Chapter 1606 Additional Considerations
"From what I understand, Her Excellency is not a part of your faction," Rui replied. "Even if she was, you wouldn't trust her with your memories if you had any sense. Martial Sages possess the sheer power to get away with anything short of high treason against the Royal Emperor himself. Even if she wipes your memories and turns you into a vegetable, she will most likely not face too much trouble. She is infinitely more valuable to the nation than you are."
His words cut sharp, but they were true. There was absolutely nothing that Prince Raijun could do for or against a Martial Sage that didn't align with his ideals.
The prince heaved a sigh as he fell deep into thought.
He did not like his current position. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Rui had exploited the chinks in his armor, such as his lack of loyalty from his faction, to get away with making absurd demands that he could not dismiss. He had also cleverly leveraged his sheer value to the Martial Union, and how much the organization clearly adored Rui despite the fact that he did not choose to become an internal member and join their corps.
He would not be able to convince the Surgeon or any other Martial Master in his political faction to try and pressure Rui into helping him refine his Martial Art. They would straight up refuse.
They both knew that.
If Prince Raijun tried bullying Rui with a few Martial Artists of his own then...
'You'll lose support from the Martial Union. You managed to reel in the Martial Supremacist Faction because you espoused their ideals and agreed to elevate Martial Artists to the head of the nation,' Rui mused inwardly. 'Once they find out that you used your authority to suppress a Martial Artist two Realms above you, then everything will come into question.'
Rui smiled lightly. This was the best response that he could hope for at the moment. It was impossible for Prince Raijun to rely on his extensive faction and administration to help him come to a decision regarding this matter.
"Do you support Ranea and Raul's visions for the future?" Prince Raijun asked, narrowing his eyes. Rui heaved a sigh. "Not as much as you'd think. I just think their philosophy of them is by far the most palatable among all. That's not to say that it's perfect, but I don't find them disagreeable. However, I have not yet met either of them, let alone thrown my support behind them."
Then again, he would be meeting Princess Ranea soon enough.
"You are bolder than I ever imagined, Senior Quarrier," Prince Raijun remarked with a hint of grudging admiration. "I would have never imagined that our first training session would have unfolded in this manner."
"Neither did I, Your Highness," Rui smirked. "But we can only play the cards we have been dealt. That is all I did."
"You could have just agreed to make me a Martial Squire in exchange for normal rewards." Prince Raijun remarked. "Wealth, resources, territory, resources, and information. You could have capitalized on this opportunity to get as much of those as you wished. Yet you wish to cripple some of my tools in the Kandrian Throne War."
"Well, I did ask for wealth," Rui replied. "However, if you must know, it's because the outcome of the Kandrian Throne War is important to me. I took this opportunity to influence it."
"If you find the Martial Supremacist philosophy that disagreeable, then why even offer to help me?" The Prince asked, probing Rui's philosophy. "You would be better off simply paying the expensive severance pay and breaking away quietly."
"To protect my long-term personal interests, Your Highness" Rui replied with a wry smile. "The best way to avoid irking the non-Martial power bloc of your faction is to engage in a transaction where they gain what they want. I'm not interested in making a powerful enemy after being exiled due to being making powerful enemies. That is why I have chosen to avoid antagonizing you by refusing you, and have decided to pursue cooperation instead. Thus I truly do hope we can engage in a transaction, Your Highness, for both our sakes."
