The Martial Unity

"But what if they don't find and try to clear the Root Dungeon before the elections?" Kane frowned.

"We can't allow that to happen," Rui narrowed his eyes. "If push comes to shove then we relocate their checkpoint trackers and guide them to the Root Floor."

"I thought you weren't for doing that though,"

"Yeah, but I hadn't considered the ramifications of Chairman Deacon being chosen as Guildmaster," Rui replied. "It didn't seem nearly plausible as it does today. In that case, I might need to accelerate my plans."

Rui went deep into thought. He had received regular updates on the investigation of the Voider from the Martial Union, but that wasn't enough.

('Looks like I'll have to ask Guildmaster Bradt for an update on the exploration progress of Deacon industries inside the Shionel Dungeon,') Rui mused.

If he was going to adjust the checkpoint trackers that Deacon Industries was using en masse, then he needed to know where they were before he could alter their trajectory. At this point, he could only pray that their paths were long enough that he could make them reach the Root Floor.

If not, then he would have to use cruder means to get them to reach the Root Floor, even if it meant knocking them out by surprise, dropping them in a tunnel approaching the Root Floor, and then sealing off all routes except for one that led them to a floor that Deacon industries had already explored and cleared, to give them an idea of where they were. Since Deacon Industries already would know the location of the floor, the discovery of that tunnel would allow them to be able to reach the Root Floor any time they wants, and they would be able to quickly organize their powerful raid team where they would then engage in a war against the Root, just like Rui hoped they would.

He took no guilt about subjecting them to that, nor being the cause of all their deaths. He was a firm believer in the concepts of agency and personal responsibility. The Martial Squires accepted the operations, and became adventurers despite being fully aware of the many risks, even for high-grade Martial Squires, that came with being adventurers. There were multiple avenues where they could have abstained, yet they went for it anyway.

Rui quickly drafted up a letter addressed to Guildmaster Bradt going through the whole process of making sure he didn't leave even a speck of anything that could potentially help Guildmaster Bradt identify him.

Still, at this point, he was least concerned about Guildmaster Bradt. The man needed Rui now more than ever, while Rui needed him less and less as the days passed. The map that Rui was giving him was crucial, and it was now mostly complete, while Rui really didn't care about what happened to his Esosale Suppliers anymore.

"There," Rui sealed the letter. "Kane, could post this letter to Bradt in the usual manner?"

"Sure, what's it for?" Kane plucked the letter out of Rui's hands.

"It's a letter requesting urgently the most updated intelligence on Chairman Deacon's exploration routes and avenues," Rui explained. "We also need to speak with Martial Commissioner Reze."

"Now why do we need to talk with him?" Kane frowned. "He's just going to start droning on and on about the Underworld this and that."

Rui smirked, amused. "You're probably right. But I do need to warn him to ensure that no Kandrian Martial Squires partake in the exploration of the Root Floor, since all those who do, will die."

Kane nodded. "That's prudent, I hadn't thought about that."

"Commissioner Reze will know that I knew of the dangers of the Root Floor, if I don't warn him about it ahead of time, I'll be held liable for sabotage," Rui elaborated. "Also, the Martial Union is one of our few allies, so, we should probably look out for them, especially when it doesn't burden us unduly in any way."

Kane nodded. "Agreed."

It didn't take long for Kane to finish the posting before the two of them visited Martial Commissioner Reze.

"Hm," The man, who was communicating remotely, considered Rui's words. "We appreciate the warning, we will take It under serious consideration. However, I couldn't help but notice that your words implied that you wouldn't necessarily be taking the same precautions."

"I intend to complete my objective, which is clearing the dungeon, one way or another," Rui replied impassively.

Although Commissioner Reze did not so much as budge to the naked eye, Rui could sense and read his alarm at a level deeper than ordinary human cognition could cover for.

He did not like what he heard.

"We strongly urge you to consider otherwise," Commissioner Reze insisted. "We are aware of your remarkable growth, and your unprecedented ability to create powerful new techniques with convenience. However, you're subjecting yourself to great peril."

"I know what I'm doing," Rui replied simply. "I will act as I deem fit."

Commissioner Reze did not respond immediately. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to act too heavy-handed with Rui. The reason for this was that the Martial Union did not have the right to interfere so heavily in what were basically the private matters of a Martial Squire in a region entirely outside its jurisdiction.

"Alright then, we wish you the best of luck," Commissioner Reze offered a courteous smile. "Ah, since you're here, we'd like to provide you with the updates regarding the shell fronts of the mafia."

He provided Rui with a thick document.

Rui couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "It's thicker than usual."

"The mafia has grown more aggressive in their desire to obtain a greater proportion of the yields of the Shionel Dungeon," Commissioner Reze. "I am aware that you are disinterested in this matter, but you are not disconnected from it, and it does affect your personal interests."

Those words were enough for Rui to take the matter more seriously, even if he knew that that was Commissioner Reze's intent.