In the aftermath of the clandestine meeting, the southern nobles dispersed, each carrying the weight of the Duke's ambitions and the looming uncertainty of their futures. The intricate dance of politics unfolded in the shadowed halls of the citadel, setting the stage for a grand manipulation that would reshape the very fabric of the empire.
Lyan Arkanium Evocatore, unbeknownst to the Duke and his assembly, continued his journey towards the capital. His surveillance network of acid ants subtly weaved through the empire's landscape, tracking the aftermath of the orchestrated chaos. The tendrils of influence, meticulously established by the Duke, were now spreading like a sinister vine, ensnaring the hearts and minds of the nobility.
