She moved to the next section of her presentation, her voice taking on the personal edge that came from direct experience. "The Lysora County attack reveals the true scope of our enemy's planning. The demon wearing my uncle's face had been in position for years, not months. Count Nicalo's expedition four years ago was the beginning of this campaign, not a recent development."

The admission sent ripples of unease through the assembled leaders. Four years of perfect infiltration suggested patience and resources that dwarfed typical threats.

"Azaroth Pyron consumed my uncle's memories, his mannerisms, his genuine love for our family," Elara continued, her professional composure masking the personal pain beneath. "The deception was flawless because it was built on authentic emotion. This level of infiltration indicates our enemies possess capabilities we haven't encountered before."

Duk Vilantias leaned forward, his scarred features reflecting grim understanding. "If they can maintain such perfect disguises for years, how many others might be compromised without our knowledge?"

"The capital attacks represent the culmination of their strategy," Elara said, moving to the final phase of her analysis. "Multiple coordinated strikes, wraiths attacking imperial nobles while the main demon engaged me directly. Each assault was designed to overwhelm our defensive capabilities through sheer simultaneous pressure."

The Sun Empress's voice carried new authority as she addressed the chamber. "Without the divine transformation granted through our shared power, the capital would have fallen. Our enemy's planning accounted for conventional defenses, even those enhanced by arcane support."

Archmage Dawnrender nodded grimly. "The magical signatures we've analyzed from these attacks show progressive refinement. Each incident incorporated lessons learned from the previous engagement, suggesting active tactical adaptation."

Elara gestured to her carefully arranged timeline, connecting threads that painted a disturbing picture. "These cannot be random attacks. The timing, the escalation pattern, the specific targeting of key figures, this bears every hallmark of a coordinated military campaign designed to achieve strategic objectives."

She paused, allowing the implications to settle before delivering her central conclusion. "I believe these attacks were designed to accomplish two primary goals: destabilize the empire's leadership structure and create the conditions for conflict between humans and dragons."

The chamber fell silent as the assembled leaders processed this assessment. Countess Blackthorne's political mind immediately grasped the implications. "If someone is attempting to pit us against the dragons, they're playing a game with potentially catastrophic stakes for all involved."

Lord Stormveil's pragmatic nature focused on immediate concerns. "What resources do we possess to counter threats we can't properly identify or predict?"

Mage Marvel's quiet confidence reflected his positioning near General Hilton rather than with his Tower superiors, a subtle signal of loyalty that Elara filed away for future reference. Hilton himself recognized Elara's brilliance while noting the careful gaps in her presentation, particularly regarding David's role in these events.

****

Archmage Dawnrender stepped forward to present the most disturbing evidence yet uncovered. "Our investigation of the undead elder dragon's resurrection site revealed sophisticated death magic far beyond typical necromantic practices. Someone used concentrated human life force to anchor the dragon's soul, creating a corruption that merged human and draconic essences in ways that violate natural law."

His words carried the weight of academic authority backed by direct magical analysis. "This creates a magical signature that would be inherently offensive to true dragons, making them perceive humans as willing participants in the desecration of their kind."

The terrifying implications struck the chamber like a physical blow. Elara's strategic mind immediately grasped the full scope of the manipulation. "We're being weaponized against the dragons. Each use of human-bound death magic creates evidence of our supposed betrayal of natural order."

"The ramifications extend beyond immediate military concerns," she continued, her voice carrying the authority of someone who understood cosmic-scale politics. "If the dragons believe we're deliberately corrupting their dead, they may declare war on humanity itself. Our enemy isn't just targeting the empire, they're orchestrating a conflict that could devastate both species."

The Sun Empress rose from her throne, divine authority radiating from her transformed presence. "This manipulation will not continue. We refuse to be puppets in someone else's war, regardless of the forces involved."

****

As the formal presentations concluded, subtle undercurrents of individual agendas began to surface. General Hilton's inquiry carried the careful tone of a man balancing multiple considerations. "The attack on my son, given what we now understand about the enemy's capabilities, are we certain it was merely another diversionary tactic?"

Elara's response demonstrated the protective instincts of someone shielding valuable assets. "Young David showed remarkable survival instincts and tactical awareness, but nothing that would warrant special imperial attention. His escape appears to have been the result of preparation and good fortune rather than unusual capabilities."

The careful omission spoke volumes to anyone listening for subtleties. Hilton recognized Elara's protection of David, filing this information away for private discussion while appreciating her discretion.

Meanwhile, Mage Marvel's positioning had not gone unnoticed by his Tower superiors. Archmages Dawnrender and Noctis exchanged meaningful glances, noting his clear preference for proximity to the De Gror family over alignment with magical hierarchy. This quiet defection represented a shift in power dynamics that could prove crucial in future conflicts.

The Sun Empress's strategic mind was already moving toward practical responses. "Enhanced county defenses will be implemented immediately, with each territory receiving additional military support and upgraded magical wards. We're establishing a new intelligence network for rapid communication about demonic threats."

She paused, her divine-touched gaze encompassing the entire assembly. "Most critically, we will pursue diplomatic overtures to prevent the manipulated conflict with the dragons from escalating. They must understand that we are victims of this conspiracy, not its architects."

****

As the formal council concluded, the Sun Empress delivered her final declaration with the authority of divine mandate. "We face an enemy that operates from shadows, manipulates our strongest bonds, and seeks to transform our greatest potential allies into instruments of our destruction."

Her transformed presence lent weight to words that would have carried authority even without cosmic enhancement. "But we are not helpless. We have identified their operational patterns, understood their strategic objectives, and will not dance to their designs."

The commitment that followed carried the full weight of imperial resources. "Every capability of this empire will be dedicated to rooting out this conspiracy and protecting our people from forces that seek to use us as weapons against each other."

As the assembly dispersed, each leader carrying new burdens of knowledge and responsibility, the true scope of the challenges ahead became clear. Elara's brilliant analysis had revealed the enemy's methodology, but the identity of the true orchestrator remained hidden. Hilton's paternal instincts warred with his strategic obligations, knowing his son's involvement ran deeper than simple assassination attempts. The Magic Tower's agenda operated on levels that might not align with imperial goals, while unseen threats continued to maneuver in the shadows.

The war council had succeeded in revealing the nature of their enemy's game, but the next moves in this cosmic chess match were already in motion, and the stakes continued to escalate beyond anything the empire had faced in its long history.