While Greg/Zenhald slept, the fates of the world were being decided in one of the castle's closed halls. All the "adults" had gathered: The King, Lianel, Alexia, Draconite, Alphus, and Anna.

  They sat in a circle. The candles were burning down, casting long, predatory shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the smell of expensive wine and intrigue.

  "You all know the latest news from the Sultanate," the King began, his voice echoing hollowly beneath the vaulted ceiling. "That elf girl who participated in the Tournament pulled off a successful revolution. The Sultanate has fallen, and she rules there now. We still don't know whose side she's on, but this changes everything."

  He unrolled a map on the table, heavily crossed out with red lines.

  "Our main enemy is the Kingdom of United Nations. They have lived in peace for too long, grown too large. Four neighboring states, including ours, are already prepared. We are assembling a joint army. While they rest on their laurels, we must utilize our advantage in the new weaponry."

  "Neighboring countries are ready to supply us with gunpowder and muskets," Alphus interjected, stroking his beard. "This will be the deciding factor."

  "There are bigger problems than muskets," Lianel cut him off, not taking her eyes off the map. "There are only seven High Archmages in the world. Four of them are currently on United Nations territory."

  "Four is not many, they won't be able to be everywhere at once," Draconite spoke up. "The front will be too wide."

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  "Not many, but enough to cause serious damage," Lianel shot back. "One of them, admittedly, is old and decrepit... Another is walking virtue; they say he wouldn't hurt a fly, so it's unlikely he'll go to war. But the main threat is Riza and her granddaughter Alastia. Alastia is young and strong, and her grandmother has centuries of bloody experience behind her. Each of them is worth an entire army."

  The King raised his gaze to his daughters.

  "And what about Greg? Will you be able to lure him to our side? If he comes with us—the balance of power collapses. With his might, we won't have to fear any archmages."

  Dead silence fell over the hall. Everyone exchanged glances.

  "Greg is too unpredictable, Father," Alexia said quietly. "Today he is your lapdog, and tomorrow he'll decide he's bored and teleport away. We don't know what he'll do in the next second."

  "He's unstable," Anna agreed. "One wrong step, one wrong phrase—and he will turn his fury against us. And then we won't see any victory. More likely, we'll see the end of the world in one isolated kingdom."

  Alexia narrowed her eyes, looking at Anna.

  "You have a husband, Anna. Cael. Try to influence Alastia through him. If we break up their duo or win her over, Greg might follow."

  Anna clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with anger.

  "I am only helping you because of my grandfather's death. Planus died, and I blame the laws of the United Nations for it. That pact they are discussing right now... it's madness. Allowing government agencies to make contracts with Outer Entities? They are opening the door to things that shouldn't even be named! If this becomes law—it's the end of the world."

  "Alright, alright," Alexia raised her hands pacifyingly. "We are all here for a common goal. It's decided, then. We prepare for war while Greg sleeps."

  They whispered for a long time, moving figures across the map.

  They thought they controlled everything. That Greg was simply a "resource" that needed to be utilized correctly.