The moment Azrath's words fell silent—
The woman on the throne narrowed her eyes.
And in the next instant—
An overwhelming pressure crashed down like a tidal wave, so dense it felt tangible. The entire grand hall seemed to sink under its weight.
Azrath felt it immediately—a force he couldn't resist wrapped around him like iron chains. His breath caught in his throat.
"So what you're saying is…"
The Phoenix Sovereign's voice turned cold.
"…we're not even qualified to go to war with Emerald Castle?"
Azrath couldn't hold himself up any longer. He dropped to his knees, forehead nearly touching the floor.
"My Sovereign, that's not what I meant."
"I've personally led a probing force. If we push for open war, the only outcome will be mutual destruction—Phoenix Imperium and Emerald Castle both reduced to ash."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Time itself seemed to freeze inside the hall. No one dared speak. Even breathing became a cautious act.
No one moved.
No one blinked.
