The Republic of Gorteau was very different from the other three Sage-level powerhouses. Just from a distance look from a distance mountain-top, Rui felt like he was in an entirely
different civilization.
Of all the nations in East Panama, it made the most use of esoteric technology. He could almost smell the presence of all the esoteric matter in the nation from afar. It was the polar opposite pared to the Sekigahara Confederate, which had a modest lifestyle and people. The extravagant infrastructure and the ostentatious skyscrapers that stretched as far as the eye could see made Rui feel like he was back on Earth for a moment.
It was the richest country in all of East Panama for a reason.
It had bee a Sage-level powerhouse by leveraging its wealth throughout the centuries to increase its power and attract Martial Artists from across East Panama. It was perhaps the one and only nation whose Martial Artists were more prised of immigrants than native Martial Artists.
Not even the Kandrian Empire, which has gained an aggressive influx of Martial Artists in the past two years after some of its treasures had bee known around the world, did not have such a high proportion of immigrant Martial Artists.
The Republic of Gorteau subscribed to the notion that money could buy everything, including the power to rival Sage-level powerhouses and the power to bee one. Economically, it had bee an unrivaled powerhouse due to its shrewd decision to replace cumbersome gold, silver, and copper coins with currency notes that were backed by gold, silver, and copper.
It was a revolutionary economic innovation that cemented the dominance of the Republic of Gorteau in East Panama.
The sheer ease of handling and exchange of the GD, the Gorteau Dollar, made it much more convenient as a medium of exchange pared to gold, silver, and copper, which were extremely heavy and inflexible.
The growing demand for the currency allowed the Republic of Gorteau to consume all the power and technology it needed to ensure that it was able to keep up with the growing Martial power of its other three rivals.
"Too bad it has had some stupid leaders in recent times."
Rui leaped off the mountain cliff, gently sky-walking towards the border of the Republic of Gorteau in the distance, carefully avoiding the war that was being waged on the other side against the Beast Incursion.
When he arrived, a convoy of extravagant and ostentatious carriages were waiting for him in the the port of entry to the nation with a red carpet and other ostentatious arrangements.
Along with a Martial Sage.
The man donned a simple Martial attire.
Yet, what drew Rui's attention was the emblem on his chest.
It was not the coat of arms of the Republic of Gorteau.
No, instead, it was the emblem of a well-renowned mercenary group based in the Republic of Gorteau.
Almost all of the Republic of Gorteau's Martial power was privatized. Unlike any of the other powerhouses in East Panama, they possessed a genuine for-profit Martial industrial plex that lobbied heavily in favor of itself.
While the Kandrian Empire had the Martial Union, the Martial Union's purpose was not profit. Instead, the Martial Union was simply there to unite and empower Martial Artists from the state. It didn't seek to maximize mercial success.
"Wele to the Republic of Gorteau, Prince Rui Quarrier Silas Kandria," another man beside him smiled perfunctorily at Rui, stretching his hand out to shake with him. "I am the Secretary of State, Mitchell Dainel. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Rui smiled, returning the gesture and introduction.
"We have prepared a carriage for you, Your Highness," the Secretary of State smiled. "We would like to show you around our nation and-"
"That isn't necessary," Rui interjected. "We are in the middle of an apocalypse, and there are more important things that need to be dealt with. Please take me to see the President immediately."
"Very well, Your Highness."
Soon enough, the convoy of carriages set off, taking off into the sky. Rui peered through the window to get a good look at the entire nation down below.
The gorteauns didn't radiate positive energy at the moment. He could sense gloom and misery in the air.
Yet, this was different from the grief and sorrow that he sensed in the Britannian Empire and the Sekigahara Confederate. The gorteauns were merely suffering from economic decline, unlike the britannians who had lost millions of people.
And yet, the consumerist nation felt especially empty once the supply chains had been thoroughly destroyed by the Beast Incursion.
"Times have not been well, I'm afraid," Secretary Mitchell remarked with a dark tone. "This is a universal statement for all of human civilization. Perhaps the only nation for whom that may not be true is the Kandrian Empire."
Rui turned to him with a measured glance. "We, too, have had our fair share of downturn."
"I do not deny that the Beast Incursion has undoubtedly put immense pressure on the Kandrian Empire. However, I suspect that the Kandrian Empire is the one and only nation that is weling the Beast Incursion with open hands," the man continued, sporting a superficial smile.
"Well, it was either the Beast Incursion or destruction at the hands of our enemies, so you're not wrong," Rui readily admitted. "We have indeed benefited from the Beast Incursion. But we are mitted to ending it. Ultimately, it is much more preferable to live in a world without the Beast Incursion than in one with it."
"We, too, hope that will be the case," the Secretary of State remarked. "However, we may have some qualms with some of the proposed measures that are allegedly in service of this objective. In particular, we are not able to mit to deploying our Martial Sages overseas in the Beast Incursion due to several factors and reasons there exists a way to obtain your generous services in return for a rather wide variety of potential channels of remuneration..."
The man babbled on as Rui heaved a tired sigh.
As expected, the Republic of Gorteau was not on board with the unified Sage task force.
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