Leo was leaning forward, studying the three pieces of parchment arranged on the coffee table. Zeke settled onto the couch in front of him, patiently awaiting the conclusion of his perusal. It took him a few minutes to finish, and when he did, Leo sank back into the plush sofa and met Zeke’s eyes.

“About time it happened,” Leo said, a wide grin on his face.

Zeke studied Leo’s expression—joy, anticipation, and a hint of anger—an odd mix of emotions. Yet, overall, Leo didn’t seem perturbed by what he’d read. Zeke wished he could be this optimistic, but his mind told him they weren’t ready yet.

Zeke pointed at the letter lying in the middle. “The Empire has started their invasion,” he said. “Even if the alliance can hold for now, I am certain it won’t be forever. I am sure Otto would not have started this if he wasn’t confident in taking on Equinox and Invocatia, at the very least.”

“So… When do we leave?” Leo asked eagerly.

Zeke shook his head. “I won’t be going.”

“But… you just said it! They’ll need all the help they can get.”

“Even so, there is nothing I can do at the moment,” Zeke said.

Leo deflated, his previously good cheer vanishing like a mirage. “What about our revenge? Did you give up?”

Zeke looked at his brother with a stern gaze, anger flickering in the depths of his eyes. After a few moments, Leo looked away and mumbled an apology.

Zeke sighed. “Look, Leo. It's not that I don't want to. I want to get revenge just as much as you. But what good would that do? With the bounty on my head and my current power, I wouldn't last a week at the frontlines.”

Leo deflated even further, and Zeke could see the conflict within him. On the one hand, his brother could see the logic in his words, but then again, he didn’t care about such things. Leo was very much the type of person who thought that the impossible was just another challenge.

To distract his brother, Zeke tried to move the conversation forward and pointed at the second letter. “Margret says that the Elves are aware of what is happening. Likely, they know more about what the Empire is planning than we do, but they still choose to do nothing.”

Leo nodded, having read the report himself.