Mariana's tone was calm, but her words carried undeniable weight.
"You want to advance the front line? The Secret Art Society can help you penetrate deep into the grasslands. You're worried about Alba's rise? We understand better than anyone what an awakened orc regime means—Gabella once fought a fierce war against Alba as well."
Candlelight stretched her shadow long, making it look like a lurking beast.
"The choice is yours." The Witch spoke one last time. "Will you continue to be at the mercy of the Royal Family's schemes, or cooperate with the side that truly holds power?"
Paul looked at her, at a loss for how to respond.
His mother now stood before him like a stern negotiator, proposing that the Northwest throw in its lot with the Secret Art Society—that organization of Spellcasters controlled by Antonio, which had once thrown the Aldo Kingdom into chaos and had even been connected to the orcs' invasion.
And as a high-ranking member of the Secret Art Society, she had personally come to persuade him, speaking with such certainty that it was as if everything were only natural.
Countless questions churned in his heart. Was this an act? Was she testing Yarvis? Or did she truly mean it? But if this was an act, why choose such an occasion and use such dangerous words? If Yarvis actually believed her and turned around to reveal it, the relationship between the Northwest and the Royal Family would immediately deteriorate.
The air in the study seemed to freeze. Yarvis stood to one side, still shaken, while Mariana remained completely composed, as though what she had just proposed were merely an ordinary strategic suggestion.
Paul took a deep breath and finally spoke, keeping his tone as steady as possible. "Mom... Lady Mariana... The direction you've proposed