'Those metal sheets are nothing to me, but a priceless treasure to fake mages. They are something even most Awakened bloodlines would kill to get their hands on. The silver lining is that now that I know they exist, I can point my mages in the right direction.
'I'm not doing all the work for them, or they'll keep relying on me, and my Blood Desert will always lag behind the Kingdom, let alone the Empire.' Salaark considered her people's achievements as her own, just as she credited her fellow Guardians for the development of their respective countries.
Being the God of the Forge only made the Blood Desert's magical development ranking last among Garlen's three great countries more humiliating.
Orion gave everyone a few final words of advice and encouragement before walking up to the Overlord.
"We are ready when you are." Pride and pain battled for dominance over Orion's features, and Salaark could read their every clash.
