章 82: Strategic Realignments      

That night, Cedrick was meticulously strategizing his next move to expand his territory on the map of the Spirit Realm when a soft knock echoed through his chamber door.

"Come in," he commanded, not taking his eyes off the detailed map spread out before him.

Silphie entered, her presence breaking Cedrick's intense concentration. He finally looked up, peeling his eyes away from the map to acknowledge her.

"Silphie, you're back already? How was your visit to the Barren Wasteland?" Cedrick inquired, his tone betraying a lack of genuine interest. He saw little value in a territory as desolate as the Wasteland, and his question was merely a formality.

As usual, Silphie reported every detail to Cedrick, even if the trip seemed uneventful at first glance. She paused, contemplating. Perhaps it wasn't so uneventful . . . she thought.