CHAPTER 2105  SHOCKS

In a large royal hall, a huge number of people had gathered.

Had Rui been there, he would have recognized them.

They were members of his faction.

Or rather, former members.

In the past six months, Emperor Rael had won each and every single one of them over to his faction.

It had been effortless.

While Rui had needed to toil and struggle to earn the approval and loyalty of those who had eventually become a part of his faction, his father made it look easy.

With blessed innate attractiveness and aesthetics, perfected mastery over verbal and non-verbal communication, immaculate control over his body, and even a background in diplomacy and behavioral psychology, his charisma far exceeded anything that Rui could muster.

This, in conjunction with his already high esteem and status within Kandria, had allowed him to win back all of Rui's political influence and completely make it his own.

"…And, thus, I raise a toast." He smiled. "To Kandria."

"To Kandria!"

The formalities broke as the gathered esteemed guests began talking to each other about a variety of matters relating to things that had happened recently. Just half a year ago, these same people had cursed and mourned the return of the Emperor of Harmony, deeply displeased at Rui losing all opportunity to ascend the throne.

Yet, now, however, they spoke with delight and vigor, with an optimism that had not existed before.

'Good.' Rael's analytical gaze washed over each and every single one of the newly returned members of his own faction. 'The response is within predicted ranges. I can proceed with the next phase of my plan.'

While he lacked the sheer cognition his son had been blessed with, the illuminating SOUL System, and the mind sense of a Martial Master, he still had something that even his extraordinary son lacked.

Experience.

Three centuries of reading and manipulating people had given him an unmatched intuition about them. He knew how they felt, how they thought, and what triggers and fault lines they had that could be used to cause them to act a certain way.

It was one of the many reasons that he had succeeded in averting civil war and creating a nation where opposing forces could come together in harmony and produce a net force that was greater than the parts.

He walked around the hall, exchanging pleasantries with each and every person and seamlessly integrating himself in and out of conversations before anybody even realized.

"Emperor Rael." A powerful, firm voice drew his attention.

Rael's eyes lit up as his attention shifted to the man who had beseeched him.

"Well, if it isn't Guildmaster Bradt." Emperor Rael smiled pleasantly. "…The last decade has been something of a rollercoaster for the Kandrian Empire, hasn't it?" Guildmaster Bradt remarked calmly. "To think your illness came to light, triggering the Kandrian Throne War as the seven royals battled for the throne. Only for you to rock the boat with the revelation of Prince Rui, turning him into a contender for the throne."

Emperor Rael smiled calmly while the Guildmaster narrowed his eyes.

"…And just when everybody thought things had finally ended with Prince Rui's victory, you shocked the world once more with your return," Guildmaster Bradt continued. "I, for one, am wary of any more shocks."

His gaze sharpened. "Tell me, Emperor Rael. Do I have reason to fear any more shocks?" Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Emperor Rael's powerful eyes met the inquisitive peer of the guildmaster of the Shionel Confederation.

Ironically, it was the more direct line of questioning that was trickier to evade than more sophisticated lines of inquiry and investigation. Guildmaster Bradt knew that. Normally, it was not something that people without the appropriate amount of power could do, but as the leader of a Sage-level nation and an oligarch of an entire industry, Guildmaster Bradt knew that he was just powerful enough to address the Emperor of Harmony.

He put Emperor Rael in a tough spot.

If the latter blatantly denied any more shocks, it would come to bite him back when his actions inevitably triggered the next Great East Panamic War. It would undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of his words.

This was a highly undesirable outcome.

However, he could not simply come out clean and tell the foxy guildmaster about his plans to elevate Kandria to the supreme pinnacle of humanity.

At the same time, if he overtly refused to answer the question, then he would reveal the fact that he was hiding something. His answer needed to be surgically vague enough where he wouldn't reveal his plans but also would not be perceived as evasive.

"The only constant is change, guildmaster. You, of all people, should know that better than anyone else, considering that it was because you were open to a radical change of strategy that you could win the Shionel Dungeon War, was it not?" Emperor Rael's rich voice confidently asked. "I do not intend to be an instrument of inertia. Kandria must change. Kandria will change. Just as it changed when I became Emperor, it will change now that I have returned as Emperor."

"…" Guildmaster Bradt simply stared at the Emperor of Harmony.

By making it seem like a political slogan of sorts, Rael had successfully obscured the truth. It was difficult for Guildmaster Bradt to evaluate whether it was just an empty line thrown out without too much seriousness or whether it was something that he needed to take seriously.

Emperor Rael gazed at him knowingly.

Guildmaster Bradt played an important role in his plans with the sheer amount of power this man could command. It meant that he would eventually need to lobby this man to his side.

However, today was not that day. The only people who knew of his plan were the Martial Sages of the nation, barring the underworld Sage, and a few people he trusted wholeheartedly.

Any premature revelations of his intentions and ability to elevate Kandria would lead to absolute catastrophe that would end in Kandria's downfall.

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