The council chambers were alive again — but this time with maps, ledgers, and progress charts.
Sharath's reforms had exploded into motion. Roads were breaking ground across rural provinces. Water filtration nodes were deployed. Hygiene campaigns rolled out in tandem with town criers and rune-healers. Even the once-lazy lords of the trade districts had aligned their greed with Sharath's vision, turning profit into purpose.
But as the scale grew, so did the problem: manpower.
The dream was vast — the hands were too few.
Sharath stood during council. His voice was calm, but eyes burned with momentum.
"We need labor. Fast, resilient, scalable. But not enslaved."
Gasps were audible — slavery was still legal across many neighboring kingdoms.
"We will not buy slaves," he said firmly.
A pause.
"We will liberate them."
The room froze. Even Elina stared, uncertain.
"Buy their contracts. Grant them homes. Train them. Their children will grow as citizens, not property. We give them a stake in this future, and they will guard it fiercely."
Shock turned to slow, reluctant nods. Economics disguised as mercy. Morality wielded with strategy.
It was a revolution written not in rebellion — but integration.