The Martial Unity

A faint tension lingered in the air as he shook her hand and exchanged pleasantries. His gaze peered into her brown eyes, trying to discern her thoughts. And yet, she simply smiled, sweeping her curly brown hair behind her ears without revealing her inner thoughts.

At least, not all of them.

He could tell that she was not displeased to have him in the Republic of Gorteau, but she was not entirely fond of it either. Surrounded by Sages and Masters, the two of them ascended into the presidential headquarters, making their way through its highly extravagant and ostentatious corridors and architecture and into a large and spacious conference room.

“We have many things to talk about,” she remarked as she gestured him to a seat opposite her. “We can deliberate about all these important topics to our heart’s content.”

“I don’t think we will need to, Ms. President,” Rui began with a knowing tone. “I have spoken quite in-depth with the Secretary of State of your administration. I have come to gain a good understanding of your position and decisions.”

“Good,” she replied with a hint of frostiness. “Then we won’t need to go over all of it again. We are aware of what you seek from us. I’m afraid to inform you that we will not be able to give you what you have come here for.”

“…The Republic of Gorteau seemed to be on board with the plan when it was proposed in the Human Summit,” Rui replied. “It appears that the election has changed many things.”

“I am aware of the intentions that my predecessor signaled in that historic summit,” she mused. “But he is no longer president. I am. And I have decided not to follow through with his intentions. The Republic of Gorteau will not be deploying Sages to the Beast Domain.”

“You will be dooming your nation and countless other nations as well.” Rui heaved a tired sigh. “I do not think that you understand what you are inviting upon not just the entire world but all of South-East Panama. You may win the next election, but when the Transcendent beasts and monsters come after you get re-elected, you will be the one to blame for what may very well end up being the reason that the Republic of Gorteau could potentially be destroyed.”

“We are aware of these objections and considerations,” she remarked. “Unfortunately, we don’t agree with your prognosis. The fact of the matter is that Martial Artists are highly capable of fighting with monsters and beasts who possess much greater raw power than them. As one of the most powerful Martial Artists around, you should be aware of this. We have strong confidence in our Martial Artists and their ability to overcome this trial while protecting our nation.”

Rui stared at her with a hint of disbelief and incredulity. “There’s no way you actually believe that, Madam President.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“… You speak of your Martial Sages as though they are loyal warriors who have dedicated their heart and soul to protecting Gorteau,” Rui continued with a hint of confusion. “When, in reality, they are simply mercenaries for the state. They will not risk their lives to protect the Gorteau. If these words came out of the mouth of Prime Minister Edward or even the clan leaders of Sekigahara, I would have been more understanding, but it’s utterly mind-boggling when such a sentiment comes from the state.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s all the more reason not to send them to the Beast Domain and fight the beasts and monsters in their home territories in the Central Highlands,” she frowned.

Rui clenched his fists as he resisted the urge to choke her where she sat. “They won’t need to put their bodies in harm’s way to protect Gorteau from the destruction of the beasts and monsters of the Beast Domain. That’s the whole point of the plan. The energy flux resistance of the Beast Domain will prevent the destruction from emerging from the Beast Domain and spilling over the Human Domain.”

She shook her head. “Your rationale is thin. Our analysts have already concluded that it is possible to intercept quasi-Transcendent beasts shortly after they emerge from the Beast Domain and fell them away from the Republic of Gorteau to the point where none of the destruction will reach us.”

Rui glared at her. “It is possible, yes. But you are operating with razor-thin margins. A single mistake will wipe your nation out. And even then, countless people and other nations will perish.”

“Other nations and other people are not of any concern to me,” she coldly informed him. “I am not the president of all people. I am the president of the Republic of Gorteau.”

“If other nations are destroyed, then the Republic of Gorteau will most certainly meet its end as well.” Rui’s eyes sharpened. “The fewer the nations, the fewer forces of resistance there will be. The remaining nations will experience an astronomical amount of pressure, and they, too, will eventually succumb. Your decisions could potentially destroy human civilization.” “I am confident in our nation’s power, Dawnbringer,” she replied. “We will be able to withstand whatever the Beast Domain throws at us. We will withstand all of it.”

Rui stared at her with a hint of disbelief.

At least the Secretary of State was cognizant of the fact that it wasn’t a good idea. He tried to spin the notion that it was a good idea because it was the will of the people. This woman, on the other hand, seemed delusional, almost as if she had fallen for the propaganda of her own state.

“Are you that unwilling to hurt your chances of winning an election?” Rui stared at her with askance. “You’re dooming your entire nation with this nonsense. You will be remembered as the President who destroyed your country at this rate.”

“I am afraid you are mistaken, Prince Rui. I will be remembered as the President who saved

it.”