A monster capable of making everyone around him advance in lockstep.
Old Ford rose to his feet and walked to the iron cabinet at the end of the study. When he opened it, it was half as full as last time. He swept his gaze over what remained.
"Someone."
The butler pushed the door open and entered.
"Prepare a batch of fourth-rank crystal ore, compound stabilizing fluid, and the best recovery potions from the Royal Capital's apothecaries. Also..."
He returned to the desk and took a copper seal from the drawer.
"The noble chartered trade document—use this seal. I'll write the letter myself."
The butler accepted the order and withdrew.
Old Ford sat at the desk and lifted his pen.
The tip hovered over the paper for five seconds without falling.
Whenever he had written to his daughter in the past, his phrasing had always carried the control of a superior over a chess piece. Today, he ran those turns of phrase through his mind three times and erased them one by one.
At last, the first line he wrote was:
"My daughter Elena, may you read this in good health."
Not "Elena," but "my daughter."
What followed contained no urging her to return to the capital, nor any hint that she should choose a side. He wrote only three things: a list of enclosed materials, a question of whether Su Li needed further support, and the line, "Your father looks forward to the day our family reunites."
It was so polite it read like a business letter to a partner.
Silver Crown City, Ginkgo Alley No. 3 Courtyard.
Elena sat before the stone table, smoothing the unfolded letter across its surface.
After reading it through once, she looked up at Su Li.
"Guess what?"
Across from her, Su