Tarnished had been rather busy lately.
Rennala's announcement that the Caria Kingdom would dissolve and join Stormveil had laid bare the truth, tearing away the Five-Party Alliance's last flimsy veil of self-deception.
A new era had arrived.
Tarnished already commanded universal support. Though he had yet to ascend the throne, he already ruled the land-an uncrowned king.
The common people rejoiced and supported the move wholeheartedly. After all, under Tarnished's rule, the people of Stormveil were living well. Never mind anything else-their buttered bread now came with honey! And instead of one pork knuckle every three days, they could eat their fill! Ordinary people's demands were simple: whoever kept them fed and clothed was their king.
The big shots, however, were rather uncomfortable.
After all, nobody wanted to go from being the boss to being someone else's subordinate overnight.
But they all knew they couldn't win if they actually fought Tarnished for the realm.
So, over the past few days, the leaders of the major powers in the Lands Between had been pacing circles around their palaces.
And the one pacing the most was Tanith of Volcano Manor.
An ambitious woman with a great appetite for power, she sat in the manor's hall with the Great Serpent-Hunter beside her, her brows twisted into a knot.
"Send out my orders," Tanith finally decided, rising abruptly. "Volcano Manor will withdraw from the Five-Party Alliance and-"
"Lady Tanith! Something huge has happened!"
Before she could finish, Patches burst into the hall, shouting loudly enough to blow the roof off. "Raya Lucaria Academy and Redmane Castle have followed Caria and announced they're joining Stormveil!"
Tanith's expression froze.
Completely oblivious to his boss's expression, Patches kept rambling. "I just don't understand what's wrong with this world! I'm so handsome, and Tarnished is so ugly. Why