The Martial Unity

In a large conference hall within the Kandrian Empire, countless leaders of human civilization had gathered across human civilization in virtual form. A large number of three-dimensional projectors projected the visages of the leaders of human civilization on a myriad of seats.

BZZZT

BZZZT

BZZZT

One by one, virtually every single leader of human civilization appeared, from the humblest of human settlements that had somehow managed to hold on to dear life in the past seventeen years of the Beast Incursion to the most eminent of Sage-level powerhouses that handled the most lethal brunt of the Beast Incursion, protecting human civilization from absolute destruction.

Twelve leaders of Sage-level powerhouses appeared upon the seats at the very front of the hall, taking their place as leaders of human civilization while the remaining leaders were segregated by virtue of the power of their respective polities.

The event clearly lacked the refinement and sophistication that an event like this would ordinarily have.

There was no grand banner titled [Summit of Salvation] that hung across the roof of the stage that they faced.

There were no grand procedures or formalities that appeared to have been prepared for such a historic and momentous occasion.

There was nothing.

And not a single leader of human civilization minded.

They had come here for answers, not for a grand event of great pomp.

Ever since the Beast Incursion and the Era of Darkness, such pomp had reduced in frequency and in their grandness.

Not even the Sage-level powerhouses could justify such an absurd expenditure of resources on matters that didn’t contribute to their survival. Outside of rare events such as the Day of Dawn that celebrated the breakthrough of the Dawnbringer to the Sage Realm, these events had all but disappeared from human civilization as mankind found itself fighting for survival against virtually all other life on the continent.

The Era of Darkness had stripped human culture of all its joy and festivities.

What was left was a human culture that had sacrificed everything for survival, and it reflected in the humble and modest preparations made for the Summit of Salvation, and yet, it was the most important human gathering since the first Human Summit as hosted by the Adventurer’s Guild.

Thanks to the satellite systems that spread communication technology across human civilization, it was possible to reach each and every single human leader, no matter how far and isolated they were.

The esoterification of human civilization made the standard communication means obsolete which had only been recently fixed several months ago once the Esocline Federation and the Kandrian Empire sent satellites to space in geostationary orbit to beam communication across all of human civilization.

Thus, until recently, most of human civilization was disconnected from the rest of human civilization, only to be restored by satellite communication systems. Something that proved to be nothing short of a lifesaving boon for human civilization in that it allowed them to communicate with each other extremely well through the world wide web, and facilitate this highly important and significant event.

Within fifteen minutes, all leaders of human civilization had gathered.

Their expressions were hardened with tense stress.

Prominent dark bags that no amount of make-up could have possibly hidden were clearly visible beneath their eyes as not a single one had managed to get the sleep they need when dealing with the ramifications of events that had happened in the past ten hours since the Unfolding.

From dealing with hysteric citizens to environmental disruptions and catastrophes, as well as the disruption of day-night cycles, the leaders of human civilization hadn’t managed to get even the slightest bit of rest.

Their expressions, despite all their efforts, reflected the stress and dread they experienced. Their strained breathing, their stiff physical tension, and the desperation in their eyes. Not even the light of the morning Sun that illuminated the conference hall through its large windows could uplift the darkness that weighed down on the atmosphere.

And then, the Emperor of Harmony arrived.

STEP

STEP

STEP

His measured gait was brisk yet calm.

His appearance was groomed to perfection.

His skin seemed to glisten upon the warm light of dawn, while his golden eyes and hair were as magnificent as ever.

Despite being nearly four centuries old now, he was still no older than a man in his early-mid thirties.

The finest of anti-aging treatments, both esoteric and non-esoteric, had halted his aging almost entirely, especially since the Divine Doctor had chosen to reside in the Kandrian Empire.

His attire was comprised of an extravagant gold-silver elaborate royal attire that sparkled under the light of the Sun, while the Royal Crown sat atop his head, giving him his Royal Authority.

He was a leader among leaders, one that all of them aspired to be.

Even in the face of endless uncertainty, dread, and horror that all of them faced, his composure and calm were unbroken.

STEP

He arrived before the speaker’s podium, protected by two peak Martial Masters of the Kandrian Empire, who stood behind him protectively and alert. The audience leaned forward with impatient desperation, yearning for any hope that they could cling to.

“Leaders of human civilization.”

His rich voice was powerful and heavy.

It bore down on all of them even as his intense golden eyes swept across all of them slowly.

“Human civilization is on the brink of collapse.”

His words rang true to the leaders of human civilization who had struggled to pacify rowdy citizens and Martial Artists while also being bombarded with environmental catastrophes.

“We have yet to even face the true horror of the True World and yet, just from the after-effects alone, we are already on the verge of destruction.”

His eyes sharpened.

“We need salvation.”

His words struck at the very heart of why they had all chosen to heed the call of the Kandrian Empire and what they sought from the Emperor of Harmony.

“We need hope.”

Their eyes lit up with desperation as they grew more impatient.

The Emperor of Harmony did not intend on disappointing them.

“We need a path forward and that, my fellow leaders of human civilization, is what I seek to offer to all of you.”

His golden eyes glowed with conviction.

“A path that we can only walk together. A path that is our only chance of salvation.”

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