed, making for a more peaceful atmosphere in the port city.

The two of them walked together hand in hand as they meandered through the alleys of the port city, weaving through less populated parts of the city, parts that many would regard as dangerous.

“…We’re surrounded,” Rui remarked in a low tone.

He could sense a large number of people gathering around them atop buildings and in lanes adjacent to the alley that they were in, waiting on both the front and the back. He could also sense their malice and hostility with his mind sense; they didn’t have any good intentions in mind.

“I wonder if it’s because that dwarf lady spoke out loud about us being Martial Artists,” Amare wondered aloud in a soft tone. “She was trying to warn us about this, but instead her words directly led to this.”

“Let’s just skywalk away,” Rui heaved a sigh.

“No, why don’t we stay and allow them to attack?” Amare’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “I haven’t experienced a single mugging as Amare, you know? It used to happen all the time back when I traveled the continent spreading Martial Art.”

“You want to get attacked?”

“Well, it’s not like they can do anything to us.”

“…”

“Pretty please?”

Rui heaved an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. “You’re too mu—”

WHOOSH

They jumped out of hiding, leaping towards Rui and Amare ferociously, comprising a variety of pathwalkers of different paths, including the therianthropes, evolutionaries, and tekvores. They were armed with weapons, something that Rui hadn’t expected, blasting Rui with a variety of energy rifles and canons.

BANG BANG BANG!

Rui guarded with a breathing technique amplifying his defense as the plasma blasts slammed into his defenses.

In that moment, the attackers surrounded Rui.

“Get him!”

In one fell swoop, they surged in, launching a variety of attacks that would have undoubtedly killed him where he stood.

If not for the fact that he was simply out of their league.

BANG!!!

With a single spiraling kick, Rui knocked out all of them smoothly before charging at the remaining attackers who followed up, emerging from the shadows.

“Don’t move, or the girl dies!”

He paused at those words, turning around slowly.

Amare quivered with a fearful expression while a giant furry wolf-man put his claws to her neck.

She played the part of a damsel in distress with perfection.