The Martial Unity

Chapter 3569: Expression of Gratitude

Rui enjoyed the time he spent together with Fae and Kane after having been gone from the Kandrian Empire for more than a year. He was also happy to finally meet his godson for the first time.

It gave him a sense of responsibility that he had never had before to any person. Not even Max or Mana had ever made him feel as protective of them as the little baby boy did. It also made him feel even older than he ever had before, seeing Kane and Fae’s baby child.

In some ways, that had made more progress in life than he had, even if he measured progress differently and had other goals in life. He didn’t think he was going to start a family anytime soon, but as far as he was concerned, Runark was family to him. He would do everything in his power to protect the lad as if he were his own son.

The four of them spoke with each other for several hours, catching up with each other. Kane and Fae listened to Amare’s and Rui’s recounting of their adventures in Genora, in the Hlakaschken Trade Empire, and in the Continent of Kiriket.

”Sentient giant trees even bigger and more powerful than the Elder Tree?” Kane’s eyes widened with shock. ”Really?!”

”Yep.” Rui grinned. ”The largest among them makes the Elder Tree look like a sapling. However, Mother of Nature was in East Genora with the light elves. She is not to be trifled with. She almost one-shotted the entire giant army with her own personal power; it’s an absurdly impressive feat that I don’t think I could replicate.”

Then again, Mother Maeria was operating within Genora, which explained just why she was so strong and powerful.

”Damn...” Kane shook his head. ”These stories are crazy. They make me want to visit the true world one of these days. But...”

He shook his head, gazing at his son. ”...I can’t afford to. Perhaps, after Runark grows up. We’ll have plenty of time to go together to visit the entire world, assuming things have calmed down.”

”You can definitely visit Genora and perhaps Kiriket,” Rui replied. ”These are allies, especially the dark elves of West Genora. Kiriket is slowly being taken over by a friendly ally who’s working with us. The other continents are too dangerous for now.”

Kane nodded. ”What’s the situation like at the bottom of the Great Void Ocean? Do you think there’s a chance that I’ll be deployed?”

”Probably not.” Rui shook his head. ”You don’t have any experience or background in aquatic combat, which means that you’ll likely just be a liability in the ocean. My father is not eager to deploy Martial Sages to their death in an environment that they have no training or experience with.”

Kane heaved a sigh of relief, gazing at his waddling son in Fae’s arms with a smile of delight. ”Did you hear that, Runark? I’m not going anywhere after all.”

The boy seemed delighted, babbling boisterously at the great news.

Kane turned back to Rui. ”When are you going back to the Great Void Ocean?”

”Soon,” Rui replied. ”They need me to hold the fort so that we can be dominant in our takeover of as many resources in the ocean. I have some things I need to do before then in preparation, but once I’m done, I’ll be spending at least half, if not more, in case of emergencies, there in the depths of the ocean.”

”Oof, that sounds rough, but then again, for you it must be heavenly,” Kane mused knowingly. ”Since you get to fight many tough pathwalkers. In that regard, the Unfolding in general was perfect for you.”

Rui nodded. ”There are many powerful pathwalkers who are stronger than I could have imagined possible and push me to new heights. I would have probably stagnated a lot due to a lack of pressure if I had remained within the Panama Manifold. In hindsight, it was a truly suffocating time. I’m personally happy that the manifold unfolded.”

”Hah.” Kane shook his head. ”That sounds more like the Rui I know.”

”What do you think is the prospect of our survival in the long term against the threats represented by the Evolutionary Army and the Imperial Tekvorian Federation?” Fae asked with a curious expression. ”My connections have allowed me to learn that the former is due for an evolutionary leap that will elevate their population by an entire Realm of power. Is that really true?”

Rui nodded. ”Yes, but don’t be disheartened. We have something similar on our side with the blood children, even if it is to a much lesser extent. We also have other assets and trump cards that can work in our favor. All in all, I think human civilization should emerge largely fine, even if it will be a really tough struggle to resist all these forces. We are also not alone; my father is forging new alliances with various polities in the world that have relented and decided to pursue peace with human civilization.”

”Neither I nor Rui will allow anybody to inflict harm upon our continent, you can be sure of that,” Amare smiled at them.

Their words were reassuring, especially since it seemed like both of them were dedicated to gaining more power, holding off from starting a family that would have sapped their time and energy.

Kane, in particular, never doubted Rui’s ability to protect the continent. Still, he was always concerned that the flames of war would touch his son. Thankfully, Rui had already reassured them of the conflict going to space and to the stars well outside of Gaia.

”That’s really good to hear.” Kane heaved a deep sigh of relief. ”I’m glad we have you two. Thank you for everything, seriously.”

Fae nodded. ”I can’t imagine where we would be without you. Our entire civilization owes you a debt that cannot be repaid. If we survive and thrive in all that is to come, it will be thanks to you more than anybody else.”