The Martial Unity

Chapter 2784: Devilish Delegation

This was perhaps the first time that Ruiʼs fight against a Sage was publically pre-planned rather than something spontaneous.

Against Sage Himari, it had happened due to the inadvertent Martial Embodiment he released.

Against the Terrampager, he had been caught off-guard, and no one outside of the plotters knew it was happening ahead of time. Even with the Anti-Life, his breakthrough was unexpected and had the fight continued after he broke through to the Sage Realm, it would have been unexpected even if there were spectators.

This time, however, the fact that he would be fighting a Martial Sage was already to be decided ahead of time. It was news that spread like wildfire across all echelons of human civilization.

The Kandrian Empire was the first to learn about it.

”Huff…” the Emperor of Harmony heaved an exasperated sigh at his sonʼs shenanigans. ”His judgment is compromised by his desire to fight.”

Atop his table was a mess of documents pertaining to all sorts of important matters. The Beast Incursion, the esoterification of human civilization, the Solution of Harmony, the progression to become independent of Sages, MECHAs, the Blood Goddess, and now the latest development: the Dawnbringerʼs duel with a Sage of the Heaven Sect.

”HAHAHA!” the Devil laughed heartily, lazing in a chair opposite the Emperor of Harmony. ”You have a good lad, Rael!”

”My son is extraordinarily intelligent, but he misuses that intelligence to justify what he truly wants.” He shook his head. ”Even if I call him and tell him to call the duel off, I already know that he will not listen.”

”…The Antithesis must forge himself in the crucibles of peril if he is to live up to the Transcendent Prophetʼs prophecy,” Matriarch Nephi huffed with approval. ”Rest assured; I sense that death is not in his foreseeable destiny. Of course, this is not absolute, but I am confident that they donʼt intend to use this to kill him.”

The Emperor of Harmony fell into thought as his powerful mind inferred everything that he needed to know. ”They are susceptible to the threat of the Kandrian Empire as well as the desire for his gifts. This means that they are more open to reason and incentives than I had initially estimated. As long as their pride and arrogance are appealed, it should be possible to manipulate them to eventually joining the Solution of Harmony. But…”

He shook his head with a hint of exasperation. ”My son has decided he wants to do this the hard way.”

”The fun way.” The Devil grinned with excitement.

”Still, I cannot allow my son to undergo this duel without some support from the Kandrian Empire,” Emperor Rael remarked knowingly.

”What do you plan to do, Your Majesty?” the Minister of Foreign Affairs asked. ”I would recommend we send a delegation to serve as a check to any of the more dangerous ideas that the Heaven Sect. In fact, I am willing to make the trip myself.”

”Your idea is sensible and the most apt for the moment,” Emperor Rael replied in thought. ”However, the Heaven Sect is a Martial Sect, they donʼt respect non-Martial Artists. Thus, we ought to send a Martial Sage.”

”I shall go.” The Devil stood up, declaring his desire to participate in this delegation. ”If you go, the probability of war between the Heaven Sect and the Kandrian Empire will increase by twenty-eight percent,” Emperor Raelʼs tone was unyielding. ”I cannot send you.”

The Devil snorted with contempt. ”I donʼt care. Iʼm going. Got a problem with that?”

The Emperor of Harmonyʼs powerful golden eyes bore heavy on Sage Damian in a piercing gaze. The Devil narrowed his eyes with a challenging glare, as if waiting for the Emperor of Harmony to pick a fight with him. The atmosphere in the Royal Office grew heavy with tension as the various Martial Sages and ministers in the room broke into a cold sweat.

”Damian…” Emperor Raelʼs rich voice was soft.

Yet, it sent chills across everybody elseʼs skin.

”I cannot allow you to destroy the progress that my son and I have made with your aggression in the Heaven Sect.”

The Devil snorted. ”Hah, I donʼt give a fuck about your Solution of Harmony or whatever. A Martial Master is fighting a Martial Sage and you donʼt want me to go? Donʼt talk nonsense!”

”The Martial Union doesnʼt have the kind of diplomatic relations with the Heaven Sect as the Kandrian government does,” Emperor Rael calmly replied. ”In other words, with the Heaven Sectʼs personality, you wonʼt be able to get in in time. And thus, you will fail to witness the battle.”

”Tsk, I donʼt care about such pesky nonsense,” the Devil growled. ”I will go no matter what.”

”You might not make it in in time,” the Emperor of Harmony retorted. ”Not even you will be able to overcome Elder Diana in a short amount of time, even if you are stronger. This is especially you will be fighting in her home court. On top of that, any attempt to force through will delay the battle that you seek to see.”

The peak Martial Sage looked like he was going to explode with all these irritating complications.

”I will let you go with my delegation, after all.”

A hint of surprise appeared on his face. ”But, only on two conditions,” Emperor of Harmony continued with a composed tone. ”First, you will not so much as open your mouth to utter even a single word. Secondly, you will not make eye-contact with anybody. Thirdly, you will go as a bodyguard to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

The Minister Varayʼs lit up with surprise. ”I thought you said…”

”I changed my mind,” the Emperor of Harmony remarked. ”With Damian joining you, the implicit power will essentially be with you.”

This way, he was basically bestowing the sensible minister with the Devilʼs power, which would force the Heaven Sect to take him seriously.

”…Fine,” Sage Damian gruffly snorted.

Once more, the Emperor of Harmony had managed the Devil properly, giving what he wanted while making sure he didnʼt derail everything.

”Now then, off you go to the Heaven Sect.” Emperor Rael narrowed his eyes. ”Remind the Heaven Sect that my sonʼs death will not go unpunished.”

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