To conquer a kingdom is easy; to rule it is the difficult part.
Alexander could understand Leonidas's sentiment. He too was a peak Archlord, and in the presence of demigods, he felt the weight of his own voice diminish. It was especially galling with their protégés right there beside them.
This wasn't about vanity; it was a stark reflection of their own insufficiency. There was nothing to be done for it. They could only clink their casks together and drink, hoping to wash away the bitter taste of their own limitations.
"I heard," Isabella began, tilting her head as she looked at Orion, "that you two killed another pair of Archlords?"
The question was sharp enough that even Kraken, luxuriating in his wine bath, lifted his head from the glass tank to look at Orion.
