Chapter 1576 Victims of War
Time slowed down to a halt in Rui's perspective as scrutinized the frozen prince. He glanced at the two Martial Masters beside the man. While they looked forward, he could feel their attention and alertness. If he made so much as the wrong move, he would die before he realized it.
He glanced back at the Martial Prince, evaluating him. 'He's rhetorically effective with his Martial supremacy, I'll give him that.'
The answer to his question was obviously in favor of his rhetoric, but it also tied back to their first exchange where he stopped Rui from bowing down to him.
It was a good compelling way to try and gain Rui's approval.
Yet Rui also knew that he was putting on an act, to a certain extent. He had sensed the aristocratic and Royal bearing in the man's demeanor and body language. It was an interesting nuance.
'Together...they most likely serve as the basis for why he thinks he is more fit than the other princes and princesses for the throne; the fact that he's a Martial Artist who, by his Martial supremacist philosophy, ought to be part of the ruling class.' Rui realized, deep in thought. 'But I wonder if he's willing to apply that to himself with stronger Martial Artists.'
"...It is quite unpleasant as a Martial Artist," Rui replied, answering his question. "Part of the reason I seek power is to ensure that I don't need to bow down to those who seek to control me." N♡vεlB¡n: Transforming Moments into Memories.
"And who will suffer the most under a civil war, Your Highness?" Rui's eyes narrowed. "Is it the Martial Artists whose innate power always ensures that they're the least affected by any disaster? Is it the upper class of society that has so much wealth and resources that nothing short of an apocalypse can reach them? Is it the other various power blocs of the upper echelons of the socioeconomic landscape of this nation each with vast wealth, resources, assets, Martial power, and authority that will suffer the most?"
He paused for a moment, before continuing. "...No. While they may expend much pursuing their own agendas and goals, none of them are going to be the most affected by any war. The most vulnerable class of society that will suffer the most are the people of Kandria."
Prince Raijun remained silent but did not seem too surprised. His intelligence network had doubtlessly informed him of Rui's attachment to his family. The same intelligence network had informed him that Rui had refused the deal to become a member of the Martial Union's internal corps in exchange for protection for his family, instead choosing to expend billions of his then newly-earned wealth to do so.
That had told the Martial Prince many things. Firstly, of the three interests; wealth, freedom, and his family, Rui Quarrier cared for money the least. He cared for his freedom and family the most.
Prince Raijun's strategy for winning over Rui to his philosophy had been to capitalize on the former of the two interests. By tapping into Rui's displeasure at helplessly serving forces that were unworthy of commanding him.
He hadn't accounted for the latter of the two getting in the middle of an ideal execution of his lobbying attempt. Regardless, this was far from insurmountable.
"Philosophically, a single war is a lesser evil than a century of rule without Martial Artists as the ruling class," Prince Raijun replied. "This is true because ruling the country is easier for Martial Artists than any other class of society. No set of politicians, class of intellectuals, fields of skill, or labor can rule a country as well as those in the field of Martial Art. I'm sure you know why with your proven political acumen, Senior Quarrier."
Rui couldn't deny it. "Martial Artists impede all ruling parties since they are walking weapons of mass destruction with their own drives, interests and agendas, desires and displeasures. Managing them is extremely difficult and impedes the ability to rule a nation successfully. The only way to get rid of this impediment is to make Martial Artists the ruling force of the nation so that they are no longer an impediment to the rulers, but the rulers themselves."
