The Martial Unity

Perhaps Prince Raul had been right. Perhaps Rui's thoughtful nature was overthoughtful and could sometimes be considered a curse.

If that was the case, then perhaps Prince Raul might have found a solution to it, making mind-numbingly stupid statements that absolutely stunned his mind into paralysis.

It was as though the sheer stupidity of the People Prince's game plan was so high that it had temporarily short-circuited Rui's brain.

He was unable to even parse a thought after the Prince explained his brilliant plan to prevent a civil war.

If this was a hypnotic technique, it would be a grade-ten technique. He doubted that even Master Zeamer had such a powerful hypnosis technique.

He simply sat in his seat, staring at the People's Prince with a vacant expression. A small part of him hoped that this was all an elaborate joke that the prince was pulling to mess with him.

Perhaps any second now he was going to get up and yell 'LMAO GOTCHA!', but the rest of him knew that that would not happen.

The People's Prince simply stared at him head-on with eyes brimming with sincerity and hope.

As well as certainty.

This prince was the most delusional member of the Royal Family.

At least they understood the gravity of their decision and that overcoming the fallout was not going to be easy and would require more than just idly sitting on a throne. They were prepared for what it took to become Emperor.

"…You are clinically insane," Rui managed to squeeze out.

The prince did not take any offense at those words. His smile saddened as he got up, leaning forward, putting a hand on Rui's shoulder.

His pure eyes conveyed an impression of warmth and comfort despite the shock his words had delivered. "Ah, my friend. For every ten people who call me a saint, there has always been one who calls me a madman. But…"

He shook his head. "I am neither a saint nor a madman. I am simply connected to my citizens, my people; I am simply connected to the suffering of life. Even to yours."

deep sadness engulfed him as he beheld Rui. "Help me help you. The void in your soul is not something that any amount of power in this universe can satisfy. There will come a day when it will consume everything and, eventually, even you. You will never find

weighed down on the world around

Your astronomic growth as a Martial Artist is able to keep up with its demand. But that won't continue forever. Some day, you will not be able

reeling from the shock of the Prince's political plans, to bother pushing back against the

even an endless universe will assuage the hunger of your ambition," The prince's voice took on a

eyes bore into

Rui's eyes widened.

"What?"

smiled mysteriously. "You don't seem to be too aware of why you

know where

that be? What caused

stared at him. "A famous quote. From a great

"A great martial artist?"

"The greatest."

His declaration was firm.

smiled warmly. "Rather strange,

an

a drive so powerful it propelled you to the youngest in the Senior Realm," Prince smiled.

Rui stared at him.

His expression grew immersed.

quote, you said," The prince continued. "If it's famous.

"Most certainly."

endlessly hungry void that I see within you?" The prince

Not a single

while everybody else who heard this quote went about their day like it was any other, but in you…In you, it birthed a void that may very well consume this entire

Rui's eyes. "I wonder