Mei's eyes locked onto Akuma's, her expression serious. "I have some information that I think you should know," she said. "It's about Lady Haruka's backers. I've been doing some digging, and I think I've found out who's been supporting her all this time."
Akuma's curiosity was piqued. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mei hesitated, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for any signs of eavesdropping. "It's the Emperor himself," she said finally. "He's been backing Lady Haruka all along, providing her with the resources and support she needs to maintain her power."
Akuma's eyes widened in shock. The Emperor? She couldn't believe it. Why would the Emperor support someone as cruel and ruthless as Lady Haruka?
Zela's face was pale, her eyes wide with shock. "Why?" she whispered. "Why would the Emperor do that?"
Mei shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But I think it's because Lady Haruka has something on him. Something that she's using to blackmail him into supporting her."
Akuma's mind was racing with questions and theories. What could Lady Haruka possibly have on the Emperor? And how were they going to stop her?
But before she could ask any more questions, Mei spoke up again. "There's something else," she said. "Something that I think you should know. Zela's mother... she's not in the best shape to testify against Lady Haruka."
Zela's face fell, her eyes filling with tears. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Mei's expression was sympathetic. "I mean that she's been through a lot," she said. "Lady Haruka has been using her as a pawn in her game of power, and it's taken a toll on her health. She's weak and frail, and I'm not sure if she'll be able to withstand the pressure of testifying against Lady Haruka."
Akuma's heart went out to Zela, who was clearly devastated by the news. But she also knew that they couldn't give up now. They had to keep fighting, no matter what.
"We'll figure something out," Akuma said, her voice firm. "We'll find a way to make sure that Zela's mother is protected, and that she's able to testify against Lady Haruka."
Zela nodded, her eyes filling with determination. "We will," she said. "We'll make sure that Lady Haruka pays for what she's done."
As they sat there, determined to bring Lady Haruka to justice, Akuma felt a sense of hope rising up inside of her. They were going to do this, she thought. They were going to bring Lady Haruka down, no matter what it took.