By the time Lilith and Atheline emerged from the underground prison, the Court had already begun moving; orders had been issued, messages delivered and arrests prepared.

The kingdom was entering what the intelligence service privately referred to as a cleansing operation. It was fast, decisive, and relentless.

Lilith had no intention of giving anyone time to react. If there were other conspirators, they would be caught before they could destroy evidence or flee.

The snow falling over the Court only helped. It made travel slower since roads became difficult and movement became visible. Anyone attempting to escape would immediately attract attention.

By late afternoon the throne room had filled with nobles. Every major house within the capital had received summons. Attendance was mandatory and refusal was impossible.

The atmosphere inside the throne room felt strange, almost uneasy. The nobles knew something had happened. Rumors always traveled faster than official announcements.

The disappearance of a councillor could not remain hidden, especially not one who attended court regularly. Whispers filled with concerns, questions, and speculation moved through the assembled crowd.

Several nobles appeared nervous, others confused, and most simply wanted answers.

Atheline sat beside the throne. Lilith occupied her usual position as she looked down coldly on the unassuming crowd.

The royal guards lined the throne room walls. Unlike normal sessions, additional shadow guards were present. Dark figures standing silently between pillars. Nobody missed the implication that this was not a normal gathering.

Eventually, the chamber doors opened. Zelpher entered first followed by several intelligence officers. Each carried documents, boxes, ledgers, and evidence.

The whispers immediately died.

Lilith waited until complete silence settled across the room then she spoke.

"One of the Imperial Councillors has been arrested."

She went straight to the point and the reaction was immediate. Shock spread across the room. Several nobles exchanged looks while others frowned.

Lilith continued unfazed.

"He has confessed nothing," she glanced around the room," but evidence has."

Zelpher stepped forward. A collection of documents appeared upon a central board that had been brought in prior.

Atheline watched the room carefully. Several faces remained calm while several did not. He marked their faces.

Zelpher began presenting the findings. He explained the illegal potion network, financial records, supply chains, distribution routes, secret accounts, merchant connections, and profits. Every piece connected directly back to the councillor.

The room grew quieter with each revelation. Nobles who initially appeared skeptical began losing confidence. The evidence was overwhelming. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Then came the second revelation. It was about the remnants. The room became completely silent even breathing seemed quieter.

Zelpher produced books on everything that connected him to the remnants. They were the same poison that had nearly fractured the kingdom years ago.

Several elderly nobles visibly paled. They remembered those days and the bloodshed that accompanied them.

Atheline watched carefully. Lilith remained expressionless.

Zelpher continued, moving from document to document in the pile.

"We discovered direct financial support, recruitment efforts, communication networks, and hidden gatherings."

The room felt colder. The nobles were beginning to understand. This wasn’t corruption, greed, or ordinary treason. It was an organized movement, one that had survived longer than anyone realized.

Zelpher finally stepped back. Lilith stood and immediately, every eye focused upon her. Her voice echoed throughout the throne room.

"The evidence has been verified," she calmly said," Councillor Renault is guilty of treason."

Silence filled the room, and her gaze swept across the room. Most of the nobles avoided her gaze.

She continued

"He financed illegal operations."

"He supported enemies of the crown."

"He concealed criminal organizations."

"He participated in activities intended to undermine the kingdom."

She paused to let all the crimes sink in.

"The sentence is death."

Nobody objected, not like they dared to. More importantly, nobody could. The evidence had destroyed any possibility of defense.

Lilith slowly and deliberately looked across the gathered nobles. Many lowered their eyes while others remained rigid.

She continued.

"The execution date will be announced following completion of the investigation."

That was a smart decision. Atheline approved. Keeping the councillor alive provided flexibility. Lilith could still question him, gather information, and uncover hidden allies.

Then came the second announcement, the one many nobles feared. Lilith looked toward Zelpher. He handed her a very long document. She opened it then spoke.

"During the search of Councillor Renault’s’s home, we discovered records of correspondence and cooperation involving additional individuals."

The room immediately became tense, and several nobles visibly stiffened. Atheline noticed. She continued without a care.

"Those named are not automatically guilty," she calmly said," But they will be investigated."

The room remained silent. Lilith’s gaze swept across the assembly.

"No exceptions."

The message was clear. Older bloodlines, political influence, and friendship would not protect anyone.

She continued.

"Every individual named in the recovered records will be detained."

Shock spread through parts of the room which she ignored.

"Those proven innocent will be released. Those proven guilty will share his fate."

The throne room felt heavy almost oppressive. Atheline noticed several nobles calculating desperately, reviewing years of meetings, conversations, and business arrangements. Trying to determine whether their names might appear somewhere on that list.

Lilith closed the document and then spoke the words everyone had been waiting for.

"Begin."

The chamber doors opened immediately, the sound echoing throughout the room. Dozens of royal and shadow guards entered. More intelligence officers followed right after. Atheline fully understood how militarised Lilith was.

The nobles finally understood that the operation had already begun. This gathering had never been a discussion but a perfectly legal trap.

Several names were called, one after another. Some nobles looked stunned, others angry while a few were terrified.

Atheline paid particular attention to those reactions. Fear often revealed guilt. One elderly noble protested immediately.

Lilith ignored him.

Another demanded explanation, Zelpher handed him a copy of the evidence. His objections died instantly.

A younger lord looked genuinely confused, as if one might actually be innocent.

Lilith’s promise remained genuine. It was an investigation first and judgment later.No innocent blood would be spilled. Yet nobody doubted the seriousness of the situation.

The arrests continued increasing way past ten, the list was longer than anyone liked. It wasn’t massive enough to threaten the kingdom but enough to be concerning.

The remnants had roots, deeper roots than expected.