A sharp pulse struck Igaris' mind. He froze in the Imperial Court, his eyes narrowing as he processed the mental message sent by one of his distant doppelgangers stationed in Orca.
A key allied state's leader—assassinated.
There was no need for guesses. Only one man could be behind this treacherous move: the Emperor of the Skadi Empire.
The implications were immediate and dangerous. Fear was spreading. The other four allied leaders had begun to withdraw, their loyalty shaken. They didn't want to be the first to feel the wrath of Skadi's Emperor.
Time was bleeding out, and Igaris knew it.
He could not afford to wait.
Within the hour, a silent operation began across the Blue Moon Empire. Hidden agents moved like shadows, spreading the word in taverns, sect halls, battle arenas, and remote villages.
A call was issued:
"The path to the stars is open. Who among you dares to fight for the future?"
