The Martial Unity

"The director of the Kandrian Border Patrol Force isn't the only individual interested in meeting you," His secretary remarked. "Miss Mikhaila has already compiled a list of inquiries and appointments expressing credible interest and their prior engagements in the Kandrian Throne War as per research conducted by the intelligence division."

She placed a document before him, which quickly revealed itself to be a compilation of reports on those who had reached out to the newly officially founded Rui Faction. Within it were chairmen, Martial Artists, organizations, corporations, and even some government officials.

"…Woah!" Rui murmured when he came across a name that was familiar yet new. "Bradt-Decker Political Venture Capital Guild? What the heck is this?"

He recognized the two names, but he had never heard of this guild ever before.

"Officially, it is a guild that was founded by Guildmaster Bradt and Chairman Decker Byrnes of the Shionel Confederation as a consortium of like-minded politically interested merchants who would collectively pool their money and invest in political candidates, politicians and members of monarchies to aid them in coming to power, however…" She remarked as she placed another file before him. "Director Vering believes that Guildmaster Bradt and Chairman Decker have created this consortium with the specific intention of supporting you."

Rui read through the report that his new director of intelligence had quickly put together to explain her analysis of the new political venture capital guild. By relying on things such as Guildmaster Bradt's prior failed proposal in the Shionel Merchant Guild and the subsequent forming of the political venture capital guild shortly after Rui's identity was revealed, as well as Guildmaster Bradt's prior engagements with Rui, there was an exceptionally high probability that this new consortium existed for the sole purpose of supporting Rui.

"Director Vering is indeed highly competent an analyst," Rui smiled. "Because her analysis is exactly on the money."

He agreed with her analysis that Guildmaster Bradt had probably created this organization with the intention of approaching Rui as a whole. His identity as the Guildmaster of the Shionel Confederation and the chairman of Bradt Distribution Services was no longer enough in and of itself to draw out the best concessions in return from Rui.

"This bastard…" Rui grinned, amused and resigned. "He wants to squeeze as much from me as possible."

He expected nothing less from Guildmaster Bradt.

"He filed for an appointment the very second the banners of the Rui Faction dropped," Rui chuckled. "Alright, I'm definitely interested in hearing how he intends to squeeze me this time."

On top of that, he still hadn't forgotten the fact that he owed the crafty guildmaster a solid favor. The man had let the favor sit, allowing Rui to grow, increasing the value of that favor so that he could one day extract a powerful gift from Rui.

Neither one of them had likely expected that that favor would come into play this quickly. However, while Rui knew that the guildmaster was not going to make it easy for him, he also knew that it was worth it to have the guildmaster as an ally.

The man was exceedingly sharp with a heightened sense of opportunity; he was known as a surgeon in the business world for a reason, and Rui had seen how well he exploited opportunities and made the absolute best out of them.

"The political venture capital is exceedingly wealthy and will undoubtedly offer great financial support if Your Highness is able to earn their patronage, according to Director Vering," His secretary remarked.

"She's right, but that's actually not why I am interested in his support," Rui remarked with interest. "I am after the connectivity that the Bradt Distribution Service can offer. That's extremely valuable in appealing to international stakeholders."

With Guildmaster Bradt, he had full, smooth, and reliable access to all of East Panama. The man could connect him to anybody and anywhere, allowing him to send and receive anything from and to them incredibly swiftly.

"Arrange for an appointment as soon as possible," Rui nodded. "I'll form a priority list based on these potential patrons and allies. Brad-Decker Political Venture Capital Guild is definitely very high up on that list."

"You have also received inquiries from seventeen Martial Masters, many of whom are largely independent," His secretary remarked. "Would you be interested in meeting them as well?"

"Of course, I need as many Martial Artists as I can get," Rui remarked. "I will personally speak to all the Martial Masters myself."

At the moment, Master Ceeran and Master Zentra were standing guard behind him silently, alert. When they actually worked in their roles as bodyguards, they didn't utter so much as a word, instead focusing their senses outwards, ensuring that there were no threats nearby and that if there were, they would be able to react to them very quickly.

"This, however, has been deemed the most important prospective ally," His secretary placed a file before him.

It was a statement of offer of alliance and patronship from a familiar person.

Rui's eyes lit up with elation at the identity of the person. "Minister Varay has defected from the Raemina Faction!"

Minister Varay, the Minister of Martial Art, was of the Merger Faction that had chosen Princess Raemina for her ideals were the closest to fulfilling the dreams of the Merger Faction. The Merger Faction was unsatisfied with the harmony that Emperor Rael had created; they wanted unity.

And it appeared that they saw hope in Rui Quarrier to fulfill their greatest dreams.

It made sense, after all, Rui Quarrier had earned what was almost completely unconditional loyalty from the Martial Union, as long as he didn't do something absolutely maniacal like wage war against the Martial Union, they would always have his back, and as Emperor, he would also gain full power of the throne.

With the power to harness the throne and the Martial Union, in a way, their dreams of unity would be partially fulfilled!

"Put him at the top of the list along with the Director of the Kandrian Border Patrol Force, then the Martial Masters, and after that, the various other business tycoons in descending order of net worth," Rui decided. "That is the order in which I shall speak to all of them."