Garius inclined his head, his expression calm, voice measured with polished courtesy.
"Ah, pardon my rudeness, Your Honorable Marquis," he said smoothly.
"I would not dare force belief upon anyone. Whether you regard my words as truth or as tales fit for the hearth is entirely your choice."
His gaze swept subtly across the nobles lingering behind Saten, then returned with a faint, composed smile.
"After all, belief changes nothing. The evidence is plain to see, how Armand thrives, how its markets swell, how its people flourish, how its soil yields. Call it tale or truth as you please, but the results… speak louder than either of us."
He turned slightly, his eyes narrowing just enough to let the weight of his words fall.
"Perhaps, Your Honorable Marquis, the true question is not whether Armand's story is believable… but whether others can afford to ignore it."
