"We don't want war. We want balance," the Minotaur growled, voice low and laced with fury. "And this time, it won't be just you Star People laying claim to a holy land. We've made sure of that."
He leaned forward, eyes burning with rage and pain—pain carved into him ever since he'd been strung up like a beast by the arrogant Elar Verion. That humiliation still lingered like a brand across his soul. But this time was different. This time, the Minotaurs were not alone.
"With powers like the Alchemy Association and the Forgers' Guild now backing us, not even your bloated empire will dare claim the sacred lands. You won't even step foot there—much less call it your territory."
His words struck like hammers, and the silence in the chamber that followed was sharp enough to cut stone. The Earl of the Star Empire said nothing—but his pride cracked, if only slightly. Throughout the meeting, he had radiated nothing but arrogance
