The System looked genuinely shaken. "But then... how can you trust any of them? How can you build anything if—"
"I can't." Elara's tone was matter-of-fact. "Not fully. Not permanently. Listen carefully: the only way for me to 'completely' control the Beast Knights—to ensure absolute, unbreakable loyalty—is to become the Emperor myself."
She set down her pen and looked directly at the floating mouse.
"And right now, the empire is in no condition to change rulers. It's like a company that looks successful from the outside—impressive buildings, strong stock value, good public relations—but is completely hollow on the inside. Empty. One shock away from total collapse."
"You're saying you can't move for the throne yet."
