On the other side, Shane had already returned to the Imperial City.
It was as if nothing had happened; Shane silently returned to the Bigusler home, only to find that Lasha and Lilith had not yet returned.
Rocque had also left the house, as had Tilly; aside from the servants, the entire Bigusler mansion was deserted, which was quite disheartening.
This unsettling atmosphere might also have been due to another reason.
After Shane returned to the Bigusler household, he discovered that many more people than the day before seemed to have set their sights on this place, secretly surveilling the mansion.
"It's lively, isn't it?"
Shane found it amusing, yet unsurprising.
Although the high-level members of the Empire had surely guessed that this mysterious powerhouse, who had annihilated the Lefirut Family, might be connected to the Bigusler Family or even be inside the Bigusler home, they refrained from taking action against the Bigusler Family out of fear of his strength. However, surveilling the Bigusler Family was inevitable.
Not to mention tracking Shane's whereabouts, even being able to monitor Rocque's movements all the time and deducing what he might be concealing was a gain for the high-level officials of the Empire.
Additionally, those anxious nobles also worried about whether they could become the next Bigusler Family, and they could not ignore the intentions behind the mysterious strongman who had suddenly appeared in the Imperial City; undoubtedly, the surroundings of the Bigusler home were rife with all kinds of spies.
Even the ordinary servants seemed to have been targeted and placed under surveillance.
It was imaginable that for the Empire in its current state, the Bigusler Family had become a crucial focus of attention at all times.
Shane believed that even the activities that Rocque and Tilly intended to undertake today had already been placed under the Empire's surveillance.
However, whether or not they would take any action about it was unknown.
As for Lasha and Lilith, if the Magic Tools Laischa had created for Lasha were powerful enough, they probably wouldn't be detected by those high-level imperial spies.
Shane himself, needless to say, with his "Outer Destiny" Instant Movement ability and "Inner Destiny" strong concealment, should indeed find it odd if these spies discovered him.
"That being said, being careless isn't wise either."
When he entered that secret base in the remote wilderness, Shane had similarly thought that as long as he used Instant Movement to pass through the Barrier without triggering the alarm, the people inside would not detect him.
Unexpectedly, there was a Necromancer inside who could sense his life force with Magic Perception, which had almost exposed Shane.
This indicated that there are still many incredible things in this world.
Who knows, in the Imperial City, there might be someone capable of using special magic similar to the "Death Corridor" or possessing a Unique Skill capable of penetrating the concealment from "Inner Destiny"?
There's always an exception to everything, and he could not afford to be careless just because his strength had significantly increased.
"Speaking of which, this trip, having annihilated so many Knights and dead spirits, and including two Legendary-level adversaries, my Level has risen again."
Now, Shane's Level had reached seventy-nine, just a step away from eighty.
If others knew about this, they would probably be incredibly shocked.
After all, considering seriously, Shane had only been in this world for roughly half a year, yet his level had advanced from Level 1 to Level 79 – just a step away from Level 80 – which was truly unprecedented.
This rate of growth, even when compared to the Heroes of past generations, was unquestionably a foul play.
Perhaps, achieving Legend Level, reaching Limit Level, or even Transcendence Level would not take much longer for Shane.
"Heaven's Grace" and "Fate"...
These two Unique Skills that could enhance the growth rate enormously helped Shane.
Of course, for Shane at this moment, a rise of one or two Levels wasn't too noteworthy.
Compared to his own Level, Shane was more concerned about the achievements of this trip.
"The Branch of Resurgence..."
"The treasure that even the Hero who established the Ragnar Empire had sought in vain...?"
Shane felt some interest in this so-called treasure.
"Well, I'll make a trip to the Imperial Palace."
There was no other way.
According to what Cappelen had said, the legend of the Branch of Resurgence was now known only to those within the Royal Family.
Thus, information about this legend could probably be found in the Imperial Palace.
With this thought in mind, Shane immediately set off for the Imperial Palace.
With his "Outer Destiny" Instant Teleportation and his "Inner Destiny" concealment, even though it was broad daylight, Shane could move freely within the Imperial Palace.
Thus, Shane first sought Harvis and successfully met with him.
"The Branch of Resurgence?"
In the sleeping chamber, Harvis, listening to the question from Shane who sat before him, showed a look of surprise and contemplation.
"Indeed, such a legend does circulate within the Royal Family. I have heard my mother, the former imperial concubine, mention it in the past," Harvis hesitated for a moment, then continued, "But it's just a legend after all; nobody within the Royal Family believes it. Even my mother used to tell it as a story to entertain us, so, it must be fictitious, right?"
Clearly, Harvis didn't think the legend was true.
"Cappelen has always loved this legend since she was little," Harvis casually betrayed his sister by telling Shane why the Princess was so quick to relate the actions of the High Priest and others to the legend of the Branch of Resurgence.
The Princess probably took this legend to heart when she was young, right?
Shane chuckled to himself.
But now, it seems this legend might actually be real.
Shane did not elaborate, preferring to ask Harvis directly,
"What do you know about this legend?"
Shane made no effort to hide his desire to investigate further.
Harvis noticed this and guessed that something had triggered Shane's interest.
Then, Harvis frowned, thought hard for a while, and finally spoke uncertainly,
"I don't know much, just that my mother once said that to manifest the Branch of Resurgence on this land, certain conditions must be met, and a poem appeared regarding this, but unfortunately, I can't remember the poem anymore."
Harvis racked his brains to provide such information.
Shane confirmed in his heart,
(The Princess remembers it clearly, she might still truly believe in this so-called legend.)
The Second Princess of the Empire, known as the Valkyrie, seems to be indulging in a childish delusion, perhaps?
Well, that's quite significant information.
However, it seemed Harvis really did not care much about it, as his past memories blurred, and even straining his mind, he couldn't provide much useful information.
Thinking it over, Shane asked Harvis, "Where is your mother now?"
Shane wanted to meet the former imperial concubine of the Empire to see if she knew anything.
However, Harvis's expression darkened,
"My mother is under house arrest deep within the Imperial Palace." Harvis said with some hatred, "And she has not awakened yet."
"Not awakened?" Shane was slightly taken aback.
"Yes," Harvis said, calming himself and continued in a low voice, "After being ousted by Moro and deposed by that foolish Emperor, my mother suffered a great blow and collapsed in front of us. She has never awakened for the past ten years."
Shane didn't know quite what to say.
Although he felt a bit of sympathy, this direct descendant of the Imperial Royal Family, the Imperial Concubine, seemed a bit fragile.
From Harvis's and Cappelen's descriptions of the former imperial concubine, Shane could guess what her personality was like,
(She must be a very gentle and virtuous person, disliking power struggles, and a very refreshing and modest individual.)
Such a person would push her husband to the throne without wanting to seize power herself, focusing solely on educating her children.
Thus, both Harvis and Cappelen showed emotions of reminiscence and adoration when they mentioned their mother.
Unfortunately, because of this, the Imperial Concubine was framed, betrayed by her husband, stripped of her position, and reduced to her current predicament.
But this complicates things.
"None of you know the specifics of the legend, and the only one who might know, the former imperial concubine, is in a coma. This means we've lost a clue."
Shane was not satisfied with this outcome.
Luckily, Harvis seemed to remember something and told Shane,
"I just remembered, when our mother was telling us this story, she held an ancient book in her hands." Harvis said, "Perhaps that book contains the legend."
"Oh?" Shane's spirits lifted, and he asked eagerly, "Where is that book now?"
"It should be in the Emperor's chamber," Harvis speculated. "That ancient book is a legacy of the Royal Family, so although my mother sometimes borrowed it, she never took it to her own chamber."
In that case, it's very likely that the book remained in the Emperor's chamber.
"That foolish Emperor isn't someone who reads. That book has probably been covered in dust for many years," Harvis said with unavoidable irony in his tone.
It seems, both Harvis and Cappelen deeply despise the Emperor.
Even though he is their biological father, they have very little respect for him.
Let alone Harvis, even Shane, an outsider, felt that the Emperor would sooner or later become a disgrace in the history of the Imperial Royal Family.
The leading military Empire of the Human Realm, managed by such a person, is indeed a misfortune for the historically long-standing and once thriving yet sometimes declining Ragnar Empire.
"I'll take a trip to the Emperor's chamber then."
As Shane said this, he looked at Harvis and suddenly smiled,
"Want me to deal with him for you?"
Upon hearing this, Harvis's eyes lit up.