Ivan then reaches into his robes and tosses a sealed scroll onto the table.
"I managed to extract intelligence from the general. The Akerians are changing their approach. They're testing new weapons—firearms, explosives, and something they call 'airships.' They had planned to storm our skies as well as our walls."
The chamber remains silent for a moment. Then, the faint scrape of chair legs signals the emperor's motion. Arkanos leaned forward over the grand strategy table, fingers interlocked beneath his jaw. A shadow passed over his sharp eyes.
Abaddon leaned against Ivan, wings rustling, grinning like he'd just won a bet. His pupils shimmered with sadistic delight.
"Messy work, my lord, but fun. Their airships popped like overripe fruit—sparks everywhere. Pity they didn't scream more."
Arkanos smiled softly.
"You have done well, both of you. The realm will remember this day—when heads rolled and borders were bathed clean in blood. Now…"
