Surprising Offer

"I am grateful for your hospitality," Rui replied with a hint of formality. 

He expected the Beast Incursion to erode away the more tedious and time-consuming elements of cultures around the world, but apparently the powerful Sekigahara Confederate had resisted this change, still able and willing to engage in elaborate formalities and customs.

Rui's eyes inadvertently glanced at the Martial Sage that stood guard of the entire conference. It appeared that the powerful woman was also adhering to the universal principle that bodyguards were invisible—not to be acknowledged, and not subject to formalities and customs.

At first glance, it appeared that the clan leaders were in charge of the entire nation, but Rui knew that wasn't true.