The Martial Unity

“You bastard.” The Beggar Sage growled. “After everything that I’ve done for you, you dare stab me in the back?!”

“I am not betraying you in any way. I never promised that I wouldn’t tell the others, I simply made a deal with the Divine Doctor to learn the truth, and I can do whatever with the information that I want.” Rui huffed lightly, shaking his head. “As for everything that you’ve done for me, it pales in comparison to what I have done for you.”

“I made you a god!”

“For your own personal interests,” Rui replied with a pointed tone. “You did it because you realized your base of power, the common people, needed a symbol of hope and salvation; otherwise, they would break, and you would lose your power. You chose me for that without my consent and deified me to the point that I can’t even have a normal conversation with the average person. And I accepted the burden without a complaint because I, too, understood that human civilization needed it. But that is me doing you a favor, not the other way around. There’s also the fact that I was worshipped as a god even before you pulled your deification trick, so it’s not something you get full credit for.”

The Beggar Sage gritted his teeth. “I won’t forget this, Rui Quarrier.”

BZZZT

His hologram disappeared, dropping out of the meeting.

The Psycher heaved a sigh. “He’s such a disagreeable man, still, I don’t blame him…”

He directed a pointed gaze at Rui. “It’s not fun to see someone steal our a millennium’s worth of effort in one fell swoop.”

Rui shrugged. “Coming back to the main point…”

He directed a sweeping gaze across the gathered immortal sages. “Join the Kandrian Empire, and you will have your immortality. The perfect immortality.”

The immortal sages directed a deep gaze at him.

Some still had tears in their eyes.

Others had broken expressions.

Some were furious.

Others were lost.

But even in their emotional states, they knew exactly what Rui was trying to do.

“…What does this entail?” The Scrier quietly asked. “What do you want us to do after joining the Kandrian Empire?”

He was one of the few people who had remained unfazed, but it appeared that even if he had been moved emotionally, he was unwilling to subject himself to the soul transfer ritual anymore.

“I want you to share and spread your knowledge among the academics. I want you to write books that contain that knowledge that I can control the distribution of,” Rui replied. “I want you to take up positions in academic institutions where you can teach and raise the brightest students from across Panama to join your field. I want you to take up research positions within the Kandrian Empire and commence projects that can benefit not just Kandria but also the entirety of the Panama Continent. Of course…”

He shrugged lightly. “It will vary from person to person, of course. Your contributions can be customized to your inclinations and your specialization. The Kandrian Empire already has a lot of experience with this model since we have harbored the Divine Doctor for a long time, and it has worked out very well. We can handle eccentric geniuses perfectly, so you will not be inconvenienced at any turn.”

“Not to mention,” he continued. “We have the best of the best facilities and resources. We have the best technology after the Esocline Federation, we have vast amounts of territory, some of which is soon to be redeveloped into the most modern and high-tech cities our civilization has ever seen. We have everything that any of you could possibly need. And…”

His eyes sharpened with determination. “You will have me for an Emperor.”

Those words bore down on the atmosphere with great weight as Rui divulged his intentions to take the throne. The immortal sages studied him with an evaluating expression and a hint of surprise.

“So you do… intend to become Emperor after all,” Chairman Bradt heaved a shaky breath, still shaken by the revelation that he was not who he thought he was and that Bradt Patrick was already dead. “The last time you told me that, you lied to me.”

“I know, I’m sorry for that,” Rui’s tone softened. “But this time, there is no deceit. It is the truth and the whole truth. I will announce my bid for the throne at my father’s funeral. And I will create a new regime in the Kandrian Empire, one that will elevate the Kandrian Empire to even greater heights of power and prosperity. For that…”

He beckoned them with an outstretched arm. “I need the best minds on the continent to join Kandria and spread their knowledge, breeding even greater human capital.”

When he paused, the atmosphere was dead silent.

And then, the first immortal sage fell.

“I accept your offer,” the Author remarked. “I look forward to joining the Kandrian Empire. I can enrich your literature and your literacy. Nothing spreads knowledge like literature!”

“I, too, wish to join the Kandrian Empire.” The Geonomer raised his hand. “I can hold an academic position at any institution you desire, as well as that of a researcher.”

“It’s tempting but…” The Astromind heaved a deep breath. “I can’t commit to joining the Kandrian Empire. It is not compatible with my current set of goals and ambitions. “I will remain in the Esocline Federation.”

“I accept.” The Beast Tamer acquiesced.

“Me too.” The Martialist raised a hand.

“I would like to achieve true immortality as well,” the Aquanaut volunteered.

Rui nodded with optimism as, one by one, they each accepted his offer. Of course, there were things that hadn’t been resolved, such as the nature of Rui’s immortality and what it looked like for them. But still, that was easy enough to clear up.

“I’m going to have to decline.” The Esoterist remarked with a grim tone. “I cannot join the Kandrian Empire for obvious reasons. Looks like I’m going to have to stack up on potions.”

“I will have to decline as well.” The Psycher heaved a deep breath. “This body is long-lived. I don’t need any interventions any time soon.”

“…I will have to decline as well,” the only elf in the room slowly squeezed out with a broken voice. “…This truth… has shattered me. But…”

She gazed at the dark skin of her elven body as her hand brushed her elven ears. “…Lifespan is of no concern to me anymore. Your offer conflicts with my way of life.”