The Martial Unity

Rui's heart sank when he learned about this development. He knew that Chairman Deacon hated his guts, but he didn't think that he would be so proactive in his efforts to overcome the security detail that Rui had commissioned from the Martial Union.

Not only had the man not given up in the past three years, he was taking big strides in the hopes of exacting his vendetta.

"What about his investigation into me?" Rui asked with a grave tone.

"We have successfully led him to believe that Rui Quarrier is within the Kandrian Empire for the past three years, you can rest assured of that." Commissioner Reze spoke with a smile.

"That is quite relieving to learn. I thought that there was a good chance that he would have figured out that I am not in the Kandrian Empire by now." Rui murmured.

Ultimately, it wouldn't have taken too long for him under ordinary circumstances. It was too great of a fact to keep hidden, and someone as competent as Chairman Deacon would have noticed the incongruencies.

"Do not underestimate the Martial Union's ability for covert sabotage," Commissioner Reze conveyed just a hint of pride. "With our Martial Artists, throwing an investigation off your scent by convincing them that you're in the Kandrian Empire is very much possible and feasible."

"That is quite relieving to know," Rui nodded. "Please continue with it. One of the reasons he hasn't noticed me is because he is not looking for me outside of the nation."

It was a good thing to know that the Martial Union possessed the ability to sabotage his investigation for three years straight. It meant that they could do it longer as well. Giving him the time he needed to accumulate his personal power.

"Tell me more about the measures that Chairman Deacon has taken as far as building up a base and foundation in the Kandrian Empire," Rui asked.

"He has largely increased sales of esoteric ore supplies, as well as manufacturing operations of esoteric technology." Commissioner Reze explained. "He has purchased a large showroom in the town of Hajin featuring his products while many large manufacturing complexes further down south in the poorer parts of the nation for lower taxes."

"Damn..." Rui's fist clenched.

The town of Hajin was extremely close to the Quarrier Orphanage. He could cross the distance in a few seconds, it was far too close for him to be at ease.

"Still, this is a lot of progress in just three years. When I left the Shionel Confederation, Deacon Industries was starting to crack and fall apart due to the heavy blow that he suffered due to the catastrophe within the Shionel Dungeon. You're telling me he fought a colonization war within the Shionel Dungeon thereafter, and then proceeded to aggressively expand into Kandrian soil?" Rui raised an eyebrow. "That is very taxing and burdening. You mentioned that he had received the aid of several industrial powerhouses within the Kandrian Empire, who are you referring to?"

"There are several, but the most prominent among them is Charles DiViliers and the DiViliers Industries." Commissioner Reze explained. "He has formed an ironclad partnership with Chairman Deacon."

Rui's eyes narrowed.

Charles DiViliers. He knew that name. This was the same man who held those Martial Art competitions known as the Martial Games at the Apprentice level. Rui had participated in the Martial Games many years ago, representing Nartha Freiers He was also the man whose champion was a bandit that Rui had fought many years ago. A golden-haired and golden-eyed bandit who had tried suppressing trade between two different towns within the Kandrian Empire by conducting bandit raids on traveling merchant supply convoys.

"Charles DiViliers... That man has ties with the underworld." Rui narrowed his eyes as he voiced a conclusion that he had come to a long time ago.

Commissioner Reze raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That is true. However, it is not public information."

"I feel extremely uncomfortable that those two are colluding with each other." Rui narrowed his eyes. "Is the only reason that this is happening is that Charles DiViliers wants some real estate within the Shionel Confederation?"

"Well, no, not entirely..." Commissioner Reze admitted. "Of course, estate within the Shionel Confederation is quite valuable. The competition for estate within the Shionel Confederation is unlike anything else as I'm sure you remember."

Rui nodded. He and Kane had come across entire flea markets outside the Shionel Confederation comprised of small-time merchants who were unable to compete with the merchants within the Shionel Confederation, unable to own even a square foot of land due to how intense the demand was.

Owning an entire city, in the form of a dungeon floor, within the Shionel Confederation could make one rich unlike anything else.

"However, Charles DiViliers is most focused on the Kandrian Empire rather than the Shionel Confederation." Commissioner Reze explained. "The dungeon is good, but what he really wants is a powerful political ally, and a lobbyist so that he can increase the net political capital he has. All for the sake of the impending war."

"Impending war?" Rui furrowed his eyebrows, tilting his head in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Commissioner Reze paused for a moment, before sighing. "The war for the throne, of course. The war for power over the Kandrian Empire."

Rui's eyes widened. "What?"

"Emperor Rael Di Kandria... is bedridden." Commissioner Reze revealed with a grave tone. "He has been suffering from an extremely lethal terminal illness for the past two decades. Many a doctor has examined him, and while solutions have been provided, they are extraordinarily difficult, dangerous, or costly."

Rui stared at him with a stunned expression. "...What?"

"In the past three years, his condition has worsened," Commissioner Reze explained. "And from all the experts that we have consulted, it is projected to get worse. His time is nigh. In the next few years, perhaps a decade at the absolute most, he will most likely either announce his abdication or succumb to his condition, leaving the throne vacant."

"And a war that will engulf the entirety of the Kandrian Empire will break out..." Rui murmured.

Commissioner Reze snorted. "It will engulf the entirety of East Panama."