Yano's approach had been incomplete.
Had stopped the exploration after the deaths, deciding the cost exceeded the likely benefit thinking only of the double potions.
A miscalculation, as it turned out.
The fundamental difference in Yino hadn't been in raw power of their tamers or sophistication of techniques they employed.
It had been in willingness to sacrifice people with fewer scruples about the moral cost of actions deemed "necessary."
Yano was weaker there because it operated under restrictions that many noble families imposed collectively, concerns about lineages and inheritances that made sacrificing valuable Gold-rank members a decision requiring extensive debate and justification.
Family politics paralyzed action, every risk or sacrifice demanded approval, every death required throughout explanation to the families involved, compensation negotiations, political favors exchanged to smooth over grievances.
