Mholt calls himself the third blade and asks to be paid to stand aside. I will not pay a toll to a man who mistakes a market stall for a kingmaking. To Vespera Nyx and every undecided vote: I built Ascendant Toolforge into 30 percent of this republics tools from nothing. I do not buy elections, I earn them. Elect the builder. Cut the tax that starves the forge. Mirelle Quist warns me not to squeeze grain -- I never touched grain, I make tools, and I will keep making them long after this ballot is counted.