The Martial Unity

"What do you think, grandma?" Rui asked, hands on his waist, turning to his grandmother behind him.

She smiled, nodding with approval. "You have understood our needs very well. This will do."

She gazed around in the forest they were in encouragingly.

The forest they were in was comprised of dense and thick trees that formed a large canopy, blocking out the Sun. There were also a multitude of smaller and thinner trees that could be chopped down for housing.

The land of the forest was flat, with solid bedrock deep under the clayish soil, making ideal for building elementary housing.

Rui ensured that the trees' wood had as low a water content index as possible so that it could easily be used as firewood.

In addition, there was a freshwater river in the vicinity with bountiful fish for food.

Furthermore, the forest was bountiful with game, critters, and birds of all kinds. It also had beasts of all kinds in its depths, including a plethora of Apprentice-level, Squire-level, and even a single Senior-level beast.

In other words, food and water were completely secured.

"Wow…"

"This will be a nice place to stay…"

"This is going to be a new home for us…"

He could see the Silas Clan relaxing a bit more after returning to an environment that was familiar to them.

Rui had initially considered preparing luxurious housing arrangements for them but had quickly realized that the Silas Clan would be unable to feel comfortable and relaxed in such an environment.

It was entirely alien and beyond their life experience.

That was why he had instead cooperated with the Minister of Ecology and Environment to find a location that would be ideal for a nomadic tribe that had wandered the cracks of the Human Domain and the Beast Domain.

Thankfully, the Kandrian Empire was filled with such locations, this was because there were many parts of the nation that were isolated and desolate. The Kandrian Empire had an enormous amount of territory spanning many millions of square kilometers in total for a population of only about a hundred and fifty million.

This was good because it made finding a remote, uninhabited natural forest known as the Ilvilia Forest to give the Silas Clan a comfortable place. After pouring through all the data, he found a spot in West Kandria that fit the exact needs of the Silas Clan to the T.

He had acquired permits on their behalf from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment as well as permission for full impunity regarding forestry rules. Overhunting was prohibited, but it was worth it if it meant keeping the Silas Clan happy.

He doubted they would, though. The Silas Clan was minimalistic and non-disruptive of the environment, which was necessary because disrupting the environment could draw attention that they did not want.

"I'm glad you like it, grandmother," Rui smiled. "Why don't you settle in and find yourselves at home before we proceed with other important matters? I'll visit every day and I'll have some personnel on-site that you can rely on for help in regards to anything you may need. For now, I would suggest that you all get some rest, you have exerted yourself in traveling a great distance in a short amount of time."

"We will take you up on your suggestion, my grandson," Matriarch Nephi nodded. "Rest assured, we won't need anything, we are self-dependent."

The Silas Clan enthusiastically got to work, transforming the environment around them into their new home, while Rui gave them some personal space to acclimatize themselves to the radical shift in lifestyle.

Although he was now a part of the clan, he knew better than to think that he could seamlessly integrate himself into the dialect. It was why he had asked his grandmother for the script of the language when she had the time.

It had barely been several hours since they joined the Kandrian Empire. Rui was sure that word of the Silas Clan's entry into the Martial Union had spread across the highest echelons of East Panama.

How could it not?

This was a game-changing unfolding.

When he glanced at his silent communication artifact after leaving the Ilvilia Forest, it was bombarded with countless messages.

Yet, he wasn't even able to read them as the eight Martial Masters around him bombarded him with countless questions.

"Rui, what is all this about?!"

"Your Highness, when did you contact the Silas Clan?"

"How did you even find them in the first place?"

Rui smirked. "The details are irrelevant. Here are the facts that do matter. The Silas Clan is a part of the Kandrian Empire from this day forth. Our Empire now has fifteen Martial Sages and the power of prophecy at its disposal."

"This…"

It was difficult to wrap their head around this.

It was incredibly sudden and abrupt.

Normally, negotiations like this carried on for weeks and months!

Yet somehow, Rui had very swiftly managed to reel them very swiftly, sealing the deal in what appeared to be a few days at most.

There were many factors that allowed him to accomplish this feat. Being related to them by blood, possessing his own unique power of prophecy was also deeply helpful, defeating their strongest Awakened Bodyforger, and the tantalizing offers and reliable guarantees that he had made had all played a part in sealing the deal rapidly.

Of course, they had no awareness of any of this.

Rui smirked, ignoring their flummoxed dumbfoundedness, returning his attention to the communication artifact.

He had more important matters to deal with.

While he had countless messages from multiple parties spamming him to learn more about the shocking event of the Silas Clan's joining of the empire, he had received only one message from the Martial Union.

[Dear Rui Quarrier Silas Kandria,

The Sage Council of the Kandrian Martial Union has summoned you for an audience. Kindly comply with the summon in accordance to the attached details.

Regards, the Martial Union.]

Rui narrowed his eyes, preparing himself.