## Chapter 41: Whispers of Rebellion
The air crackled with a nervous energy as Alex addressed the Lumina council. News of Emperor Corvus' intensifying crackdown on dissent within the Zalthuran Empire had reached the city. Lumina's delegations, once tolerated, were now facing persecution, some even imprisoned on trumped-up charges.
Anger simmered among the citizens, threatening to overpower the city's carefully cultivated atmosphere of hope and unity. Alex, sensing the rising tide of emotions, urged for a measured response. Direct confrontation with the Zalthuran Empire, while tempting, could have disastrous consequences.
Instead, he proposed a daring maneuver – a clandestine operation to rescue the imprisoned delegations and further infiltrate the Empire's power base. The mission would be fraught with danger, requiring a team of skilled individuals with exceptional talents.
