Aldwyn chuckled, low and dangerous as distant thunder.
"Thirteen years ago, the Hongmoon heir stole from his fellow examinees. Among his victims was someone who suffered greatly—a cascade of ruin that began with simple theft and ended in the dirt of disgrace."
Kage's response came without hesitation.
"He failed because he was incompetent. He got caught. He left evidence like iron shavings at a forge. He let his victims die when keeping them alive would've been strategic. And most critically—" His smile returned, sharp as fresh-broken glass. "—he couldn't justify his actions when questioned. I can."
Arch-Harmonist Zera leaned forward. Her ordinary voice suddenly carried the weight of a smith's hammer poised to strike.
"Then justify them. Now."
Kage clasped his hands behind his back, posture perfect, tone forged into certainty.
