The Martial Unity

“I have already taken it down,” he lightly retorted. “You are no longer a wanted fugitive. Your intelligence network and spy network in the Nest of Terra can surely confirm that. Think of this as a token of my goodwill.”

She narrowed her eyes with suspicion. “You expect me to believe that you just all of a sudden came around and have now garnered goodwill for me? Do you think I was born yesterday?”

“Don’t get me wrong, woman,” he snarled. “I want to choke the life out of you! I want to beat you black and blue with my own two fists! I want to bury you alive for almost destroying this nation in the middle of an apocalypse!”

“…”

For a moment, she was stunned that he had actually spoken his true feelings towards her in such a candid manner in an official talk between two factions.

“…But, for the sake of the nation, I shall stay my hatred for you,” he growled. “What you are attempting to do, a Martial Revolution, is something that will destroy this nation to its very core. The second-largest reason why we became a Sage-level powerhouse after our geographical advantages was because we managed to avert a civil war centuries ago during the second Martial Revolution. You know this as well as I do.”

This, she couldn’t refuse.

They both knew that had the Martial Revolution occurred centuries ago, it would have set them back tremendously.

Although they had not united their nation with supremely synergetic harmony like the Emperor of Harmony had with the Kandrian Empire, they still managed to avoid a devastating civil war when all other powerhouses at the time had suffered one.

“If we go through a civil war in the middle of the Beast Incursion, we are doomed,” his voice left absolutely no room for doubt. “We must avert that, no matter what. I have decided to take the first step. Even if I truly hate you bastards from the bottom of my heart.”

“…”

Her expression was deeply serious as she fell into thought. “…are you willing to accept that Martial supremacies are the way to go?”

“…I’m willing to accept it if the alternative is destruction.”

She fell into thought before a response escaped her.

“Frankly, I don’t trust you.”

“Notera—”

“I wasn’t finished yet,” she cut him coldly. “I don’t trust you, but… I am open to your proposal of a conference to discuss the potential terms and conditions.”

“…That’s good enough.”

“But, I need some proof of good faith.”

“…What does that mean?”

She shrugged. “You say you are interested in cooperation. Did you just expect me to believe that? I will need to see some evidence. Simply getting rid of a warrant is nothing. That cost you nothing. Show me that you are willing to actually do something that costs you money. And then, I will believe you.”

“…Deal, wait a few days. I think you will be pleased.”

She frowned with a hint of surprise.

She expected him to give some excuse for financial hardships and an ongoing apocalypse to say that he couldn’t do that, but he acquiesced very easily.

Over the next few days, what happened stunned her. “…Your Excellency, we just received a notice for a moderated caucus to pass Bill G17 from the Speaker of the House of Commons!” her chief of staff barged into her office a few days later. “The legislators of the non-Martial faction have just voted overwhelmingly in favor of it.”

“Bill G17…” Consul Notera frowned as she recalled what the bill was about. “Wasn’t that a bill that the legislators of our faction tried passing? If I recall, it was about…”

“It was about special treatment and criminal immunity for Martial Artists under the law as an incentive and a token of appreciation for participating against the Beast Incursion!” Consul Notera’s eyes widened with shock. “This… they opposed it heavily when we tried passing nearly two years ago when the Beast incursion began. And now they are suddenly for it?”

She understood that this was his token of goodwill.

“…It was much greater than I expected.”

BEEP BEEP BEEP

She glanced at her comms artifact once more.

[Consul Sergenilius]

CLICK

“…I got news of your little gift.” She narrowed her eyes. “It seems like this isn’t just a ploy, is it?”

“That’s what I have been saying, Notera,” his tone was sincere. “This was painful to coordinate. But, I cashed in all the favors and lobbied hard and managed to get my legislators to reluctantly vote in favor of this absurdly Martial supremastic bill. It does not get any more sincere than this.”

Her expression grew deeply conflicted. “…Fine. I will give you a chance. When do you wish to hold negotiation talks?”

“Soon,” he replied. “It’s been two months since we started our shadow war. I have already ceased all efforts to capture him, as I’m sure you have noticed. He is almost done with his journey across the entirety of the Nest of Terra. I feel that it will be too late to negotiate after he is finished finding what he is searching for. I wish to come to a peace agreement as soon as possible.”

“Soon as in…?”

“As in tomorrow.” He replied. “Join us with all your legislators. You can bring as many Martial Sages as you please as bodyguards to guarantee your safety.”

She narrowed.

Tomorrow was awfully soon.

“…Fine. But we will come armed to the teeth.”

“As will we, let us ensure that we are both safe and then proceed with the negotiations without any angst. I will send you the other details shortly.”

“…Agreeable.”

“Then, for the sake of peace.” Consul Sergenilius’s tone was smooth as he cut the call.

A sinister smile emerged on his face as he directed a gaze around at the people around him.

“She fell for it.”

Dark grins emerged on the faces of his partners and subordinates.

“Make sure that she doesn’t realize what is happening,” Consul Sergenilius’ tone was severe. “If all goes well, we will be able to capture the Dawnbringer and kill them all.”

–