Courtroom, Imperial Palace;
Evening had already settled over the Imperial Palace by the time the summons reached the courtroom.
Outside, the final traces of sunlight were disappearing beyond the horizon, while inside the grand courtroom, countless spirit lamps burned silently along the towering pillars, their pale golden light falling upon rows of officials whose expressions remained tense and restrained.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Too heavy to the point that no one dared to speak.
The Crown Prince stood on one side.
The Second Prince stood nearby.
Five ministers.
Supreme Commander Xander Cross.
Grand Secretariat Eamor.
Several high officials.
All of them had been summoned.
And every single one of them already knew why.
No one was foolish enough to speak first while Emperor Alexander sat upon the throne with such visible fury darkening his face.
The pressure filling the courtroom was almost physical, like storm clouds pressing down upon everyone's shoulders.
