Shocked silence.
"My lord?" Kael'thra's confusion was evident. "He's admitted treason. Compromised our offensive. Increased projected casualties by tens of thousands. How is execution not appropriate response?"
"Because execution solves emotional desire for justice while creating practical disaster." Liam's voice was cold. "Lord Arcturus is correct that killing him collapses economic infrastructure we can't replace in three weeks. Which means however much I want him dead for betrayal, pragmatism requires keeping him alive."
He looked at Arcturus.
"You're not being spared because I'm merciful. You're being spared because killing you dooms the offensive you tried to undermine. You aren't off the hook, I just understand that your death costs more than your survival."
Arcturus absorbed this. "So I continue serving the offensive I betrayed?"
