Soft Power

Rui had chosen to refuse the will bequeathed by the Emperor of Harmony.

The reason was simple.

It cost him what he cared for the most. It was a sacrifice that he was unwilling to make, for the same reason that he had refused to make a similar sacrifice for his family ten years ago when offered protection for his family.

His decision today led to a covenant with Sage Sayfeel.

In return for prolonging the Emperor's life, Rui would ascend the throne should he fail to heal the Emperor. 

If he failed, however, he would ascend the throne.

It was a risk.

Yet, it was a calculated risk he was willing to take.

Rui was keenly aware of the many things that could go wrong.

He could potentially just never find the Divine Doctor; that was a very real possibility.

Even if he did find him, he could potentially fail to compel him.

Even if he did compel him, it was possible that they wouldn't make it in time.