Blueprint for Seven Fiefs

But the laughter quickly died. Behind the slit in the silver mask, the governor's gaze turned cold and fixed on Shien.

Yasol leaned forward slightly, and the pressure he exuded surged.

"Ambitious. But coordinating tens of thousands of people across a defense zone isn't the same as hunkering down in Blackpine Fief to fight a defensive battle.

"You're too young, and your foundations are too thin. With the weight you carry now, the most I'd give you is one more piece of the Long Night Fief. You want to command an entire region?

"You haven't earned that right."

Platinum Flame fell across Shien, casting a long, narrow shadow.

He listened quietly, without a trace of anger in his eyes. Choosing his words, he said, "You're right, Governor. Fighting a hard battle and holding up a stretch of the defense zone are two different things. I haven't achieved enough yet to convince everyone.

"Then let me use four ruins as a trial. Blackpine Fief will be the hub, with Grasshawk Fief, Iron Gleam Fief, and White Fang Fief serving as forward warning posts and barriers.

"Please have Bishop Castian lend his name to it. I ask for nothing else—only wartime command authority between these four strongholds, priority for fortifications, and a written order from you."

Yasol said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on Shien from behind the mask.

Shien met his eyes and added one last thing. "The Graymist Defense Zone can't afford to wait. The Sacred Flame isn't upheld by seniority.

"If we wait until I've put in enough years and everyone beneath me is willing to follow, there'll be precious few of us left to fight for the Sacred Flame when the next Blood Moon season comes.

"You can first see whether this plan can relieve the defense zone