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< ...Which is not in accordance with the Order's policy on not engaging with Archipelgan governmental entities. >

< Ah, good, > Cynn Numair said lightly, gathering up the papers back into their manila folder. The gentle lilt to his voice caused two more white marbles to hit the desk with a sharp sound. < So you do know why I've sat you down here today. >

He let the silence hang. Another marble hit the desk, but Captain d'Ubis didn't seem to notice, and Cynn Numair paid it no mind.

< Your Highness, if I may, > the Captain attempted, but Cynn Numair cut her off.

< You do realise how this looks, yes? > he asked, voice still treading lightly. He flipped through the manila folder, eyes roaming the text, not really reading it. < A Royal Order unit attacks a government caravan of detainees in broad daylight? >

< Yes-- >

< Thereby summoning a thousand non-human civilians who process to riot violently against Alka Island soldiers and police? >

More marbles rolled loudly across the desk. < Y-yes, Your H-- >

< It looks, > Cynn Numair said sharply, and glanced up, just barely glaring, < as though they were right all along, Captain. It looks as though we are helping the non-humans wage a war. A war, > he added, enunciating every syllable hard, < we want nothing to do with. >