The Martial Unity

Rui smiled calmly. "An astute observation and one that I have a solution for. Good thing it is that already know about her."

Sage Sayfeel narrowed his eyes. "...'her?'"

"The Silent Shadow," Rui remarked. "You know, Master Reina Cara. She possesses the ability to transform her body to mimic the appearance of anybody; she also possesses the ability to mimic their body language, demeanor, and microexpressions to the T. She can do it to a degree that not even non-sensory Martial Masters can discern. It's one of the reasons she's among the very best of the best as far as Master assassins go."

Sage Sayfeel's eyes widened as he understood the depth of Rui's plan. He realized it was quite impressive. "You plan to create a faction, and once you've created the bulk of it, you then intend to have Master Reina Cara serve as a stand-in to mimic you to maintain your faction while you secretly leave the Kandrian Empire."

"Indeed," Rui closed his eyes. "If I am unable to return to the Kandrian Empire with the Divine Doctor before Emperor Rael succumbs, then the Rui Faction, maintained by the disguised Master Reina, will stop any of my insane half-siblings from ascending the throne."

"And then what?" Sage Sayfeel narrowed his eyes. "Someone needs to ascend the throne."

"...I'll figure something out," Rui narrowed his eyes. "Now, tell me. Where is the Divine Doctor."

"Figure something out?" Sage Sayfeel's displeasure grew. "Figure what out? You tried to figure something out, and that failed, didn't it?"

"It's only a problem if I fail," Rui sharpened his eyes. "I don't intend to fail. Where is the Divine Doctor?"

"You will fail," Sage Sayfeel narrowed his eyes. "That is why I demand to know. What will you do when you fail?"

"Why are you certain that I will fail?" Rui growled. "If you've watched me for much of my life, you should know what I am capable of."

His eyes grew more intense.

"I can see the past and the future."

His tone escalated.

father hope that he

witnessed Rui using it in action when he used it

a feat that would

would be lying through his teeth if he

him with askance. "What do you know that ascertains

"...You are capable--highly capable--more so than

His tone grew grave.

Doctor within the entirety of the Beast Domain before the Emperor

"...Half a year?! What is

couldn't believe what he

highly perilous and highly expansive. The idea that a human could walk into it and survive for long periods of time was

high mortality rate within the Beast Domain; it

and vetted," Sage Sayfeel remarked with resignation. "He

Highness, can you find and bring back the Divine Doctor from god-knows-where in the Beast Domain before His Majesty passes away half

expression grew grave. "…I didn't know he has half a

Sayfeel's expression crumpled with frustration and resignation. "He fell unconscious shortly after you departed. I was prepared to announce it shortly after you made your decision. He has…entered the phase of eternal

patient entered a deathly state where they would be indistinguishable from death, barring a scarce heartbeat and mild respiration. It

returned to Rui. "You haven't answered my

His tone was demanding.

to find him across the entirety of the Beast Domain in just half a year?" Sage Sayfeel's voice grew fiercer. "Do you think you can even convince him to help the Emperor when

him for his impudence in the past, yet eventually, he simply returns from the

the dead," A strange expression appeared on Rui's

possibility