The next morning, Grim reviewed Lady i’s intelligence regarding Korin Silverscale. The half-dragon blacksmith had been operating under increasingly restrictive conditions in the mining district, despite his exceptional talent.
"Everything is prepared for your eting with the Empress," Chen Xing reported.
Grim nodded, closing Lady i’s report. "The docunts are in order?"
"Yes, my lord. All docuntation about the building are on you desk. Though I must note, seeking permission to establish a cultivation sect is... unprecedented."
"Which makes preparation all the more essential," Grim replied, rising from his desk. "The Empress values tradition, but also pragmatism."
He put on his white and black robes that had beco his trademark.
"Lady Huangyan and the guards are ready for the journey to the mining district afterward," Chen Xing added.
"It will," Grim stated with confidence.
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The imperial palace corridors seed particularly busy that morning, with officials moving between etings. Grim’s arrival generated the usual mix of curious glances and hushed conversations—the young lord whose influence had expanded so dramatically in recent weeks remained a subject of intense interest.
As he approached the imperial audience chamber, a familiar voice called his na. Princess Liona erged from an adjacent corridor, accompanied by two attendants who discreetly fell back as she approached.
"Lord Ambrose," she greeted, her formal tone betrayed by the warmth in her eyes. "What brings you to court so early?"
Grim bowed. "Your Highness. I have a eting with the Empress."
"How fortunate our paths crossed, then," Liona replied. The silver crescent moon pendant—she had worn it consistently since receiving it. "I’ve been hoping to speak with you."
She dismissed her attendants with a gentle gesture, though they remained within sight at a respectful distance.
"Is sothing troubling you, Your Highness?" Grim asked, noting the subtle tension in her posture despite her composed expression.
"Not troubling, precisely." Liona’s gaze t his directly. "I understand you’ll be traveling to the southern provinces soon, to inspect the coastal territories."
"Word travels quickly at court."
A slight smile touched her lips. "Indeed. I’ve long had an interest in the southern coastal ruins."
"An academic interest?" Grim inquired.
"Partially." Liona glanced briefly at the attendants before continuing. "The southern coast has always been significant to the Empire."
"Your seem unusually interested in the southern coast."
"The imperial library contains many volus unavailable elsewhere," she replied. "Including records of what existed in the Empire before it was an empire." Her eyes held his. "Before cultivation arts were... discouraged."
"Such records would be fascinating to read." Grim acknowledged.
"They would indeed." Liona touched the crescent pendant briefly.
"An interesting proposition," he replied. "Though I wonder how Lord Luminaris might view such an arrangent."
Sothing flashed in Liona’s eyes—frustration, perhaps, or determination. "Max Luminaris is... a political reality. Not a personal choice."
For a brief instant, she wasn’t the imperial princess but simply a woman trapped by obligations she hadn’t chosen.
"So realities can change," Grim said quietly.
"So already have," she responded, her gaze unwavering. "Since your return to the capital."
The air between them seed tonhave changed. Grim was acutely aware that they stood in a public corridor, where anyone passing by might overhear them.
"I would welco Your Highness’s insights during my southern inspection," he said finally. "Should the Empress approve such an arrangent."
"I believe she might," Liona replied, composure fully restored. "Particularly after your audience today."
Before Grim could inquire about that cryptic statent, a palace attendant approached to announce that the Empress was ready to receive him.
Liona stepped back, offering a formal nod. "Good fortune with your petition, Lord Ambrose. I look forward to hearing the outco."
As Grim proceeded toward the audience chamber, he wondered how much the princess already knew about his plans.
More importantly, her interest in accompanying him south presented both opportunity and complication. The princess’s presence would draw attention.Yet her knowledge of imperial records could prove invaluable.
The imperial audience chamber was designed to intimidate—high vaulted ceilings, massive columns of polished marble, and the raised dais where the Empress sat upon her Throne. Unlike formal court sessions with their crowds of nobles and officials, private audiences were conducted with only essential personnel present. Today, that ant the Empress, Chancellor Levenhart, and two imperial guards.
"Lord Ambrose," the Empress said. "Chancellor Levenhart informs your petition is... unusual."
"Your Majesty," Grim replied.
The Empress studied him with her piercing blue eyes.
Grim presented the scroll containing his formal petition. Chancellor Levenhart accepted it, breaking the seal and unrolling it for the Empress’s inspection.
"I request a cultivation institution be built in the Empire."
A heavy silence fell over the chamber. The Empress’s expression remained neutral, but her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on the armrests of her throne.
"Cultivation sects," she finally said, "were restricted by imperial decree thirty generations ago. They operated with too much independence and posed significant challenges to imperial governance."
"That decree was implented because of followers of the Demon Lands," Grim countered. "I will personally be in charge of the sect. You saw what I did to Talyra. I won’t allow a Demonic Sect to form in the empire."
The Empress handed the docunt back to Levenhart. "The current system of magical education through the Imperial Academy has served the Empire well. Why change that?"
"Because the established order limits our potential," Grim replied carefully. "The Academy teaches a controlled environnt. Cultivation sects historically explored the boundaries of what’s possible."
"Boundaries exist for reasons, Lord Ambrose," the Empress observed. "Often, they protect us."
Grim nodded. "True, Your Majesty. And yet, the Empire once benefited greatly from sect innovations. Mana-powered transportation, enhanced agriculture, advanced healing techniques—all originated in cultivation sects before being adopted by the broader society."
"Also true," the Empress conceded. "Though you notably omit the more destructive applications that contributed to their restriction."
"That was the work of the Demonic Sect."
Chancellor Levenhart cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, if I may... Having a sect under the Empire could improve things with other nations who look down on us."
The Empress’s eyes narrowed slightly at the Chancellor’s intervention. "You seem well-prepared for this discussion, Chancellor."
"I am simply thinking of the Emprie," Levenhart replied evenly.
Turning her attention back to Grim, the Empress leaned forward slightly. "And what benefits would the Empire derive from this sect’s reestablishnt?"
"Three primary advantages," Grim responded without hesitation. "First, concentrated advancent in mana. Second, structured training for those with exceptional talent who find the Academy’s standardized approach insufficient. Third—" he paused briefly. When we ultimately go to war, i will lead the Sect onto the front lines."
This last point seed to resonate, a slight tilt of the Empress’s head acknowledging its validity.
"You’re suggesting that you will create a force atrong enough to stabd against the Demon Lands," she observed.
The Empress rose, descending the three steps from her throne to stand level with Grim.
"Walk with , Lord Ambrose."
They moved toward the tall windows overlooking the imperial gardens, out of earshot of both Chancellor and guards.
"Your true motivations interest more than your formal petition," the Empress said quietly.
"My ambition is to restore balance," Grim replied with equal frankness. "The current system concentrates knowledge too narrowly, limiting the Empire’s potential growth."
"And your personal growth?" the Empress asked directly.
Grim t her gaze steadily. "I seek to fulfill my house’s original purpose."
The Empress studied him for a long mont before giving a single, decisive nod.
"You may form your sect, but quarterly inspections and complete docuntation of everything that goes on. One year of operation under these terms, after which the arrangent will be reevaluated."
Chancellor Levenhart looked surprised at the decision’s swiftness.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Grim said.
"See that you do," the Empress replied, her tone making clear that this was not rely formality but warning. "History suggests that even well-intentioned cultivation sects can lose their way. I would regret having to correct such a developnt."
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