Howard pondered further, harboring hopes that his friend Nora could either unify the empire or, at the very least, maintain significant prestige within it.
However, the recent state of the empire, as understood through Portia, seemed fraught with negative incidents.
For some reason, the empire seemed to be plagued by more than its fair share of troubles.
While minor disturbances might be inconsequential in other regions, in the empire, they seemed to escalate into deeper issues.
Howard was inclined to attribute these problems to the imperial throne itself, but Portia held a different view.
The current state of the empire did not align with that of a thriving, rejuvenating emperor.
Putting aside the future of the empire and focusing on Howard's own situation, the recent victory over Osland Kingdom in the east had not come easily.
The war with Osland Kingdom was a challenge that Howard could not guarantee victory over.
