He leaned forward, and though his face remained a void, Rattan felt the full weight of his presence.
"I intend to finish what I started. And if you still have the courage to walk the path you chose—then I'll show you how deep it truly goes."
Rattan stood frozen, the silence stretching. Then, slowly, his back—once bent under the weight of fear—straightened. His voice trembled at first, but conviction quickly took root.
"If I may be bold... your grace."
The ogre stirred, the corners of his mouth twitching with something close to amusement or curiosity. He tilted his head. "Go on."
Rattan drew in a breath—sharp, shaky, but full. And then, in a rush, the words spilled out, faster than he meant them to.
"I—I didn't study magitech out of ambition or glory. I wanted to help the ratmen... in their war against the demons. I thought—maybe—if I could understand it, if I could harness it, I could protect them. Give them a chance."
