Our eyes met, and I found the Emperor staring at me with complete seriousness.
Then Arkas finally put his glass down. His gaze turned toward me too.
I took a deep breath, straightened slightly, and let my thoughts settle. The Emperor had just laid out four different strategies—each from powerful and experienced men. But something about it felt… off.
That's when I realized what was missing. His own opinion.
He hadn't offered it. He'd presented everyone else's views but kept his to himself.
I wanted to ask him about it, but I stopped myself. He'd asked me a question, and I decided to answer that first.
So, I gathered my thoughts and spoke clearly.
"I think I have a better solution."
All eyes turned to me at once. The shift in the room was immediate. Even Dante let out a low chuckle from wherever he stood in the shadows.
But the Emperor? He didn't laugh or smile. He just nodded slowly. "Go ahead."
I held nothing back.
"The realm I was in… I now control its core."
