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?"

sharper. "It took me but a single glance to

Raul lowered

turned to the final of the seven

"Raijun."

Prince Raijun narrowed his

put up a fierce facade, my son," The Emperor grinned. "I can see that you are deeply relieved and pleased that your rivals failed to gain my approval. Even if you yourself fail to do so, the final possible impediment has proven to

grew ugly as the Emperor effortlessly read his

The Emperor nodded. "You do not require my support, nor will you get it. I will die before I let Kandria become a Martial

chuckled at his own joke before shaking his head. "When I

Raijun's expression grew even

"You are a tool."

gritted

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

out about his manipulation of the four royals. Chills went up his spine

But how?

He didn't know.

glared at Emperor Rael. "Father,

"Shut up."

heavy voice

should

gnashed his teeth in

"I am disappointed."

all

that not a single one of you is

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

Emperor had issued

settled into the

was not inspiring to know that the great Emperor of

this marked the end of the Age of Glory for the Kandrian

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

civil war was

rare individual blessed with the gift of harmonizing a

a hint of regret at his

have failed this Great

stunned those who

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

this Empire by failing to impart harmony

rich, deep,

cannot

His voice changed.

determination filled

to do may very well be my final

severity underlied his

will be my final gift to

The air grew electric.

It grew taut.