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.

still connected to the Kandrian Seafare Association, and that

from his mind when it

Rui as the chairman of Bradt Distribution Services. Unfortunately for him, Rui's status, power, influence, and authority within the Kandrian Empire had spiked to an unimaginable

Rui

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

the vote of the entirety of the Merchant's Guild to do that. Unlike the Emperor of Kandria, the position of Guildmaster

and balances ensured that the guildmaster could

out of all his veto authority and decision votes to essentially force his way through the voting session, having exhausted his limited supply for them

to have to compel the cabinet merchants of the Guild Council join the yet-to-emerge Rui

not going

One cabinet merchant boldly declared, drawing

secret alliance with Prince Rui Quarrier Kandria!

had been the 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

Chairman Decker, who had taken over the previously sinking company, to

sinking company and even cause a small hint of growth for the first time in ten years, it was not enough to preserve rank

Guildmaster Bradt narrowed

variable to be considered when evaluating the merits of forging alliances," Her eyes

the throne," Guildmaster Bradt calmly 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 his victory in exchange