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."

me the Heavenly Makara Flower needed for the esoteric

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

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

can find a loophole," Rui

mirthlessly. "Surely you are aware that there is no such loophole, Your Highness. The legal division of Prince Raijun's administration

Rui heaved a sigh.

got up. "…I am truly regretful and bitter about this turn of events, but I am unable to help you. I shall not waste your precious time anymore. I hope you find someone else and ascend

his office with

"Mila."

Your Highness?" His staff

report on all of the

"…Yes, Your Highness."

he got

them are in Raul's faction, eight in Rajak's, and eight in Raijun's," Rui

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 their high-ranking

had taken many years to make was unraveled by Rui

be bought with

remaining twenty-five support my three

ideological

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; these remaining

by powerful favors from the Martial Union or

"Unfortunately so, Your Highness."

eyes as he considered the

that many found attractive. Thus, Rui was not surprised that a minority of high-ranking government officials were deeply supportive of one of