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?"

took me but a single glance to discern that you haven't changed. That is why

lowered his

the final of the seven

"Raijun."

Raijun

deeply relieved and pleased that your rivals failed to gain my approval. Even if you yourself fail to do

Emperor effortlessly read his mind, seeing right

do not require my support, nor will you get it. I

head. "When I look at you. I don't see you. I

grew

"You are a tool."

gritted

Emperor snorted. "You are even more of a tool than Randal,

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

But how?

He didn't know.

glared at Emperor

"Shut up."

Emperor's heavy voice cut through

Raijun down. "Tools should remain silent and do

gnashed his teeth

"I am disappointed."

all of his

of you is able to understand the harmony needed to rule

it. Anybody who does not understand the importance of balance

Emperor had

dark atmosphere settled into

to know that the great Emperor of Harmony judged all of

the end of the

death of Emperor Rael truly would, as he declared, bring about a civil war that would bring ruin to Kandria, marking the dawn of decline. Perhaps Prince Raijun

war was

rare individual blessed with the gift of harmonizing a

a hint of regret at his impending

have failed

stunned those who heard

Kandrian Empire, it was Emperor Rael. If even he had failed the Kandrian Empire, then what

failed this Empire by failing to impart

rich, deep,

cannot be averted, then

His voice changed.

determination filled

may very well be

grave severity underlied

my final gift to

The air grew electric.

It grew taut.