Chapter 135: First Act 6

The prestige and grandeur of the imperial family had reached unparalleled heights, seemingly boundless in its influence across the continent.

The empire stood as the indisputable apex of power, casting a shadow over all other realms.

Within the vast territories of the Lumenia Empire, even the loftiest nobles found themselves compelled to submit.

Kneeling and pressing their lips to the feet of their emperor, they paid homage to a lineage that wielded unparalleled power and influence.

The imperial family was a symbol of unattainable heights, a force that loomed above the realm with authority that touched every corner of the continent.

Power, wealth, control, and dominance were synonymous with the imperial family.

Their presence radiated an air of supremacy that left no room for challenge.

The world bowed before them, acknowledging their rule and submitting to a legacy that seemed to stretch into the heavens themselves.

The Lumenina Empire stood as a testament to the might of its imperial lineage, an entity unbound by the limitations of lesser kingdoms and realms.

All the nobles of the empire owed their prestigious titles to the establishment of the imperial lineage, tracing their roots back to the first emperor.

It could be asserted that each noble, regardless of their standing, ultimately originated from the imperial family itself.

The emperor, occupying the highest echelon, held the authority to bestow titles upon the deserving or strip them away as he saw fit.

This extended not only to land and riches but even to one's fundamental status as a person.

No one, not even the grand dukes, enjoyed immunity from this absolute rule.

Heiron, Tellus, and Granviel stood as the empire's top three noble families, each having achieved the esteemed title of duke.

Their roles were deeply entrenched in the service of the imperial family – hand, sword, and shield.

The sole purpose of their lineage was to serve, protect, and contribute to the continuous prosperity of the imperial family, propelling it to ever greater heights.

Despite the vast territories that came with dukedoms, akin to small countries in their own right, even these families were not granted the privilege of raising an independent army or any form of military power.

While soldiers and knights were stationed within each territory and some even bearing the lords if the place insignia in essence they were still the emperor's knights as their lords were only servants of the emperor, they all operated under the authority of the imperial court, dispatched to maintain peace and thwart potential issues.

In essence, everything within the empire existed under the aegis of the emperor's name. The imperial family's supremacy was not only a matter of prestige but a practical reality that permeated every facet of the empire's governance.

Attempts by foolhardy nobles to defy this law were met with a cruel and pitiful fate.

These families, daring to challenge the emperor's authority, faced severe consequences.

The heads of such families would meet a gruesome end, their lifeless visages displayed on stakes in the bustling market square of the capital.

The surviving males were subjected to grueling slave labor, while the females had two harrowing destinies awaiting them.

Some were consigned to the austere life of a nun, sequestered within the walls of a convent for the remainder of their days.

Others, depending on their perceived collaboration in challenging the emperor's authority, were forced into a life of degradation in the prostitution district of the capital, condemned to be breeding whores, their future generations destined for life of slavery as well.

The central army, responsible for enforcing these harsh measures, answered only to three individuals who dictated the deployment of the capital's troops.

The emperor himself held the supreme authority, alongside Duke Tellus, the head of the Ministry of Defense and Prosecution, and captain of the imperial knights.

The third influential figure was Duke Heiron, overseeing the Ministry of Finance and Intelligence.

Any pronouncement made by these dukes was regarded as an extension of the emperor's will, an unassailable decree that none dared to defy.

The authority vested in the dukes was, in essence, a direct manifestation of the emperor's will—a steadfast truth that endured through the ages.

Until now that is.

Princess Christine's entrance into Armin's office marked an unusual shift in the dynamic of authority.

As she perused the documents on Armin's desk, her knight promptly retrieved them.

While such actions might be deemed impolite or even illegal in different circumstances, the academy was a domain where the princess's influence loomed larger than any rule.

The room, now under Christine's unofficial command, echoed with her musings.

She referenced the information provided by Lilliana, suggesting questionable activities surrounding Duke Heiron.

The princess arranged the papers neatly on the table, occupying Armin's chair with an air of ownership.

In truth, her imperial lineage elevated her status above even a duke, regardless of the duke's property.

"I suppose Lilliana's information about suspicious movements related to Duke Heiron wasn't unfounded"

Christine remarked, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.

The audacious act of seizing control of Armin's office was, in her view, justified by her imperial blood and the overarching authority she wielded.

"A fortuitous decision to pay a visit this morning" she added, a slight smile playing on her lips.

'But how did Lilliana come into this sort of information in the first place?' Christine wondered.

Despite more than ten minutes passing since she requested Armin's presence for a discussion.

"Black Gabin, Red Viper's poison, and a ton load of classified items supposedly sent to you by the duke himself. Although the reports claim it's for the upcoming dungeon explorations, the numbers don't add up. Reports regarding every transaction the duke engages in should have been notified to the imperial court. Yet, here I am, reading about these discrepancies. Can you please enlighten me on this matter, Mr. Armin?" she asked, maintaining her ever-beautiful smile.

"T-that's because—" Armin couldn't continue his words as he realized the nature of the items.

Just from the words 'Black Gabin,' Armin understood that all the items the duke had secretly given him were illegal. Black Gabin, technically an herbal item, had been banned in international trade due to its addictive nature.

They said even one whiff of it could intensify the desire for the substance.

The Red Viper's poison was specifically designed to target the eyes; a single drop could blind even mid-ranking monsters, and not even aura knights could detoxify its effects. so criminals often use it to fight knights.

Armin pondered how many other illegal items had arrived at his warehouse. He wondered why the duke had given him these items in the first place.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions and ask the duke personally regarding this illegal trade, as it might seem rude, and the duke might interpret it as if I'm doubting his loyalty... So, can you please tell me, Mr. Armin, as the head councilman and president of this large mercantile enterprise, why these items are being delivered under your mercantry? Why were they not reported? Not even a mention of yours and the duke's name was recorded in the transfer. Why is it like that, Mr. Armin?" asked the princess again, this time with Jenny's arm on the handle of her sword.

Armin just stood there, dazed and seemingly unsure of what to do in this situation.

....

In the corners of the office window, a crow watched and listened to the events unfolding before taking flight, disappearing into the vast expanse.

Meanwhile, in the shadowy alleyways of Estelle Academy, a young lady adorned in a black dress and robes reached into her pocket.

She retrieved a crystal-like orb that emanated a brief red glow before a holographic screen materialized in front of her.

The lady's piercing red eyes locked onto the figure on the screen. "Good morning, Lady Charlotte. I'm here to report regarding the matters with the Heiron mercantile."

"So, did the plan work?" inquired Lady Charlotte.

The mysterious lady nodded.

"Yes."

"Good." A satisfied smile crossed the features of the red-haired beauty on the screen. Schwi couldn't help but marvel at Charlotte's charisma.

There was an unexplainable sense of happiness that enveloped her whenever she saw Charlotte.

Schwi wondered if this was merely a fundamental trait of vampires when dealing with their creators.

"Don't forget to inform master Adrian of the good news"

"As you wish Lady Charlotte"

As her call with Charlotte concluded, a vibration jolted Schwi's pocket. Swiftly grabbing hold of it, she discovered another crystal orb, this one radiating a golden hue. A tinge of sadness crossed her face as she gazed at it. Closing her eyes and opening them again, her expression seemed to warp momentarily, with her mouth enlarging and filling to the brim with large, formidable teeth.

Accepting the call from the other side, instead of a holographic screen, the crystal emitted a slightly more intense glow, and a voice resonated from within.

"I did what you requested. Now, let me hear my daughter's voice!" came the voice of a seemingly cold individual. The gravity and slight concern in the words indicated the person on the other side was genuinely serious.

Schwi's mind briefly went blank, realizing she had missed hearing the voice.

"KEKEKE, you don't have to worry, Duke. Your daughter is safe and sound. We didn't touch her one bit. KEKEKKE!" Schwi's voice transformed, losing its grace and adopting the monstrous squeak and grotesque tones of a creature.

"This is not what you promised!" screamed a voice behind the communication crystal.

Sighing, Schwi couldn't endure it any longer.

....

...

.....

"F-father," she said, reverting to her natural voice, her lips slightly quivering.

"Schwi, are you alright? They didn't do anything to you, did they?" inquired the Duke in a concerned tone.

Schwi felt a bit overwhelmed, hearing her father's worries. This level of love and concern was somewhat new for her.

She had believed her father had forgotten to love her all these years, even thinking he had immediately abandoned her after that incident.

Yet, here he was, desperately grasping for hope that his daughter was alive.

"Don't worry, Schwi. I don't know who they are, but I will surely—"

"OOPPS, TIME'S UP KEKEKEKE," before the Duke could even continue, Schwi brought back her monstrous voice, halting the Duke from talking.

"KEKEKE, remember, Duke, this is our little secret. No telling this to anyone, okay? Kekeke. That is if you want your daughter returned alive." With that, Schwi turned off the communication crystal.

"Wait—"

The Duke's words echoed in the dark alley before getting abruptly cut off.

Schwi looked at the necklace Adrian had given her and sighed in sadness.

'I guess I didn't need this to manipulate the Duke in the first place. Who knew seeing and hearing me alive was enough for him to move?'

Schwi thought, internally chuckling. She still vividly remembered the Duke's face filled with hope the moment she showed him images of herself seemingly imprisoned.

"I'm sorry father....."