Mara’s laughter echoed through the hall.
“Anyway, the time is ripe. It’s time to drop the curtain and set everything in motion.”
After saying these cryptic words, Mara finally changed the subject.
“Mobilize the part of the Imperial Knight Order that you can command to the Imperial Palace,” she instructed Saliro.
“And the rest of you, summon your private troops to the Imperial Palace, cooperate with the Royal Knights, and fill the entire palace.”
Mara’s voice became clearer and louder.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be in the throne room.”
“If Capeline comes, saying she wants to see me and expose me in a public trial, then let her come to the throne room.”
“Oh, and if she brings anyone with her, don’t stop them. Let them all come to the throne room.”
“That place will become the perfect stage.”
Mara’s instructions reached everyone’s ears.
Everyone’s heart skipped a beat.
Because they realized that Mara wasn’t planning to act in secret, but to confront Capeline directly.
“Your Imperial Consort…”
Saliro wanted to say something. If possible, he wanted to avoid a direct confrontation.
Not just Saliro, but the other nobles as well.
They simply thought it wasn’t time yet, that there was still room for maneuver.
If the two sides clashed directly, it would be the biggest internal conflict in the Empire’s history. The impact and losses would be unimaginable.
Instead of such a large-scale conflict, Saliro and the nobles present preferred to act in secret.
Even assassinating Capeline secretly would be better than a direct confrontation.
That’s what they thought.
However…
“…Are you questioning my decision?”
Mara’s voice interrupted Saliro.
Her voice, still pleasant, was now chillingly cold.
Saliro felt a heavy pressure weighing down on him, making him break out in a cold sweat.
Although he was a Legendary-level expert, among the strongest in the world, whenever he faced this seemingly weak and powerless Imperial Consort, Saliro felt as if he was facing an extremely dangerous person, sending chills down his spine.
Saliro didn’t know how strong the Imperial Consort truly was.
Not just Saliro, but no one knew her true strength, or even if she had any combat ability at all.
But she was often elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace, and every time, she brought a chilling pressure, like a ghost not belonging to this world, eerie and uncanny.
And she had also displayed various methods over the past ten years, making many nobles, including Saliro, submit to her.
Facing such a person, even Saliro often felt fear.
But at the same time, it was because of this fear that Saliro was truly convinced by Mara.
If she couldn’t make him feel awe from the bottom of his heart, then what qualifications did she have to make him submit?
So, Saliro lowered his head.
“I wouldn’t dare. I’ll go and give the orders now.”
Saying that, Saliro stood up and retreated.
The surrounding nobles exchanged glances, then all spoke.
“We will also give the orders as soon as possible.”
“Indeed.”
“Please give us a chance to redeem ourselves, Your Imperial Consort.”
Leaving these words, the nobles retreated in unison.
Only Mara and the Emperor remained in the hall.
Mara, seemingly unconcerned about the nobles’ actions, continued to caress the Emperor’s face, then suddenly spoke.
“Tomorrow, you will act in secret, waiting for the right opportunity.”
These words echoed in the hall.
And a voice responded to Mara.
“Yes, Lady Mara.”
The voice came from the shadows of the hall.
There, a young nobleman appeared at some point, smiling pleasantly.