The murmurs rippled across the long table the moment the monk's calm voice cut through the tension.
"We should agree with the kid."
The room froze.
The German woman snapped her gaze toward him. "Are you crazy?"
Others echoed in scattered whispers.
"Why should we agree to a boy?"
"He is barely thirty."
"Kill him and take what we need."
"Yes, why negotiate?"
Elias leaned back with a slow smirk curling on his lips. His eyes gleamed with amusement, almost delighted by the discord.
"What if he really melts the key?" he said lightly. The entire table fell into uneasy silence.
Basil's voice finally emerged, rough and steady. "Speak, monk. What is it you see?"
Everyone turned.
The silent monk from Hong Kong, who rarely spoke even in the darkest meetings, finally lifted his head. His gaze was calm yet profound, like still water hiding an abyss beneath.
"The Sylven Forest in Haven," he said softly. "Do you truly believe it is a place we can conquer?"
The room stilled.
