"Yes… Where is the heart?" The senator demanded, his gaze fixed intently on Matilda.
"I don't know," Matilda replied, her voice strained. "I dropped it on the ground when I lost consciousness. I don't know what happened next."
"That's strange. Joshua is a celestial-stage warrior; his heart would be valuable. I'm just saying, what if someone took it?"
"What are you implying?!" Matilda shot back, a frown creasing her brow.
"I'm saying you took it."
A stunned silence fell over the courtroom. Matilda, everyone present, and the countless citizens watching the broadcast were utterly shocked.
"Why would I want that?" Matilda asked, her voice now dangerously cold.
'Is Peter stupid?! Saying this before the Empress and everyone will surely draw her wrath… Isn't he scared?' The old senator thought, bewildered.
"You are ambitious, my Queen. You might need it for something far more 'important'," Peter stated, his eyes boring into Matilda's. "What do you say to showing us your storage?"
"How dare you?!" a senator bellowed, leaping to his feet. "Why would our Empress do what you say?!"
"Yes! Who do you think you are?!" another added, equally incensed.
"My Queen, don't listen to this fool! We believe you!" a woman in the crowd cried out.
Matilda exhaled slowly, then turned to face the screen. "I won't hide anything from my people."
She snapped her fingers, and countless card slots materialized before everyone, revealing every single item in Matilda's spatial storage. The complete set of high grand equipment, all of the best quality, alongside an array of jewelry, money, and other priceless valuables, was laid bare.
Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Everyone was stunned.
The two senators who had first spoken out against Peter now stood again, yelling at him.
"Are you satisfied?!"
"Yes! Are you?!"
"Please, senators," Matilda said, closing her storage with another snap of her fingers. "Senator Peter is a Xenor, and we lost more than 30 Xenor in the explosion. I understand his grief." She then turned to the old elder. "What we should be worrying about is Lord Vancouver. He escaped. Perhaps he came back and took the heart; I don't know."
"You are right! That was Vancouver's estate, but he is nowhere to be found! Did he join his nephew?" the old man muttered, troubled.
The senators glared at Peter, who simply rolled his eyes before they all sat back down.
"My Queen, is there anything else you want to say to the people?" the old senator asked.
Matilda nodded, slowly rising to her feet and staring directly at the screen.
"What happened was caused by a traitor! Don't worry, my people, all is well, and we are safe! The dead will be buried, and all families will be compensated for their loss... I want you all to keep an eye on Vancouver! You all must know him… If you set your eyes on him, don't engage; just report to the troops! And you will be rewarded greatly!" she yelled, her voice resonating with authority.
'Although he is dead, this will keep the people busy.' She thought inwardly.
_____
[City Square.]
The crowd watched as the screen in the city square changed, now displaying advertisements for their great empire. One by one, the citizens dispersed, leaving a lone figure behind.
"Done… Plan one complete."
She turned around and walked away, entering a secluded alley. "No matter what, I must complete the mission."
As she walked, her body began to shift. She grew three inches taller, her ivory skin turned smooth and fair, and her hair and eyes became silver. The moment she reached the alley's exit, she removed her hood, revealing the unmistakable features of the Empress.
"Fufufufu… This look will make things a lot easier." She covered her face again and walked down the street, heading towards the colossal bank across the way.
"Welcome," the guards greeted, staring at the lady. She simply opened her hood.
"…?!"
"Empress?!"
Both guards were stunned.
"Be quiet, I am discreet! If you expose me, I will have your heads!" she hissed in a low voice. The two men nodded frantically, like lizards.
"Let me in, I want to speak to the manager!" she commanded. The guards quickly nodded and stepped aside.
The lady walked past them, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. "No one should enter… I will follow from behind." she ordered. They nodded, remaining perfectly still.
She smirked and walked inside.
BEEEPP!
An alarm instantly blared, alerting all the guards inside. They rushed forward, quickly surrounding her, their guns and weapons aimed.
The lady's gaze swept over the weapons. She removed the hood from her face.
"…!!!"
"Empress!!"
The ten soldiers immediately lowered their weapons, their faces filled with shock, surprise, and utter disbelief.
'Did… did we just point our weapons at the Empress?' The head guard thought, a wave of mild shock washing over him.
The lady drew a dagger from her body and tossed it to the head guard, who caught it, his hand trembling.
"Em… Empress…?" he stammered, looking up at her.
"That caused the alarm. You can search me if you want."
"No! No! We wouldn't dare!! You can have it back… Empress," he said, stretching the dagger back to her, even bowing his head.
'Hehehe! Was planning to use the commander, but that plan changed after he died! I should have known the Empress is the first and right appearance to take.' She mused, taking her dagger back.
"Why are you here, Empress?" the head guard asked respectfully.
"I think the manager will be the best person to ask that," she said, staring at the man.
"Oh! Empress!! You should have sent someone!"
The lady and the guards turned to see a young elf walking towards them, dressed in a sharp black business suit and black heels.
"Welcome, Empress!" The manager bowed deeply, while the guards stepped back.
"How are you doing, Manager Violet?" the lady asked with a smile.
"Good, My Queen… This way, please." Violet gestured for her to walk first.
The two took countless turns through the bank, finally reaching the golden vault.
"My Queen, are you here for the object you delivered last night?" the manager asked.
'Last night?' The lady frowned.
'Isn't the Queen hospitalized the whole yesterday?' She turned to the manager. "Yes… I am here for it."
"Okay, My Queen… You are the only one that can activate the vault. I myself don't even know the codes," the elf said, turning around and walking away to give her some privacy.
"Thank you," the lady said, turning to face the golden vault.
'What a jackpot!' she thought with a grin.