A large number of people had gathered in a conference hall, garbed in business attire.
None of them wore a pleasant expression on their face.
The various Kandrian stakeholders, patrons, and benefactors of the Rui Faction had indeed promptly accepted the invitation to a conference address from Rui himself, but his words no longer mattered all that much.
With the return of the Emperor of Harmony, Rui would most certainly no longer be the Emperor.
Even if he did, it would be in a distant future after the Emperor of Harmony finally croaked. This was no longer happening soon since he had access to all the longevity potions in the world. At the very least, he was going to live for a few more centuries.
It didn't matter what words of encouragent or consolation Rui was undoubtedly going to give them. The fact of the matter was that they had made major investnts in his campaign and had now lost all their bets big ti.
Their attention shifted as Rui walked on stage to the podium. Much to his disdain, he needed to go through one final ti of intensive grooming, wearing stuffy formal Martial attire.
One last ti.
"Ladies and gentlen."
His powerful voice spread across the entire conference hall.
"Patrons and benefactors of the Rui Faction."
He addressed all of them.
"…Much has happened since our last eting."
That was an understatent.
"Much that needs to be addressed." Rui closed his eyes. "Many of you have undoubtedly heard the rumor that I have broken through to the Master Realm."
Not a single one of them had missed the rumor.
Many of them had already confird the rumor through their contacts in the Martial Union and other intelligence sources.
"It is the truth," Rui declared. "I truly am now a Martial Master."
A wave of murmurs spread through his faction as they finally received official confirmation of this truth as Rui announced his Masterhood to the world for the first ti. Now that he had officially made the announcent, he had put himself on a clock.
He would need to visit the Panamic Martial Federation and partake in it as a mber. He had already been inford of the initiation where he would be enlightened about so of the high-minded secrets of Martial Art and of humanity the mont he officially announced his Masterhood.
Yet, that wasn't his focus at the mont.
"I'm sure this ca as pleasant news to those of you who ca to learn of it beforehand," Rui stated knowingly. "I'm sure many of you were excited at the prospect of gaining even more undivided support and allegiance as a Martial Master."
That was true.
Had Rui ascended the throne as a powerful Martial Master, he would have had extraordinary political influence. Even the Martial Union would have entirely fallen in line due to that.
He would have had absolute, unshakable support from every facet of Kandria. He would most likely have had an even firr grip over the nation than even his father ever had.
This was why his faction had been excited. It ant that Rui would be able to accomplish more and then pay them back better for their support.
That was why what had followed had shaken them so much.
"…Unfortunately, I cannot ascend the throne."
A dark silence lingered in the air as he iterated the obvious.
"My father lives." Rui's eyes swept across the crowd. "While I certainly never wished him ill and mourned for the condition that he was in, it truly pains that I was deprived of my greatest ambition…!"
His tone reflected his bitterness.
Fake bitterness, of course.
"All those months and years of hard work…" Rui shook his head. "All gone to waste."
His gaze returned to his faction.
"All of your investnt and support have been in vain, and for that, I am deeply sorry."
His faction thought he was apologizing rely to express his regrets.
They didn't realize that Rui was genuinely apologizing for causing his father to be healed.
And they never would.
"I intend to compensate each and every single one of you for everything that you have done for ."
Their eyes widened with surprise as Rui's words reached them.
They did not expect any compensation.
They made donations and investnts voluntarily, with so promised returns upon Rui's reign, but if his reaching the throne was impossible, then they were completely dead in water with absolutely no avenue to seek recompense.
"I intend to repay each and every single mber of this conference hall for all their contributions to my faction."
They stared at him bewildered.
"Every coin of gold, every resource and service, every ounce of capital will be refunded to each and every single one of you."
None of them could bring themselves to believe such an absurd claim.
It would be unprecedented as far as campaigns went.
Each and every single one of them had invested with the very clear understanding that they would not be receiving a single iota of what they had invested.
Yet, they had done so anyway due to the high prospects of Rui winning the Kandrian Throne War, which he did. But even after it had turned out to be in vain, Rui completely upended their expectations with a promise to repay them.
"In return," Rui continued, "I have only one request. Once more, please support my father as the Emperor of Kandria. If there is anyone who deserves it, it is him rather than . It is he who single-handedly elevated Kandria to the pinnacle of human civilization through his genius as a politician. Each and every single one of you is undoubtedly aware of everything he has done for this nation. I have no doubt that each and every single one of you has benefited from his work more than words can describe."
His supporters stirred at his words.
They rang true.
"From a business perspective, you know better than that a leader with brilliance proven beyond all doubt is far better than soone with no prior experience in politics."
Rui's gaze swept across them.
"I hope that all of you will make the right choice."
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