At the same time.
While Capeline was visiting the Bigusler residence, an audience was being held in the Emperor’s bedchamber.
“Ah! Aah…!”
The Emperor’s mad cries echoed through the silent hall, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
Noble officials knelt on the ground, their heads lowered respectfully. However, they weren’t bowing to the raving Emperor, but to a woman slowly approaching from the entrance.
The woman wore a white dress, barefoot, without any makeup, yet exuding an eerie aura that captivated everyone present.
Their gazes held infatuation, fear, fanaticism, and respect, making her the center of attention.
The woman walked past them and stopped before the mad Emperor, who was kneeling and ranting meaninglessly.
“How pitiful, Your Majesty,” she said with a silver bell-like laugh, devoid of pity, sympathy, or even resentment, only cold amusement.
Hearing that laughter and looking at the woman, the Imperial officials finally spoke in unison:
“Welcome back to the palace, Your Imperial Consort!”
Mara had returned.
In this turbulent night, the woman who was the cause of all the disasters finally returned to the Empire, to the Imperial Capital.
Mara ignored the bowing nobles and reached out, gently caressing the mad Emperor’s face as if showing affection. Her movements were gentle, her expression tender, but her eyes were devoid of emotion.
“The plan to lure the phantom thief into the Imperial Palace and capture her failed,” she said.
“The plan to force Rockto to step down from his position failed.”
“The Raifurut family has been annihilated.”
“Even His Majesty has been cursed and driven mad.”
Mara recounted the recent shocking events in the Imperial Capital in a casual tone. But her words, instead of reassuring, were chilling.
“Without me, you truly are incapable of accomplishing anything.”
Her words, neither blame nor reprimand, made the officials lower their heads fearfully.
Mara ignored them and continued caressing the Emperor’s face.
“Someone, anyone, tell me what’s going on now.”
Her words were met with a long, oppressive silence.
Finally, someone stepped forward.
“Your Imperial Consort,” Saliro knelt before Mara, “It’s highly likely that Rockto has sought outside help, having a mysterious expert join their side.”
“That mysterious expert was the one who annihilated the Raifurut family.”
“Also, Princess Capeline has returned with the Broken Blade Knight Order.”
“We also discovered that the mysterious expert seemed to target the facility you secretly established, summoning a meteor shower there.”
“The current situation seems unfavorable to us.”
Saliro truthfully reported the situation. Among those present, only he, a Legendary-level expert and commander of twenty percent of the Imperial Knight Order, dared to speak to Mara in this situation.
Mara’s expression remained unchanged.
“A meteor shower?” she said, as if mocking something, “Indeed a mysterious expert, at least for the Empire.”
Mara wasn’t surprised or flustered, but rather amused, her tone mocking.
Saliro continued, his head lowered respectfully,
“What should we do next, Your Imperial Consort?”
He waited for Mara’s orders. The current situation was indeed tricky.
Although no one knew exactly what Mara had done, those present who belonged to the Imperial Consort’s faction could more or less guess that Capeline’s previous disappearance was her doing.
Now, Capeline had returned, and she returned aggressively, not only representing the royal family but also meeting with Harvis and visiting the Bigusler residence. These actions told everyone present that she was preparing to act against them.
And as Capeline said, everyone in the Empire knew who her patron goddess was.
With the blessing of the Goddess of Justice, after being persecuted by Mara, it was obvious what the princess would do.
The Imperial Consort’s faction, led by Saliro, was worried that Mara would be exposed.
If that happened, they would be in trouble.
But Mara didn’t seem to care.
“Don’t worry,” she continued caressing the Emperor’s face, saying nonchalantly, “Harvis is still under house arrest, and although that princess has some troublesome methods, she’s not the one we should be wary of.”
“Not Princess Capeline?” Saliro was stunned, then understood, hesitating before asking, “Do you think we should be more wary of that mysterious expert?”
Mara didn’t answer, instead saying with a smile,
“The descendants of Heroes are indeed amusing playthings.”
“But they’re just descendants who inherited a bit of blood. No matter how much fun we have playing with them, what can they really do?”
“This time, being able to encounter a true miracle bestowed by heaven is truly exciting.”