Jakob carefully chose his words and said, "Patriarch Atticus, here's the situation. I came to discuss Holtrien joining forces to resist our enemies. The Cavendish royal family has always been a pillar of Holtrien. General Turman and the heads of the Eight Ancient Sects all hoped that you would put the bigger picture first."

Atticus did not answer right away. Instead, he looked toward the other senior members of the Cavendish family seated throughout the grand hall.

The room was packed, with ne