The Martial Unity

If that was the case, Rui could easily understand why he was willing to sell a precious floor from the Shionel Dungeon. The services of a Martial Sage were strategically great enough that they were worth parting from giant city-sized pockets of space that inherently possessed remarkable anti-espionage functions.

The Shionel Confederation possessed only one Martial Sage, and that Martial Sage was the only reason that the state was considered a full-fledged Sage-level nation. It meant that the Martial Sage was extraordinarily powerful within the Shionel Confederation, most likely on par with the guildmaster himself given the sheer amount of leverage he could have as the greatest military asset that protected the Shionel Confederation.

He could get his way quite easily.

That was probably frustrating to someone like Guildmaster Bradt. However, with the presence of an additional Martial Sage who was willing to offer her services as a Martial Sage much more sincerely, the Merchant Guild did not have to rely on the Shionel Sage as much. It restrained his power.

('It also makes the Shionel Confederation stronger as a whole against external influences.')

He had not forgotten that the original reason that the Shionel Dungeon had been freely opened to the whole world was because it was too weak to resist the pressure from the outside.

If the same dungeon had opened in the Kandrian Empire, or any of the other national powerhouses, they would have been able to monopolize the dungeon without having to cower to external militaristic forces. It would have been able to charge much more extensive prices and concessions for entering the dungeon than the measly tax that the Shionel Confederation was limited to.

That was what the sheer might of the Martial Union and the Kandrian Royal Family combined could achieve.

With an additional Martial Sage in their midst, the Shionel Confederation would slowly be taking a step towards that level of power and security.

That wasn't all, there were so many benefits to it, that Rui couldn't help but feel that he had stumbled onto the truth.

Rui glanced at the guildmaster. He didn't expect anything less from the deviously shrewd merchant. The man was not to be underestimated.

Regardless, it appeared that he wasn't too interested in talking to the Martial Master and Rui beyond that point. He simply bid them farewell, before taking his leave.

Master Deivon immediately turned to Rui with an appreciative smile. "Frankly, I did not expect you to reject his offer for me. You do realize what kind of opportunity you've missed out on? Guildmaster Bradt is one of the most powerful international business magnates. Earning his interest is something that other Martial Squires would kill to have."

Rui shrugged. "It is not that big a deal."

He was speaking from experiencing. Dealing with Guildmaster Bradt and Chairman Deacon during the same period was one of the most stressful periods of his life.

Rui simply surveyed the banquet as even more guests had poured in.

He didn't expect to see so many familiar faces.

He saw a royally attired man speaking to several Martial Squires and even a Martial Senior.

('That… is the King of Graheria.') Rui mused.

It was the same man whose country Rui had infiltrated to learn of the gravitational stabilizer weapon that the Kaddar Nations had used to assault the Floating Sect.

Rui had also killed a Martial Senior of his nation.

It appeared that the Kaddar Nations were more desperate for Martial Artists after the war for the king to personally bargain with Martial Artists himself. He was, no doubt determined to sway at least a chunk of the Martial Squires to his nation due to the acute shortage of Martial Squires after the war had either killed them all, or the Floating Sect had poached them all.

('Speaking of the Floating Sect…') Rui glanced in the direction of another dignitary with an emblem of a floating island on her top.

It appeared that even the Floating Sect wanted a piece of the cake. This did make sense as the Floating Sect was mostly comprised of Martial Squires, thus they were certainly interested in upgrading the quality of their Martial Squires after much of it had deteriorated due to the deaths of the guardians in the war.

It was amusing for Rui to see so many familiar organizations and people that he had come to be acquainted with over the years partake in the banquet. It showed the sheer influence and reach of the Virodhabhasa Faith, it also showed that he had perhaps underestimated what it meant to be a seed of the Divine in such a religion.

But, it also showed the sheer number of people he had impacted in his journey as a Martial Artist. This was something that he had never really considered before. But the fact that he knew so many people on such a large stage and event said something about how much influence Rui had had on the state of the world.

The Serevian Dungeon War, Vilun Island, Kaddar-Ajanta conflict, the Shionel Dungeon raid, and the outcome of the election.

And now the Martial contest. A contest he intended to win.

The rest of the banquet proceeded smoothly. For the most part, Rui was content standing around and observing while indulging in the luxurious food of the banquet. While he was approached by several dignitaries, he politely refused all of them.

He found it interesting that Commissioner Reze never strayed anywhere near him despite speaking to all of the other contestants who had patrons. He did appreciate the gesture. It showed that the Kandrian Empire was willing to stay their hand and avoid complicating things for him.

If her performed well during the Martial Contest, then there was a much greater avenue for speaking with them, he would have such a high profile that not even Master Deivon's patronage would be enough to stop him from at least speaking with the more important guests.

Once he won the Martial Contest, he would have the opportunity to speak to Commissioner Reze and gain a better understanding of what had happened in the three years that he had been away.