The Martial Unity

Chapter 2717: Middle Ground

”Wait, what?” Rui raised an eyebrow. ”Really?” ”Genism is the path to self-realization,” she told him. ”We donʼt speak of ethics.”

”Oh, thatʼs great,” Rui smirked.

He could get away with more without earning Amareʼs disapproval.

She wasnʼt the most happy with his attitude, however.

She stared at him with uncharacteristically blank eyes, which, by her standards, was nothing short of a glare.

”Iʼm kidding,” Rui raised his hands. ”But Iʼm sure you understand why this is necessary. The Virodhabhasa Theocracy must participate in the Solution of Harmony, or everything we have done thus far will have been in vain. Not to mention, countless people will suffer.”

”But you donʼt have to kill them when they have done nothing wrong,” she insisted.

Rui understood that he wouldnʼt be able to convince her of the merit of his decision with rational debate.

This wasnʼt a logical issue in the first place.

It was an emotional issue.

He didnʼt think she would have had such a problem with it, considering he knew for a fact that she had killed before and didnʼt seem to have any problem with it. Then again, that had been in self-defense.

”Then… how about this,” Rui offered. ”I will add the option of surrender in the death battle that I will propose. Those who donʼt want to be killed can surrender away to safety. I will ensure that the terms for surrender include an implicit admission of unworthiness for being the Antithesis.”

Her eyes lit up. ”Thatʼs good! This way, you donʼt have to kill any innocent people.”

Rui heaved a sigh of relief as she beamed with approval.

Of course, it would have been more optimal if he simply killed them, but perhaps it was for the better. At the very least, he needed to humiliate all of them enough that no Sage would be able to bring themselves to side with said seed when he was done with them. Perhaps it would earn them his approval if he demonstrated his power without eliminating it. It was possible that these Sages had a deep emotional bond with their chosen Antithesis seed, which could impede the annexation of his side.

”Oh well, letʼs get some rest for now.”

He found himself lying next to Amare, who simply smiled warmly at him. ”I had a few faint memories visiting this place, but nothing particularly strong,” she informed him softly as she played with his hands. ”I wonder why…”

”Thatʼs because the Virodhabhasa Theocracy and Faith didnʼt exist in any form when the Martial was traveling the continent,” Rui replied as she interlocked hands with him. ”So, a lot of this culture must be completely new to you, even with your sealed memories. Considering that the Transcendent Prophet essentially founded this religion.”

She nodded. ”…It feels so strange that a faith was created so abruptly.”

”It definitely is inorganic and unnatural.”

Ruiʼs gaze grew serious as he fell into thought. This wasnʼt the first time that he had pondered about the nature of the Virodhabhasa Faith and its rapid rise in volume and spread.

However, back when he had first thought about the peculiarities of the religion, he had been a mere Squire. He had been far too weak and insignificant to be thinking about things that were so far beyond him that he would never have the chance of finding any answer.

Now, however, things had changed.

He was one of the most powerful figures in all of human civilization. He had wielded tremendous influence and both soft and hard power. He also had the Sage of Knowledge wrapped around his finger, stuck on a cliffhanger, desperate to gain Ruiʼs memories and knowledge.

Ruiʼs eyes sharpened. ʼShould I try contacting the Beggar Sageʼs vessel in this nation?ʼ

There was no doubt in his mind that the Beggar Sage had left a vessel in this nation as he had with all powerful noteworthy nations. He could potentially seek him out and learn the truth of the Virodhabhasa Faith.

He shook his head, deciding against it. ʼItʼs not relevant to my goals in this nation. Let me avoid drawing attention and simply focus on achieving what I came here for.ʼ

He could assuage his curiosity another time. For now, he needed to get himself in a battle where he could kill or render surrendered the three Master-level Antithesis seeds.

”Just to be clear, if they donʼt surrender, Iʼm going to kill them,” Rui clarified, gazing at her with a raised eyebrow. She fell into thought. ”…If they donʼt surrender, then it means that they are willing to die for what they are fighting. Nobody forced them into the battle, and nobody forced them not to surrender. Then, it means that they have accepted death.”

Rui smirked. ”Exactly.”

He was glad that she didnʼt take any issue with that. He couldnʼt compromise on this, after all. ”Do you have any plans on how youʼre going to approach this battle?” she asked with curious eyes. ”After all, you grow stronger the more you know about your opponent, donʼt you?”

Rui shook his head. ”That would ruin all the fun.”

He was already having a tough time finding someone who could challenge him in the Master Realm. Even peak Masters were starting to fall behind the level of power that he needed to push him to his limit.

He didnʼt want to fight Sages every time.

It sounded fun but also extremely dangerous. Not to mention, he usually slept for a very long time after and became an Adaptive Evolution machine and lost control.

”I have fought one of the three seeds that the Sages mentioned,” Amare told him with a thoughtful tone. ”Which one?” Rui raised an eyebrow.

Her expression darkened. ”The Anti-Life.”

Rui fell into thought as he considered the name.

The Sages hadnʼt uttered the name lightly, either.

”How strong is he?”

Her expression grew uncomfortable as she recalled the old battle.

”I felt closer to death than any other moment in my entire life.”

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