The Martial Unity

The air boiled.

It boiled tumultuously as the Devil made his declaration.

Rui gritted his teeth as he struggled to maintain his composure.

He failed.

Such was the horror that radiated from the Martial Sage touted as the Devil.

The Widowing Whisperer narrowed his eyes, glaring at the leader of the Fire Sect. Yet he didn't retort back.

Sage Damian Arrancar was the greatest maniac of the Martial Sages of the Kandrian Empire.

He was also the strongest.

That wasn't the only reason that the Whispering Widower froze in his tracks at the threat that the Martial Sage brazenly declared.

That threat was the reason the Second East Panamic War had been triggered. Sage Damian killed a Martial Sage of the Britannian Empire by doing exactly what he had threatened to do.

By eating his heart.

"Calm down," the Mountain Fortitude narrowed his eyes. "You too, Lemolen. None of us will tolerate any sort of action, no matter how little, against the Void Prince just because he refused to divulge information he had no obligation to divulge."

The other Martial Sages turned their powerful gazes to the assassin Sage.

It was clear that this was a sentiment that they each shared.

"Hmph," the Whispering Widower relented, closing his eyes and folding his arms. "Acting like I was going to kill him. It was only my intention to educate him about the hierarchy of power in Martial Art."

"I am in charge of education," Sage Dagar Roschem, the Flashing Flier, calmly reassured. "Leave that to me. Regardless, we have gotten off-topic."

The leader of the Lightning Sect turned his gaze to meet Rui's eyes. "It is indeed rather strange that you were able to find, meet, compel, and coordinate the Silas Clan's arrival to the Kandrian Empire without a single person noticing. However, I suppose that is a testament to your competence. Like father, like son."

"If you don't wish to divulge the details of this particular matter, then we shall respect your wishes," the Flickering Elder graciously declared. "Frankly, these details, as confounding as they are, do not matter. They are not why we have gathered here. They are not why we have summoned you here."

Their attention returned to him, pinning him in place.

"Where in the harmony of the Kandrian Empire does the Silas Clan fit?"

Rui narrowed his eyes.

In other words, they wanted to know what the Silas Clan was going to do now that it had become citizens of Kandria.

Depending on which faction, power bloc, or stakeholder group the Silas Clan sought to join, they would undoubtedly alter the power dynamics of the Kandrian Empire.

Of course, Rui was certain that the ten Martial Sages of the Martial Union were hoping that the Silas Clan would join the Martial Union as a Martial family in a manner similar to the Arrancar Family, the Roschem Family, and the Dullahan Family led by the Devil, the Flashing Flier, and the Hugging Hegemon.

"The Silas Clan hopes to join the Martial Union."

Rui's voice echoed across the hall.

Clearly, the Sage Council of the Martial Union was pleased by this revelation. It increased the Martial and bargaining power of the Martial Union and gave them access to a priceless stream of information about the future itself.

"Of course," Rui continued. "That does not mean it will be unconditional. They are offering a powerful, unique service and will not settle for being short-changed. They have a deep narcissistic pride regarding their power of prophecy; thus, if you convey even the slightest hint of disregard for their prophecy, they will not join the Martial Union."

The Martial Sages narrowed their eyes thoughtfully at his words.

"They are also paranoid regarding outsiders due to centuries of persecution and possess no diplomatic sense or experience. In addition, they have powerful kinship, low societal awareness, and are religious to the Transcendent Prophet. That concludes all the important elements of their character profile, though I am able to provide you with a more detailed character profile if you desire."

He knew exactly what they sought from him, offering it before they could even ask; intelligence.

"As far as their interests and demands go, they require longevity potions to ameliorate the lifespan-consuming effects of the Eye of Prophecy technique. They also seek security guarantees for full aid and cooperation from the Martial Union in the event they get attacked for their technique. Tertiarily, they also seek Martial Art resources that are exclusive to the Martial Union," Rui replied. "They have other requirements, but those are not of the Martial Union and will be handled by my faction."

He closed his eyes. "I am more than willing to serve as a mediator, should Your Sagehoods desire this of me."

That was what they sought of him: intelligence and aid.

The ten Martial Sages stared at him blankly for a moment.

RUMBLE

"Cut to the chase and right to the point," the Devil chuckled. "I like you, kid."

Rui turned towards Sage Damian Arrancar with a deep gaze. "It has been a long time, Your Sagehood."

He had met Kane's dad for a brief moment a long time ago, passing out in his presence the first time he entered the Arrancar Mansion.

It could barely be considered a meeting.

He didn't know what to think of the Martial Sage when he thought about Kane. The man had tormented Kane for a long time but had ultimately turned out to have done it for his sake so that his drive would ensure he realized his potential, unlike Fiona, whose father also happened to be sitting in the room.

In addition, Fae's grandmother was here too.

He closed his eyes, shaking his head inwardly. This was not a family-friend meeting; it was a serious council meeting that sought to maximize the gains from the opportunity of the Silas Clan.

"Prince Rui Quarrier Silas Kandria," the Flashing Flier calmly addressed him. "We are grateful for your willingness to mediate an audience with the Silas Clan. It is clear that you possess a much greater understanding of them than we do. Any and all information and aid that you are able to give will be greatly appreciated. You can rest assured that our objectives are to accommodate the Silas Clan in a position that is befitting of their power and contributions, just as we do with all Martial Artists in Kandria."