Published at 23rd of September 2024 12:42 pm

Chapter 2193 Did You Know?

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Rui's journey took longer than he had expected, but he didn't mind it. He realized that it was the first time he had traveled outside the Kandrian Empire on foot in a while. The last time he had done that was when he returned from the Beast Domain.

It was a good change of pace. It also gave him time to think about his visit to the Panamic Martial Federation and the fact that he was exiled from it. The most regrettable part of that was undoubtedly the fact that he would never be able to make use of the Federation's powerful training resources.

That was not something that he could pretend wasn't a big deal.

He suspected that there might come a day when he would come to regret the loss of his access to these resources.

"I better ensure that Father and the Martial Union develop all the training and growth resources that I'm missing out on with the flush of resources we will get when we win the war," Rui grumbled. Asking them to recreate all the Martial resources that he saw atop the headquarters of the Panamic Martial Federation was a pretty self-centered request, considering how incredibly taxing such an endeavor would be.

However, given everything he had already done for the Kandrian Empire, it was hardly unfair. It was only right that he be compensated for all the treasures he had brought back home.

Not to mention, this venture would benefit all Martial Artists in the Kandrian Empire.

Of course, there were redundancies. The value proposition of such a venture was questionable at best, considering that other Martial Artists could access the Panamic Martial Federation.

Furthermore, although his father did not say it aloud, he knew that his father intended to redirect most material resources into esoteric weapons technology. It was an elementary inference considering that half of the strength of the Royal Army was in its esoteric weapons technology.

Diverting all those funds to the development of Martial resources would come at the cost of the development of military esoteric technology and to the benefit of Martial Art.

In other words, Emperor Rael would be disrupting the balance of power within the Kandrian Empire if he actually agreed to such an arrangement.

"Tsk, affected by politics even when I leave it."

In addition, he couldn't help but think back to the insights that he had gotten from his conversation with Master Gern.

The existence of a powerhouse nation comprised entirely of esoteric military power was a very troubling omen for Martial Artists. The fact that esoteric military technology received a greater influx of capital and resources was also worrying. Rui had no doubt that his father had had a similar mindset until he learned of Rui's ability to mass-produce Martial Apprentices.

"Speaking of my conversation with Master Gern…" Rui's eyes narrowed. He hadn't forgotten one of the revelations that he had received from the man. Although its significance and shock factor were hardly important before, even more shocking things had occurred since then. He had not forgotten what Master Gern had told him about his father.

He intended to ask his father about this matter when he got home.

STEP

"Ahhh…" Rui smiled as he arrived at the fort walls that ran along the border of the Kandrian Empire. A Martial Master donning the uniform of the Kandrian Border Patrol Force appeared before him, bowing lightly.

"Welcome back to the Kandrian Empire, Your Highness."

"It's good to be home, considering everything that has happened." Rui nodded. "Has Sage Kole Kellin arrived at the Kandrian Empire yet?"

"No, Your Highness, but we've gotten word that she will be arriving soon enough."

"Hmm…" Rui considered that, turning back to the Kandrian Empire. "In that case, perhaps I ought to speak to my father before she arrives."

He immediately surged through the air, heading straight into the sky as he soared through the Empire and towards the Royal Throne Hall.

CLACK

The doors to the throne hall opened, giving Rui a full view of everything within its depths. Including his father perched atop the Royal Throne, wearing his Royal Crown with his Royal Sword by his side.

It painted a powerful visage.

"Must you posture so much when nobody else aside from Sage Sayfeel is in the throne hall, father?" Rui raised an eyebrow.

"You're here, are you not?" Emperor Rael replied as a wry smile cracked at the edge of his mouth. "Besides, considering that my latest recruit is going to be coming to the Kandrian Empire very soon, it is worth going all out. First impressions matter. Managing perception is an extremely important duty of any ruler. Particularly the ruler of the Kandrian Empire."

"…" Rui stared at him with dubious eyes.

"Welcome back home, my son." Emperor Rael smiled. "You have completed the mission I entrusted to you and, for that, I am grateful. Kandria will not forget your contributions to its future."

Rui shrugged. "It actually wasn't that hard. The hard part was… other stuff."

Emperor Rael stared at his son with eyes of scrutiny. He could detect subtle changes in his demeanor and body language, ones that indicated a slight shift in mentality. There was no doubt in Emperor Rael's mind that they were a result of the fiasco of an evaluation that cost Rui his connection to the Panamic Martial Federation. He was right in that the mission was not hard in and of itself.

Emperor Rael had quickly figured out his clever plan of breaking the law to get Sage Kole Kellin. It was a good plan that guaranteed a hearing with her.

However, there was no need to go as far as using a forbidden technique to kill the evaluator. At the time, he had been at a complete loss as to what his son was doing.

It was deeply irrational.

Clearly, Rui was aware of that.

Or perhaps he had just been made aware of that.

He appeared shaken by the revelation, growing more self-conscious as a result of the self-awareness.

"How do you feel?" Emperor Rael asked quietly.

Rui's gaze shifted. "…Did you know? That this would happen?"

-

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