Transparency and a Gift

The air boiled with turmoil as the sheer magnitude of the words of the Emperor of Harmony struck them like a train.

It shattered all their previous mindset.

It shattered all their plans for the various possible scenarios.

It shattered the inertia in their attitude regarding this particular matter.

It erased the countless considerations and courses of actions that they had planned with their advisors.

It reset the game.

Not only did he announce an admission of guilt, but he also brazenly declared that he would not apologize.

On top of that, almost as if he was laughing in the face of death, he encouraged the rulers and leaders of the alliance to leave the alliance immediately if they simply could not, on principle, tolerate this no matter what.

And yet…

Even as they struggled to recollect their composure, not a single one of them got up and left.

That did not mean they were not unhappy.