Chapter 255: Under new law

The early morning sun had barely begun to peek through the heavy velvet curtains of Steele's opulent guest chambers when an insistent knocking shattered the peaceful silence. Steele, lounging shirtless on a plush chaise, his ever-present hat still firmly in place, let out a low growl of annoyance."For the love of... who dares... disturb my peace... at this ungodly hour?" he muttered, his voice rough with sleep.

Two scantily clad women draped across his muscular form stirred, their eyes fluttering open in confusion. Steele gently disentangled himself from their embrace, reaching for his discarded shirt.

"Ladies... duty calls," he drawled, a hint of regret coloring his tone. "Feel free to... make yourselves comfortable... in my absence." He winked suggestively.

As he made his way to the door, Steele's mind raced with possibilities. 'Who could it be... at this hour? The emperor... wouldn't dare... would he?'

With a swift motion, he yanked open the door, his customary smirk faltering for a split second as he took in the sight before him. There stood the emperor himself, resplendent in his morning robes, accompanied by a strikingly beautiful young woman in a crisp black light armor uniform adorned with numerous badges.

Steele's eyes locked with the woman's for a brief, electric moment before he tore his gaze away, focusing on the emperor.

"Your Majesty," Steele drawled, leaning against the doorframe with calculated nonchalance. "To what do I owe... the pleasure... of this early morning... visit? I hope...

it's not to join... my little soiree."

The emperor's lips twitched in a barely suppressed smile. "Ah, Steele. Always the jester, aren't you? I trust you've been... enjoying the hospitality we've provided?"

Steele's eyebrow arched. "It's been... adequate. Though I must say... Your Majesty... I didn't expect...

a personal wake-up call."

The emperor chuckled, a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, Steele, I thought you might appreciate an update on your... request. May we come in?"

Steele stepped aside, sweeping his arm in a mockery of a courtly gesture. "By all means... Your Majesty. Though I warn you... the accommodations might be... a bit disheveled."

As they entered, the two women from earlier quickly gathered their belongings and slipped out, casting curious glances at the newcomers. The emperor settled himself in an ornate armchair, while his female companion remained standing, her posture rigid and alert.

Steele sprawled across the chaise, his hat tilted at a rakish angle. "So... Your Majesty... what brings you... to my humble abode... at this hour?"

The emperor leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "Steele, I wanted to discuss Area 52 with you. I fear you may not fully grasp the... gravity of your request."

'Oh, this should be... entertaining,' Steele thought, his internal voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Area 52," the emperor began, his voice taking on a lecturer's tone, "is not just a prison, Steele. It's a masterpiece of magical engineering, a place where the very fabric of reality bends to our will."

Steele nodded, feigning interest. "Fascinating... Your Majesty. Do go on."

The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly at Steele's flippant tone but continued. "It took the sacrifice of 52 of our most powerful mages to create this parallel inverse prison. The air itself is toxic, the weather unpredictable and violent. It's a place designed to break even the most hardened criminals."

'As if I didn't know... all of this already,' Steele mused, his face betraying nothing. 'Does he think... I'm some green recruit?'

"Your Majesty," Steele interrupted, his voice deceptively casual, "I appreciate... the history lesson... but I assure you... I'm well aware... of Area 52's... unique charms."

The emperor's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Are you, Steele? Are you truly aware of the dangers that await you there? The dark magic that seeps from every stone, the twisted creatures that roam its halls?"

Steele's eyes glittered dangerously. "With all due respect... Your Majesty... I've faced worse... in my own bathtub."

The female officer by the emperor's side shifted slightly, drawing Steele's attention. Their eyes met again, a current of unspoken understanding passing between them. Steele's lips quirked in a half-smile before he turned back to the emperor.

"Your concern... is touching," Steele drawled, "but unnecessary. I assure you... I'm more than capable... of handling whatever... Area 52 throws at me."

The emperor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Steele, this isn't a game. The council is... hesitant to grant you access. They fear the consequences of unleashing you in such a volatile environment."

'Ah... there it is,' Steele thought, his internal voice tinged with amusement. 'The real reason... for this little visit.'

"Your Majesty," Steele said, leaning forward, his voice low and intense, "I understand... your concerns. But let me... be clear. I'm not asking... for permission.

I'm giving you... the courtesy... of informing you... of my intentions."

The emperor's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of... was it fear? passing across his face. "Steele, you can't just--"

"Can't I?" Steele interrupted, his voice dangerously soft. "Need I remind you... Your Majesty... of the many... delicate matters... I've handled...

for the empire? For you... personally?"

The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats and barely concealed power plays. The female officer remained silent, her eyes darting between Steele and the emperor.

After a long moment, the emperor's shoulders sagged slightly. "Very well, Steele. But at least allow me to provide you with the necessary information. Area 52 is unlike anything you've encountered before."

Steele leaned back, a triumphant smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "By all means... Your Majesty. Enlighten me."

For the half an hour, the emperor launched into a detailed explanation of Area 52's inner workings. He spoke of the magical barriers that kept the worst offenders contained, the labyrinthine layout designed to confuse and disorient, and the various factions that had formed among the prisoners.

Throughout it all, Steele listened with an air of detached amusement, occasionally interjecting with a sardonic comment or a pointed question. His eyes would occasionally flick to the silent female officer, each glance charged with an unspoken connection.

'He's trying... to scare me,' Steele thought, suppressing a chuckle. 'As if... anything in that godforsaken place... could be worse... than what I've already seen.'

As the emperor's monologue began to wind down, he attempted to steer the conversation to lighter topics. "So, Steele, aside from your... nocturnal activities, how are you finding your stay in the capital? I trust everything has been to your liking?"

Steele's lips curled into a predatory grin. "Oh, it's been... most illuminating, Your Majesty. I've learned... so many interesting things... about our fair city...

and its inhabitants."

The emperor's smile became slightly fixed. "Is that so? Well, I'm glad you've found ways to... occupy yourself."

"Indeed," Steele drawled, his eyes glittering with mischief. "In fact... I was thinking... of writing a book. 'Secrets of the Empire'... has a nice ring to it...

don't you think?"

The color drained from the emperor's face, but before he could respond, a soft chime echoed through the room. The female officer stepped forward, whispering something in the emperor's ear.

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