"Then regional commanders report to central authority with recommendations, and central authority makes final decisions." Liam's response was immediate. "That's how functional military hierarchy operates. Not through autonomous powers doing whatever suits their interests while claiming to serve empire."
"You're describing dictatorship," Veridia Zarthus said flatly. "Military authority concentrated in single entity answerable to no one except supposedly the crown."
A Perfect accusation.
However, even that was insufficient.
"I'm describing effective command structure." Liam's correction was sharp. "Dictatorship implies I'm claiming absolute power for personal gain. What I'm claiming is military authority necessary to prevent our extinction. There's a difference."
"Is there?" A new voice—Lord Theron Vel'krast of House Vel'krast, a smaller House that controlled eastern mining territories.
