CHAPTER 2405 FIT OF MADNESS
The birth of a new Sage sent ripples across East Panama.
It was an event that the common citizen was not familiar with yet was not too shocked by. It didn't happen frequently enough to be dismissed, but it wasn't too shocking at the same time.
It happened every few years over the past century and a half.
The average person regarded the news with a hint of curiosity and intrigue before moving on with their day. The political sphere of East Panama, however, regarded the news with deep seriousness.
Every Sage mattered.
Every Sage altered the strategic outlook.
The birth of a new Sage meant that the Kandrian Empire was that much more secure.
However, they also heard news about the circumstances of her breakthrough.
She hadn't broken through in battle.
She had broken through after defeat.
This was almost more significant.
It meant that the East Panamic Treaty Alliance most likely had obtained a Martial Artist who was at the very peak of the Master Realm.
So long as Masters remained the spearheads of operations instead of Sages, this was extremely important. It meant that the East Panamic Treaty Alliance had gained a way to fight the monster that was the Void Prince without needing to sacrifice lots of Masters.
That mattered.
The political sphere of East Panama didn't entirely understand why the Kandrian Empire did something as foolish as deploying the Void Prince to the front lines. If they were the Kandrian Empire, they would keep him safe in the nation.
However, given that he was on the front lines, they had no choice but to wait for the outcome of the battle between these peak Masters before making their decisions.
"Rui, I need you to listen to me."
In a conference hall in the Shionel Confederation assigned to Rui exclusively, Rui faced a projection of his father.
"You must return to the Kandrian Empire."
Rui snorted. "No."
His father gazed at him with a knowing expression. "For the sake of the Kandrian Empire."
"I have done more than enough for the Kandrian Empire." Rui glared at his father. "Don't even."
"I know better than anybody else how much you have done for our nation, but this time we are risking absolute annihilation."
"Quit beating around the bush and tell me who beat Sera." Rui's tone was sharp. "I'm not a fool. The defeat of the Harbinger. Then you suddenly call me and tell me that we are risking annihilation if I don't comply? Do you think I'm a fool?"
The Emperor of Harmony heaved a sigh.
He knew his son well enough to know that he would have already figured out exactly why his father would want him to return by deducing the truth from the circumstantial evidence.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Rui's dark eyes grew more intense. Owned by .
"Rui…"
"Answer my question," Rui cut him off. "Who defeated Sera? Just the name and the bare minimum of his or her Martial Art. I know that you came here to tell me to back off because you're afraid of this new Master that appeared out of nowhere."
An excited smile cracked at the edge of his mouth.
It bloomed past his restraint.
He couldn't contain himself.
The more he saw the worry and concern in his father's eyes, the more excited he became.
Not even the Convergence had made his father this worried.
"Quick! Say his or her name!" he almost hissed at his father.
His father could only heave a resigned sigh.
Emperor Rael knew that it was futile to try and reason with his son, but he still tried at least once to get him to listen to sense. "We don't know his name." Reluctance could be heard in Emperor Rael's rich voice. "Prime Minister Edward has been keeping this close to his chest. He is clearly paranoid about anyone learning his name. Going so far as to give him a codename in all documents that we managed to get our hands on."
His eyes sharpened. "The Sekigaharans call him the Chosen One."
"Sekigaharans…? Wait." Rui's eyes widened with realization. "Tell me about his Martial Art."
Emperor Rael heaved a deep breath. "What I'm about to tell you might sound like a joke. But it isn't. I can assure you that all of it is factual."
The weight of his words wore down on the atmosphere.
The air tingled.
It pricked at the nerves with faint tension.
"According to Sage Sera, the Martial Artist she fought possessed the power to copy and assimilate her Martial Art and make it his own."
"…"
"Not just that…" The Emperor's eyes grew severe as his expression grew more macabre. "According to her, he managed to evolve it beyond what she was capable of, making it more powerful."
"…"
"His Martial Embodiment was said to be a fractal mirror that reflected and assimilated all others in a kaleidoscopic and chimeric hybrid Embodiment that contained all others. We suspect that he must have copied countless other Martial Arts."
"…."
"He is powerful, Rui." His father's tone hardened. "More importantly, if he manages to copy your Martial Art, then our enemies will obtain the power to break Martial Artists through."
"…"
"He is coming for you, without a doubt."
"…"
"He will fight you as many times as is needed to kill you."
"…"
"Should the battle go south, then you might die."
"…"
"Rui, are you listening to me?"
He was greeted by silence.
The world went quiet.
It was almost as though heaven and earth held their breath.
"Rui…?" Emperor Rael widened his eyes as he peered into his son's eyes.
He saw a single emotion linger in the depths of his eyes.
Ecstasy.
Pure and raw ecstasy.
"Hah… haha…" Rui's eerie laughter gave Emperor Rael goosebumps. "Hahaha! HAHAHA! HAHAHAHAAAAA!!"
Emperor Rael jerked back with an expression of bewilderment as his son broke into a burst of maniacal laughter. Unadulterated elation could be heard in his laughter of madness.
The emperor simply watched with a mix of apprehension and shock as his own son seemed to have finally snapped and lost his sanity!
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