The Martial Unity

Rui raised an eyebrow at his words.

"He was sharp, just like you," the man shook his head. "His ailment is Kandria's greatest curse."

"I understand you feel strongly about it," Rui replied. "I do, too. It is because I feel strongly about it that I require your support to ascend the throne and maintain the harmony that my father created, the harmony that elevated the Kandrian Empire to a powerhouse."

The man heaved a sigh. "I'm afraid I cannot help you."

Rui narrowed his eyes. "…And why is that?"

"…Had I known that you were a son of the Emperor, I would have made different choices, but…" The man shook his head.

"Get to the point, Minister," Rui stared at him intently.

"I have signed a permanent exclusive contract with Prince Raijun where I forfeit the right to officiate the coronation ceremony of any royal other than him," The man lowered his head.

Rui's eyes sharpened.

He clenched his fist.

In other words, the minister could not attend Rui's coronation ceremony without violating his agreement, allowing Prince Raijun to summon him to a court and negate his officiation of Rui's coronation ceremony, voiding Rui's claim as Emperor.

Prince Raijun had complete control over the minister's officiation power, in other words.

"…How could you?" Rui growled. "That's the highest agreement that a royal can secure from a high-ranking government official. Very few of the high-ranking government officials of even my faction have signed that."

to fetch me the Heavenly Makara Flower needed for the esoteric disease that I had contracted. Prince Raijun demanded permanent

that they didn't need to worry about those high-ranking government officials defecting. That contract would effectively prohibit them

do wish to support you. I do believe that you are far and away the best candidate for the throne," The man heaved a regretful sigh. "But only Prince Raijun reserves the right to terminate our agreement

legal team can find a loophole," Rui suggested in

loophole, Your Highness.

Rui heaved a sigh.

but I am unable to help you. I

man leave his

"Mila."

Highness?" His staff immediately

division send me a report on all of the other twenty

"…Yes, Your Highness."

before he got the report

in

had slowly chipped away at each of the remaining three prince's factions with his overwhelming factional power. There was almost nothing they wanted that he could give

progress that they had taken many years to make was unraveled by Rui

can be bought with Martial and economic capital and

remaining twenty-five support

ideological reasons?"

Highness," The director of his analyst division told him when he met up with her. "Over the past nine months. Those that can be moved by powerful incentives and benefits have already been wrung over to our faction;

be moved by powerful favors from the

"Unfortunately so, Your Highness."

eyes as he considered

and the pedestalizing of the people's interests were doctrines that many found attractive. Thus, Rui was not surprised that a minority of high-ranking