As breakfast slowed and plates emptied, Asher leaned back in his seat and glanced at everyone gathered. His voice was calm, but curious.
"So… what's changed in Volarisa since I disappeared?"
The table fell quiet for a moment. It was Emily who answered first, setting down a cup of warm tea in front of him.
"Quite a bit, young master. After you vanished, things weren't peaceful for long. Your family took the lead in repelling the rest of the invading forces. The Magnus name wasn't just feared after that—it became the shield of Volarisa."
Valeris nodded. "The Supreme Families stopped bickering for a while. The Enrose, Indra, Artemis, and Helion lines joined with Magnus to stabilize the region. They formed a proper core leadership. For the first time in ages, Volarisa had something close to unity."
