[Earlier That Morning - Murdock Estate - Northern Central Region]
The northern territories of the Central Region belonged to the Murdock family in every way that mattered.
Not through conquest or intimidation, but through generations of genuine service.
The Murdocks cared for their people.
Built schools in remote villages, funded hospitals in border towns, sent awakeners to protect trade routes from beast attacks, maintained roads and infrastructure that would have taken the Federation Government a long time.
And the people loved them for it.
Elizabeth sat in the eastern garden of the main estate, her chair positioned to face the fish pond, morning light filtering through cherry blossom trees that had stood here for over two centuries.
Her eyes were closed, but her face showed strain.
The Danger Sense sub-skill of her Seer innate skill had been screaming warnings since yesterday evening, the pressure building in her mind like a storm gathering on the horizon.
