Darius was the first to speak.
"As I explained to Father, the ether mine rightfully belongs to the crown. We would simply be extracting a resource from imperial territory." He glanced around the table before continuing. "The mine is located on an inhabited island, but that doesn't mean the tribes have the right to claim ownership of the entire island. Their daily lives and livelihoods won't be affected by the mining itself."
He paused briefly, allowing his argument to settle.
"More importantly, this is an intermediate-to-high-quality ether mine. Its value to the empire is considerable. We have the authority to develop it, the resources to protect it, and the means to ensure that its full potential is realised. From my perspective, the choice is obvious."
