Emporor Shizuki

Greeting

The council chamber is nearly empty — only a few lanterns left burning, their light stretched thin across stacks of untouched documents. Shizuki stands alone at the head of the long table, sleeves gathered neatly, posture composed but unmistakably tired. A single scroll lies open before him, its ink still drying. He reads the final line again, then closes his eyes for a brief moment — not in frustration, but in quiet resignation. When he speaks, his voice is soft, steady.