The Martial Unity

The settlement was in a good mood after having heard that Rui was successful in engaging with the G'ak'arkan Tribe in regard to his diplomatic efforts. Having achieved more than any diplomatic venture with the G'ak'arkan had ever achieved before, naturally, the many employees and Martial Artists that had been dispatched to the settlement were glad to hear that this tedious ordeal was at least making solid progress.

"Nice!" Senior Ceeran grinned when he heard the news. "Finally, I can get my hands on their techniques!"

Rui glanced at him. He knew that the man had been pining for their techniques for a long time. "

Just the fact that he, a Martial Senior had decided to not only serve as a diplomat but also decided to prolong his stay away from the Martial Union and the Kandrian Empire for this long.

This couldn't have been easy, considering his position and authority within the Martial Union. It was usually quite unusual for a Martial Senior to spend this much time away from the Martial Union for a mission that wasn't his own. Rui knew that Senior Ceeran was very motivated, he wouldn't have gone through all this effort if he wasn't.

"Which of their techniques are you most interested in, if I may ask?" Rui was curious.

"All of the unique ones that we've been looking to obtain, really," He replied nonchalantly. "They're all unique techniques that would definitely strengthen the Longranger Sect."

"I meant, which ones are you interested in for your Martial Art, if that's not too much," Rui probed.

"…"

Senior Ceeran was silent for a few seconds, before replying. "Currently? I'm most interested in their ability to create sustained long-range force over longer periods of time and manipulate it with a great degree of precision and delicacy. If I can just get my hands on that…"

Rui understood what he was referring to. A few Martial Squires of the G'ak'arkan Tribe had the ability to maintain constant force regardless of the angle at which they were being launched from range via the atmosphere, similar to telekinesis. They could hold objects mid-air from a distance via the air.

This was unusual because most long-range projectiles were singular, or a continuous emission in a singular direction. Even if Senior Ceeran could manipulate the trajectory of his attacks after having launched them, he wasn't able to maintain a constant stream of force that could be precisely adjusted as though he was using his very own hands.

"You would be able to use your power more efficiently and lethally…" Rui completed his sentence as he tried imagining Senior Ceeran with that kind of power.

He would have just straightforwardly crushed his two opponents where they were sky-walking in his previous battle.

"That's right, and once I master your Pathfinder technique and use the so-called ODA system along with the mechanisms of the techniques of the G'ak'arkan Tribe…" His eyes lit up in excitement. "Who knows just how absurd the end result will be? It may just help me take one step closer to becoming a Martial Senior."

"I see…" Rui remarked.

No wonder he was so pumped about the success that Rui had managed to obtain. He was one step closer to eventually obtaining their techniques.

"Well, I'll definitely do my best. It's just that…"

"Just what?" Senior Ceeran raised an eyebrow.

"It's just that there are a lot of issues that need to be overcome and a lot of work that will need to go in before we actually get those techniques," Rui sighed. "Honestly, it might be best if I request the Martial Union for specialized Martial Squires that have experience in training other Marital Squires…"

"Don't bother, that's not going to happen, don't even bother," Senior Ceeran shook his head.

"Why not?" Rui frowned.

Senior Ceeran turned to face Rui with a strange expression before realization dawned on him. "Ah, I see, you haven't been informed yet."

"Informed about what?"

"Had you been in the Kandrian Empire at the moment, you would have gotten the news without a doubt." Senior Ceean nodded, with an understanding expression.

"I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're referring to."

"Hmmm… Well, it's not confidential at all, so there should b no issue in telling you this."

"…"

"A new dungeon was discovered," Senior Ceeran told him straightforwardly.

Rui's eyes widened. "What? Really??"

"That's right," He nodded. "It's a Squire-level dungeon too, located not too far away from the Kandrian Empire."

"I see…" Rui processed the information with a lost expression. "That's what you meant when you said that I won't be able to have the Martial Union deploy any more Martial Squires here."

"That's right," He nodded. "In fact, you can be sure that once the deal is made, every non-essential Martial Squire here will be brought back to the Kandrian Empire."

"I'm guessing there's going to be a huge colonization war again," Rui remarked.

"Not, actually, that won't be happening." He shook his head.

"Why not?" Rui frowned.

"Because the dungeon is not habitable to ordinary humans. It generates a similar level of fear and pressure in normal humans as Martial Squires do, meaning they would be suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks to even fainting," Senior Ceeran explained.

"So then… Only the Martial Squires of all nations will be sent with the hope of plundering and looting the dungeon." Rui realized.

Dungeons were land and subterranean structures created when the roots of flora came across highly rich and energetic esoteric mineral and compound reserves deep underground. The roots began expanding, pushing the land above ground by natural displacement as it expanded in size from having absorbed the esoteric mines bearing fruit, both literal and metaphorical, that were highly valued.

"Squire-level dungeons are different from the Serevian dungeon that you discovered. As I said, there's going to be no army to colonize you. You Martial Squires will be deployed in a much more independent capacity, and you will face the Martial Squires of other countries on your own."