In an opulent room adorned with portraits of Romanov dynasty members, the early morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a cool illumination upon the scene.
Daniel sat at a desk, facing Dimitri Romanov, the reigning Tsar of Russia. Beside Dimitri stood his daughter, Princess Anastasia, who offered Daniel a warm smile.
In stark contrast to his daughter's warmth, Tsar Dimitri's face hardened, as if he'd just learned that North Korea had unexpectedly won the World Cup instead of Brazil, Germany, England, France, Russia, or any other major football power.
"Can you repeat what you just said, Lord Emberweave?" Dimitri asked, his tone incredulous.
"I said I have a solution for the mana depletion problem, without resorting to opening a Hell Gate," Daniel reiterated calmly.
