"And what exactly do you hope to achieve by telling us this, Emperor?" His tone was sharp now, measured but cautious. "Surely you realize revealing something of this magnitude… this crucial… could be dangerous for your empire."
The Emperor didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned back and gave a hearty, genuine laugh.
"Ahhh, yes," he said, voice warm but resolute. "I do fear that, Association Master. I fear many things in truth. But I also recognize a rare opportunity when I see one."
He leaned forward slightly, the shadows under his eyes deepening.
"This could be the key—our fastest route to the top. And for that… I'm willing to take the risk."
For a brief moment, a flicker of something passed through his gaze—calculated caution. He hadn't shared everything, of course. You're not foolish enough to think I revealed this without preparations of my own, he thought silently. Let them wonder. Let them calculate. It only makes their investment more likely.
