Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 794: The Holy Court!

The Holy Capital remained as breathtaking as ever. The colossal white spires piercing the heavens, the golden ramparts adorned with arcane symbols, and the radiant mana rivers coursing through the cobbled streets still painted the quintessential image of the "world's vibrant core."

Yet, for Elisira this time, everything felt profoundly altered. As she passed through the city's imposing gates, a sense of peace failed to settle in her spirit. Gone were the familiar feelings of security, pride, or homecoming. Instead, a suffocating weight pressed down on her shoulders. Following the encounter in the desolate forest, the witnessing of that cataclysmic battle, and the sight of an entity beyond description, her mind was undoubtedly in turmoil. This grand city, in comparison, now seemed remarkably small. Despite her best efforts to rationalize and comprehend, clarity eluded her; all remained indistinct and baffling. She resolved to forgo a direct flight to the palace, opting instead for a leisurely walk to absorb the city's ambiance, hoping it might bring some measure of calm. Ironically, though she had gained immense knowledge, she felt more adrift in ignorance than ever before.

The murmurs of the populace on the streets, though subdued, carried an undercurrent of agitation. New edicts had been posted conspicuously throughout the city. The ominous red warning sigil accompanied the Holy Empire's crest, and an increased number of armored knights maintained a vigilant presence on the thoroughfares. As Elisira traversed the central plaza, hushed conversations reached her ears. "They claim the forest entity vanquished one of the Eternal Warriors..." "Impossible..." "No, it's the truth. They've even escalated the bounty for its capture." "So that... thing... truly exists?" "Whispers say Walterk Bloodfang himself pursued it... and never returned."

Elisira moved onward, her steps steady but her heart growing heavier with each passing moment. She realized with disheartening certainty that they understood nothing. Neither the citizens, nor the knights, nor even the empire grasped the magnitude of the situation. They still perceived it as a mere "monster." What she had witnessed in that forest, however, lay far beyond the comprehension of their world. It wasn't a battle she had observed; it was a swift, one-sided annihilation, concluded in mere seconds—less time than it took for her to fully process the event.

Upon nearing the palace grounds, her pace faltered slightly. The immense white fortifications of the Holy Palace gleamed under the sun as usual, but today they evoked images of a prison rather than the residence of royalty. At that precise moment, the royal guards intercepted her. Their formation was seamless, a testament to their disciplined training. The lead knight stepped forward, placed a hand over his heart, and offered a respectful bow. "His Imperial Majesty awaits your presence, Princess."

Elisira regarded him for a prolonged interval. No one inquired about her whereabouts; no one demanded an explanation. This absence of questioning sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. They were aware, or at least possessed fragments of the truth. She knew her father would eventually learn of her activities, but she hadn't anticipated him discovering it so swiftly. 'It was my oversight,' she lamented internally, biting her lip. 'Their focus was entirely on that bizarre tree, and I was situated right beside it. Naturally, they found out.' Her mind, consumed by the recent events, had completely neglected this critical detail. In that instant, she grasped the undeniable truth: her freedom was irrevocably lost. She was ensnared.

Silently, she proceeded into the palace, escorted by the knights. The metallic clatter of their boots on the white marble corridors echoed through the expansive structure, each step intensifying the suffocating sensation in her chest. Golden light streamed through the towering windows, casting its glow upon the plush royal carpets. Servants lining the passageways lowered their heads in deference as she approached, yet none dared to meet her gaze. The palace's atmosphere had palpably shifted; an air of pervasive nervousness and fear permeated the very walls. The demise of Walterk Bloodfang was no mere incident; it had profoundly destabilized the continent's power dynamics. The Holy Empire now comprehended that a formidable entity had emerged, rendering even the legendary Eternal Warriors insignificant.

The grand portals of the royal audience chamber creaked open slowly, their heavy movement resonating like a guttural growl within the vast space. Elisira entered, and in that moment, she understood this was no longer the familiar royal hall. It had transformed into a tribunal, a chilling certainty conveyed by the pervasive coldness that now dominated the environment. Seated upon the white and gold throne was the Holy Emperor, his long robes cascading down the marble dais, his radiant crown catching the light from above. His eyes, however, held not the warmth of a father, but the stern judgment of a monarch confronting a transgressor. Standing near the hall, by a large window, Serius remained a silent silhouette. The fading evening light illuminated his hair, and his tranquil gaze was fixed unwaveringly upon Elisira.

He remained silent, his presence subtle, as if hesitant to intrude upon the vital discussions set to unfold. After all, this assembly had been convened at his explicit request.

Elisira’s entrance was met with absolute quiet. A profound silence descended, so thick that the sound of her own breathing was audible.

The Holy Emperor fixed his gaze upon his daughter for several tense moments, an unspoken pressure radiating from him. Then, his lips finally moved. "Why were you beside that monster?"

He posed no inquiry into the circumstances or her well-being. The empire’s sole concern, it seemed, was the proximity of his daughter to the formidable being.

He had, in fact, been aware of her previous encounters with the creature. The Grand Minister and the Grand Knight had reported seeing her with him on a prior occasion, and this time, he had witnessed it firsthand. The realization that his daughter had concealed this from him, secretly meeting with the world’s most significant threat, ignited his fury.

For a fleeting moment, Elisira remained wordless, her inner world in disarray. What compelled her presence there? Pure curiosity, of course. But was mere curiosity a justifiable reason to defy her father’s command?

She harbored doubts. Disobeying her father was not simply a minor infraction; she had sought out a being deemed the world’s greatest menace and a heretic. Should they discover she had aided Daniel in any capacity, the penalty could be execution itself.

"I was simply curious. I wished to understand more about that individual." Ultimately, she recognized the futility of deception.

"Curiosity? How absurd. And was that curiosity truly worth it?" the Holy Emperor inquired, his tone icy.

Elisira fell silent once more. To a degree, her curiosity had been rewarding, but admitting as much was impossible, for it would invite her father’s complete interrogation. What if she disclosed all? The empire would likely declare war. And if Daniel perceived her as an adversary, Elisira dared not contemplate the ramifications. Worse still, her certainty that the empire stood on the righteous side of this conflict had begun to waver.

"Silence before the Emperor during an interrogation is a grave transgression."

"Elisira, you would be wise to divulge all you have learned, and I may overlook your actions. Otherwise, I shall have no choice but to impose punishment."

Her head bowed momentarily. She found herself utterly unable to speak.

At that precise instant, Serius’s keen, analytical gaze settled upon her. He detected an expression that elicited a faint smile. Within her countenance, he perceived doubt, anxiety, and apprehension, understanding the root of these emotions.

’She must possess significant knowledge.’ Meanwhile, the oppressive weight on Elisira’s chest intensified. Allegiance to the empire, the undeniable truth she had witnessed, her apprehension of Daniel—all intertwined within her mind.

She dared not utter a word regarding Daniel. What if her words provoked his wrath? What if his anger extended to the entire empire?

"Elisira, you are urged to reveal everything you have learned about that monster," the Emperor commanded his daughter again, his voice booming with decisive warning.

"I am uncertain if we should refer to him as a monster," Elisira replied softly, a sigh escaping her lips.

Her quiet statement, however, unleashed a terrifying aura from the Emperor, causing the very palace to tremble. The Emperor was incensed by his daughter’s heresy!