THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR-Chapter 338: IMPERIAL MACHINATIONS

The Sun Palace gleamed like a second sun as afternoon light struck its white marble towers. Its seven great spires—each representing a river of Valemir—cast long shadows across the sprawling imperial gardens where nobles in their finery congregated following the ceremony. Silk pavilions in the colors of prominent houses had been erected throughout the grounds, offering refreshments and shade to guests not yet ready to depart despite the official conclusion of the celebration.

A herald's voice carried across the central courtyard, his proclamation amplified by subtle magic: "By decree of Her Radiance, Empress Solmaria, the Imperial Adventurer's Guild shall receive full sovereign support for the excavation and exploration of the Leviathan's Abyssal Rift! All lords and ladies who contribute resources to this monumental undertaking shall receive proportional shares of recovered Dugoan treasures, as determined by the Imperial Treasury!"

The announcement, repeated for the third time that hour, caused a ripple of renewed excitement among the departing nobility. Already, small clusters had formed—improvised alliances being negotiated between houses who individually lacked the resources to participate significantly but together might secure a respectable claim.

"House Vernaxis can provide experienced divers," a portly lord in green velvet assured a circle of potential partners. "Our pearl traders have breathing apparatus that might be adapted for the abyssal depths."

Nearby, a silver-haired countess with calculating eyes made counter-offers: "House Talerian commands twelve battle-mages with undersea experience from the Mistral Campaign. Surely worth consideration for a primary position in any consortium."

The political landscape rearranged itself with each passing minute—alliances formed and dissolved, promises made with no intention of fulfillment, subtle threats disguised as courtesies. All the while, imperial recorders moved discreetly through the crowd, documenting commitments that would later be enforced by imperial decree.

High above this intricate dance of ambition and opportunity, Duke Ephesians Lorvantis observed from a private balcony adjoining the palace's western tower. His blue-black hair stirred slightly in the breeze, his military regalia replaced by more formal court attire that nevertheless maintained martial elements in its design. Unlike the revelers below, his expression revealed nothing of his thoughts—a mask of aristocratic indifference perfected through decades of imperial politics.

"A successful diversion, Your Grace," commented Lord Veralis, one of three advisors standing a respectful distance behind him. "The nobles will be too busy calculating potential profits to concern themselves with matters of state for at least a fortnight."

Duke Ephesians made a noncommittal sound, watching as Lady Hemsworth's carriage departed through the main gates, its occupant having secured alliances with three minor houses in the span of a single afternoon. "Flotation debris on a current," he observed. "Useful for tracking the flow of opinions and loyalties, nothing more."

He turned from the balcony, the massive doors closing silently behind him as attentive servants anticipated his movement. The expansive chamber beyond served as his private strategy room—a space deliberately less ostentatious than his public offices, with functionality prioritized over imperial aesthetics. A massive table dominated the center, its surface displaying a three-dimensional projection of the empire with glowing markers indicating troop movements, trade caravans, and other points of interest.

His three advisors took their customary positions around the table: Lord Veralis, the intelligence master whose network of informants extended into every major noble house; Lady Seriphel, whose financial acumen had tripled imperial tax revenues without increasing rates; and Commander Tallix, whose military experience complemented the Duke's own strategic talents.

"The Empress has granted me the Edict of the Solaris Sigil," Duke Ephesians announced without preamble, producing a golden medallion engraved with the imperial sun symbol. "Our hunt for the Archon is now sanctioned with the highest authority."

His advisors straightened perceptibly. The Edict was rarely issued, its power second only to direct imperial mandate. It granted its bearer authority to commandeer any imperial resource, override local governance, and suspend normal judicial proceedings in pursuit of the specified objective.

"A decisive advantage," Lady Seriphel observed, her fingers interlacing as she considered financial implications. "Though one that comes with its own risks. Such power creates enemies even when used judiciously."

"And expectations of success," Commander Tallix added, his scarred face grim. "The Empress does not grant such authority lightly. Failure would have... significant consequences."

Duke Ephesians placed the medallion on the table, the projection distorting momentarily in its presence before adjusting. "I did not request this power; it was thrust upon me when I reported the Archon's disappearance. Now I must wield it effectively or face her disappointment."

"Our surveillance of Minister Salomonis has proven fortuitous in this regard," Lord Veralis noted, gesturing to a portion of the map that illuminated in response. "His party's movements since returning from the Leviathan's Abyss have been... inconsistent with his stated purpose."

The projection shifted, focusing on Lysora County and highlighting several travel routes with timestamps.

"Inconsistent how?" the Duke inquired, studying the patterns with practiced eye.

"Multiple meetings with unregistered mages. Unusual resource acquisitions. Most tellingly, encrypted communications delivered by non-standard channels." Lord Veralis manipulated the projection, revealing intercepted message fragments. "Our cryptographers have been unable to break the cipher, but the frequency and urgency suggest coordination rather than routine governance."

Duke Ephesians considered this information, one finger tapping an unconscious rhythm against the table's edge. "And Siegfried? Has our operative reported?"

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"No direct communication since yesterday," Commander Tallix replied. "However, his last report indicated Salomonis was deliberately obscuring information about the Archon's whereabouts, even from his own team."

"Then we have sufficient cause." The Duke's decision crystallized, his posture shifting subtly from contemplation to action. "Commander, have your most reliable Sun Brigade unit prepared. Lord Veralis, ensure your people are positioned to observe reactions to the arrest. Lady Seriphel, prepare the necessary documentation to freeze Lysora County's administrative functions pending our investigation."

His advisors nodded in unified purpose, each understanding their role in the complex machinery of imperial governance. The Duke retrieved the Solaris Sigil, its weight seemingly greater than its physical mass.

"Minister Salomonis will be detained for questioning before he leaves the capital," he declared. "Discreetly, but firmly. I want no public spectacle unless he resists."

As his advisors departed to execute their assigned tasks, Duke Ephesians returned to the balcony, his gaze now focused on the palace gates where Salomonis would soon be attempting to depart. The hunt for the Archon had officially begun—a hunt he could not afford to fail, for reasons beyond even the Empress's directive.