Chapter 366: The Empire’s Response [2]

"...We are the Temur Empire. The strongest power on this continent." The figure spoke, his voice flat and deceptively soft, yet carrying to every corner of the silent room. "Yet, looking at the ’leaders’ of our high command bickering like street thugs over a handful of terrorists, one would think we are on the brink of collapse."

"..."

His pale golden eyes swept across the room, tracking every individual present. Under his gaze, those who had been shouting moments earlier lowered their heads. Their faces paled, sweat beading on their brows, and no one dared meet his eyes.

"Hah..." The figure let out a disappointed sigh and tapped a finger on the table again. The next moment, sound returned to the room. The faint shuffle of feet, the rustle of fabric, the sound of someone swallowing a bit too loudly. A few let out breaths they had been holding.

"Dayyan," the figure called out, "I will leave this to you."

All eyes fell on the figure standing behind the emperor. A young man who bore a striking resemblance to him. He had the same black hair and sharp features, though his eyes were a different color entirely, a deep crimson that stood out against his pale skin.

Dayyan stepped forward and inclined his head. "As you command, My Liege."

He turned to face the table, his gaze sweeping over the gathered generals and officials. "I want to inform everyone that the rescue operation is already underway, led by the Shadow Emperor Zayn himself. The shadow unit and specialized rescue team were deployed to Kita City an hour ago, and they should be executing their orders as we speak."

The reactions were immediate. Some of the generals’ eyes widened in shock. Others exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard by how quickly things had moved. A few remained unmoved, their expressions neutral, as if they had already known or expected nothing less.

Dayyan continued without pause. "Furthermore, in case the Outcasts plan on retaliating after we rescue the hostages, defense barriers have been activated in every major city across the Empire. As for the captives, we are transferring them to a secure location. The trial will proceed as scheduled, and no amount of outside pressure will change that."

He let the words settle, then added one final piece.

"That is all I had to say. If you have any questions or concerns, I am ready to hear them."

Silence stretched across the council chamber. Nobody wanted to risk breaking the fragile order, especially with the Emperor sitting right behind Dayyan.

After a few quiet seconds, one of the older officials carefully raised his hand and spoke up. "Your Highness, securing the cities and rescuing the hostages solves the immediate crisis, but what about the long-term threat? We cannot keep our cities under defense barriers forever. What is our plan regarding the Outcasts themselves? Especially their leader?"

Dayyan met his gaze with a calm, unwavering expression. "The barrier deployment is merely a temporary precaution. Once the hostages are clear, our next steps will be made known."

He kept his tone neutral, intentionally hiding the fact that the secret annihilation operation was already in motion. Revealing that would only tip off the traitor seated among them.

"And to the esteemed sovereigns present, we may need your assistance soon. I hope you will stand by and remain available."

His gaze moved across the room, pausing briefly on each of the figures he addressed. When his eyes reached the holographic figure of a woman at the far end of the table, he let his gaze linger for a moment longer than the others before stepping back and returning to his position.

"..."

The entire hall remained silent, no one daring to raise a question or utter another word.

The crowned figure looked over the silent room one last time before resting his hand back on the armrest.

"The council is adjourned. You may all leave."

One by one, the figures in the room rose, bowed their heads, and filed out. The holographic displays flickered off. The doors closed behind the last person, leaving only the crowned figure and Dayyan alone.

...Tap.

The crowned figure tapped his finger on the table and turned to Dayyan. "...Did you find out anything?"

Dayyan lowered his head. "No, Father. I apologize for my incompetence. The mole is still among us, and I have yet to identify them."

"...My expectations are high for you," the crowned figure muttered a moment later. "I hope you won’t disappoint me."

Dayyan bowed his head even lower, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Understood, My Liege."

The Emperor began to rise from his throne, but before he could stand fully, the heavy doors at the back of the chamber swung open. A figure stepped into the hall, her hurried footsteps breaking the room’s stillness.

Dayyan raised a brow, his red eyes narrowing in surprise as he recognized her. "Roya? Why are you here?"

Roya stopped a few paces away and bowed respectfully to both figures. "Forgive the sudden intrusion, Father, Brother. But I have just uncovered critical information regarding the captives."

She looked directly at her father and spoke in a solemn tone. "The captive Lucent’s true family name is Starlight."

"...Starlight?" Dayyan’s brow furrowed as his crimson eyes locked onto her. "Are you trying to say he is connected to the Starlight family? Before that, where did you even get this information, and can you prove it is accurate?" ℯℯ𝘭.

Roya met her brother’s gaze calmly. "I learned it from a trusted source. I cannot disclose who, but I can assure you the information is highly accurate."

Dayyan wasn’t satisfied. "Let’s say it’s true. But what does it prove? You should know that the Starlight family fell decades ago."

"I know, and that’s why I researched it before coming here," Roya explained. "And I managed to discover an interesting clue. The current head of the Assen family had a younger sister. She was married off to the Starlight family a few years before they fell."

Dayyan raised a brow and gestured for her to continue.

"Her whereabouts after the Starlight house fell are unknown. And..." Roya paused. "I am not entirely sure, but I believe the captive Lucent must be her child. And if that is true, then the Assen family head almost certainly knows it too."

"You mean the Assen family head is the traitor?" Dayyan asked, then fell silent, turning to the crowned figure whose lips curled faintly. ’...I see.’