The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1806: Lady Justice (2)

"Do you have something to say?" The voice of Emperor Dominar sliced through the atmosphere.

His words targeted Althea directly.

In a flash, the entire gala fell into utter silence.

Countless eyes fixed on her as if she were prey trapped in a corner. Murmurs built up like heavy pressure blocking her hearing—she found herself exposed and isolated. Drola hissed her name, pushing her to offer an apology. Marquess Darius turned ghostly white. This marked the first occasion she'd witnessed such terror in him.

Her siblings backed away several paces, unwilling to stand alongside her. Even her spouse trailed after them—such spineless figures.

Achieving solidarity proves far simpler in words than in action, particularly when a outcast is involved.

All gazes locked onto her—a highborn lady who had crossed her limits. Youthful and unable to conceal inner thoughts that ought to remain hidden. Unproven in matters of allegiance. Whispers suggested her fate was sealed. Others felt sorry for her innocence. Yet at this instant, Althea paid no mind.

A decision loomed before her.

Usually, she moved cautiously toward choices. Hesitating far beyond necessity.

Yet now, resolve surged within her. A newfound courage.

Witnessing Rex battle for his convictions perhaps sparked a fiery zeal in her youthful spirit.

A spirit hungry for danger and integrity.

Despite all the jabs and insults she'd hurled at Davina, her core remained principled.

She refused to betray Davina from behind and sought only to outdo her through honest means.

This pattern had held for a century, and it would persist until she finally eclipsed Davina.

The surrounding treachery repulsed her. She opposed any punishment for Empress Morgana, as it would tarnish the realm. Still, she couldn't bear seeing Rex stripped of his rightful reward after wagering it all.

Moreover, Princess Davina's no-show indicated her refusal to align with these idiots.

Out there somewhere, she pursued what she deemed correct.

Similar to Althea, the moment had arrived to take a firm position.

Althea let out a tired breath, raising her eyes to lock onto the emperor's without flinching.

’Alright, Davina. I’ll follow your instinct. At the least, I recognize your integrity surpasses mine.’

Like a swift hare, Althea sprang twenty-five meters high and touched down elegantly atop the dome. Shocked intakes of breath filled the space. Attendants tripped in surprise. Royal guards yanked out their blades with fury. Voices from the House of Seawyn yelled toward her.

Drola clutched her gown in alarm and distress. Next to her, Marquess Darius dripped sweat from fright and astonishment.

The emperor observed without a word.

Disapproval brewed in him, yet it failed to mar his striking features.

Althea drew herself up tall and positioned herself commandingly on the dome. Her pale blue locks danced with authority. Like everyone else, the silver bracelet adorned her wrist, blocking access to her vital force, which only amplified the audacity of her move.

Rays of sun cast shadows over her face, transforming her into an emblem.

Her pulse raced as she surveyed the assembly of influential aristocrats.

"I am Althea of Seawyn, though that won’t hold true afterward," She glanced at her kin, fully aware they’d disown her following this. Laughter erupted from some. Mockery from others. But she pressed on undeterred. She needed to continue. "I count myself among the brave nobles who strengthened Her Majesty’s forces during her... holy quest."

Mockery laced her words.

It ignited scowls across faces.

"And I appear before you all to defend the glory of our grand empire." She proclaimed with force, then halted. Her stare ensured every ear was tuned in. "Our empire sprang from forebears who fought through the shadowed era. From champions of untainted resolve. Genuine aristocracy that gleamed with dignity.

"Yet today, I witness inferior nobles reveling in injustice. Inferior nobles allowing years to dull their heroic essence. Timid schemers plotting to crush a warrior who guaranteed the holy quest’s success. A warrior who endangered himself to rescue countless among you.

"Marquess Darius of Seawyn. Marquess Raka of Lorntyr. And those beneath them."

Althea allowed the facts to ring out.

Many of these aristocrats grasped only the tale painting Empress Morgana as the savior.

That wasn’t accurate.

Rex embodied the true savior, whereas she delivered the final, vital bound. Essential. But no savior.

"Girl, sit down!" A voice bellowed.

"Like Hell," Liliana, the oldest child of Castillon, shot back with bottled rage. "Listen to her!"

Duke Lorcan seized her arm, shooting her a fierce, warped glare.

Liliana fought back, yanking her arm loose.

A heated snort escaped his nostrils like an enraged beast. Without the silver bracelet’s restraint, Liliana couldn’t have freed herself so easily. Fury consumed him. He yearned to strike his own daughter. Still, Althea’s words flowed onward.

"Knight Rex battled relentlessly to shield the empire, and I call for fairness in his name!" Her cry boomed. Yet by then, royal guards had surrounded her. One dashed forward, arms outstretched to bring her crashing down.

Althea exploded with power.

Metal groaned under strain as her knee collided with the royal knight’s jaw.

Two additional royal knights rushed in.

She twisted her form aside, dodging blows meant for her skull and limbs as they sliced through nothing. Then, from an unexpected twist, she contorted in a stunning display of agility while airborne, harnessing the motion to shove the royal knights backward a pace.

They staggered on the slick surface and tumbled off.

Rosa burst through the entrance and hurried up the stairs.

Cold perspiration trailed along her forehead as she hastened. Entering the legendary Milky Garden, the fresh breeze struck her forcefully. Her stride hesitated. She anticipated festivities. Instead, a dense quiet enveloped her like darkness.

A taut strain she could sense in her mouth.

And in its midst towered Lady Justice.

"Althea...?" Rosa gaped at the poised figure atop the dome.

Then, catching her ease, Althea pivoted and gave a nod.

’Rex shared his scheme solely with me,’ Rosa pondered inwardly. Her forehead creased in wonder at Althea’s apparent grasp of the situation. No one else ought to understand her actions. ’Or does she truly comprehend?’

Footfalls in haste shattered her daze.

Another royal knight sped by, mirroring her urgency.

He sped beyond her, and briefly, Rosa spotted the document clutched in his grip.

Events were unfolding, and he hurried to inform the emperor, it appeared.

Rosa trailed after him too. She carried tidings for the emperor as well.

"If Her Majesty truly is the champion, reveal what transpired at the Tomb of Heroes!" Althea fixed her gaze and even grinned at the emperor. She now lay on the floor, held fast by two royal knights. But that held no importance anymore.

Delay had been secured.

A shift stirred among the aristocrats too.

All had beheld Althea confront three royal knights. No one foresaw such prowess, such raw ferocity. She represented the coming era ahead of schedule, a shake-up to the old ways. Veteran nobles scorned her, but whispers of change electrified the younger crowd.

Their looks betrayed it.

"Reveal precisely what occurred there, Your Majesty," She jeered with disdain. "And you’d best possess solid evidence that Knight Rex assaulted Her Majesty."

Quiet reigned.

Doubting the assertion equaled a bold defiance of the emperor.

Althea had shattered an unbreakable barrier.

Even so, her choice solidified prior to her dome leap.

"Marquess Darius," Emperor Dominar’s command thundered, compelling the ashen marquess to raise his head, realizing evasion from this disgrace was impossible. "Do you acknowledge her as part of your lineage? Respond."

At those words, Marquess Darius’ eyes bulged.

An escape route opened for him.

"No, Your Majesty," He denied with a shake of his head and threw an icy look at Althea. "Actually, exile awaited her post-gala. My compassion let her join as family for one final occasion. I accept all fault for this disturbance."

"Nonsense," Emperor Dominar dismissed with a gesture. "It makes no sense for you to bear blame for a frantic woman’s deeds." He shifted his attention to Althea. "She answers alone for her conduct. Guards, escort her to join the captives."

Just as the guards prepared to haul Althea off, a captain near Emperor Dominar stepped closer.

He murmured in his ear.

Emperor Dominar glanced back, brow furrowed deeply. His expression seemed to question if he’d misheard. The knight captain pointed toward Rosa and a winded royal knight whose chest heaved noticeably.

An assault had focused on the royal bubble’s Obelisk of Life.

The bulk of nobles clustered here for the event.

Security in various areas thinned solely today, and foes seized the chance.

It signaled an uprising.

Only nobles learned of this assembly. Non-aristocrats faced tight oversight to prevent leaks. This pointed to betrayal from within the nobility.

A betrayal against the empire.

Beyond that, Princess Davina hammered at the royal bubble’s edge.

Her army numbered fifty thousand. Far beyond what border troops could counter.

’Princess Davina...?’ Rosa overheard the name from afar.

For Princess Davina to challenge the royals so brazenly, abandoning her domain to strike the royal bubble, bordered on madness. Emperor Dominar could eradicate her troops now inside his domain.

Yet Princess Davina wasn’t foolish. Rosa understood that.

She ranked among the sharpest, perhaps the sharpest, of the rising stars.

Countless aimed to match her stature, so she weighed the perils well.

’She placed such trust in Lord Rex that she’d endanger her life and fifty thousand others?’ Rosa eyed the dome enclosing Rex below, awed by Princess Davina’s conviction. Her mind zeroed in on urgent hope. ’Rex, deliver a wonder for us.’

She wheeled around, clenching her hands as she fixed on Emperor Dominar’s rear.

Immense might dwelled in that frame. ’I truly can’t fathom how you’ll triumph against the emperor.’

Amid the crisis, select nobles mobilized for defense.

Primarily, marquesses deployed to face Princess Davina’s troops. A handful reinforced the Obelisk of Life with their forces. It served as a feint. Emperor Dominar sensed brewing threats in the dark.

No one would dare meddle with a Citadel-grade Obelisk of Life lightly.

Clearly a ploy.

Rosa realized fooling the emperor with that trick wouldn’t suffice, and she appreciated Princess Davina’s role in heightening the disorder. Now she prayed Emperor Dominar remained blind to the diversions’ true aim.

Of course, Emperor Dominar remained on site.

The gala proceeded, despite absences among the attendees.

Tunes played. Scheming conversations flowed. A light contest between lineages stirred rivalry. The emperor personally guided a tribute rite to the earth for safeguarding them across millennia. Followed by a vow of allegiance displaying fidelity to the royals, involving Emperor Dominar, the Crown Prince, and select heirs.

Empress Morgana nowhere visible.

Each tick of the clock doubled Rosa’s heartbeats. Minutes brought anxiety. Hours dragged in agony. The upheavals prolonged the diversions. Perfect. That aligned with Rosa’s goal.

She stole looks at the emperor, dreading exposure in the scheme. Restlessness gripped her like never before.

Her spouse even murmured worries.

With her constant sweat-dabbing, anyone could tell unease plagued her.

Yet she avoided the emperor and performed flawlessly in his presence.

Things progressed without major hitches.

At last, darkness fell.