Chapter 58: Shocking Turn, A New Conspiracy Emerges Here
"Let me out! I’m the Emperor’s wife, the Empress of the Austin Empire! How dare you treat me like this! I’ll have you all killed!"
In the palace dungeon, the damp, cold ceiling blocked out all external sounds.
The guarding soldiers chatted casually, completely unaware that the palace above was engulfed in a fierce, earth-shattering battle.
Facing the somewhat unhinged Empress, they tried to ignore this once-unassailable woman.
One soldier harshly kicked the cage and turned away, ignoring her.
As dungeon jailers, it didn’t matter if yesterday you were a lofty noble or a royal heir.
Once here, you were just a lowly prisoner, eating and drinking only at their whim.
"Save your breath, Empress. You’re stuck with us now. If you want to get out, behave and don’t expect anyone to come save—"
The next second, the heads of two guards were sliced off by a gleaming dagger.
A masked figure wiped the blade and slowly appeared in the Empress’s view.
She gripped the bars excitedly, her face alight with joy.
"Montor, quick, get me out!"
"My apologies, Empress—or rather, Saintess."
The Empress’s face changed.
That title hadn’t been used in years, and when this masked figure uttered it, it meant.
The masked figure respectfully stepped aside.
In the dim dungeon, an elegant figure slowly emerged.
The moment the Empress saw her, her face paled, and she collapsed in terror, scrambling backward.
"It’s you... Why are you here... No! Please, I beg you..."
"Because you were too useless, little sister..."
With a piercing scream that faded into silence, the Empress sat calmly in the dungeon.
Montor, disguised as a guard, carefully served her a cup of warm tea.
She leaned against the wall with a serene smile.
"I didn’t expect that incompetent fool could drag the Clover Family’s idiot onto her sinking ship. Without her, we could’ve taken control of the entire Clover Family."
The Empress suddenly thought of something and gave Montor a warning smile, her viper-like eyes filled with suspicion and command.
"Remember, the Empress’s temperament changed drastically due to her imprisonment. Everyone knows this. And the Clover Family has only ever had this one eldest daughter."
"Go. When you return, I expect good results."
"Yes."
In the palace, Saito's Grand Duke, gripping his greatsword, leaned against the wall in a tense standoff.
The Duke still held the Emperor hostage, his men warily raising swords to block the Grand Duke.
"I give you one minute to run if you want. Otherwise, I guarantee not one of you will survive."
The Grand Duke coldly scanned the stubbornly resisting soldiers.
Under his gaze, some legs trembled, and a few cowardly ones even dropped their swords.
"Easy to say. If you make a move, the Emperor in my hands might get killed. Can you bear the crime of killing a monarch? Your country won’t back you unconditionally forever, will it?"
The Duke’s words were still arrogant, but the sweat on his forehead betrayed his nervous state.
According to the plan, he should’ve been spirited away by his master’s men.
Why was he still here?
"Noisy."
Suddenly, a silver arrow pierced the Duke’s forehead before anyone could react.
As the Duke’s dagger fell, the Grand Duke, free of worry, swung his greatsword, cutting down the soldiers blocking the way.
Looking at the “Duke’s” stunned eyes and gaping mouth in death, another Duke, clutching his wounded arm, glanced at the corpse with disgust, then turned to the shaken Emperor.
To think, if that silver arrow had veered slightly, it could’ve hit the Emperor’s heart, shoulder, or even pierced his head like the “Duke’s,”
"Your Highness, are you alright? This despicable man deceived me, stole my identity, and lurked by your side. Fortunately, I escaped with my life, preventing his success."
The Duke expressed concern for the Emperor while feigning pain, clutching his slashed right arm.
The Grand Duke had already noticed the deep wound was caused by the Caesar Family’s swordsmanship but chose to remain silent and observe.
"That villain’s accomplices not only gravely injured me but escaped through the garden while I was wounded. My men have already dealt with the fake Duke’s other subordinates. Please don’t worry."
With that, the Duke feigned a sorrowful expression, pointing to a struggling figure brought by his men.
Bound and gagged, the figure could only thrash in resistance.
"This man, your trusted Minister of Military Affairs, was also one of their men. I brought him here to personally make him atone to you!"
With that, his men pinned the Minister to the ground.
The Duke sneered, drawing a gleaming sword and swiftly beheading him.
As the Minister’s unseeing eyes met the Emperor’s.
"Your Majesty, this treacherous rebel has been dealt with. The other traitors have also been eliminated. You need not worry..."
Seeing the Duke’s cold smile, the Grand Duke seemed to understand something.
For the sake of diplomacy, though reluctant, he gripped his greatsword and stood by the Emperor’s side.
"Your Majesty, I’ve found some loose ends. Please come with me."
The Duke merely glanced at the two, then resumed his gentle, respectful demeanor, ordering his men to escort them out of the room.
He then led the group to the second floor.
The Emperor and Grand Duke exchanged a look and followed.
On the second floor, the First Prince was searching with newly arrived assassins.
Suddenly, as if receiving orders, an assassin grabbed the First Prince’s hand and ran in a certain direction.
At the second-floor terrace, Montor, the masked leader, waited with other masked assassins. Seeing the First Prince arrive, despite his eyes showing disdain and contempt, he bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Highness the First Prince. On your mother’s orders, we’ve brought you a small gift. Please accept it..."
"Didn’t expect you’d have this day, huh..."
With the First Prince’s smug expression, two masked assassins brought Yiwen forward, holding her tightly.
Seeing Yiwen’s defiant and disgusted gaze, the First Prince sneered mockingly.