Bruce remained silent, but he already understood the direction of Duke's thoughts. A war against infiltration was not won with banners and proclamations. It was won with shadows.
Duke continued, his voice steady. "The Adventurer Guild and the Royal Guild cannot publicly align too closely. Not yet."
Isolde inclined her head once, considering.
"If other kingdoms are compromised," Duke went on, "any obvious cooperation between us will trigger suspicion. Those watching will tighten their defenses. Or worse, accelerate their plans."
"Agreed," Isolde replied.
A faint chill passed through the air, not from frost, but from recognition.
Duke's tone sharpened slightly. "We form a hidden alliance."
The words settled heavily in the chamber, as tangible as the ice beneath their feet.
"Beneath public awareness," he clarified. "Information flows between us. Operations coordinated. But outwardly? We maintain the appearance of distance. Perhaps even friction."
