Captain – Chapter 241 – The Palace

Saint Caloie, the center of world politics.

Early on, as news spread through various channels that the Mermaid—disguised as a treasure ship—had officially passed through the checkpoint and entered the imperial mainland, a completely black carriage adorned with intricate dark golden raven feather patterns slowly drove into this majestic imperial capital under the cover of morning mist.

As the carriage traveled along the grand avenue leading to the royal palace, no other carriages were visible on the street, nor were there any pedestrians to be seen.

This scene was due not only to the early hour, with residents and nobility still immersed in last night’s pleasures, but also to the solemn imperial guards standing along both sides of the avenue, extending all the way to the palace gates.

The moment this magnificent carriage entered Saint Caloie, the palace guards, knights maintaining order, soldiers stationed outside the city, and imperial assassins hiding in the shadows all entered the highest level of alert, working at full capacity to eliminate any potential dangers within the city.

This was certainly not to protect His Majesty the Emperor, who was already heavily guarded inside the palace, but to prevent anyone from disturbing or threatening the distinguished guest in the carriage.

The entire imperial capital was quiet, making the sound of wheels rolling over the ground exceptionally clear.

Behind the partially lifted carriage curtain was a youth’s immature face. In his pitch-black eyes swirled extremely complex emotions—curiosity, unfamiliarity, and perhaps even a hint of trepidation.

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“You were lost outside since childhood, and your memories of your birthplace have become quite distant. It’s understandable that you feel disconnected from this city.”

Hearing the voice from beside him, the youth finally came back to his senses.

He lowered the curtain and looked at the woman wearing a light purple gauze dress with black hair cascading like a waterfall, appearing not much different from ordinary noble ladies, and said softly, “In fact, I have no memories of this place at all. What I feel isn’t disconnection, but complete unfamiliarity. I thought I would never return here.”

The woman smiled and said, “But you’ve always been prepared to return here, haven’t you?”

After a moment of silence, the youth nodded slightly, “As you’ve said before, those born with nobility enjoy inherent wealth and power while also bearing heavy responsibilities. All the teachings and training I’ve received, even my position as an Elder in the organization, were merely preparations for taking up that responsibility.”

Hearing this, the woman’s smile faded slightly. Her silver-gray eyes flashed with faint sympathy: “I did say that, but the problem is that you not only lost everything that should have been yours, but now you must also shoulder responsibilities that shouldn’t have been yours to bear. All this because of my decision. Do you hate me for it?”

“No, never,” the youth said calmly. “I did lose everything, but because of your care, I survived and gained much more. So in my view, compared to those living in the palace, you are my true family in every sense.”

“Besides, even if it weren’t your intention, even if deep down I was unwilling, I would probably still end up returning here. Because some people are running away, some can’t bear the burden, and some even want to destroy everything. So… someone has to change his mind.”

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Hearing the youth mention “him,” the woman reached out to stroke his soft hair. “Are you ready to see him?”

“I’m not at all prepared, or perhaps I could never be prepared, but I think that when the moment comes to see him, everything will fall into place naturally.”

This was the last conversation in the carriage before it entered the palace.

After some time, the carriage passed through the palace gates. After traveling for a while around the vast blue lake, the white marble statue of Alexander I appeared ahead, and not far behind it, the black eagle flag symbolizing the Empire flew high.

The carriage did not stop at the main entrance of the magnificent interconnected palaces. Instead, it continued along the snow-white silk-like road that encircled the palace, crossing through green lawns. It advanced toward the northern side of the palace and, after passing through a large garden area dotted with lakes, small islands, and pavilions, drove into the residential area of the royal family as the morning sun began to appear.

Traveling between the luxurious mansions, meeting gazes that were either scrutinizing or uneasy, the carriage finally came to a gentle stop in front of the Emperor’s residence.

The door was respectfully opened by a waiting butler. The woman held the youth’s hand as they descended from the carriage and, under the butler’s guidance, entered this mansion that was said to be the absolute forbidden zone of the Empire, home to the most powerful person in the world today.

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Walking along a hallway covered with luxurious red carpet, with crystal lamps hanging overhead every few steps, and pale gold walls adorned with portraits of emperors from various dynasties, the three finally arrived at the Emperor’s study.

“His Majesty is in the study.”

After saying this, the butler bowed to them once more, then promptly turned and left without any unnecessary delay.

Releasing the youth’s hand and giving him a look to wait, the woman did not knock but instead pushed the door open naturally, as if returning to a familiar place, leaving the youth alone outside.

This was an extremely plainly furnished room. If anything reflected royal luxury, it would only be the bookshelves arranged on both sides, filled with priceless treasures or ancient texts of great research value.

The cool morning breeze blew in through the open glass window, spreading the scent of black coffee throughout every corner of the room. With his back to the brightening sky, an old man with white hair and beard was sipping bitter coffee while reading an old book with slightly yellowed pages.

He was very old, his face covered with deep wrinkles, but those weathered traces symbolizing age, like tree rings, did not soften the cold and stern countenance of this old man known for his iron fist. Instead, they made him appear ever more severe and unyielding.

And besides that cup of coffee, an unlit silver candlestick, and the historically significant old book, a crown lay silently on the desk, appearing somewhat dull in the daylight, as if eroded by time, or perhaps reflecting the final stages of the old man’s life.

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The woman did not disturb the old man’s reading.

She walked slowly to the bookshelf, her slender fingers brushing over the books one by one, finally stopping on a book that was completely out of place among those ancient texts or works by famous authors representing the pinnacle of art and tactics.

It was a fairy tale from the Federation, telling the most ordinary story of a prince and princess.

Taking out that fairy tale, the woman leaned against the bookshelf and silently leafed through it.

After a long while, the old man seemed to have finally finished the section he wanted to read.

He gently closed the old book and looked at the black coffee that had already gone cold, as if looking at time that could no longer be recovered. His dry eyes trembled slightly, and after another long period of silence, he finally broke the quietness that should not have been maintained for so long in the study.

“How long… has it been since you last returned?”