Following his ambush, Leon adopted a more cautious approach while continuing his investigation through indirect channels. He realized that openly pursuing certain leads would only alert those seeking to conceal them and potentially put others at risk.
Under Silas's guidance, Leon established secure communication protocols and utilized encrypted messages to protect sensitive information from being intercepted. He also began meeting with informants in remote locations or disguised as ordinary citizens to avoid detection.
One of his most valuable assets was a former imperial messenger named Greta who possessed an eidetic memory and had meticulously recorded conversations and observations during her travels throughout the empire. Through Greta, Leon gained access to firsthand accounts of suspicious activities occurring in distant provinces—including evidence of foreign agents operating under diplomatic cover and illicit trade networks funneling resources out of the country.
As they expanded their investigation beyond the imperial court, Leon and Isabella uncovered a pattern of coordinated subversion across multiple sectors of society—from religious institutions and educational centers to military academies and merchant guilds. It appeared that foreign powers were systematically infiltrating key positions with agents who would gradually undermine loyalty to the empire while advancing their own agendas.
The discovery raised profound questions about how deeply this influence had penetrated and whether other institutions beyond those already identified might also be compromised. Leon felt compelled to investigate further despite warnings from those who argued he was venturing into dangerous territory.
Meanwhile, Albrecht remained defiant in his imprisonment—denying any wrongdoing while subtly suggesting that he was being framed by powerful enemies within the court. He claimed that certain nobles were exploiting the situation to eliminate a political rival and consolidate their own power.
Leon found himself increasingly intrigued by this angle—wondering if there might be more to the story than met the eye. He decided to explore the possibility that Albrecht's actions were motivated not solely by personal ambition but also by genuine concern for the empire's welfare, albeit expressed through misguided means.
To better understand Albrecht's perspective, Leon requested permission from Emperor Friedrich to speak with him privately—a request that was initially denied but eventually granted after persistent lobbying by Brother Matthias.
During their meeting, Albrecht presented a different narrative of events—claiming that he had been working undercover at the behest of concerned citizens who feared corruption and foreign influence within the imperial system. He alleged that these individuals had tasked him with gathering evidence against certain officials while promising to expose their wrongdoing once sufficient proof was obtained.
Albrecht also claimed that he had been in contact with representatives from France and England not as a conspirator but as an informant—seeking to identify foreign agents operating within the empire and uncover their plans. He insisted that his actions were motivated by patriotism rather than personal gain.
Leon listened attentively but remained skeptical—recognizing that Albrecht might be attempting to manipulate him with a carefully crafted deception. Nevertheless, he decided to investigate Albrecht's claims further before dismissing them entirely.
He tasked Greta with verifying Albrecht's account by checking against her extensive records of conversations and events—while also instructing Silas to discreetly investigate the identities of those who had allegedly commissioned Albrecht's undercover work.
As they delved deeper into this new line of inquiry, Leon and Isabella uncovered evidence suggesting that a clandestine organization known as "The Circle" might be involved—a shadowy group composed of intellectuals, merchants, and minor nobility who advocated for reforms but operated outside official channels.
Through intermediaries, they learned that The Circle had been formed several years earlier by individuals concerned about corruption and foreign influence within the empire—and that Albrecht had indeed been associated with them before his downfall.
The discovery raised a critical question: was The Circle genuinely seeking to improve the empire or did it serve as a front for foreign interests seeking to destabilize it from within? Leon felt compelled to investigate both possibilities while remaining aware of the risks involved in confronting such an elusive organization.