The Martial Unity

Rui could feel the sincerity radiating from his mind. “Your words are reassuring, Danes. I look forward to working with you to restore and raise this nation to even higher realms. As for you…”

He turned back to Prince Raul with a serious expression. “The Ministry of People will be tasked with conducting referendums, surveys, polls, and other things of the like to understand what the people think and feel about the economy, the nation, my regime, and myself. What are their needs? Their greatest woes and complaints. What could be done better? You will be tasked with sharing those with me in a public, open forum where people will be able to see how I respond and understand this is a regime for not just the richest stakeholders of our nation, but also our people. You will hold me accountable to the people in front of them.”

Secretary Claris and the Shepherd widened their eyes at those words. He had not told them about this radical plan.

Prince Raul’s expression grew stunned at those words. “You…”

“You are the perfect person to task with that role,” Rui remarked with a knowing tone. “You have entrenched yourself deep within the people. Your Kandrian Ruffians are of the people, by the people, and for the people. Through you, I will be able to create a better nation for the citizens of Kandria. That is why I seek that you become a part of my faction and government.”

Prince Raul’s light blue eyes bore deep into Rui’s. “…Why go so far?”

Rui heaved a sigh. “If I don’t go this far, then my regime is doomed to become tyrannical. It is difficult for me to convey how different I am from you as a lifeform and species. Human beings are closer to insects and bacteria than they are to me. That is how large the gap in the nature of our existences is. In all those years, I have lost my connection to the people, especially since I distance myself to avoid the attention, fawning, and worship. That is why I need an anchor that will keep in touch with the pulse of the people.”

He raised his hand, beckoning him. “Join me, Raul. I will make you immortal and eternally young. You may not like it because it taints nature or whatever, but that is selfish. Our people need you. I need you. And I know for a fact that you loved every second of my announcement.”

Prince Raul directed a knowing glance at Rui. “Many of the things you said sound awfully similar to the ideals I espoused to you all those years ago in the previous throne war.”

Law and order over Martial Artists and consequences for harm perpetrated by Martial Artists to the people were what he had advocated for.

Rui smiled, but didn’t deny it. “I told you back then that I agreed with it, but that it wasn’t possible. It was a pipe dream because nobody could subjugate the Martial World. But…”

He balled his hand into fists. “…Now, with my power, it is only a matter of effort.”

Prince Raul smiled at him with a sense of true admiration. “Never before have I seen someone as powerful as yourself use that power for such a selfless cause. Very well then, I will join you.”

Rui was actually doing it partly because he believed it would accelerate his growth, but he kept that part hidden. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. “Good, when I get some administrators and bureaucrats in my faction, we’ll flesh out the details of this new ministry. Until then, keep in touch.”

Rui spoke with several more guests, mostly domestic. The seafaring and maritime folks were cold because they had suffered the most from the destruction of East Kandria and had lost everything they had built. He promised them a complete subsidization of the costs of rebuilding, as well as several other powerful incentives that caused them to lighten up, even if they remained frosty. They nodded at him, bowing briefly, and then departed.

Rui also briefly spoke with the Kandrian Sages of the Martial Union.

Obviously, his vision violated the Martial Pact and the Martial Covenant, but even if they had a few misgivings, it was not that big a deal. The Martial Sages of Kandria were among the most reasonable and amenable, likely because of the fantastic relationship management of his father. It’s not like these Martial Artists ran around killing people and destroying property, so they didn’t have that much to lose in practice.

But a new arrangement would need to be worked out, and a new set of pacts and covenants would need to be ratified by the government and signed into the charter of the union.

It was the boring political stuff that both sides would leave to the experts.

After speaking briefly to those who sought a word with him, the funeral hall was fully departed by the time midnight rolled around, leaving them finally done with all their work.

“Great work, Claris,” he directed an acknowledging gaze at his secretary. “Go get some sleep. You have been swamped with work the entire time. When you get back, you will need to arrange a talk with Princess Ru to finalize that whole thing. The work is only just beginning.”

“…Thank you, Your Highness. It has been as fulfilling as exhausting. I look forward to serving you for years to come.”

“You did well, Rui.” The Shepherd slapped him on the shoulder playfully with an approving smile. “Now then, where’s my payment?”

Rui heaved a sigh as he used hypnosis to transfer some of the data of the lost city Angel of Laplace model, leaving her squealing with excitement and joy.

“I knew it!” she exclaimed. “I knew that there was some missing structure here. It all makes sense now! Teleport me back to the royal palace, I need to share this with the Scrier!”

WHOOSH

She was gone.

It was just Rui and Amare left in the hall. The darkness of the night sky set upon them, leaving them enjoying the silence after a long, long function. Rui heaved a deep, exhausted breath as he turned to the passage behind the stage that led to the Royal Grave, following it with Amare’s hand still holding his.

When they arrived at his father’s grave, he couldn’t help but grow solemn.

He knelt at the grave, placing his hand on the ground.

“…Rest in peace, father. I will right my wrongs by being an even greater Emperor than you were,” he swore a serious oath as his ethereal eyes sharpened with determination.

It was an oath he intended to live up to.