The King's Privilege Used

Adall watched Maxwell and Edmund leave the room without a word.

The silence that followed their departure weighed heavily in the atmosphere but was broken a few seconds later by Martin's wary voice, still tense from the previous clash of auras.

"Are you sure about your choice? Those council bastards really voted for your destruction if you refused to return to the family… That's why two Arkeöns, about forty magicians, and two of the 10th rank dragons under the family's command have been deployed in this city right now."

As he spoke, Martin's eyes intensely scrutinized Adall's, as if trying to detect a hint of hesitation, but he saw no trace of it. He found himself feeling mixed emotions—proud of the courage of his deceased friend's son, but also sad about the risks he was taking out of anger.