"It still bothers me, though. Why would he do all of that? Kill millions, take over the throne, have magicians chased and tortured for four hundred years…I was thinking, maybe he's just insane. But he can't be that crazy, can he? Ruling the empire of Gongkua for four hundred years…He has to be partly sane, at least. I think. I don't really know how ruling works."
Finley nodded. "Yes. The Emperor's actions are highly mysterious. Many wonder why he continues to utilize taboo shadow magic methods to remain young, rather than living out a normal term of life. Others wonder why he slaughtered most of the Gongkuan population, then decided to rule it back to prosperity, albeit with a reversed perspective on magic. He is strange, and erratic."
Abrial nodded, lost in thought. She perked up, tapping the table. Then she lifted a long, thin finger to pull down the collar of her black robes slightly, revealing a red scar in the shape of a crescent moon—her scar from the plague.
