The Martial Unity

Shortly after, he spotted the eager figure of Prince Raul, who was soon followed by Princess Raemina, Prince Raijun, Princess Ranea, Prince Rajak, and Princess Rafia throughout the long line.

They alternatingly split into two lines on either side of the ostentatious carpet leading to the throne.

The time had come.

"Please welcome the Emperor of Harmony, the Second Emperor of the Kandrian Empire, His Majesty Rael Di Kandria!"

A powerful drum beat reverberated through the throne hall with each step.

STEP

STEP

STEP

Rui's eyes widened as he beheld the vaunted Emperor of Kandria.

…Now, a weary old man with a diseased body.

His skin was a shade of sickly darkness, hanging off his gaunt face. His body was lean and haggard; his thin, weak limbs conveyed an impression of malnourishment. His hair, once a brilliant golden, had lost its luster. His eyes, once an ethereal blue, had lost their shine.

Yet they never once lost the light of determination.

His gait was unstable even as two of his concubines held his hands, aiding him as he exerted himself to reach the throne.

Nearly twenty-five Martial Masters followed behind him, absolutely alert for any threat whatsoever.

Not that there were any threats.

Not with a Martial Sage overseeing security.

STEP

With each passing step, each guest bowed their head deeply as the Royal Emperor passed them, paying their respects to the Emperor of Kandria.

STEP…

beholding it for

"Ahh…"

sat upon his throne. His security detail circled around the throne, forming a layer that encompassed him, his concubines, and Sage Farana

command escaped his

"Raise your heads."

the silence as each of the guests abided,

a profoundly deep air of power and authority seemed to radiate from him. This was power, not

the hundreds of thousands of powerful siege

the might of a million-strong army of elite soldiers armed

bore witness to him, he bore witness to the power of

of his power, the power to erase Sage-level nations with a single command, to hunt Martial Sages like they were no more than prey, to leave his

their nervousness as the emperor's eyes swum across each and every single one of

The silence lingered.

It was deafening.

good to

A nonchalant remark.

well have been

citizens…My children…" His voice reverberated through the throne hall. "It is good to be back,

The air grew electric.

It prickled.

guests and his own children as a wave of apprehension

"You seem nervous."

They undoubtedly were.

most powerful business and economic tycoons or the most accomplished Martial

"Do I inspire fear?"

certainly did now, with

many

sickly visage inspire

grew stronger as it pierced

my impending

invited guests stirred

"It should."

His words grew ominous.

The Emperor calmly declared. "What it inspires,

fierce light lit up in his eyes as his nonchalance receded. "…is ambition and greed,

rang through the