The Martial Unity

The Emperor turned to Princess Ranea. "My daughter…It has been five years since we last spoke."

"…I was pleased to receive the news of your awakening," She said with a respectful tone.

"I recall that your ambition to cross the waters of the Great Nam Ocean had not ceased even after I told you about the dire threats that exist at the depths at the center and core of the Great Nam Ocean."

"…Yes, Father."

"And yet you wish to set foot in a domain we are powerless within to take on what is the Beast Domain of the ocean…"

"…Yes, Father."

"And you still wish to tear apart the delicate balance of the Kandrian Empire in an attempt to channel all of Kandria's power into this endeavor in pursuit of the many treasures that its treacherous depths have to offer, correct?"

"…Yes, Father."

"…"

He stared at his daughter, apparently speechless, before heaving a soft sigh.

"Your honesty is refreshing. Then, answer this question honestly as well. Tell me, my daughter, what is the crown to you?"

"…" She didn't reply.

"Do you seek the depths of the Great Nam Ocean for the sake of Kandria, or do you seek Kandria for the sake of the depths of the Great Nam Ocean?"

She shook at his question.

It struck at the very core of her drive.

"…" Her expression grew grave even as she held her tongue.

"Your silence is deafening, dear daughter."

"…"

He shook his head before issuing his judgment.

"Unworthy."

He glanced around at his children. "Two years have passed, yet is there nobody who can earn my approval? What have you accomplished in the past two years?"

His eyes shifted to Prince Raul, who winced at his attention.

"Ah…if it isn't my saint of a son," The Emperor snorted.

"…Father."

"The boy who thinks he can move the world by striking the human heart," The Emperor scowled. "Yet he doesn't understand that it is the mind that moves the world, not the heart. That is why he fails to draw enough power from across Kandria to his noble cause."

Disappointment flashed in the Emperor's eyes. "Raul…I…had high hopes for you. I had hoped that you would cultivate thought. Cultivate your understanding of the world. For how can you change a nation you know not anything about?"

single glance to discern that you

Raul lowered his

the final of the

"Raijun."

Raijun narrowed his

deeply relieved and pleased that your rivals failed to gain my approval. Even

expression grew ugly as the Emperor effortlessly read his mind, seeing right

"You do not require my support, nor will you get it. I will die before I let

I look at you. I don't see

grew even

"You are a tool."

Raijun gritted

are even more of a

as he realized the Emperor had somehow found out about his manipulation of the four

But how?

He didn't know.

at Emperor Rael. "Father,

"Shut up."

Emperor's heavy voice cut

glare pinned Raijun down. "Tools should remain

Raijun gnashed his

"I am disappointed."

struck all

a single one of you is able to understand the harmony needed

support it. Anybody who does not understand the importance of balance between these pillars that

had

atmosphere settled into the

of Harmony judged all of them unworthy of ascending the

the end of the Age of Glory for the Kandrian

if the death of Emperor Rael truly would, as he declared, bring about a civil war that would bring ruin to

war was

of Harmony was the outlier, a rare individual blessed with the gift of

that moment, they truly did feel a hint of regret

have failed

words stunned those who heard

who had not failed the Kandrian Empire, it was Emperor Rael. If even he had failed

have failed this Empire by failing

his rich, deep, masculine

War cannot be averted, then so

His voice changed.

determination filled its

to do may very

grave severity underlied his

my final gift

The air grew electric.

It grew taut.