Kaito's Room — Midnight
The full moon streamed through the window, illuminating the desk where Kaito had spread out parchment scrolls filled with notes.
His speech for the Council.
He had worked on it for weeks. With help from Adelheid, Lilith, Gorman. Every argument refined. Every counter-argument anticipated.
But now, reading it by moonlight, every word seemed inadequate.
"Honorable members of the Council..."
Too formal.
"I come before you today to defend..."
Too defensive.
"Neudämmerung is a kingdom founded on principles of..."
Sounds like propaganda.
Kaito set down his quill in frustration.
How did you explain the inexplicable? How did you defend the indefensible?
He had summoned four villains. Women sealed away by gods as threats to the world order. He had rejected the role of hero. He had built a kingdom on territory that technically belonged to another kingdom before.
And tomorrow, twelve kingdoms would judge whether he deserved to exist.
