In the secluded chamber, Katherine and Irene's conversation deepened, shifting toward their ultimate objective—the Seed of the World.
Katherine leaned against the window, her gaze fixed on the fading hues of dusk outside. In a soft, measured voice, she said, "We know the war that Strongson is about to ignite conceals a far greater scheme. Maybe Leon's ambitions go beyond the conquest of neighboring lands. What he truly desires is the Seed of the World."
Irene narrowed her eyes, her expression sharpening with contemplation. "Indeed. We cannot overlook Airtulan's World Tree. It's our family's only path to revival—not just for wealth or power, but to alter the destiny of the Western Continent itself."
Katherine turned to face her sister, her calm demeanor tinged with an icy resolve. "The Seed of Life is more than a source of power. It grants unparalleled control to whoever wields it. If we seize it, the Family will rise again. But if Leon or Eryndor claims it first, all our plans will crumble."
Irene nodded, her voice steady but resolute. "We need to act first. In this war, we're not just fighting for the family's interests—we're paving the way for our future. Leon's aggression provides a perfect cover for us to infiltrate the tangled web between Strongson and Airtulan. Ultimately, the Seed must be ours."
Katherine approached the table and unfurled a map marked with Airtulan's borders and the rumored location of the World Tree. "Here's our opportunity. As the conflict between Strongson and Eldenia escalates, we can discreetly draw closer to the World Tree. Leon's power grab gives us a rare chance to use the chaos of war to divert Airtulan's attention. Under the banner of the Family, we'll infiltrate unnoticed."
Irene's expression grew calculating. "War breeds chaos and opportunity. To succeed, we must carefully play both sides—providing resources, funding, and support to Leon's opposition while subtly entangling ourselves with both Airtulan and Strongson. Whether by aiding Leon's enemies or covertly entering Airtulan's territory, we must secure our position in the heart of this brewing storm."
Katherine studied the map intently before speaking with firm conviction. "Once we reach the World Tree, we need to proceed cautiously. Our true intentions must remain hidden. The key is timing—when the conflict between Leon and Airtulan peaks, we must already be in an advantageous position."
Irene's gaze lingered on the table as she considered her sister's words. After a moment of silence, she said, "If we succeed, this won't just be about reviving the family—it could reshape the balance of the world. But if we fail—"
Katherine cut her off with a cold smile. "Fail? Failure isn't a word in the bloodline of the Golden Family."