Captain Voss bowed his head slightly.
"Indeed, Your Grace. The coalition has grown far stronger and more organized than we initially anticipated. They have united under a mysterious leader known only as 'the Shadow King.' Their raids have become increasingly coordinated, targeting not only isolated villages but also supply caravans bound for the capital itself. His Majesty has been forced to divert significant resources to the southern borders to contain the threat. This is the primary reason for the delay in his visit. He sends his deepest apologies and assures you that, as soon as the immediate danger is neutralized, he will personally travel to the Astran Duchy to further strengthen our alliance."
At the captain's words, the nobles immediately began whispering among themselves. The southern bandit problem had always been a persistent thorn, but hearing that it had escalated to the point of delaying the King's visit made the situation feel far more urgent and unsettling.
