Published at 10th of January 2026 10:17 am

Chapter 3753: Do What Needs To Be Done

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"Martial Paths have allowed a non-esoteric species to take over the entire continent, thereby disrupting the strategy of making all life dependent on esoteric matter such that they couldn’t get rid of it without dying," Rui mused with a serious expression. "From that, we can deduce that Martial Paths and Paths in general are a variable that eluded the plans of whoever is responsible for the changes caused to Gaia. They must not have imagined that this metaphysical information-phenomenon would allow weak species to best esoteric monsters in combat."

He had known that things had gone off-script in Panama for the alien entity responsible for Gaia’s changes, but only now did he realize just how off-script it had truly gone.

The fact that homo martialus did not become hooked on esoteric matter and the fact that they developed their mysterious Martial Paths are what drove whatever original plan or designs the alien entity had, the Elder Tree mused. That means that your kind is perhaps the only hope we have against an alien entity that seems to have hostile intentions toward Gaia.

Rui nodded. "Martial Art... might be the only salvation for Gaia, along with the other Paths, too, I suppose. But they have yet to reach Transcendence. And I suspect Transcendents are the only ones with the power to alter our destiny against the designs of the alien entity. Which means..."

He gazed at his translucent hands. "...We need to strengthen Martial Art as a whole if we have any hope of emerging out of this silent crisis."

That gave him an objective that he could work towards. He already had conceived of many thoughts and ideas that he could implement once he took responsibilities proportional over Kandria and Panama proportional to his power, whatever form that took.

Well, let us not make too many assumptions. The reality is that even if it is convincing, it is ultimately speculation. You should proceed only after you have made some confirmation of these various hypotheses. The Elder Tree cautioned Rui. For now, there are more acute crises that are unfolding on our continent. Crises of a very different nature. Crises that only you have the power to solve.

His tone was pointed.

Rui heaved a deep breath, directing a glance at the various items that he had come to retrieve. "You’re right. I have more important things to do at the moment. Even up until now, I was running away from my responsibilities. But now..."

He steeled his expression. "...I will not run away from it any longer. I can deal with these items later, but maintaining the rapidly unraveling order in the Kandrian Empire and the Panama Continent is more important."

Things like dealing with Ieyasu’s head or Weapon Authority were secondary in importance. They could be dealt with later.

He needed to deal with what truly mattered.

He turned towards the Elder Tree with an expression of gratitude. "I’m truly thankful for your wisdom and your insights. You may very well have saved me from living a life of deep regret. I wish I could talk to you more about so many things, but for now, I must return."

He sensed approval from the giant tree.

Spoken like a man who shoulders many responsibilities. The Elder Tree spoke with an appreciative tone. Go, do what needs to be done.

Rui nodded. "Goodbye."

WHOOSH

He teleported back to the Kandrian Empire, returning to the Royal Office of the Vargard Royal Palace.

It was where his father worked until the war.

The room had been entirely cleaned out of all the work material that normally clattered on the wide, spacious table. The shelves that surrounded the workplace, which were normally filled with important books and documents, were also completely empty, stripped of anything important and confidential.

The warm, bright light of the afternoon sky peered through the wide windows, illuminating the room, causing the ostentatious metals and gems that decorated the Emperor’s workplace to sparkle.

It was a Royal Office that was worthy of the Emperor.

He glanced at the extravagant empty throne-like chair, crafted from gold and silver, its leather processed from the pelt of quasi-Transcendent mammals from the Beast Domain.

Its vacancy pained Rui as the fresh grief that stirred in his heart seemed to come alive at the sight, engulfing his heart. He clenched his fists as his expression darkened.

CLACK

The door opened, drawing Rui’s attention.

An older woman stood at the entrance, gazing at Rui with an impassive expression. He recognized her, of course, as the Royal Secretary. She had been in pieces when he returned to the Kandrian Empire upon the death of the Emperor of Harmony, begging him to resurrect Emperor Rael.

When he studied her expression and her body language, he sensed none of the grief and shock that she displayed upon learning of the death of her charge.

She was completely stoic on the outside, her makeup redone, and her clothes changed. Yet, Rui could sense the grief within her heart with his Mind Sense. She did a spectacular job not showing it on her face.

"Secretary... Claris, I believe," he began with a serious tone.

"I’m honored that you remember my name, Your Highness." She bowed deeply, speaking with a perfectly perfunctory tone. "Indeed, I am Secretary Claris. More importantly, we have been trying to contact you incessantly for some time now, but you have been missing ever since you teleported away from the location where His Majesty passed away."

She hid it well, but he could sense a hint of resentment, contempt, and disdain for him in her mind.

She did not like him.

This was unusual among citizens of the Kandrian Empire at this point. He was so universally beloved that people lost their wits about him. It was why he distanced himself from the people over time.

"I’m sorry, I had to deal with extremely important matters, but I’ve returned," Rui replied with a serious tone. "Tell me, what can I do for the Kandrian Empire?"

His words seemed to catch her off guard.

She clearly didn’t expect that from him.

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