"I am certainly not prepared for such a meeting," Rui replied with a troubled expression.
"His Highness does not intend to pressure you. His Highness is merely eager to meet you and make your acquaintance, rest assured that you make take your time for any decision regarding your allegiance or support," Master Zentra reassured him. "While it looks like we're in the same camp, the Martial Union will not allow the Royal Family to unduly pressure our partners and members."
Rui wasn't so worried about being pressured, if the man had any sense, he would not do that and squander any chance of getting the support of the most prodigious Martial Senior in history.
It was just a little abrupt, he hadn't gotten a chance to prepare himself mentally for an important event like this. He was also a little tired after the presentation that he had just given.
"We have prepared high-grade physical and mental rejuvenation potions if you require them," Master Zentra remarked. "
"Huff…" Rui heaved a sigh. "I'll take them."
And he did. They nourished his body and mind thoroughly, making him feel like he had gotten a good night's sleep and massage the next morning.
He wished he could get a regular supply of them, but alas.
What ensued next was a blur. A group of men and women who were assigned to grooming stripped him down and then scrubbed and washed him in a tub of herbal and flowery water that was allegedly meant to help with washing away Martial Artist grime.
Admittedly, by the time they were done, he felt more fresh than he had in his entire life. However, he also felt more violated than in his entire life.
They donned him with formal Martial Art attire, the type that was impractical in combat with an absurd amount of folds and cloth that just got in the way.
"This feels unnecessary," Rui complained.
"It would be rather insulting to His Highness if you were to meet him in regular Martial Art attire that is sweaty after exerting yourself in that presentation," Master Zentra remarked. "Please come this way. The carriage awaits you."
In the dispatch facility of the Martial Union stood a glowing carriage of gold and silver, drawing attention from everybody across the entire facility. Naturally, that attention shifted to him as Rui entered the carriage. At that moment, he looked closer to a noble than a Martial Artist, but his features were too well-known for people to mistake him for that.
"Hey look…"
"It's Rui Quarrier!"
"I heard he's our age, but is already a renowned Martial Senior!"
He pointedly ignored all those comments.
"Senior Quarrier, I am a butler of His Highness," A dignified butler in a custom-tailored tuxedo with a bow tie, bowed to Rui. "I am here to accompany you to the East Mantian Royal Manor. Please make yourself comfortable inside."
Rui heaved a sigh as he got into the exorbitantly luxurious carriage. It different from the ones that the Martial Union used, which focused more on utility than image.
The Royal Family, however, could not afford to. Their image was the image of the nation, after all.
The carriage immediately set off, accelerating increasingly before it took off into the air.
"Woah," Rui murmured, surprised. "A flying carriage?"
"It is a rare luxury that very few can afford, sir," The butler remarked, standing still despite the carriage escalating to the skies. "His Highness reserved the best for you, to ensure that your travel time is minimized."
It appeared that Prince Raijun did appear to think a little highly of Rui. Rui wasn't even sure what the Martial Prince had to say to Rui. After all, there was little to no way in which he could possibly convince Rui to join his faction with pure benefits. Rui didn't care for wealth for the most part, so dumping endless gold on to him was not going to make him budge.
This was especially when the interests of his family were involved in this matter, making his choice much more certain.
However, he wasn't surprised that he was meeting the Martial Prince the first out of any other prince or princess. If there was any overlapping interest that he had with any of the princes and princesses, then it was certainly the Martial Prince.
In that sense, it was not surprising that the Martial Prince took the initiative to be the first to speak with Rui in person. Perhaps he was confident that he could bag Rui as a supporter because Rui was a Martial Senior and a young Martial Senior at that. He was probably under the impression that Rui would be much more gung-ho about it.
If so, he was gravely mistaken.
Eventually, they arrived at their location sometime later, crossing the Mantian Region at rapid speeds.
The carriage gently landed near an enormous sparkling palace-
like mansion that extended over a huge estate. This was the Mantian Royal Manor, one of the properties owned by the Royal Family, allowing them to reside in a Royal Palace if any of the members happened to be in the region on some business.
"Senior Quarrier, our journey had come to an end, allow me to guide you to His Highness' abode.
Rui nodded, exiting the carriage as he beheld the giant palace. It was magnificent and truly beautiful.
It didn't leave a good taste in his mouth, however. This palace was constructed from taxpayer gold taken from hardworking citizens of the nation. While he understood that the image of the head of state needed to be maintained in order to maintain international respect and esteem, it just didn't sit right with him.
Hopefully, the Martial Prince was not a pompous asshole who expected Rui to kneel to him and kiss his feet, because Rui certainly wasn't going to be doing that.
After a long walk through the winding corridors of the manor, they had finally arrived at the place where he would have an audience with the Martial Prince.
