The Martial Unity

K'ahru grinned at the chieftain's words. "Does that mean-!"

He froze as a wave of anger washed across him.

"Do not interrupt me," The chieftain's sharp eyes glared at him. "I see much merit in both your stances. However, what we lack is the necessary information we need to make this decision. Therefore, I have decided we will wait until we can move with confidence. None of us wish to weaken ourselves with a war that doesn't need to be waged just to be consumed by our real enemies. Yet, at the same time, none of us wish to simply hand over our precious and sacred techniques so easily."

He stood up, indicating the end of the meeting.

K'Mala and K'ahru felt ambivalent, while they did not get what they wanted, at the very least what they definitely didn't want happening did not happen. Thus the outcome was tentatively neutral.

The council dispersed quickly as each member processed what they had learned from it.

Back in the settlement of the Martial Union, Rui and Special Agent Cravis were still concerning themselves with the reaction of the G'ak'arkan Tribe.

a functioning wiretap in the council meeting room anymore," Special Agent Cravis sighed with

been an appropriate opportunity since then," Rui shook his head. "The presence of three Martial Seniors concentrated within such a small village makes it difficult

senses were sharper than all of Rui's sensory techniques combined.

rare opportunity that the two younger Martial Seniors K'Mala and K'ahru had left the village temporarily at night while the chieftain was asleep. That is the only reason I approved Kane infiltrating the village and planting wiretaps," Rui sighed. "Even then, it was extremely

not willing to put his best

tell me about the

had discussed briefly when you suggested the idea," Special Agent Cravis calmly replied. "For one, we can

that had been practicing and refining their long-range techniques for centuries was greatly validating, but that was

"Well?"

us to obtain our techniques," Special Agent Cravis explained. "Cooperation would be the common sense option were they a normal state, but given their warped culture as well as the fact that they perceive a Martial Squire instead of a Martial Senior leading our settlement will likely make the latter option more alluring than it normally would be. As for which route they will choose to

it is time to prop Senior Ceeran back up, I presume?" Rui asked as he quickly understood the circumstances and immediately came up with a straightforward

serve as a deterrence, that is true," Special Agent Cravis nodded. "However, the problem is that propping up

towards Special Agent Cravis with a knowing expression. "His previous

all. Although Senior Ceeran never intended to offend the and was merely being brutally honest, that doesn't change their impression of him. Given how irrational the G'ak'arkan Tribe is, they