The Martial Unity

Chapter 2658: Heartful Adventure

”Prince Rui Quarrier Silas Kandria, the Dawnbringer of the Kandrian Empire,” Consul Sergenilius smiled perfunctorily. ”We welcome you to the Nest of Terra.”

He, too, wore no upper garments, although his upper body was adorned with luxurious necklaces.

Rui recognized him.

He had been the one to represent the Nest of Terra in the Human Summit.

”We welcome you with the commitment to ensure that your stay is as hospitable and comfortable as possible,” Consul Notera smiled at him with a more friendly expression. ”We hope to forge a mutually beneficial accord with you during your stay in the Nest of Terra.”

She, too, did not diverge from the attire of the average woman, limiting herself merely to a golden-silver blouse, a short tunic-like lower garment fashioned from the finest of silk. And yet, as if to signify her status, her pale white skin was covered with all manners of adornments.

”I, too, look forward to my stay in the Nest of Terra and hope to forge a bond a cooperation with you.” Rui smiled.

He wasnʼt pleased by the excessive formality in their tones and speech, but he played ball even if he would much rather prefer how the Gen Temple treated him.

”We are sure that you are exhausted,” Consul Sergenilius remarked. ”We have arranged the finest of luxury suites in our great nation to serve as your abode.”

”I appreciate that, but really, Iʼm not all that tired,” he replied a bit more informally. ”I would much rather explore the Nest of Terra.”

The two consuls were clearly pleased by his interest in their nation.

Considering how important his cooperation was to the nation, a positive interest in their nation was something to be celebrated.

”Of course, we will prepare the finest guides for you if that is what you please to do,” the two consuls nodded.

”Ah, I appreciate your accommodation, but would you be willing to permit me to explore this great nation of yours by ourselves?” Rui smiled, holding Amareʼs hand out of the blue. ”I hope that is not too much of an imposition on you.”

Her cheeks flushed red at intertwining fingers with him in front of so many important people.

The two consuls fell into thought, schooling their expressions. ”This is not an arrangement that we are accustomed to making for outsiders, but for someone as esteemed and as important as you, we are surely willing to make an exception.”

And yet, Rui could vaguely sense their discomfort.

They were inherently paranoid as a part of their nature when it came to outsiders, but at the same time, they didnʼt want to displease him in fear of potentially reducing the gifts that he was to impart to them. And thus, despite the extensive protocols they had in place when it came to outsider restrictions and vigilance, they decided to discard it.

The Dawnbringer had a relatively pristine reputation in the past sixteen months in his travels around the continent. Barring a strange incident in the Sekigahara Confederate, he was generally known to be easy to manage and not a disruptive entity as long as one was reasonably dealing with him. They werenʼt particularly afraid that he would cross a line.

Of course, Rui, on the other hand, was certain that they would deploy all the stealth Sages and Masters that they had on stand-by to shadow him to ensure that he didnʼt get into any mischief.

”Well then,” he smiled at them. ”I suppose we shall have the opportunity to speak extensively at a later time. Bye!”

”Waaah!” Amare cried as he pulled her along with him, never once letting go of her hand as the two of them surged into the air space of the Nagara City. Rui laughed at her flustered embarrassment at being the center of attention amid the countless terrans who gazed at the pair of outsiders with curiosity.

”You…” she pouted as she sky-walked by his side.

”Whatʼs the matter?” Rui smirked. ”Arenʼt you excited to explore this incredible nation? Look, we have reached the sky.”

They stopped their swift ascent, reaching the bright wall of crystals that spread across the entirety of the ceiling of the Nagara City.

Her eyes lit up with bright wonder as she marveled at beautiful shining crystals. ”These are the sky crystals,” Rui smiled at her gently. ”The Nest of Terra uses them to light up the entire city due to the absence of natural sunlight. They emit a light that is similar to that of the Sun, allowing the citizens of the nation to survive without any exposure to the sun their entire lives.”

”…Itʼs beautiful,” she whispered, turning to face the wondrous visage of the Nest of Terra. ”This entire nation is beautiful.”

And yet, while she gazed at the crystals, he found himself gazing at her. Her sparkling visage in the shine of the crystals enraptured him.

”Come,” his voice was warm. ”There are a hundred such cities, spread across an extraordinarily complex network that stretches unimaginable distance. We can explore all of them together.”

He offered his hand to her once again.

She turned to him with soft eyes of bashful affection. And yet, she took his hand, allowing herself to be pulled into his warm embrace. Their skins brushed as she rested her head on his warm chest, feeling his powerful beating heart.

”Iʼm so happy…” her pure voice was sincere. ”Iʼm so happy that I joined you on this adventure.”

Rui smiled. ”We havenʼt even gotten started.”

WHOOSH He flew away with her in his embrace as they explored the City of Nagara from its air space before descending onto its streets. It was truly a profound experience to walk amid a city that truly was just a city carved from the bedrock of the nation. They began earnestly exploring the city, even as the native terrans gazed at them with curiosity and fascination.

From new food, clothes, people, and even a new language, they experienced a simple and fleeting yet heartful adventure in the Nest of Terra.

-