Leo was leaning forward, studying the three pieces of parchment arranged on the coffee table. Zeke settled onto the couch in front of him, patiently awaiting the conclusion of his perusal. It took him a few minutes to finish, and when he did, Leo sank back into the plush sofa and met Zeke's eyes.
"About time it happened," Leo said, a wide grin on his face.
Zeke studied Leo's expression—joy, anticipation, and a hint of anger—an odd mix of emotions. Yet, overall, Leo didn't seem perturbed by what he'd read. Zeke wished he could be this optimistic, but his mind told him they weren't ready yet.
Zeke pointed at the letter lying in the middle. "The Empire has started their invasion," he said. "Even if the alliance can hold for now, I am certain it won't be forever. I am sure Otto would not have started this if he wasn't confident in taking on Equinox and Invocatia, at the very least."
"So… When do we leave?" Leo asked eagerly.
Zeke shook his head. "I won't be going."
"But… you just said it! They'll need all the help they can get."
"Even so, there is nothing I can do at the moment," Zeke said.
Leo deflated, his previously good cheer vanishing like a mirage. "What about our revenge? Did you give up?"
Zeke looked at his brother with a stern gaze, anger flickering in the depths of his eyes. After a few moments, Leo looked away and mumbled an apology.
Zeke sighed. "Look, Leo. It's not that I don't want to. I want to get revenge just as much as you. But what good would that do? With the bounty on my head and my current power, I wouldn't last a week at the frontlines."
Leo deflated even further, and Zeke could see the conflict within him. On the one hand, his brother could see the logic in his words, but then again, he didn't care about such things. Leo was very much the type of person who thought that the impossible was just another challenge.
To distract his brother, Zeke tried to move the conversation forward and pointed at the second letter. "Margret says that the Elves are aware of what is happening. Likely, they know more about what the Empire is planning than we do, but they still choose to do nothing."
Leo nodded, having read the report himself.
Zeke continued, "I had hoped the other races would get involved if war actually broke out, but it seems that isn't going to happen. Neither Margret nor David noticed any troops being sent."
Zeke pointed at the third letter. "The only good news is that our business is doing great. The Tradespire merchants are making a killing off of this war, and our products are in even higher demand now. At least, for a while…"
Leo looked at him with a puzzled expression. "For now? Do you expect the war to end soon?"
Zeke shook his head. "It's not that, but I don't think Tradespire will remain this profitable for long."
"Why?"
"Just think about it. Tradespire is positioned between Arkanheim, Invocatia, and Equinox—three of the largest and most powerful nations on the continent. This is the very reason for the rich trade. However, the moment the borders begin to shift, Tradespire will be surrounded by Arkanheim on all sides. Even if the city isn't attacked, trade will be impossible."
"Doesn't that mean that our family is in danger?" Leo asked.
Zeke smiled. "Not really. The alliance will not fall so easily. Furthermore, there are three Exarch-level Mages in Tradespire, and even Arkanheim will not provoke such a force carelessly. At least in the short term, there is nothing to fear."
"What about the long term?"
Zeke thought about it for a moment. "I don't know what kind of person the King of Tradespire is, so I can't tell how he will react. However, Otto and the Emperor won't allow a foreign power within their borders. They will likely attack Tradespire the moment they can spare the men."
Leo visibly tensed, and Zeke was quick to reassure him. "Don't worry too much. That is likely years away, maybe decades."
Leo took a deep breath, calming his emotions. "So… What are we going to do to stop that from happening?"
Zeke smiled. "I have already started," he pointed around him. "The moment the Venomous Cabal surrenders, I'll have full control over this place. The people living above don't realize it, but Undercity is a gold mine."
Leo looked at him dubiously. "Doesn't look much like a gold mine to me."
"Even gold will stink when it is covered in shit. Instead of what is, you need to imagine what could be," Zeke said confidently. However, Leo just frowned at him. It was clear that he was not seeing it.
"Right now, the city is poor and dirty, and there is a lot of crime," Zeke said, causing Leo to nod. "But… isn't that rather easy to fix? If you give the people work, the first two problems will disappear. If some of those jobs are as guards, all three will be solved."
Leo smiled wryly. "You are saying it like it's easy, but that will cost a fortune."
"If it is a problem that can be solved with money, it is not a real problem," Zeke said flippantly. "Also, it is a very small price compared to the potential profits."
"What are you talking about?"
Zeke grinned. "The Chimeroi."
"You want to start selling Slaves?"
Zeke shook his head. "The opposite; I want to keep them from being sold. Due to the rampant Slave trade, labor is extremely cheap in Korrovan. But where do you think all those Slaves come from?"
"Aren't they being brought in from the Wildlands?"
"That's only a tiny part. Most of them grew up in Undercity. Upon reaching adulthood, they willingly sell themselves to escape their miserable lives." Zeke smiled. "But what if their lives weren't miserable anymore?"
"There would be fewer Slaves?" Leo guessed.
"More like none," Zeke corrected. "At the rate they are being killed in the arena, the Masters are going to run out of bodies sooner rather than later. That's gonna be the moment they find out that there are no more Slaves to be had."
"Aren't they just gonna force them?"
"They won't be able to," Zeke replied smugly.
"Wait…" Leo's eyes opened wide. "You plan to enslave them all?"
Zeke nodded slowly. "I do."
Leo stared at him for a long moment. "Is that really the best way?"
Zeke cocked his head. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"You'll be taking their freedom."
"I won't force anyone to join me if that's what you're afraid of. Also, I don't think they had any freedom to begin with."
"Of course they do," Leo insisted. "They are the masters of their own lives, at the very least."
Zeke raised a single brow. "Are they?"
"Yes."
"If that is so, then what would happen if I ordered my men to go out and kill a thousand of those so-called 'free' people?"
Leo hesitated. "They would die..." he admitted eventually.
"And If I ordered them to be sent to the mines?"
Leo gnashed his teeth. "They would go to the mines…"
"Tell me, Leo. If I can control their lives and even decide their deaths, what is it that makes them free?"
"That's…" Leo paused, not knowing what to say.
"Listen carefully," Zeke sighed. "There is no freedom without power—only the illusion of freedom. Even you and I are at the mercy of the powerful, and our very lives depend on their whims. There is nothing I can do to resist the King of Korrovan, Tradespire, or any other power if they decide to come for me."
"What about doing what is right? What about justice?" Leo asked.
Zeke shook his head. "There is no such thing. Right or wrong, good or evil, such matters are decided by the strong."
Leo clenched his fists, glaring at Zeke. "I disagree!"
Zeke smiled playfully. "Then get strong enough for your opinion to matter, little brother."
Slowly, the anger drained from Leo's face, and his expression turned pensive. "What should I do?"
As if waiting for that question, Zeke handed him a thin booklet. It was handwritten, with no words on the cover. Leo took it curiously and immediately began reading.
His eyes opened wide. "This is… a manual for mixed affinity spells?"
Zeke nodded. "I had a small breakthrough. The second half of the book is a breakdown of Vulcano's Magic. I think you'll find it just as interesting." Leo stared at him with shining eyes, but Zeke could also see a hint of apprehension.
"Why are you giving this to me instead of teaching me personally?" his brother asked carefully, likely already suspecting the answer.
"Because I won't be around," Zeke said.
"…We are splitting up?"
Zeke nodded. "I thought you would benefit most from accompanying me, but now there is a better choice." His eyes drifted down, settling on the letter in front of him, the one sent by Lara.
Leo followed his gaze and immediately exclaimed, "You are sending me to war?"
Zeke locked eyes with him. "Tristan Bloodsword told me he's assembling a squad of promising young Mages. Now that war has broken out, it could be the perfect opportunity for you. Unless, of course, you don't want to go."
Leo bit his lips. "Are you gonna be fine on your own?"
Zeke smiled widely, motioning at the palace around them. "I am hardly gonna be alone, am I?"
Leo rolled his eyes. "I know you are going to the Wildlands with that girl from the auction."
Zeke nodded, his expression turning more serious. "That is the plan. As soon as the situation stabilizes, I intend to put somebody in charge and leave. But even though I can't take everyone with me, I am not gonna be alone."
Leo's expression turned firm, his mind made up. "I'll go."
Zeke had already predicted that answer. "Ravi's brother will arrive at the capital after the storm abates. You have about three days to make your preparations."
Leo nodded, suddenly in a good mood. However, his expression turned a bit awkward in the next moment. "Erm… what about Ripper?"
Zeke raised a single brow. "What about her?"
"Can… can she go as well?"
Looking at this completely unfamiliar sight, Zeke suddenly felt like teasing his brother. He furrowed his brows as if he were deeply troubled. "I don't think that will be possible, Leo," he said with a deep sigh. "Ripper is very important to my plans…"
"So it is impossible…" Leo said. He looked like he might cry at any moment.
Zeke burst out laughing. "Of course not! Why would I let her goof off all the time if she was so important? Take her with you…"
Leo lept over the table. Zeke's first thought was that his brother was angry because of the teasing, but instead, he found himself hugged tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Zeke awkwardly returned the hug, but Leo didn't seem like he was going to let go anytime soon. That reminded him... aside from Ripper, weren't there a bunch of other Chimeroi Ravi had gifted him as a thanks for healing his son? They were trained combatants, already knew a breathing technique, and had nothing to do at the moment. "Take the others from the Lion's Den as well," Zeke said. "This might be a good opportunity for them to grow in strength."
Leo finally let go, nodding enthusiastically. "I have to go tell them." With those words, he sprinted off.
Zeke smiled wryly. He doubted that the Chimeroi would be as enthusiastic as Leo when they learned they were being sent to war. Well, it wouldn't be too bad. Tristan wasn't putting together a troop of riff-raff but an army of elites. At least they wouldn't be used as expendable pawns.
His gaze returned to the letters. War had erupted, and Zeke sensed it deep in his bones: this conflict would not be like any other. The Emperor had bided his time for too long and schemed too deeply. This wouldn't be a mere skirmish; it was poised to reshape the world order irrevocably. Zeke couldn't sit idly by. Not that he had any inclination to.
A feral grin emerged on his face. He would need to speed up his plans.