'To draw elite mages to my side, I need a strong image.' Orpal grunted. 'I need the charisma and the authority to inspire confidence in my future subjects. All things I can only achieve through victory.
'I sent my clone to the Distar Household to ensure that even if Leech somehow saved the rest of her friends, the Distar bloodline would have died tonight.
'I planned to deal the Kingdom and Leech such a blow that my victory would have overshadowed the other "failed" missions. The death of a pillar of the Kingdom, beloved by the Royals, and armed with the best protections they can offer, would have shaken everyone to their bones.
'The Royals would have proven themselves incapable of defending their most loyal subjects, and grief would have numbed Leech's mind in the days to come. That was the fight I was supposed to win in order to keep the public attention away from my apparent defeats.
