Nobles generally avoided antagonizing mages. Despite their selfish and individualistic tendencies, mages were quick to unite when their rights were threatened.

This unity was a defense mechanism to protect their privileges, which had effectively safeguarded their status for years. The most kingdoms could do was prevent mage towers from meddling in political conflicts or colluding with lords.

But this situation was different. If a dragon truly appeared, countless lives would be lost. Customs and traditions were irrelevant when the stakes demanded forcibly subjugating the mage towers, even through bloodshed.

The nobles, adept at political maneuvering, quickly saw an opportunity. If …