Shattered Sanity

(Imperial Palace, Throne Room, Prime Minister Vinicius’s POV)

Having been instructed to shift his attention away from the upcoming public hearing and towards the possibility of an all-out war against House Dawnriver, Prime Minister Vinicius understood that the Emperor had finally made up his mind.

Over the past few days, the Prime Minister’s office had already begun preparations for a possible military conflict against House Dawnriver, however, it was only now that he received the confirmation that it was to become the top priority.

”Very well, Your Imperial Majesty. In that case, I believe you should know that Duke Drew appears to have reached a similar conclusion regarding the inevitability of war.”

Vinicius reported, consulting the documents in his hands before continuing.

”According to our intelligence, he has already summoned several important bannermen to White Castle and instructed his subordinate houses to begin preparing their military forces.”

The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, although his attention was now firmly focused on the report.

”Over the past several days, numerous noble carriages have entered his residence, and our informants suggest that discussions concerning military mobilization have already begun.”

”How extensive are these preparations?”

”That remains difficult to determine, Your Majesty. We have confirmed that messages were dispatched throughout the Eastern territories, but the contents of most correspondence have remained beyond our reach.”

Vinicius admitted, turning another page.

”More concerning, however, is the unusual individual who accompanied Duke Drew during his intervention at the Imperial Academy.”

”The old man?”

”Yes, Your Majesty.

It was reported that Duke Drew seemed to treat this man with respect, which is very rare.

And according to the Academy’s records, he was introduced as a librarian named Archimedes, although we have been unable to establish anything meaningful about his background.”

Vinicius paused briefly before continuing.

”Over the past ten days, my office has dispatched several agents to White Castle with instructions to investigate this old man and gather information concerning the Duke’s military preparations.”

”And?”

”Every agent who attempted to infiltrate the castle has either been captured or killed.”

Diomande narrowed his eyes.

”Every single one?”

”Unfortunately, yes. We have received no successful reports from within the castle grounds, and several of our most experienced operatives have disappeared without leaving any indication of what happened to them.”

Vinicius explained, his expression growing increasingly troubled.

”Ordinarily, such incidents would provoke a formal complaint from House Dawnriver, especially considering that the discovery of Imperial spies within a Great Duke’s residence could be interpreted as a serious violation of his territorial authority.”

”Yet Drew has made no complaint.”

”Precisely, Your Majesty. He has neither requested an explanation nor demanded compensation for the attempted infiltration, which suggests that he has already accepted these activities as part of the conflict developing between our houses.”

The Prime Minister lowered his documents.

”And if I may speak freely, I suspect the Duke is deliberately allowing us to understand that our intelligence operations have failed.”

Diomande considered that possibility for a moment.

”You believe he is baiting us?”

”I believe he wants us to know that he is prepared, Your Majesty. His refusal to protest our actions suggests considerable confidence, especially when combined with the speed at which our agents have been neutralized.”

Vinicius replied, choosing his words carefully.

”Furthermore, the presence of that mysterious librarian concerns me. We have yet to determine his true capabilities or why the Duke considers him important enough to keep so close.

But if his name is any indication of his identity.... Then we fear that he might be the infamous ’Black Hand’.”

Vinicius reported, as for a while, Diomande remained silent, his gaze returning to the golden coin resting within his palm.

”The Black Hand still lives?”

He muttered, before suddenly rising from his seat, as he threw the coin away in anger.

*THUNK*

The coin lodged into one of the many marble pillars in the great hall, as the Emperor restrained his fury and turned towards Vinicius once more.

”Summon the Great Dukes of the North, South, and West. I want all three of them to meet with me at the Imperial Palace.”

Vinicius immediately bowed.

”At once, Your Imperial Majesty.”

”If those three houses stand beside the throne, we will possess more than enough strength to bring Drew Dawnriver to heel, regardless of whatever preparations he has made.”

Diomande declared, descending the steps of his throne as Vinicius moved aside to clear his path.

”However, if that bastard manages to persuade even one of them to support his rebellion, the war could become considerably more troublesome than I would prefer.”

The Emperor stopped briefly beside his Prime Minister, his expression hardening.

”Make sure they understand the importance of this meeting, Vinicius. I want to know where their loyalties lie before Drew Dawnriver has an opportunity to approach them himself.”

”Understood, Your Majesty.”

Vinicius replied, bowing deeply as the Emperor continued towards the throne room’s towering doors.

Step. Step.

As the Emperor departed, Vinicius remained bowed until the throne room doors closed behind him, before finally straightening his back and letting out a weary sigh.

’I haven’t seen His Majesty this angry in quite some time. Drew Dawnriver has truly managed to get under his skin.’

Vinicius thought, glancing towards the golden coin still embedded in the marble pillar.

’Thankfully the other Dukes hate him as much as the Emperor.’

Vinicius thought, as considering how haughtily Drew behaved around everyone, there was no question in his mind that House FrostMark and House RedVale hated him to their core.

However, House Ironveil was another matter entirely.

Alaric Ironveil was one of the few men that Drew Dawnriver genuinely respected, and considering how his son had been rescued by Riven during the Black Week incident, he could perhaps be persuaded to join the rebellion.

’No. I cannot leave something this important to chance.’

Vinicius concluded, gathering his documents before heading towards the exit.

’I need to arrange a meeting with Duke Alaric immediately. And considering the circumstances, this is something I must discuss with him in person.’

He thought, as he left the throne room at once.