The Martial Unity

The two of them chatted some more about a variety of light topics. Eight years had passed, yet Rui noticed that there was no distance between them. They had gone back to chatting just like they used to nearly eight years ago.

That was something that Rui deeply appreciated, it was exactly what he needed.

He would feel awful if their relationship had been destroyed because of his eight-year disappearance. Perhaps Julian was keen enough to realize that and had chosen to proactively close the gap between them.

They returned to the old conversations that they used to have centered around nuanced topics relating to the anthropology of science, technology, and Martial Art.

"You obtained a journeyman scholar's degree in the sciences?" Julian asked with surprise. "Interesting, although you were always abnormally familiar with field of science, you never indicated any interest in pursuing the sciences as a career. You had always had your eyes fixed on Martial Art from day one."

"I needed both the knowledge and the authority to access information on certain substances for a Martial Art technique of mine," Rui explained. "So I decided to study up a bit, and ended up clearing the exam as the topper."

"As expected of my brother," A proud smile appeared on his face. "You are probably the only Martial Senior in history who is also a journeyman scholar."

Rui shrugged with a wry smile. He didn't give the slightest bit of a damn about his degree or the title of journeyman scholar, but making his brother proud and impressed was definitely worth the effort.

It wasn't long before the two of them completed a long talk together before heading back to the Quarrier Orphanage. It took even less time for all the adults to gather around the living room while the kids played outside in the evening.

Everybody was curious to know what Rui had been through in the past eight years.

How could they not be?

They certainly mourned when he had disappeared. But now that he had returned, he undoubtedly had some entertaining tales to tell!

"You don't have to stare at me that intently," Rui heaved a wry smile. "Now then…where to begin?"

He began at the beginning. He told them about Kane and he faked going to different places before eventually heading to the Shionel Confederation. He told them about his exploits in the Shionel Confederation including the fiasco that eventually led him to leaving for eight years.

He underplayed the danger they were in, to a certain extent. There was no point in telling them that dozens of assassination and kidnapping attempts had been made in the past eight years. His mother might even have gotten a heart attack if she learned about this sordid fact.

"Returning would have put you in danger," Rui explained. "He was hunting me, and thus staying away from you would mean taking his focus away from you. That's why I didn't return. I couldn't, not unless I was strong enough to protect all of you, and eliminate anybody who would dare set their eyes on the people I care for and love."

There was a stunned silence as they processed what Rui had just told him. They were already aware that Rui didn't return to protect them, but they didn't understand the details.

"And that man…Deacon…Is he?"

"Yes," Rui firmly affirmed. "He's no longer a threat. That's why I returned, having confirmed that."

"…"

None of them knew what to say to that. It was surreal to even think that such a thing had unfolded. The story that Rui narrated was straight out of a !

Yet among all of them, Lashara was the first to react. Yet she didn't try to console him or reassure him with words. She merely pulled him into a deep embrace.

Rui smiled, accepting her affection.

The mood took a turn for the better as he went on to tell them the rest of his story. His adventures with Kane as they traveled to incredible places like the Umiana Trench, the Thundering Valley, Crexeet Town, Ajanta Island, and the Great Forest of Hypnonarak.

He left out several crucial details because they were dangerous to even utter out loud, but he was earnest about his experiences.

He didn't admit to actually murdering Deacon either. Who knew who was listening, waiting to use his words against him.

"…Once I confirmed the news that Deacon had perished. I returned home," Rui concluded his story. "That's the end of that story."

"My poor baby…" Lashara pulled him in for a hug. "You must have gone through so much."

Rui smiled wryly as he bent awkwardly while his mother peppered his head with kisses. He had a feeling that he was comforting her rather than the other way around.

The adults of the orphanage were overwhelmed by the details of his adventurous tale. Max and Mana in particularly were fascinated by the various places that Rui had visited to get stronger.

"Is there really a hole in the ocean?" Max asked excitedly. "Yeah, it was shocking to witness, but it was definitely there," Rui nodded. "Martial Sages are incredible…" Mana murmured, deep in thought. "Tell me more about the Thundering Valley!"

As a maneuvering-oriented Martial Artist, she was naturally more curious about the Thundering Valley than she was about the Umiana Trench. Rui took his time, quelling all of their questions before finally satisfying the curiosity of the two young Squires.

"I know your experiences couldn't have been anything but extraordinary, but to you had such a fantastical adventure in the past eight years…" Julian murmured. "Truly fascinating."

The other adults were inclined to agree, the things that Rui described sounded almost fictional.

"This world is wider and larger than you can imagine," Rui smiled. "There is no limit to what is possible in such a world. You can only understand its many wonders if you see them in person. I'll take all of you to see them someday!"