while Cappelen was visiting the Bigusler Family, within the Emperor's bedchamber, an audience was also taking place.
The Emperor's mad cries echoed incessantly in the stillness, creating a somewhat stirring atmosphere that permeated the quiet bedchamber hall.
One after another, noble officials and dignitaries knelt on the floor, heads bowed, their expressions filled with reverence.
However, they were not prostrating themselves before the ranting, raving Emperor but before the woman who was slowly walking towards them from the direction of the great doors.
The woman, still clad in white, barefoot, without makeup, exuded an eerie quality that firmly drew the attention of everyone present.
In the eyes of the onlookers, admiration, fear, fervor, and respect were all evident, making the woman the most conspicuous star there.
Before everyone, the woman approached the Emperor, who was on the ground, ranting senselessly.
"How pitiful, Your Majesty."
Her voice tinkled like a silver bell, void of pity, compassion, or even the slightest trace of indignation; it held nothing but coldhearted schadenfreude.
Hearing that laugh and observing the woman, the assembled Imperial dignitaries finally spoke out in unison.
"Welcome, Imperial Concubine, back to the Palace!"
On this night, brimming with undercurrents, the woman pegged as the root of all calamities had finally returned to the Empire, back to the Imperial City.
Moro did not look at the nobles kneeling before her; instead, she extended her hand, caressing the mad Emperor's face with a seemingly tender gesture. Although her actions appeared gentle and her demeanor full of softness, her eyes had not a hint of emotion as she spoke.
"The plan to lure the Strange Thief into the Imperial Palace and then encircle him has failed."
"The plan to force the Ragnar family to step down by putting pressure on Bigusler has failed."
"The Leferut Family has been extinguished."
"Even His Majesty the Emperor has been cursed into madness."
The Earth-shattering events that had recently taken place in the Imperial City were relayed by Moro in an offhand tone.
Yet, that tone, far from comforting, sent shivers down the spine.
"I wasn't here, and you indeed managed nothing," she said, a statement that made it impossible for the assembled to discern whether it was an accusation or a rebuke, causing everyone to tremble and bow their heads lower.
Moro paid them no heed, continuing her gentle strokes on the Emperor's face.
"Anyone will do, tell me, what exactly is the situation now?"
This question was met with a long and heavy silence.
Until, after a lengthy wait, one person finally stood forth.
"Imperial Concubine," Sarilo kneeled before Moro and spoke gravely, "there's a high probability Rocque has sought foreign aid, managing to enlist a mysterious and strong outsider to their side."
"The one who brought down the Leferut Family was this mysterious powerhouse."
"Moreover, Lady Cappelen has returned with the Broken Blade Knights."
"We have also discovered that this mysterious outsider seems to have targeted the private facilities set up by the Imperial Concubine, summoning a meteor shower there."
"The current situation seems somewhat unfavorable for us."
Sarilo dutifully reported all the events to her.
Amongst those present, only he, commanding two-thirds of the Imperial Knight Order's forces as a Legendary strongman, dared to speak so cautiously to Moro under these circumstances.
Moro's expression remained unchanged.
"Meteor shower?" Moro murmured to herself as if she was mocking something, "Truly a mysterious strongman, at least, to the Empire."
Moro showed no surprise, no distress, but instead seemed amused, her voice full of mockery.
Sarilo continued to bow his head, speaking respectfully.
"What shall we do next, Imperial Concubine?"
Sarilo awaited Moro's command.
The situation was indeed tricky.
Though no one knew exactly what Moro had done, those present who belonged to her faction could surmise that Cappelen's prior disappearance had something to do with Moro.
Now, Cappelen had returned, and with a formidable aura, she immediately took a strong stance representing the Royal Family, not to mention her audiences with Harvis and her visit to the Bigusler estate. These actions signaled to all that she was poised for a confrontation.
And as Cappelen herself had declared, the Imperial People all knew who her Blessing was from.
Possessing the power of the Justice Goddess's Blessing and having endured oppression at Moro's hands, the actions the Princess would take were crystal clear.
The faction led by Sarilo was troubled, concerned about whether Moro might be exposed on the spot next.
If that happened, they would be in a difficult position.
But Moro did not seem very concerned.
"No need to rush," Moro continued to caress the Emperor's face, her tone casual, "Harvis is still under house arrest, and although that Princess has some troublesome tricks up her sleeve, she's not the one we should be wary of."
"Not Lady Cappelen?" Sarilo was initially taken aback before he realized what she meant and hesitated before asking, "Do you mean that we should be more vigilant of that mysterious strongman?"
Moro did not respond to this question.
No, rather, she answered with an amused tone that was off-topic.
"The descendants of the Hero are indeed very entertaining to toy with."
"But after all is said and done, what can a group of descendants with only a trace of the bloodline achieve?"
"This time, to encounter a true miracle sent from heaven, it's quite thrilling indeed."
Moro's laughter rang through the entire room.
"The time is ripe anyway, it's time to let the curtain fall and get everything truly moving,"
Moro said, suddenly changing his tone to these indecipherable words.
"Go and summon the part of the Imperial Knight Order that you can command to the Imperial Palace."
These words were directed at Sarilo.
"And you, call up your private troops that you can deploy to the palace, and have them coordinate with the people of the Royal Knights to fill the entire Imperial Palace."
Moro's voice became clearer and louder.
"Tomorrow, I'll be in the Royal Hall."
"If Lady Cappelen comes looking for me and wants a public trial to expose me, let her come to the Royal Hall."
"Oh right, if she brings anyone with her, don't stop them—let them all come to the Royal Hall."
"It will certainly make the perfect stage."
Moro's instructions were thus conveyed to everyone present.
There was a collective pause among them as they realized something.
Moro was not planning to act from the shadows but was preparing for a direct confrontation with Cappelen.
"Imperial Concubine..."
Sarilo suddenly wanted to say something.
If possible, he wanted to avoid a direct conflict.
Not just Sarilo, but all the other nobles felt the same way.
The reason was nothing more than a belief that it was not yet that serious, that there was still room to maneuver.
If there were indeed a head-on conflict between the two sides, it would undoubtedly be the greatest internal strife in the history of the Empire.
The extent of the impact and loss that such internal strife would bring was imaginable.
Rather than causing such a commotion, Sarilo and the other nobles present preferred to take covert actions.
Even assassinating Lady Cappelen would be more appropriate than a public confrontation and conflict.
That was what everyone thought.
"Are you questioning my decision?"
Moro's voice cut through Sarilo's speech.
That voice, still pleasing, was ice-cold and made people shiver.
Sarilo only felt a heavy pressure upon him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
Despite being a Legendary strongman, a notable figure in the whole world, every time he faced this seemingly frail Imperial Concubine, Sarilo felt as though he was confronting an extremely dangerous person, sending chills down his spine.
Sarilo did not know how strong the Imperial Concubine truly was.
It wasn't just Sarilo; no one knew the full extent of the Imperial Concubine's strength, or even if she had any combat ability at all.
Yet she often appeared and disappeared unpredictably, bringing a chilling pressure with her like a ghost that did not belong in this world, eerie and malevolent.
And over these ten years, she had displayed various methods that made many nobles, including Sarilo, choose to submit to her.
Faced with such a person, even Sarilo often felt fear.
But at the same time, it was precisely this fear that made Sarilo wholeheartedly devoted to Moro.
If he could not feel a genuine awe deep within him, then what right did this person have to make him submit?
Thus, Sarilo bowed his head.
"I dare not, I will issue the command right away."
Having said that, Sarilo stood up and withdrew.
The surrounding nobles immediately exchanged glances before finally speaking up in unison.
"We will also give the orders as soon as possible."
"Please grant us an opportunity to redeem ourselves for our crimes."
With these words left behind, the nobles filed out in an orderly fashion.
In the bedroom hall, Moro and the Emperor were left alone.
Moro, as if unconcerned about the actions of those nobles, continued to caress the Emperor's cheek while suddenly speaking up.
"Tomorrow, you will move in secret when the opportunity arises."
This sentence echoed incessantly in the hall.
Peculiarly, there was one voice that responded to Moro.
The voice came from the shadows of the hall.
There, a young noble appeared, smiling pleasantly.
Moro flipped his hand and took out a weapon, tossing it in front of the young noble.
"Though it's just a boring replica, luckily it's a replica and you should meet the conditions to use it," Moro said with a light laugh: "Use it to give Lady Cappelen Ragna and Thielle Elbe a little surprise."
"Your will shall be done." The young man accepted, his gaze burning with intensity as he looked at the weapon and took it with him.
With that, Moro had made all the arrangements necessary.
"So, what will tomorrow turn into?"
The malevolent laughter continued to resound.
"One looks forward to it indeed."