The Martial Unity

2206 Kandrian War Council

Within a giant war council constructed by the Emperor of Harmony and the Martial Union specifically for the impending war, a number of people sat around a large table equipped with the finest three-dimensional projection esoteric technology, allowing ease of access and display of information without any delay or inefficiency.

Around the table, a large number of people were sitting, divided into different sections and rows.

Grand General Aramoeous and his right-hand subordinates sat in their own section beside that of Grand Admiral Geron and his subordinates. Together, they represented the military of the Kandrian Empire, wielding an immense amount of power between them.

Yet, despite that, the power they projected paled in comparison to the five Martial Sages that sat in a section reserved for the Martial Union. Each of the major Martial Sects had one of their Sages at the table, while prominent Martial Masters and other officers in the Martial Union sat behind them in the second row.

Meanwhile, other relevant officers of the government such as the Director of the Kandrian Intelligence Bureau and the Director of the Kandrian Border Patrol Force also were designated their own seats at the table.

At one end of the table sat the Emperor of Harmony on his throne by his lonesome, overseeing the entire impending meeting by himself. Behind him was Sage Farana, serving merely as a bodyguard and not as a constituent of this war council meeting.

All but one person had arrived.

"Ah, sorry I'm late." Rui popped into the war council hall after undergoing the strict security protocols. "It is an emergency meeting, after all," Emperor Rael lightly replied. "Come, take your seat, let us not delay this important meeting."

Rui was granted a special position by himself separate from both the Martial Union and his father, signifying his independence as an entity in the Kandrian Empire.

"Without further ado," Emperor Rael began with a solemn tone, "I commence the war council meeting of the Kandrian Empire."

His eyes sharpened.

"I do not wish to waste time. Each of you is aware of the reason that we have gathered here. Let's begin by reviewing all the intelligence we have on the matter of the declaration of war made by the president of the Republic of Gorteau. A preliminary intelligence report has already been put together in haste." He turned to the Director of Intelligence. "Director Shelmin, give us a brief overview of the report and your findings."

"Of course, Your Majesty." The man nodded at Emperor Rael before sweeping his gaze across the entire table. "Our spy network in the Republic of Gorteau and within its bureau of intelligence in conjugation with the intelligence department of the Martial Union…"

He regarded the officers of the Martial Union with a nod, "…indicate that they have managed to become aware of the recovery of Sage Kole Kellin by tapping the Kandrian Institute of Medicine as well as the Kandrian Institute of Biotechnology. According to our intelligence, the discovery was immediately reported to the presidential office, followed shortly by the declaration of war by President Raymond."

He paused for a moment as he let the information sit. "In other words, the discovery of the recovery of Sage Kole Kellin can be said to be the trigger for the declaration of war. It appears to be clear that the revelation of the Kandrian Empire healing crippled Martial Sages after inviting them to join us has proven to be too much for the presidential office of the Republic of Gorteau to tolerate."

His gaze returned to the preliminary report that he had overlooked the creation of. "As we speak, the Congress of Gorteau has already begun deliberating the declaration of the president in confidential congressional caucuses and will soon put to vote to pass or reject his declaration of war. And according to our intelligence and analysis, there is an eighty-seven percent chance that they will pass the bill."

His gaze returned to the rest of the war council. "Thus, there is a high possibility that the nation-state will officially declare war against the Kandrian Empire."

The air grew heavy under the weight of his declaration. There was never much of a doubt in the first place. However, it felt far more real now that someone had finally put in no uncertain words.

"Operation House Divide, which was an operation brainstormed by His Majesty to bribe half the congressmen and congresswomen to vote against any initiative of the National Libertarian Party of which President Raymond is a part, will most likely not be able to succeed in preventing the Republic of Gorteau from declaring war," Director Shelmin elaborated. "Our intelligence shows that most of the constituents of their Congress are firmly in support of declaring war against the Kandrian Empire, despite our bribes offered to them."

Emperor Rael nodded lightly. "It is within my expectations, after all. A few million gold coins or even longevity potions cannot compensate them for what they will lose if they allow the Kandrian Empire to go unchallenged. They will not compromise the dominance of the Republic of Gorteau, even if for purely self-centered reasons. However…"

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A smile emerged on his face. "…Will they be able to resist when it comes to deciding the budget for the war?"

The others stirred as they caught on to what Emperor Rael was saying.

"Your Majesty, you mean…" Director Shelmin's eyes lit up with realization.

"That's right." Emperor Rael smiled with certainty. "I don't intend to waste longevity potions trying to convince them not to go to war with the Kandrian Empire; I'd be asking for too much, even from those corrupt politicians. The Democratic Socialist Party would incur too much backlash from within and beyond the nation if they dared to reject the motion for war. They have no choice but to pass the motion for war for the sake of their political future. Thus, rather than vainly bribing them with longevity potions to reject the motion, I intend to bribe them to lower the budget for war. That way, we can reduce the strength of the Republic of Gorteau in the war."