The Martial Unity

The princess continued talking about the extent to which she intended to expand the Kandrian Empire's maritime and trade sector with not just more submarines but everything.

By that time, Rui was unable to even keep track of just how much she was spending, but it was already starting to reach the sum total of the total annual budget every year!

She was going to spend the entire nation's total resources on expanding the maritime sector of the Kandrian Empire!

The entire nation was going to slowly crumble from malnutrition while the maritime sector would boom in turn. Admittedly, this would not strictly lead to the destruction of the Kandrian Empire, but it was going to result in a very rough, painful, and perhaps even violent transition to a maritime nation. It would slowly erode away all other sectors of the nation, amplifying the maritime sector instead. Rui didn't even know how much damage this would cause to the nation before it finally stabilized into the image of her dreams.

"…And that brings an end to my Royal ambitions, distinguished guests. Today is the first day I have openly revealed the extent of my full plan for the future of the Kandrian Empire." She remarked. "The Karokann submarine is just the first of countless to come, mark my words. Please take it upon yourselves to enjoy the Karokann; tours of the Karokann have been prepared all day long once it docks at the port. Each of you can experience the incredible experience of being in a submarine. I would like to offer a special thanks to the Kandrian Seafaring Association and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for this day, for it would not have come without their tireless support. I thank you all for partaking in this little unveiling event."

A thundering round of applause followed as she concluded her little speech, dispelling the formal air of the event.

Rui simply stared at her with sharp eyes, throwing a little side-eye to Guildmaster Bradt, who simply stared at him knowingly. He turned back to the Princess of the Seas with a skeptical expression.

She immediately noticed their gaze, smiling at him as she approached him.

to see you here. Did you enjoy the unveiling

Your

She smiled warmly at him, turning to Rui. "It is truly a pleasure to meet you. I have been looking forward

smiled courteously. "I truly appreciate the invitation to this event. Your speech was…interesting, I

find ourselves a more private setting to discuss sensitive

be

the hopeful sense that she could be reasoned with. Perhaps there was something that he was missing about his estimations of the economic burden that her plans were bound

would hope that

in a room with a glass wall featuring the Karokann that was now docked

vessel," Rui remarked, breaking the ice. "The fact that our Empire is among

eyes. "It is an endeavor that I have done my very best to pursue. While I may not have worked on the submarine myself, it brings me great joy and pride to know that my efforts contributed to

even as they spoke to each other. It appeared the information he purchased from the Martial Union was factually accurate.

lot of hope

"The revelations of your royal ambition earlier…were you perhaps exaggerating some of the numbers

She tilted her head, looking at Rui strangely. "What