"Find a scapegoat?" Nathaniel asked.

He looked confused. He didn't understand what Cynthia meant. "Could you explain what you mean, Mother?"

"Think about it. If your enemies are too powerful to deal with, why not let the royal gods from the Hall of Gods handle them?" Cynthia explained.

She smiled slyly and added, "Your brothers, for example. Or any other thorns in your side."

Nathaniel perked up, and a glint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

"That's brilliant, Mother. I see it now."

He had been so frantic earlier that he hadn't seen the bigger picture. The royal gods of the Hall of Gods arriving at his doorstep wasn't just a threat but an opportunity.

If he played it right, Nathaniel could use the Hall of Gods to eliminate his enemies. It wouldn't just resolve the crisis, but it'd also keep him on good terms with the West Lucozian monarchy.

He could let the royal gods handle the dirty work while clearing his path to the throne. This wasn't just killing two birds with one s