Yulkanes seemed trapped in a state of internal conflict, his frustration with political entanglements painfully evident.

Seeing an opportunity, I slipped in a subtle suggestion.

"Why not defect to Lenslet?"

Abandon the Empire and start anew in Lenslet—that was my proposition.

"That’s not an option."

Yulkanes rejected the idea outright, without a moment's hesitation.

"I’ve been rooted in the Empire for too long—my family, my disciples, and my household. If I defect to the North, too many people will suffer as a result."

"I see."

"Hmph! So don’t say such dangerous things again."

Despite his clear lack of loyalty to …