"Your Majesty, we've found an oil field in the Elysian Islands."
"Wow, that's great news. We don't have to worry about oil anymore."
"Yes, Your Majesty. This is Site Alpha-7. It's not just a pocket—it's a goddamn ocean of the stuff. Initial estimates put the reserves at 12 billion barrels. Twelve. Billion."
A slow, dangerous smile played on Alberto's lips. "Twelve billion," he repeated, the words rolling off his tongue like fine wine. "That's... remarkable."
"Significant?" Elizabeth sneered, her voice rising slightly. "This is a game-changer, Your Majesty. Do you have any idea what that means? The Bernard Empire consumes about 1.5 million barrels a day. This field alone could last us decades. Decades. And that's not the best part."
Alberto tilted his head, his smile widening. "Oh? Tell me."