Chapter 594 Breach
Minister Theron, deep in thought in his private quarters, was jolted from his reverie by the distant sounds of commotion echoing through the palace corridors.
His brow furrowed with concern as he listened intently, trying to discern the source of the disturbance. The peace and quiet of the palace had been shattered, and he knew it was his duty to investigate and ensure the safety of the Empire.
Without hesitation, he reached for the communications device on his desk and activated it. The device crackled to life as he relayed his urgent message to the royal guard stationed throughout the palace.
"This is Minister Theron. What's going down there?" The Minister commanded to know. "What? Intruders in the palace?... There is an unusual disturbance, I see. I need a squad of guards to join me immediately. Proceed with caution."
Within moments, a group of elite guards assembled outside the Minister's quarters, ready to follow his lead.
Their expressions were resolute, the weight of their responsibility etched upon their faces. Together, they embarked on a brisk march, their boots echoing in the empty corridors as they headed towards the source of the chaos.
As they neared Ashton's room, the noise grew louder and more chaotic, confirming the Minister's suspicions that something significant was occurring.
The guards fanned out, forming a protective formation around the Minister as they approached the door. With a nod from their General, one of the guards gently pushed open the door, revealing a scene of disarray and conflict.
The Minister's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight before him. Broken furniture, scattered debris, and fallen bodies filled the room.
His heart raced, and he feared the worst, but his relief was palpable as he spotted Ashton and Anna amidst the chaos, standing tall and seemingly unharmed.
"Reaper! Bella!" the Minister called out, his voice filled with concern and relief. "What has happened here?"
Ashton's gaze met the Minister's, his expression calm yet determined. "Minister, we were attacked. But fear not, we have dealt with the assailants."
Anna's voice joined Reaper's, her tone steady. "They caught us off guard, but we could defend ourselves. Unfortunately, all but one of them died in the process."
The Minister's relief turned to simmering anger as he surveyed the wreckage. He clenched his fists, his voice laced with frustration.
"This should never have happened within the walls of the Orion palace. Our security measures have failed us."
He turned to the General in charge of palace security, his tone stern. "General, I measures have failed us."
He turned to the General in charge of palace security, his tone stern. "General, I entrusted you with the safety of this palace, and you have allowed this breach to occur. Explain yourself."
The General, his face pale and filled with remorse, bowed his head. "Minister, I... I apologise for this grave lapse in security. We will investigate how these assailants managed to infiltrate and take immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the future."
The Minister's gaze hardened, his disappointment evident. "Investigate thoroughly, General. We cannot afford any more oversights. Our Emperor's safety must be paramount."
He turned his attention to the royal guards accompanying him. "I want a complete sweep of the palace, from top to bottom. Check every nook and cranny for any remaining assailants. We cannot risk any further breaches."
The guards nodded, their expressions determined. They dispersed swiftly and orderly, fanning out to carry out the Minister's orders.
The Minister then focused his attention back on Ashton and Anna. "Reaper, Bella, I apologise for this security breach. Rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this. These attackers must have had a motive. Were you able to identify any of them?"
Ashton exchanged a glance with Anna, their expressions guarded. "No, Minister," he replied evenly. "They wore masks, concealing their identities. We were unable to discern their motives. However, I hope something will be revealed once you interrogate this person."
Ashton replied, throwing the surviving assailant towards the guards.
The Minister's frustration grew, but he masked it well. "Very well. We will interrogate the captured assailant and uncover the truth behind this attack. No stone will be left unturned."
Ashton and Anna nodded in understanding, their determination evident. They knew that exposing the truth behind the attack meant unravelling the web of intrigue that had plagued them for far too long.
But for now, they had to be cautious in revealing their suspicions, for they did not yet know who among the palace inhabitants could be associated with the cult.
The Minister, satisfied with their response, nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Reaper, Bella. Your bravery and skill in defending yourselves are commendable. The Orion Empire owes you a debt of gratitude. I'll make sure you are compensated fairly for what happened tonight."
After the Minister and the guards left them alone in their chamber, Ashton and Anna exchanged a cautious glance. The night's events had heightened their suspicions, and they knew they couldn't afford to trust anyone blindly, not even someone as high-ranking as the Minister.
Ashton leaned against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. "Anna, what are your thoughts on the Minister? Do you believe he can truly be trusted?"
Anna sighed, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of surveillance. "I don't know, Ashton. He seemed genuinely concerned about our well-being, but it's hard to trust anyone completely in a place filled with secrets and hidden agendas."
Ashton nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. We've seen too much deception, too many attempts on our lives. The cult's reach could extend further than we can imagine."
Anna stepped closer to him, her voice low. "We need to be careful, Ashton. We cannot afford to reveal our suspicions prematurely. We must gather more information, find the ones pulling the strings behind the cult."
A flicker of determination sparked in Ashton's eyes. "That's why we joined the Orion Empire in the first place, Anna. We knew that by being here, we could smoke out the hidden members of the cult. And if the Minister is truly working against us, we'll find out soon enough."
Anna nodded, her gaze unwavering. "We have to tread carefully. Let's keep our cards close to our chests for now. We don't want to tip off anyone who might be watching."
Ashton ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice. "I just hope we can trust the people we'll be working with, who'll aid us in uncovering the truth."
Anna's eyes met his, a glimmer of determination shining through. "We have to trust ourselves, Ashton. Our instincts have guided us this far, and they won't lead us astray now."
Ashton's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're right, Anna. Let's continue with the plan and hope for the best..."
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