The Martial Unity

In a wide hall was a large number of individuals seated semi-circular, facing a podium at the center.

The atmosphere prickled.

The air was wrung taut with tension.

The many men and women seated were garbed in ostentatious business attire, yet none as much as the man standing at the speaker's podium.

"…And on to the main agenda of the day," Guildmaster Bradt announced. "Motion for the re-consideration of the Shionel Confederation's neutrality stance towards the candidates for ruler of the Kandrian Empire. Agenda proposed by…"

Guildmaster Bradt glanced up from his paperwork. "…Me. I hereby commence an open-forum unmoderated caucus on the motion."

The first thing that Guildmaster Bradt did when the revelation of Rui Quarrier's princehood and heirship had reached his ears was pass notice for the termination of some of the more ambitious agreements with Princess Ranea that involved her becoming Empress.

The moment he learned that Rui was of royal blood, he knew that Princess Ranea never had a chance of ascending the throne.

Even when he removed the fact that Rui Quarrier was a powerful Martial Senior, the gap in competence and ability to navigate circumstances by exploiting opportunities prudently alone would have been enough to make him deeply reconsider supporting Princess of the Seas. He would most likely still defect from her to a certain extent.

the Kandrian Seafare Association, and that connection was quite valuable regardless of the

his mind when it came to choosing somebody to support

he didn't just try to approach Rui as the chairman of Bradt Distribution Services. Unfortunately for him, Rui's status, power, influence, and authority within the Kandrian

Prince Rui

the Shionel Confederation as a whole. If he could approach Rui with the authorized support of the entirety

to do that. Unlike the Emperor of Kandria, the position

balances ensured that the guildmaster could

essentially force his way through the voting session, having exhausted his limited supply for them

to compel the cabinet merchants of the Guild

that was not going to be

am against it!" One cabinet merchant boldly

into your secret alliance with Prince Rui

third-most powerful merchant in the Shionel Confederation after Guildmaster Bradt and Chairman Deacon. Ever since Deacon Industries took a massive hit after the fiasco of the massacre on the final floor of the Shionel Dungeon, causing him to lose

the previously sinking company,

stop the sinking company and even cause a small hint

of evaluation," Guildmaster Bradt

be considered when evaluating the merits of forging alliances," Her eyes sharpened in retort. "Compatibility of interests and history of cooperation are also equally important

rebutted. "I am not proposing we hold hands with him and entrust our lives in his hand. However, the promises of far greater benefits, ones that wealth cannot buy, can be obtained upon