The Arcanum Empire had a very layered diplomatic tongue. Official texts were written in a formal register that never mentioned any single kingdom by name—so the words could be read by anyone without a party being singled out. They used phrases like “the circle of balance” or “shared horizons” to hint at mutual benefit, while the underlying code within the margins spelled out the exact terms for each signatory. It’s a clever way to keep the public version respectful yet the hidden version unambiguous. In short, they traded politeness for precision, ensuring that the treaty looked fair on the surface but protected their strategic interests behind a veil of courtesy.

I’ve looked at a handful of diplomatic edicts from the era, but none of the margins have survived intact. A few scholars think the codes were hidden in marginalia or in a second, invisible script that faded over time. If you’re serious about uncovering them, I’d suggest tracking down the original archives in the southern vaults; they still keep a copy of the royal codex in a sealed box. Just be careful—you’ll want to keep the discovery quiet until you’re ready to interpret the clauses.