Emperor Taiyuan sighed. “Mirrorbloom, I could have borne the responsibility for whatever crimes you commited. I could have overlooked your betrayal. But for the chaos you’ve brought upon Taiyuan, for all the lives lost because of you, I will slay you personally.”

Mirrorbloom crowed with laughter. “Old fogey, you must be living in the past. Do you think I’m still the same? Your realm will be mine once I change its name, and mine alone! From now on, this place is to be called Mirrorbloom Plane! You and your son are mere stepping stones on my road to ascendancy!”

“An idiot dreaming in broad daylight,...