Tarkinson's situation was neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
In short, he had used Madeleine's accident onstage to eliminate his greatest enemy, Count Andre, but he had also thoroughly antagonized the Art Capital's Interest Groups.
Most of the time, nobles were too divided to act together. But united, they were a force to be reckoned with, especially when an outsider threatened their interests.
And now, the Hall of Arts regarded Knight Tarkinson as an outsider.
That meant he had to cling even more tightly to Governor Borgant.
To stay in the governor's good graces, he would have to go after the Elders more aggressively and draw a clear line between them.
He knew his place as a pawn.
If he could get through this... Knight Tarkinson would replace Count Andre as the Art Capital's new power behind the scenes.
In any case, the Singers' Competition ended without further trouble.
Binn was the first to bring him good news. The second person took him by surprise.
"Congratulations. It looks like things went smoothly on your end too."
Annan contacted Knight Tarkinson through a Portal.
"Thank you for your congratulations, Lord Annan Reeves." Knight Tarkinson bowed, then asked, "Did Bailey Knight win?"
"The Saintess won. The Silver Dragon came second, and Bailey Knight took third."
Knight Tarkinson gave a rueful smile. "It seems you won."
"I think so too. But you did well yourself, getting the competition finished despite all that opposition."
If Annan had been in charge, the Art Capital's streetlights would have been lined with hanging nobles. Leaving any unhanged would have been an act of mercy.
"There's something I'd like your help with."
"Please, go ahead." Knight Tarkinson treated Annan with great respect.
"How about selling us your broadcasting rights?"
"Broadcasting rights... what are those?"
"The right to show