The grand hall of the imperial palace pulsed with a heavy tension, its ornate tapestries and gilded pillars offering a stark contrast to the unease that filled the air. The trio—Joel, Seo Hye-jin, and Lillian—walked through the towering double doors, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber. All eyes turned toward the Emperor, standing in the center of the hall with his council gathered around him.
Clad in ceremonial armor that gleamed under the golden light of the chandeliers, the Emperor was a commanding presence. The engravings on his breastplate caught the light, intricate depictions of mythical beasts and ancient symbols that spoke of a lineage steeped in history and power. His face, though stoic, carried a weight of concern, his sharp eyes scanning the newcomers with an intensity that made Joel feel as though his very soul was being appraised.
Joel bowed low, his movements precise and formal. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We came as soon as we received word of your summons. What troubles the empire?"
The Emperor's gaze lingered on Joel before shifting to Seo Hye-jin and Lillian. Seo Hye-jin's bow was fluid and respectful, a graceful display of her upbringing and discipline, while Lillian mimicked the gesture, her movements slightly awkward but sincere.
"My beloved... Empress Ji-Yun... has been taken," the Emperor declared, his voice reverberating through the hall.
Joel blinked, caught off guard. Empress? His mind raced. Since arriving in this world, not once had anyone mentioned an empress. The Emperor's personal life had remained an enigma, with no hint of a spouse, let alone a queen.
Seo Hye-jin stepped forward, her expression tinged with confusion. "Your Majesty, forgive my boldness, but... there has been no word of an empress in the court for years. Why has her existence been kept so secret?"
The Emperor's lips tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Because it was unnecessary to speak of her until now. Ji-Yun is my only wife, my only companion. I have taken no concubines, and I never will."
Joel couldn't suppress a slight frown. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but... no concubines? For an emperor?" His tone was measured, but the question carried a note of incredulity.
The Emperor's expression softened, though the tension in his stance remained. "Yes, Joel," he said, using Joel's assumed name. "I chose love over tradition. Ji-Yun is unlike any other. She is my equal in every way, my confidant, and my heart. I have no need for anyone else."
Joel nodded, though his thoughts churned. Unorthodox for an emperor... but admirable.
"She was visiting the Southeastern Jeju Empire on a diplomatic mission," the Emperor continued, his voice heavy. "On her return journey, her caravan was ambushed. The guards who accompanied her fought valiantly, but Ji-Yun and a few others were taken. One guard, gravely wounded, managed to escape and deliver the message to us."
The Emperor gestured, and a councilman stepped forward, unfurling a large map onto the table before them. The map detailed the regions surrounding the ambush site, a dense forest with winding paths and steep cliffs.
"The ambush occurred here," the councilman explained, pointing to a location near the forest's edge. "The terrain is difficult, favoring the attackers. It's likely they knew the area well and planned their assault accordingly."
Seo Hye-jin leaned over the map, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. "Do we have any intelligence on the attackers? Are they bandits, rival factions, or something worse?"
The councilman shook his head. "We believe they are mercenaries, but their allegiance remains unclear. Whoever orchestrated this had resources and foresight."
Joel studied the map, his tactical mind assessing the situation. "If they're mercenaries, they're likely holding the Empress for ransom. That gives us some time, but not much. We need to move quickly before they grow desperate."
The Emperor nodded. "Precisely. I will dispatch an elite team—you, Seo Hye-jin, and a select few I trust implicitly. Lillian will remain here under protection."
Lillian's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Joel silenced her with a glance. "This is no place for you, Lillian," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The Emperor continued, "I've already ordered scouts to survey the area. They'll report back with any findings, but I cannot risk a large force. It would only draw attention and potentially endanger Ji-Yun further."
Joel nodded. "Understood. We'll need skilled trackers, supplies for a prolonged search, and a contingency plan in case of resistance."
As the council discussed the logistics, Lillian stood silently by Joel's side, her hands gripping the hem of her dress. The voices of the room blurred into a dull hum as a familiar presence began to whisper in her mind.
"Oh, this is rich," the unseen evil sneered, its voice dripping with mockery. "Your father, the noble hero, off to rescue the Empress. How quaint. Too bad he won't make it back."
Lillian clenched her fists, her heart pounding.
"You know it's true," the voice continued, its tone almost playful. "This mission is doomed, and he'll die out there. Then what will become of you? Left alone, vulnerable, mine for the taking."
"Shut up," Lillian muttered under her breath, her voice trembling.
"What was that?" the unseen evil teased, its laughter echoing louder in her mind. "Did you say something, little one? Come now, don't be shy. Tell me how scared you are."
"Shut up," she said again, louder this time, her nails digging into her palms.
The laughter grew, a cacophony of mockery that drowned out all other sounds. Lillian's breathing quickened, her vision narrowing as the voice taunted her mercilessly.
"Shut up!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. Joel's brows knitted in concern, while Seo Hye-jin stepped closer, her gaze questioning.
Lillian's face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, bowing her head. "I didn't mean to... I'm sorry."
Joel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice soft but firm. "It's okay. You're under a lot of stress. Just breathe."
The tension in the room eased, and the discussion resumed, but Joel's mind lingered on Lillian's outburst. She's struggling more than I thought. I need to find a way to help her.
As the council finalized their plans, Joel's system suddenly activated.
[System Notification: Initiating Ascension Protocols]
Objective: Retrieve the Key to the Forgotten Vessel.
Warning: Mission parameters are deliberately obfuscated. Success will yield access to restricted pathways. Failure is not an option.
Joel's eyes narrowed as the message disappeared, leaving him with more questions than answers. The timing was too perfect, the cryptic nature of the mission too deliberate.
"Great," he muttered under his breath. "Just what I needed."